It’s never too early to start planning your next meal, especially if you have a day (or weekend) full of movie and people watching. So, if you are looking for somewhere to eat after a couple hours worth of film showings at the True/False Film Festival, whether you’re craving a dessert, beverage or just a quick meal, be sure to check out these dining locations closest to your film venue.
If you’re viewing a film on Ninth Street at Jesse Auditorium, Missouri Theatre, Blue Note or The Picturehouse, consider the following eateries:
Booche’s (110 S. Ninth Street) is a pool hall and pub with incredible pool tables and even more incredible burgers. This old-school joint right on Ninth Street in The District fosters an old-fashioned yet classic charm that is an unforgettable part of your dining experience. This location would be appropriate if you are seeking a heavier meal consisting of a traditional barbecue with hamburgers and hotdogs galore, and for a place to sit down and eat during the festival. Though Booche’s can be a busy at times, the crowds verify the point that the joint is a hot spot for Columbians looking for a good place to grab a meal.
Shakespeare’s (225 S. Ninth St.) is a classic pizza joint Columbians have grown to love more over the years. The location is perfect walking distance from any Ninth Street venue, and the atmosphere is the perfect balance between college and family friendly. The place is usually packed, but the crowd only contributes to the popularity. With delicious, hot and ready pizza, Shakespeare’s is the perfect restaurant if you’re looking to sit down and enjoy a meal, or grab a slice on the go.
Sparky’s (21 S. Ninth Street) is your one-stop shop for delicious ice cream and even some weird art in The District. Though the weather may not be the best for ice cream, there is still a chance that you may be craving something sweet during the festival. All of the ice cream at Sparky’s is homemade and they have an amazing variety of unique flavors, and the selection is different nearly every time I go. Venture out if you plan to get something sweet at Sparky’s and try a new flavor while you’re there. The Turkish Coffee and the Earl Grey flavors are fantastic, but with so many to choose from, it’s hard to go wrong at Sparky’s. The ice cream is reasonably priced, and perfect for enjoying while walking around during T/F.
If you’re viewing a film on 8th Street at the Forrest Theater, consider visiting the following:
Sub Shop (209 S. Eighth Street) was voted, according to their site, as Columbia’s favorite sub shop since 1975, so it surely possesses something special. Their fresh sub sandwiches, crisp salads and homemade desserts are beyond compare, and the Sub Shop serves some the most delicious sandwiches around. Both the breads and desserts are made from scratch, and the free wireless Internet definitely comes in handy if you need to check up on anything in between films. With superior customer care and delicious sandwiches to take on the go, the Sub Shop is the perfect place to visit while downtown for the festival.
The Velvet Cupcake (23 S. Eighth Street) is a newly opened cupcake shop that was introduced to The District in the fall of 2011. The Velvet Cupcake also serves Starbucks espresso drinks, which are good and reasonably priced if you’re looking for a hot drink on-the-go. The Wedding Cake cupcake is my personal favorite, but all the cupcakes are delicious and beautifully decorated, with frosting that is sweet and tasty. The shop has a variety of cupcake flavors, cookies and pastries to offer, and they also have a small breakfast and lunch menu if you need a quick bite to eat.
If you’re viewing a film on Walnut Street at the Odd Fellows Lodge, be sure to check out:
Café Utopia (1013 E. Walnut Street) is a perfect little café that is a must visit if you’re craving some homestyle food. The spin on traditional homemade cuisine is phenomenal and the café features nearly every type of dish from pastries, to soups, sandwiches and more. The cinnamon rolls are my personal favorite, but there are plenty of options to choose from to suit your fancy. The small storefront really makes the place nice and cozy. The eatery also pairs well with its neighboring café downstairs, Fretboard Coffee, as they both feature similar cuisines for decent prices and tastes that are out of this world.
Fretboard Coffee (1013 East Walnut Street) is a small coffee shop hidden under the Artlandish Gallery on Walnut Street. At the café, you can have your coffee brewed a number of ways including French Press, Pour-over and siphon. Watching the brewing process is enjoyable, and in the end, the coffee is superb. The shop has two tables and a bar, and though the café itself is small, there is plenty of space for customers. Wifi is available upon request, and Fretboard Coffee is the perfect stop if you’re looking for a place to relax and enjoy the atmosphere before heading off to enjoy all that True/False has to offer. The experience at Fretboard Coffee will be well worth your time, and I highly recommend stopping in to relax or grab a cup and go, as this place is a real gem in the Columbia coffee scene.
If you’re viewing a movie on Hitt Street at the Big Ragtag and Little Ragtag theaters, consider visiting:
Uprise Bakery (10 S. Hitt Street) is a quiet bakery nestled in Ragtag, and is perfect for visiting if you’re looking for a relaxing place to grab a quick bite and a good cup of coffee. The delicious baked goods are hard to pass up, and you can even bring your treats into the theater as well if you choose to eat while watching a film. Uprise Bakery is a great place to meet friends in between showings, and have some wholly delicious food while you’re there. The bakery is a real treat and a great way to relax and step away from the bustle of the festival for a bit during the day.
Gunter Hans (7 Hitt Street) is a café right across from Ragtag that features German cuisine with a non-traditional style. Gunter Hans is a café that does light meals, snacks, desserts and drinks – a little bit of everything done extraordinarily right. The café is a fun and enjoyable step outside the average Columbia restaurant. The pretzels are absolutely wonderful, and the waffles are dense and delicious as well. Seating is limited, but they do have a nice patio, weather permitting. If you’re looking for a unique café to try something new, Gunter Hans is the place to be.
Freebirds World Burrito (1020 E. Broadway) is a new restaurant in the District featuring Mexican cuisine and is located just around the corner from Ragtag. With a large selection of burritos that are just the right size, Freebirds is the perfect quick lunch or dinner spot to visit. The atmosphere is fun and cozy, and the staff is rather friendly as well, which is surely a plus.If Chipotle doesn’t suit your fancy, or if you’re just looking for another good spot to grab some quick Mexican food, you should definitely check out Freebirds.
By Manal Salim
BearingNews will be covering True/False this week. Check back for reviews, features and interviews.