Campus Eats: The ‘Zag-eats’ guide to Gonzaga University

Gonzaga University students can’t have every meal in the Cog.

Well, technically, they might be able to. But it’s good to go off campus once in awhile.

GU anchors the south end of the Logan Neighborhood, one of Spokane’s oldest residential areas. It’s home to a number of restaurants – from cheap eats to places where Bulldogs will want their parents to take them when the come for Zag Fam Weekend.

This is where to go for grub around the Gonzaga University campus.

Cheap eats: Wolffy’s

“Woof it down at Wolffy’s” is the motto at this iconic diner with a 1950s vintage vibe. Wolffy’s is super-close to campus and family owned and operated. Plus, its prices generally fall in the $4 to $8 range. Old-fashioned burgers – with cheese or without, or with bacon or chili – come in singles or doubles. The Wolffer is a triple burger with triple cheese. Specialty burgers include mushroom and Swiss, Greek, jalapeño and Cajun. Rounding out the menu are chicken strips, chili cheese fries, onion rings, grilled cheese, German sausage, a chili cheese dog, crispy chicken sandwich, milkshakes and ice cream sundaes. 1229 N. Hamilton St. (509) 487-1587. www.wolffyshamburgers.com.

Sweet treats: Lilac City Bakery

Lilac City Bakery and its corresponding Celebrations shops specialize in cupcakes and special occasion cakes. Espresso drinks are also on the menu. So are scones, muffins, cinnamon rolls, cake pops, cookies, bars, breads and savory options such as salads and sandwiches. The Mediterranean is a favorite. An accent wall, decorated with vintage bakeware and situated next to a corner nook with a table for two, is made for Instagram. 1215 N. Ruby St. (509) 315-4958. celebrationssweetboutique.com.

Coffee: Arctos Coffee and Roasting Co.

This newer coffee shop and small-batch coffee roaster opened north of campus in mid-March in an old auto shop. Evidence of its former life includes roll-top, garage-style doors that let in plenty of natural light. The industrial space is done in gray and black with red and rustic wood accents. Burlap coffee bags cover the ceiling and add to the ambiance. Ursus arctos horribilis is the scientific name for the grizzly bear. Ursus arctos is the brown bear. And there are bear references throughout the shop, including the logo – the silhouette of a bear whose back resembles a tree line – and the white coffee roast called the Ghost Bear Blend. The signature is the Arctos Espresso Blend. Look for lattes, mochas, macchiatos, americanos, pastries and a ham-and-cheese bagel sandwich. 1923 N. Hamilton St. (509) 413-2362. arctoscoffee.com.

Date night: The Blackbird

Opened three years ago in the old Broadview Dairy building, the Blackbird specializes in barbecue. The menu is mostly meaty. But there are options for vegan and vegetarians, such as barbecued jackfruit. The vibe is modern with whimsical accents. Blackbird motifs adorn subway tile. Chairs are red and made from recycled Coca-Cola bottles. Booths are big enough to get lost in. Cocktails are handcrafted. Appetizers include corn dogs and bacon-fat popcorn. Barbecued meat – brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken, hot links, beef ribs – is available by the pound or half-pound. Sauces are made in-house. Split peach cobbler, doughnuts with chocolate sauce or buttermilk pie for dessert. 905 N. Washington St., (509) 392-4000. www.theblackbirdspokane.com.

Breakfast: Kalico Kitchen

This GU-themed breakfast and lunch spot, established in 2003, is big on the Bulldogs and breakfast. Most of the menu is devoted to omelets, Benedicts and combo plates. Look, also, for biscuits and gravy, waffles and breakfast burritos, tacos and sandwiches. Early bird breakfast specials are served from 6 to 8 a.m. and range from about $4 to about $6. Most entrees range from $8 to $12. You don’t have to be Zags’ fan to eat here, but it makes it even more fun. So does bringing a big appetite. Dare you to finish the $15.99, six-egg Kalico Kreation omelet. Double-dog dare you to finish the $25.99 Kamikaze Kreation: a nine-egg omelet with four cheeses, veggies and double meat – ham, bacon, sausage and smoked sausage – plus a waffle, toast and 1 pound of hash browns. Eat it all in 30 minutes or less and win a T-shirt and get your name on the wall of fame. Regular fans can just sign their names in the foyer. 2931 N. Division St. (509) 326-7144. kalicokitchen.net.

Burgers: D. Lish’s Hamburgers

D. Lish’s Hamburgers, founded in 1998, is a fast and cheap, locally owned burger joint close to campus. Bacon, extra cheese and crispy fries can be added on to burgers. There’s a double, triple and monster, with four patties and four slices of cheese. The double-cheese Dave’s Q burger features bacon, crispy onions, pickles, tomato and D. Lish’s own barbecue sauce. D. Lish’s made headlines in 2017 when it created a seven-patty novelty Zag Burger, formerly known as the Karnowski, in honor of GU star basketball player Przemek Karnowski. It featured 1 pound of meat. 1625 N. Division St. (509) 323-7130. www.dlishs.com.

