A-Team's Best Campus Choice

Benny Dorris

A-Team Member

The best sweet treat in Cape, or at least the one you're not going to, is Kaleidoscoops Ice Cream.

I'm a sucker for ice cream, so I apologize if you're lactose-intolerant. Although I spent too much time and money on half-priced shakes at Sonic this summer (always a solid option), right across Kingshighway is a small ice cream shop called Kaleidoscoops. And even though I've grown to enjoy Simply Swirled (another great option), I didn't notice Kaleidoscoops until the end of my junior year.

Kaleidoscoops offers a huge, rotating selection of mix-and-match flavors including German Chocolate, Black Walnut, Peach, Superman and more. Every time I walk in the doors, I have a new smorgasbord of interesting flavors to drool over. The price is reasonable, and frequent fliers can grab a punch card to fuel up for an even sweeter treat after eight purchases.

The ice cream trail doesn't end at Andy's, Dairy Queen, Simply Swirled or McDonald's. I'd encourage anyone to check out Kaleidoscoops. I believe it's a Cape Girardeau secret that needs to be told. So the next time you're feeling the ice cream freezer at Schnuck's, I urge you to branch out and drive the short distance to Kaleidoscoops. You won't regret it unless, of course, you're lactose-intolerant.

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Agathe Pompon

A-Team Member

The best place to get fountain drinks is definitely Rhodes 101 by the Show Me Center. I don't know if all Rhodes have the same machines, but this one is incredible.

First there is a lot of different sizes of drinks you can take. If you take the bigger one you can probably be good on your fluid intake for at least two days. For one of the sizes you can even get two different design of cups, and that's fancy.

Then the choices of available flavors you can choose from is extensive. If you like mixing drinks you can likely go a lifetime getting a drink a day without ever having the same drink twice. Isn't that awesome? I am not even sure all the flavors are commercialized at the supermarkets. The only thing that can be tricky is the actual choice you have to make. If you struggle with decisions on a regular basis and feel overwhelmed by daily choices like the color of the shirt you want to wear that day, maybe pass on this decision then. You might get caught in an infinite loop of decision-making and never be heard from ever again.

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Amber Cason

A-Team Member

The best coffee that you can find in Cape, in my opinion, has got to be found at Cup 'n Cork. The inviting, eclectic establishment can be found on Main Street right off of Broadway. The coffee is absolutely amazing. Whether it be a raspberry truffle latte or just a simple brewed cup of black coffee, every cup is made to order and treated with so much care that you can really taste it in the coffee. Their flavors of lattes and coffees are so creative and there is something there for everyone to enjoy.

If coffee isn't really your thing, I would still recommend Cup 'n Cork. They have amazing wines as well that you can enjoy (if you're of age, of course) and an array of salads, soups and sandwiches. The atmosphere is enough to bring you in and never let you go. It is so warm and inviting with random art work and comfy seating scattered throughout. It really is a place where you can just go and enjoy time with friends or get lost and just have some time to yourself. They also have a great patio area that I personally will be taking full advantage of this spring. You can sit outside and just enjoy the weather and see all of the things that go on in downtown Cape.

You can find anything you need from a coffee house when you go to Cup 'n Cork. Yes, there are amazingly brewed coffees and drinks that alone still make it the best in Cape, however the atmosphere and experiences you have there are what will keep you coming back for more.

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Daniel Eckert

A-Team Member

My friends and I are always going to Denny's off of William Street. While we don't go there too often for lunch, simply because it's easier for most of us to eat on campus, it does have fantastic service and delicious meals. There have been only two times out of the countless times I've gone there that I've had slow service and I don't think I've ever had a messed up meal. They have very cheap options, ranging from $2 to $10.

My favorite dish there is the Grand Slamwich. It's very popular. It's potato bread with a stuffing of ham, cheese and eggs mixed with bacon and sausage. It's got everything you like in breakfast, a sandwich with a side of fries or hash browns. That meal is around $8 and absolutely delicious. They have so many choices, and it doesn't have to be breakfast.

They have several burger and dinner choices that are just as delicious as their breakfast dishes. While their food is good, I have to say that the biggest pull for Denny's is that they have very flexible seating arrangements. They have a huge banquet room which is great for big parties and the servers are completely awesome if you have friends who just want to hang out. It's a fantastic place to hang out for lunch or dinner.

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Jen Gradl

A-Team Member

I was really excited when Southeast changed from Commerce Bank to US Bank because US Bank has been amazing the past few years and is my choice for best student checking.

Back in high school, my car was broken into and my purse was stolen while I was at cheerleading practice. This was literally right after Christmas so inside I had all of the money and gift cards I had received and my credit card.

Unfortunately, I couldn't inform the bank in time for it to be cancelled, but I called them and explained what had happened and they immediately refunded me for the two gas station charges and for a purchase at Walgreens. That made the incident a little less painful, even though the police never caught the person who did it.

Since I've been living in Cape and living off campus the past two years, I have to go inside US Bank to deposit rent money and all that not-fun grown up stuff. Everyone there knows my name and asks how I'm doing and helps me when I have no idea how to do things. I really appreciate that.

Side note: why wasn't I taught anything important, like banking, in high school? I still ask myself this.

So, if you're looking for a bank or if you're about to vote on the Campus Choice survey, I'd recommend US Bank.

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Alex Frisby

A-Team Member

Being broke is usually part of the territory that comes with being a college student. However, it doesn't stop us from desiring a good time or delicious food.

Luckily for me and now luckily for you, there is a delicious Asian restaurant on North Kingshighway called Saffron Bistro or just Saffron for short. If you appreciate Asian food, this is the place for you. It's insanely delicious and surprisingly inexpensive. Most of their big entrees are around $9 for a large helping of rice, noodles or vegetables with a choice of meat.

If you still think a $9 entree is too expensive try going around lunch time. They have a wonderful lunch express menu that has great options like pad thai or beef stir fry -- both of which, I recommend.

Another great characteristic of Saffron is its atmosphere. On a Friday or Saturday night it's the perfect place for a date night that won't break the bank. It's small, quiet and gives the higher-quality feel without the higher-quality check.

All around I give Saffron my vote for best Asian food in town as well as the best date night spot.