MacFoodie101

Hi everyone! Yup- you read it right, unfortunately our blog is coming to an end. The video below is a little message from each of us. We had so much fun managing this blog and we hope you had just as much fun reading and learning about food around the campus! Remember, the food journey doesn't end here. :) As you can see there are many of us behind the blog- blogging is a big job! As for each member's contribution, we took turns to post about our favourite places and foods- each writing four blog posts each. As for the video we unfortunately lost a member of the team but the remaining Macquarie foodies all submitted our own clips to be put together as a final message to all our readers. Thanks for reading, and goodbye! Note:  The background music in the video - Damiano Baldoni - "A Ghrà"  was sourced from the Free Music Archive http://freemusicarchive.org/ which is listed and approved under the Creative Commons license https://creativecommons.org/about/pr...

There are many places to buy bubble tea these days at the Macquarie Centre and around Macquarie University but I'm going to share with you my favourite place, Gong Cha!  Gong Cha is located on the top floor of the Centre. It's a small store with only few staff working at a time. There are many flavours and varity of drinks to choose from. There is also a list of what the top 10 drinks people like to buy shown at the front of the counter. Some of the top drinks are milk tea with pearls, green tea with milk foam and lychee green tea with aloe vera jelly.  My personal favourite and what I usually order is grape green tea with pearls. I find that this is the most delicious flavour I have tried so far and would recommend it to many of my friends when trying out bubble tea for the first time.  There is a small seating area around the shop where you and your friends can chill and drink your deliciously made drink.  The cost of the drink starts from a...

While certainly not providing the healthiest treats, if you everything and anything chocolate- Max Brenner is the place for you! Located just inside the doors to the Macquarie Centre, it's a perfect spot to go for that well deserved treat after a hard day hitting the books. It's a great place to take friends, too, with plenty of menu items to share like the fondue and mess party- however practically anything on the menu can be shared and the friendly staff are happy to provide extra cutlery and plates! If this hasn't been enough to convince you, then let me give you two words. CHOCOLATE. PIZZA. With winter and the exams coming up, it's the perfect time to start indulging in all this hot chocolatey goodness. It's always good to reward hard work! :) Don't worry, if you're not looking for a snack, Max Brenner also provides a wonderful assortment of chocolate drinks - hot and cold, as well as tea and coffee. So what are you waiting for? Details and ...

Have you been Piccolo'd yet? I have and I've got to say, it was amazing! Piccolo Me was founded in 2012 by brothers Roy and Charlie El Hachem and has since become the perfect café to enjoy delicious savoury options and sweet desserts with friends and family. It is located on the ground level of the Australian Hearing Hub in Macquarie University and always keeps me coming back for more. Some of Piccolo Me's most popular hits include the Cheeseburger Croissant, the Nutella deep fried ice cream and the Nerdtella Bomb. I personally love the Nerdtella Bomb, which consists of three simple steps before you can dive in: 1. Drop your Nerdtella Bomb into your cup. 2. Wait one minute before stirring. 3. Swirl the stick until the bomb has dissolved. Now you scoop up the nerds from the bottom of the cup and enjoy! Piccolo Me is a great place to have a social break or a sneaky snack between classes. I’ve found the experience...

Located in the campus food court, near the Commonwealth Bank and ANZ ATM's, you can get your daily dose of coffee at Marxine's Cafe! There is a variety of different coffee to choose from. From a classic cappuccino or a warm hot chocolate for the coming winter months, you can warm up your body. They have a standard coffee selection range of cappuccino, latte, flat white, long black, mocha, piccolo latte, chai latte, T2 tea and many more. Prices for the delicious drinks start from a low price of $2 for a small cup of coffee. My personal favourite is the chai latte and hot chocolate. The chai latte is a yummy drink with different spices that tingle your taste buds to want more. Marxine's Cafe also has some delicious foods you can buy with your coffee such as banana bread and muffins. They also have some lunch varieties such as grilled sandwiches. There are also sweet treats that are also displayed at the front. They also have a seating area where you can read the ne...

