Few things are as pleasurable as food, and for college students, a hot meal can be the highlight of the day. After hours of class and mental strain, nothing hits the spot quite like pleasing the ol’ taste buds and stuffing your face. The Pulse staff members put our heads together and created a guide to eating in Ames. Granted, this list is for students, by students, and we were limited in the amount we could include – so not all restaurants made the cut. Our condolences if one of your favorites isn’t on the list, but these are the picks we thought would be the most useful overall.

Classy joints to take a date:

When you’ve got it bad and promised your significant other a night out on the town that you can’t afford, these restaurants have a great combination of atmosphere, food and service.

1. Dublin Bay, 320 South 16th St.: Like cheese? They’ll fry your cheese. In fact, they might fry your shoe if you ask them nice enough. Also, Irish decor equals classy.

2. The Cafe, 2616 Northridge Parkway: Great ambiance and great food. Their fresh-baked artisan breads and pastries are unmatched this side of the globe.

3. Aunt Maude’s, 547 Main St.: Stained glass windows, soft lighting and rich oil paintings make this place a fool-proof backdrop for a romantic evening.

4. Olde Main Brewing Company, 316 Main St.: They brew their own beer and root beer, and often feature live music. They also have sweet electronic order-taking devices.

Best places to meet/study:

When you’re working on the big project and need a calm place to study, or when you need to arrange a lunch meeting, these places have good food and they won’t mind if you take your time.

1. The Stomping Grounds, 303 Welch Ave.: With wireless Internet, live music and a casual atmosphere, this Campustown establishment is a student favorite. You’ll be totally chic with your ice mocha latte.

2. Cafe Diem, 323 Main St.: Wireless Internet, good mood music and comfortable couches make Diem worthy.

3. Panera Bread, 309 South Duff Ave.: An overpriced sandwich never tasted so good. Their bagels and pastries are also delicious, and decidedly less expensive. Panera is also a wireless provider.

4. The Downtown Deli, 328 Main St.: It’s a deli, and it’s downtown. Nothing remarkable, but exceptionally filling.

Best places to try something new:

Every once in a while you’ve just got to try something that you’ve never had before, and these eateries deserve some attention.

1. Cafe Shi, 2514 Chamberlain St.: If you dream of faraway spices, Cafe Shi offers a variety of Asian foods. Here is where I’ll place my obligatory “T” joke and giggle maniacally.

2. Le’s Vietnamese Restaurant, 113 Colorado Ave.: A different taste that may satisfy those looking for something unique.

3. Thai Kitchen, 2410 Chamberlain St.: Spicy and flavorful, their green tea ice cream sets them apart from restaurants in the area. You may want to stash a bottle of Beano with you, however.

4. La Fuente, 217 South Duff Ave.: If it’s your birthday, they’ll put a giant sombrero on your head. If it’s not, you’ll have to supply your own sombrero, but the Mexican food will certainly be authentic.

Late-night munchies:

Here are four places to visit when you run out of Easy Mac at 2 a.m. and need food like you need to drop your drug habit.

1. Perkins, 325 South Duff Ave.: Open 24 hours with good food, good service and classy – but not too classy. Its greatness comes from its versatility, serving everything from waffles to hamburgers whenever you want them.

2. Flying Burrito, 2712 Lincoln Way: Open until 3 a.m. and full of burrito goodness. Nothing is quite as satisfying as a burrito the size of your head. Be sure to try their “Hazmat” hot sauce.

3. Jimmy John’s, 135 Welch Ave.: Open until 3 a.m., their 48-cent day-old bread is the cheapest sustenance around. Offers free smells and sandwiches that would make your doctor happy.

4. Gyro stands, located on Welch Avenue.: The perfect place to stand if threatened by hypothermia. If you haven’t had one yet, you probably should transfer to another university.

Best places to eat until you burst:

Four words: all you can eat. These are the elite restaurants that will feed you until you can feed no longer. The food may not always be of the highest caliber, but remember what we learned in school: quantity over quality.

1. King Buffet, 1311 Buckeye Ave.: Massive quantities of Chinese food is always better than ramen. If you like your Chinese served in vats of deliciousness, this is your place.

2. Pizza Hut (lunch buffet), 436 South Duff Ave.: Nothing noteworthy, but the pan pizza staple never disappoints.

3. Hy-Vee buffets, 640 Lincoln Way: Surprisingly good, Hy-Vee offers a variety of different foods, from Italian to Chinese.

4. Valentino’s Pizza Buffet, 2500 Ferndale Ave.: Students can eat all they want for $5.99 on Sunday nights, and even more if they bring garbage bags with them (don’t do this).