As annoying and cliche as it may sound, arriving at college truly is a roller coaster of emotions. At UC Berkeley, each new turn feels like a new chapter in your life that there’s absolutely no turning back from — just like these cheeky and annoying one-way streets, welcome week is a nonstop, thrilling adventure. From the family shouting matches at move-in, to the high of your first truly free night out, to the depressing gloom of gazing at the Campanile and wondering if you will ever actually find your true friends (you will), welcome week goes by in a disorienting yet unforgettable blur. How to accommodate this whirlwind of emotions, you might ask? Indulge in some of the lovely treats that Berkeley has to offer. As you make your way through the epic highs and lows of college welcome week, perhaps you will find yourself dining at these distinctly UC Berkeley eateries.
Yogurt Park: the curiosity of a new step
Let’s get the big, obvious one out of the way first: Yogurt Park. Post move-in, there’s no better idea than to reward yourself and your family with one of UC Berkeley’s most famous treats: froyo! Nothing encapsulates the all-consuming curiosity of entering this new place like taking a visit to Yogurt Park. Everyone talks about Yogurt Park when they talk about UC Berkeley, or maybe it’s the other way around, but either way, it’s for a good reason. As you gaze at the unique flavors of the day and choose from the wide assortment of colorful toppings tempting you through the eye-level glass window, you recognize that you are truly attending UC Berkeley, the number one public university in the world. This tasty treat will both give you brain freeze and a zap into reality. Not only that, but there’s a reason Yogurt Park needs to be delicious: The classes here are hard and you’re going to need a reward after them. But best not to think about that now, you only just moved in!
Little Gem Belgian Waffles: sweet recovery from your first night out
After spending the last few hours prancing around frat row like a wild rabbit, you are in desperate need of a sweet treat in the middle of the night. You stalk down Durant Avenue and come to the realization that close to nothing supplying a good, decadent sweet treat is open anymore. Your stomach proceeds to protest in agony. But wait, what is that tiny hole in the wall down over on Telegraph Avenue? Oh, that’s right, it’s none other than Little Gem Belgian Waffles. Open until 12 a.m. on weekdays and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, Little Gem Belgian Waffles stands like a diamond in the rough, supplying tasty riches and glistening hope to the starving and sloshed students of UC Berkeley. Take in that crispy waffle and cool, rich ice cream. You’ll find that nothing compares to it, and it has absolutely nothing to do at all with the state you are in.
Noodle Dynasty: the first crashout
So there go the first few days of college: It’s an unstoppable high. You meet new people, go out with them, make memories with them — it’s a beautiful few days. And that’s just what it is: a few days. An emotional high wouldn’t be a high if it didn’t come crashing down suddenly, and this is exactly what happens once you start thinking too much about the things you said, the classes you signed up for, the lack of any extracurricular activities on your agenda and on and on. This is the start of your campus crashout of doom and despair, and the onslaught of the universal fear of never doing enough. If it’s any consolation, almost everyone I know has said that they experienced this. But nevertheless, the first crashout is unforgettable. I still remember mine: I was gazing at the Campanile at 2 p.m. from the Stern Hall balcony with tears in my eyes after calling my mom and thinking that maybe I had made the wrong decision coming here. I know now that I didn’t, but what could I have used in this moment, you say? Yep, some Noodle Dynasty. A warm bowl of fresh noodles and a spicy broth can always soothe both the stomach and the soul, especially when you feel like death. So when that inevitable crashout comes, don’t say I didn’t warn you, and please don’t refrain from the delectable meal that is a hot bowl of beef brisket noodle soup.
La Note: starting to see yourself belonging
Post crashout, the world seems a bit brighter. Some time has passed, you’ve made some solid friends, and you can see yourself joining some clubs and groups on campus. Big things! To celebrate these victories, you and your friends become frequent brunch goers. A scrumptious and refined breakfast spot nearby is none other than Downtown Berkeley’s La Note. My favorite breakfast spot at the moment, this is the perfect place to chat with friends and take in the UC Berkeley atmosphere, all while munching on some bougie toast slices. As the autumn vibes roll in, you recognize that you are having your Rory Gilmore moment. It’s a wonderful sensation. It really feels like you’re in a movie.
All in all, hopefully these recommendations don’t lead you astray from the wonders of welcome week and instead bring you comfort in one of the most exciting and important times of your life. Remember to accept the fact that this week is a roller coaster and take the wins and losses as they come, perhaps with a treat or two!