So far on this blog we have spoken about places to buy food on campus but have rather neglected the fact that there are days when you open up your wallet and only moths fly out, and you admit to yourself that you gotta bring something from home. My absolute go-to meal is quesadillas! I came across the idea years ago and have been making it ever since. **Exclaimer** I am aware that these are not traditional quesadillas by any stretch of the imagination but it's nicer to call them quesadilla's than "tortilla filled with any leftovers you have and cheese" **  Essentially all you need is:  a couple of tortillas grated cheese such as tasty cheese or mozzarella (this is basically the melty goodness that holds the whole thing together)  filling, this can be anything, such as: ham chicken leftover bolognese sauce any veggies literally anything you feel like, just chuck it in there  some kind of sauce/liquid to help combine it all together (if needed)...

So previously we've talked about healthy food options on campus but we're all about adventure, so let's go beyond the walls of Mac Campus! Just at the Mac centre we've got options including SumoSalad, Top Juice, Boost Juice and healthier alternatives such as roll'd (vietnamese cuisine) which include a lot of fresh veggies in their foods! But let's get into some details and really distinguish the benefits to foodies about these options. Let's start off with sumo salad. Pros sauce really tasty options which are relatively different to competitors give you the option of having 4 types of salad in one box  packaging is 100% recyclable Cons expensive compared to fast foods in food courts food is tasty but be mindful of their 'healthyness' because their sauces/dressings  limited options in mac location  sauce We've also got Boost juice which is great for those who need a pick me up, a lift, a BOOST. Pros convenience of on...

Are you on campus and have short breaks in between your classes? If you're like me and like to get a quick bite in between classes and don't have the time or energy to walk to the Macquarie Centre, I've got the perfect solution for you! Sushi World is located in the campus hub food court and is open everyday until 6pm, being the perfect spot to grab a quick bite or lunch box before dinner. It provides high-quality quick and tasty sushi products at affordable prices. I personally love their teriyaki chicken and avocado rolls, at just $3.00 each.                                                                        ...

Head over to Reuben & Earl Sandwiches to get your sandwich fix! Located in the campus hub food court, you can get yourself a home felt sandwich that is delicious and nutritious! From sandwiches and rolls to cups of fresh fruit that is nourishing and healthy.  Open every weekday from 7am you can start off your day with a cup of fruit as your quick go-to breakfast. There are different types of sandwiches to choose from. Sandwiches, rolls and flat bread varieties with a healthy salad filling and slices of meat.  Prices of the sandwiches and other food choices vary between $5 - $16. BUT!! If you walk in at a later time of around 5pm, you are able to score a deal of two rolls for only  $10!! or sandwiches for only $5!! The sandwich shown here was bought for only $5! It's a chicken sandwich filled with chicken slices (of course) and salad containing sliced tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce and shredded carrots, sauced with some mayo. It's so healthy a...

Happy Sunday Everyone! The blissful (hopefully) weekend is sadly coming to a close and before we know it, we'll be back in class. BUT another week means another chance to explore some great food around uni and with all the assessments due in right about now, why not reward yourself with a delicious burger from Grill'd. I'm sure you've heard of Grill'd before, with 125 stores nationwide, their healthy and locally sourced products, they are famous for their burgers. I went with my family to grill'd to celebrate my sister's birthday and had a great time, I got the "Summer Sunset" burger (pictured left)  and fell in love ! We had great service and overall a fantastic experience. Located right near the main entrance into Mac Centre, it is super easy to get to and recently brought out a feature that I think will honestly change my life. You can now ring up and pre-order your meal so that it is all ready to go by the time you arrive, perfect for when...

Are you an Indian food lover just like me? If you are you will love Tandoori Connection, which is located on the second level of the Macquarie centre in the food court. They have a range of different Indian food including curry, biryani, korma and tikka. I personally love their biryani and curry which are very affordable for students at only $12.90 a plate (and trust me, you will be stuffed as their servings are very generous). If you want to switch it up between chicken or lamb biryani, they have both, and even if you’re a vegetarian they also have veggie biryani and other vegetarian dishes! How could I forget about their delicious naan bread? Ranging from $2-5, their plain, garlic and cheese naan bread are to die for! My absolute favourite dish to eat from Tandoori Connection is their butter chicken which is the dish that makes me keep coming back for more! It’s perfectly textured sauce and perfectly cooked chicken makes it the best butter chicken I’ve eaten in a very lo...

