Bite of the Palouse: Top eight must try restaurants on the Palouse
During Week of Welcome you NEED to visit these hotspots
Main Street in downtown Pullman is home to many different restaurants, cafes and bars.
August 18, 2022
Coming onto the Palouse for the first time may be intimidating for some people, especially incoming students. The campus might be unfamiliar and the great seas of wheat surrounding us do not always scream “great cuisine.”
But that assessment could not be more untrue; the Palouse is home to a variety of delicious offerings just waiting for you to find them. Allow this article to be your reference point when straying away from the dining halls.
Starting off strong with a great spot for both food and drinks is The Land, located right in the midst of Apartment Land. I could gush for pages about The Land, but they have some overall really solid food offerings. The fried chicken sandwich is what they are most known for but do not ignore their smash burger or loaded fries.
For those over 21, the drinks at The Land are not very expensive and there are a handful of dartboards and pool tables to keep you occupied at the bar. On Tuesdays, you can get cheap tacos and half-priced margaritas. Whether you walk over from campus or live in Apartment Land, The Land is a great restaurant to visit.
If “Island Comfort Food with a fusion twist” is more up your alley, then Malō Cuisine should be on your restaurant bucket list. Located in the Lumberyard building, this restaurant has some incredibly delicious and refreshing options such as Kalua pork or macaroni salad. While not the cheapest option on this list, you are certainly trading dollars for quality and you will have to restrain yourself from getting a second helping.
The Lumberyard in general is a great place to eat some lunch or dinner as they usually keep their garage doors open for outside seating, leaving a great breeze that only serves to compliment the food. Malō is a must-try.
One of my personal favorites, O-Ramen offers a good selection of food to fit anyone’s palate. Whether you order a tasty bowl of ramen with in-house-made noodles, some tasty gyoza or want to taste a wide variety of sake, then this is the restaurant for you.
O-Ramen is really good at catering to dietary restrictions and their vegan ramen is amazing. If you are looking to cool off from that hot end of the summer heat, their shaved ice is some of the best in town, with prices for their large portions that will not scare your wallet. Make sure to check out O-Ramen in downtown Pullman.
For this breakfast joint, we zoom to cross state borders to Moscow. The Breakfast Club is hands down one of the best restaurants for breakfast food, something that is attested to by their long wait times and packed rooms. Their chicken-fried steak and pancakes are more than worth the drive over the border and you will find me there more times than I care to admit.
The only downside to The Breakfast Club is how popular it is. The restaurant is located on the main drag of Moscow and does not take reservations, so it is advised to get there earlier than you initially intend and be ready for a wait. Grab some friends with cars and make the trip down to Moscow for some delicious breakfast.
Another Moscow restaurant, Loco Grinz is a great spot for Hawaiian BBQ that I am more than willing to make the drive for. You will not be disappointed by any of the offerings here but I prefer the pork katsu and the macaroni salad. You get large serving sizes with some delicious food which seems like a win-win.
Like The Breakfast Club, Loco Grinz is a far drive, but with the right group of friends, the trip will be worth it.
Returning back to Pullman, Miss Huddy’s Barbecue Truck is a gem that is only available at certain times. Serving some of the best BBQ on the Palouse, Miss Huddy’s offers some BBQ greats such as pulled pork, brisket or ribs. They do not skimp on the sides, however, and the banana pudding, coleslaw, or mac and cheese are all delicious.
They are located just outside Paradise Creek Brewery and their next cook is on Aug. 20. If you can not make that time or just want more information about the food truck or the times they cook they regularly update their Instagram or website.
Is Greek and Mediterranean food calling your name? Look no further than Yia Yia Nikki’s, the premier stop for some tasty and fresh meals. Unlike most of the other restaurants on this list, Yia Yia Nikki’s has a location both in downtown Pullman but also in the Compton Union Building, allowing for easy walking access to some delicious food.
I have not been disappointed by anything on the menu but I would heartily recommend getting the sampler platter to try a bit of everything. If you end up at either location of Yia Yia Nikki’s you need to try the Baklava. This dessert is reason enough to go and one of the main reasons I keep coming back.
This list would not be complete without mentioning one of the bastions of Pullman fast food – Cougar Country Drive-In. With all the airs of good quality food without the more traditional sit-down restaurant prices, Cougar Country is a staple of the Pullman food world. With plenty of options ranging from traditional burgers to a clam or shrimp basket, you are sure to find something you like here.
Like Yia Yia Nikki’s, Cougar Country is actually in two locations. You can find the main location on North Grand Avenue or the closer location in the CUB. Either way, Cougar Country has reasonable prices for some filling food and has milkshakes of a huge variety of flavors.
Eat up, Cougs!
