A guide that provides insight into the mom-and-pop shops of Whitewater, and which ones are my favorites!

Here at UW-Whitewater, we’re lucky enough to have an incredible Warhawk Dining team that gives us a great dining experience on campus, but sometimes, it’s also fun to eat off-campus. When it comes to late night snacks, a restaurant for you and your friends to get dinner, or the best coffee in the city, this guide is for you. As an official Whitewater big-back, I have been to nearly every restaurant in the city. I love food and will try everything, so this blog will give you my perspective on where to go.

  • Cozumel: 5/5
    • This wouldn’t be a proper Whitewater food guide if THE restaurant of Whitewater wasn’t listed. I have never had a bad experience with Coz. Their Mexican rice is the best that I have had, and their deals are to die for. When I go, I always get the shrimp taco dinner and a side of Mexican rice. Their margaritas (make sure you are 21+) are very well done, and you can get a whole 40oz one to share with friends, (who are also 21+) you’ll want to because it is a lot. When I told my family from Chicago and Madison that I was going to Whitewater, they started asking me about Cozumel and if I had ever been there. It’s that iconic. 
  • China House: 4/5
    • I feel as though every UWW student is aware of this restaurant’s existence. Their food is incredible because they don’t do too much. They make your typical Chinese food, but they do it so well. Late-night study sesh and looking for fuel? You found your oasis. Just make sure you have cash, they don’t accept anything else and don’t have an ATM. The closest ATM is the gas station next door. Still worth it though. I love their Lo Mein, and their orange chicken is delicious (I am aware of the level of basic my Chinese order is. It is what it is).
  • Beijing Buffet: 3.3/5
    • Beijing Buffet is a more recent find for me, but it makes this list for sure. Their Peanut Butter Chicken (hear me out) is fire, their prices are really good, and it’s all you can eat. They also allow you to do take out for a weight price. The atmosphere doesn’t lend itself to an ideal first date restaurant, but you can pig out with no shame. This one for the fellow big-backs!
  • Second Salem 3.5/5
    • Second Salem is the perfect restaurant to take your family to when they visit. It’s got great burgers, drinks, and atmosphere. A little pricey, but for a one-time family visit, it gets the job done. Not much to say here. A good burger place with a good environment.
  • Station One 3/5
    • Station One is known as a townie bar and while they’re very small, they have one of the best deals in Whitewater. If you’re looking for a nice and quick place to grab food and watch a game, this is the place. For $6.00, you can get 2 hot dogs, ranch fries, and a draft beer (if you’re 21+). The holy trinity. Seriously an experience that must be had before graduation. 
  • Fanatico 2.8/5
    • The Valentine’s restaurant. Fanatico is easily the nicest restaurant in town. Farm to table and authentic Italian food is their game, and they play it well. They have a nice selection of pasta dishes, drinks, and steaks. Their atmosphere is probably the best that you would find here in Whitewater. Definitely worth taking a serious date to. Why the low score you ask? For a college student with limited income, I’d rather go to other Italian restaurants that are less expensive, but of similar quality, unless a really special occasion comes up.
  • Jessica’s 4.3/5
    • I love this place. Growing up, there was this tiny town homey diner that my family and I would go to on Sunday mornings after church, and very few places have matched that. Jessica’s is one of them. Their food is like a perfect diner breakfast and their coffee is spot on. I can’t recommend this place enough.
  • Sweet Spot 4.5/5
    • Conflict of interest disclosure, I now work here, BUT, I was a huge fan before I even worked here. The Sweet Spot still has some of the best coffee in the span of Crystal Lake, IL to Madison, WI. It outperforms the majority of coffee shops I have been to and definitely beats any commercial brand in any aspect. Quality and price are so much better and they’re such a great spot for studying and meet-ups with friends!

   In a town as small as Whitewater, WI, I am so blessed to have plenty of options to go out to eat. There are still some restaurants that I must go to, but as someone from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, (which is one of the largest cities I have lived in), it’s surprising to see a town that is so much smaller but has significantly better food options. I hope that you’ve found your new dinner destination and be sure to let us know what you tried!

Dennis Marler