WEST. An institution with sports fans and locals since 1946, this neighborhood diner is a throw-back to past days. Short-order cooking produces fantastic burgers, and malts are a house specialty. Breakfast, especially, draws in folks, including UW athletes. They come for enormous pancakes or scramblers, which are eggs stirred up with meat, served over fried potatoes and topped with melted cheese and brown gravy. (Make sure you've got an active day planned!) Food's affordable, and seating is at the counter or in booths. Breakfast is served all day.

EAST. Weary Traveler didn't take long to establish itself as a reckoning force. The casual pub-like ambience and terrific food that has folks clamoring for more. The local favorite may be Bob's Bad Breath Burger, a perfectly cooked patty adorned with caramelized onions, garlic, and cream cheese on a tender roll. If that doesn't do it for you, look to sandwiches fashioned of tuna or lamb, or consider goulash, ceviche, or a great pork chop. They also do a fantastic all-you-can-eat pancake brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.