I know what you're thinking- there's already a mexican place on campus- why would you want to head down to Macquarie Centre if you're already at the Uni? Well- trust me on this one. I have been to Mad Mex a lot. And when I say a lot, I mean, A LOT. I've tried nearly everything on their menu. It's my favourite mexican place ever, the food's just too good! You can make your meal the way you want it- choose a base, choose your meat, sauce, and toppings! Don't want nachos with beef? How about you try them with chicken or pork? Don't want lettuce? No one's forcing you to have it! Same goes for everything else! Choose your ingredients and watch as they make it fresh, right in front of you. I can highly recommend everything on their menu. Now I know I'm gonna hear some groans here but- guacamole? They've got it! But... for an extra $2 on top of your meal- but.... it's delicious! Try Mad Mex today! You'll find it a few stores down on t...

Sauce: https://www.mq.edu.au/on_campus/food_and_shopping/food_and_drink/ubar/theme_nights/ I'm sure you are all aware of Ubar and the great pizza they offer that comes in 8 different types including those suited for vegetarians and those for the carnivores and everything in between. You've got your classic magarita or in this case 'magaritaville' with baby roma tomatoes, boccocini and basil, to unique toppings like 'culloden' with pulled pork with chimichurri, rocket, coleslaw and chilli aioli and the more famaliar 'frank the bear' with 4 different types of meat: bacon, spicy pepperoni, ham and chorizo, complemented with capsicum, fetta, riccota  and fresh spinach. All pizzas are cut into 8 slices and come to a price of $12 which is quite reasonable, I find sharing with a friend gets you satisfied. Ubar in general also offers a great seating area for large groups with a lot of open space and both indoor and outdoor settings. They're also open mond...

Greetings all! Our spotlight today is on Presse Cafe, home of some damn good burgers and the best chips ever. Personally, Tuesday is a pretty bad day for me, timetable wise, with too many lectures and tutorials for my liking. BUT, the one good thing is my standing burger-and-chips-date with my campus bestie. Because #StudentLife is what it is and most of us can't afford to eat on campus everyday, I allow myself one day a week to treat myself, and Presse Cafe is where I go. Located delightfully close to U Bar, it is the ideal place to grab a bite and hang out with friends between lessons with an eat in or takeaway option. There are also numerous pool tables where you can unleash your competitive side and challenge your mates. This is the absolute perfect spot for lunch as the menu is diverse, with salads, sandwiches, burgers, fish and chips and pasta's. Although be prepared to wait a bit for your food as this popular lunch spot can get crowded during peak time, but all you g...

Food adventuring can be tiring, and we know that our bodies rely on energy which can come from food. We need to ensure we're putting our health first and be sure we're still eating foods that are good for us. This includes fruit and veggies and in Mac this is offered in our food court which have salad bars, baguettes and cafe foods and in Mac centre and places such as Sumo Salad, Boost Juice. Better yet to encourage the consumption of foods that are great for you some of these places offer memberships in which is a point/rewards systems which may include, freebies, discounts and special deals for exclusive members. Be sure to be in the know and take advantage of these because who dosen't like eating on a healthy budget! (left) Marxines Cafe in Macqaurie Uni Food court offers gourmet on campus with healthy sandwiches which are great for a quick pick me up or a place to catch up with friends! (right)Taste Baguette inspired by French and Vietnamese flavours offers fresh ...

Do you have a sweet tooth but don't know where all the good places are to satisfy your cravings? If you're a Macquarie University student or live in North Ryde then read along! Whether you are just craving something sweet or want to reward yourself after a long and hard day of studying or working, there are so many different places you can try to fill your needs. Some places include Doughnut time, Max Brenner chocolate bar, Hattrick, Noggi, Aqua S ice-cream and Wicked frozen yoghurt and smoothies. These stores are very easy to get to if you don't know your way around the Macquarie centre, they can all be found by using the maps located throughout the centre. There are also several cafes around the Macquarie University campus that sell chocolate brownies, croissants, biscuits. etc. for those of you who don't have the time or energy to walk to the Macquarie centre (I know I don't). They include Marxine's Café, Presse Café, Globe Café and Crunch ...

