State College food guide: Penn State, the Creamery and football weekends

State College sits in the middle of Pennsylvania, in a valley, and grew around Penn State University. Its food scene is built for students, parents, alumni and the large crowds that arrive for football weekends. Start at the creamery, eat on College Avenue and plan around the football calendar.

What is the Berkey Creamery?

The Berkey Creamery is the university's own dairy store and a must-visit on campus. Lines can be long on warm days and on football weekends, so choose your flavor early and go off-peak. The creamery also sells milk, cheese and other dairy products.

Where do you eat on and around campus?

Campus has dining halls, which are mostly for students, plus cafes and student-run counters in some buildings. Off campus, College Avenue and Beaver Avenue are the main restaurant streets, with pizza shops, sandwich counters, Asian restaurants, diners and bars within a short walk of campus. Sit-down restaurants range from long-running downtown grills to corner diners, and local dairies and shops serve ice cream away from the creamery.

What happens on football weekends?

The town more than doubles in size on home football Saturdays. Hotels fill up months ahead, restaurants fill by mid-morning and tailgates fill the parking lots. If you want a sit-down meal, book weeks in advance or eat at an odd hour. Some restaurants close the kitchen early or use limited menus, and bars are crowded by noon. Traffic into town is heavy, and many people park outside town and take a shuttle. Locals often avoid downtown on game days and eat at home or in neighboring towns. Check the athletics calendar before you plan a visit.

What is State College like when students are away?

During summer and winter breaks, the town is quieter, and some student-focused restaurants cut their hours or close for a few weeks. Graduation weekends, move-in weekends and parent weekends are busy times. If you want a calm visit, go in July or on a weekday in early spring or late fall. If you want atmosphere, go during a football weekend, with eyes open about the crowds.

What is nearby for food?

The surrounding county is farm country, with farm stands, orchards and pick-your-own berries and apples in season, and farmers markets in nearby towns. A drive into the valleys passes small-town diners, bakeries and country stores. Hershey, Harrisburg and Lancaster are a couple of hours away by car. Pennsylvania wineries and breweries dot the region. Check hours, since rural businesses often close early or on certain days.

How do you eat on a budget?

State College is a student town, and that helps. Pizza by the slice, sandwich counters and international takeout are low-cost. Look for lunch specials and student discounts. Share a large plate, and ask whether a restaurant offers a happy hour menu. Parking downtown costs money, so use a garage or a bus.

What about dietary needs and children?

Campus communities usually have a good range of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Ask about cross-contact at pizza and sandwich places. Children are welcome at most casual restaurants, and the creamery is a favorite family stop. Strollers are fine on the sidewalks, though crowds on football weekends make them hard to use.

What is a simple plan for a visit?

Plan a morning on campus, with a walk through the grounds and a creamery stop, and a lunch on College Avenue. Spend the afternoon at a museum or garden on campus, and finish with dinner at a restaurant you have checked. Book early, especially on weekends. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a layer, since the valley can be cool in the evening even in summer.

How do alumni and parents usually eat?

Many alumni return for a favorite sandwich or a plate they ate as students, and parents often choose a sit-down dinner on a Friday night before a weekend event. If you are bringing a family, book early for graduation and parent weekends, ask about the cancellation policy and confirm the reservation a day ahead. Some restaurants hold a table for only 10 or 15 minutes, because the line at the door is long. Have a second option nearby, and consider a late lunch on the day itself, which is often easier than a dinner. A quiet cafe on a side street can be a good place for a talk with a student away from the noise of College Avenue.

How do you keep a State College list that works for every visit?

The student, the parent and the alumnus eat in the same town in very different ways. In the Mosey app, rate the creamery cone, the College Avenue sandwich and the Friday-night dinner by the dish, add a tag such as Student Friendly or Group Dining, and keep the places in a list for the weekend you are planning. Share it with family coming for graduation, and they can add the quiet cafe. Follow friends who live in town and see where they eat on game days.

Rate your next State College meal in the Mosey app and add it to your list.

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