Beer: No-Li Brewhouse

Spokane’s biggest and oldest operating brewery is located on the banks of the Spokane River near the GU campus. Founded in 1993 as the former Northern Lights Brewery, No-Li was rebranded in 2012. Since then, production has soared, and No-Li beers – including the popular Born & Raised IPA – have become more widely distributed. The tap room has a casual Pacific Northwest lodge vibe. The River Room across the hall is anchored by an indoor fire feature. And the expansive patio, recently redone with crushed rock, features its own bar, Adirondack chairs and chair-less, standing-height tables with umbrellas. The menu features pub fare – from nachos and wings to a steak salad, fish and chips, barbecue pork mac and cheese, fish tacos, and a variety of hand-helds. Beers include Big Juicy IPA, Wrecking Ball Imperial Stout, Spin Cycle Red, Jet Star Imperial IPA, Poser Pale Ale and Crony Brown Ale. 1003 E. Trent Ave., (509) 242-2739. www.nolibrewhouse.com/.

Pub grub: Logan Tavern

This casual bar and grill serves up a friendly vibe along with pub fare. Look for loaded fries and nachos, chicken wings, baked mac and cheese, and assorted salads, burgers and sandwiches. The popular Chop Chop sandwich features chicken, grilled onions, bacon and provolone on a pretzel bun. The Kennel Wrap includes crispy chicken and blue cheese dressing and crumbles. Daily specials and happy hours cater to students and neighbors. Tuesdays, it’s tacos and tequila. Wednesdays, it’s whiskey and wings. And Saturday and Sunday, it’s brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To start, consider a Pint O’Bacon, with apple wood-smoked bacon glazed with bourbon and brown sugar. To finish, there’s a Pint O’ Doughnuts, served with a side of sweetened cream cheese. The Logan Tavern is located in the same spot that long housed the Bulldog Tavern, a popular gathering place for Zags for 65 years. Since it closed in 2011, the building has been home to a revolving door of restaurants. Logan Tavern opened at the end of February, transforming into a neighborhood hangout that the new owners hope has staying power. 1305 N. Hamilton St. (509) 474-0584. www.logantavernspokane.com.

Pizza: Pete’s Pizza and Pizza Pipeline

Build your own pizzas at Pete’s, which bills itself as the “Calzone King.” Pies come in small, medium and large. Sauces are marinara, garlic, barbecue, ranch and pesto. Cheeses are mozzarella, cheddar, feta, provolone and ricotta. Toppings include meatballs, salami, bacon, anchovies, broccoli, artichoke hearts, pepperoncini, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red pepper and sliced egg. Pete’s Combo features pepperoni, Canadian bacon, sausage, mushrooms, black olives, green peppers, onion and pineapple. But the calzones – Hawaiian, Spicy Hawaiian, Chicken Cheddar Deluxe, Chicken Bacon Ranch, Roasted Garlic Chicken, Pete’s Favorite (with ricotta and meatballs) and more – enjoy a cult following. 821 E. Sharp Ave. (509) 487-9795. petesspokane.com.

Pizza Pipeline, started in Spokane in 1988, has been pleasing pizza lovers for 30 years. The flagship store is located near GU. The menu includes sandwiches, cheese bread, bread sticks and a dessert pizza, or “Sweetza Pizza.” The Pipeliner sub is a pizza sandwich made with pizza sauce, mozzarella and three pizza toppings of your choice. Savory pies include the Pizza Pipeline Sampler with Italian-style sausage, pepperoni, beef, Canadian-style bacon, black olives, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers and extra cheese. The Meatie Supreme has all of those meats, plus bacon and steak. There’s extra cheese, too – but none of the veggies. 1403 N. Division St. (509) 326-6412. pizzapipeline.com.

Game day: Jack and Dan’s Bar and Grill

This lively GU-neighborhood sports bar, once co-owned by the late Jack Stockton, father of NBA Hall of Famer John Stockton, is a great place to watch the game, grab some grub and enjoy a pint or two. It isn’t unusual for the historic two-story tavern, popular with students and alumni alike, to fill up before noon when there’s a big game on. Appetizers include hot wings, mozzarella sticks, nachos, mini jalapeño poppers and chips and salsa. Fries and onion rings are available by the basket. The establishment, featured in Sports Illustrated in the 1990s when the younger Stockton was a point guard for the Utah Jazz, also offers an array of hearty hand-helds. Look for a cheeseburger, Reuben, club sandwich, French dip, Caesar wrap, roast beef and chipotle melt, BLT, grilled cheese and more. 1226 N. Hamilton St. (509) 487-6546. jackanddans.com.

When the parents come to visit: Clover

Gonzagans, when your parents come to visit, get them to take you to Clover. For lunch. For dinner. For weekend brunch. And, if you’re 21 and over, for drinks. Just get your parents to take you here. Clover, opened in 2012, is the passion project of Scott McCandless, who – along with wife Liz – owns nearly 40 regional Subway and Papa Murphy’s franchises. Tucked into a turn-of-the-century Craftsman-style bungalow, the restaurant features award-winning craft cocktails and a menu of modern, upscale, scratch-made, seasonal Inland Northwest cuisine. John Stockton is a fan. Cody Geurin is the executive chef. Prices are higher than what most college kids can regularly afford. One of Spokane’s best restaurants for fine dining, Clover is elegant but approachable. And it just happens to be conveniently located across the street from campus. 913 E. Sharp Ave. (509) 487-2937. cloverspokane.com.