Everybody loves fridays- so when you're feeling as though the week is dragging on- head down to TGI Fridays at their location just outside the doors of the Macquarie Centre. It's a restaurant and bar and while a bit pricey, it's a great once in a while treat after those busy weeks- especially when you take your friends to share the dishes. The restaurant happily splits bills between cash and card! While I can't vouch for the whole menu, staff, drinks and more, I can definitely say that I had an enjoyable time. My friends and I opted to select a cocktail and a range of dishes to share so that while we each separately paid the price of one meal- we tasted many. Their service at the time of our visit was very fast and friendly- although we were not dining at a peak time- it was a Thursday afternoon. As a result of this particular outing I can recommend their chips, nachos, Jack Daniels wings, which were all hot, delicious, and not too spicy, and their 'brownie...

Are you feeling tired? Worn out and sleepy? Get yourself a Boost Juice located at the Campus Foodcourt and also at Macquarie Centre.  Open from 8:30am in the morning to 7pm at night you can get your delicious blended juice or blended smoothie for around $6 (depending on what size your drink is). Drinking one of their blended drinks really brings in some energy to go on throughout the day. It really awakens you in that boring class you might be in at uni. It's relatively healthy so you don't have to feel guilty for not having a healthy eating regime. There are an endless amount of blended smoothies and juices to choose from. Some include Mango Magic which is a blend of mango nectar, mango, banana, vanilla yoghurt and ice (gluten free, low fat and high in protein!!!) or Brekkie To Go (for those who don't really eat breakfast in the mornings, I got you covered!) which is a blend of low fat milk, banana, honey, muesli, energiser booster, vanilla yoghurt and ice (source of p...

Delicious pizza from Bondi Pizza Whether it be that nowhere on campus is really standing out for you today, the food court is absolutely swarming with fellow students or  kids on school excursions (I'm sorry, but why!?) or you simply have a couple of hours to fill between classes and want to be anywhere but on campus. Macquarie Centre is an (ideally located)  sanctuary for all MQ students. With dozens of places to eat and drink, we are going to be exploring our favourite spots at Mac Centre  in the upcoming weeks. Whether it be fast food or a proper sit down meal, there is certainly something for everyone. In the food court, find your favourites such as McDonalds, Oporto, Subway and KFC as well as a diverse range of Thai, Chinese or Japanese cuisine. This is the perfect spot to go if you're with a group and are all craving different things to distract you from work you should be doing! Alternatively, if you're wishing to treat yourself for another job well done (or ...

Where to Eat around Campus We understand- you’re a hungry Macquarie Uni student looking for something to eat. You’ve got that assignment you should really have started days ago or you need to catch up on those lectures. Maybe you’ve only got an hour between your lectures or tutes and you know that it’s not enough time to trek all the way down to Macquarie Centre, choose your food, wait in line, receive your food, and eat it on top of getting back in time to attend your class. Or dare I say… you’re too lazy to go either. Did you know there’s also a great selection on campus? Macquarie University alone offers a great range of food selections that won’t leave you wanting on those days where you can’t leave campus. What’s that? You don’t know what there is or where to find it? Well don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! You won’t find the good old maccas on campus but here’s a taste of what you can look forwards to: sushi, kebabs, sandwiches, burgers, chips, tacos, burritos...

image from:  https://giphy.com/gifs/tacobell-taco-tacos-bell-l2JHZ0dIcyFo5UQGQ Hi Guys, Welcome to our blog, run by Clarissa, Jenny, Hannah, Sarah and Yasmine. We're a brunch of foodies who are on a mission to find goods on and around the Macquaire Campus. We plan to do primary research of great finds on and around campus which we can recommend and rate as well as informing and updating you guys on events, trends and anything we find relevant to our passion. Here you'll find new discoveries and hopefully learn something or two. With food we believe there are no limitations for our stomachs, so grab a bite and few snacks and lettuce us begin our foodtastic journey!