An hour into a two-hour lecture and running on only two hours of sleep, you begin to write illegibly as your head bobs — you desperately need a place to konk out. But with only a 20-minute gap between classes, you don’t have time to go home for a quick catnap. Well, have no fear, the Quad is near! This year, the Quad was voted again as the best place to sleep on campus. Considered the hub of campus, the Quad is located just south of the Memorial Union. The Quad is split by a path forming the East and West Quads. Students, staff and the general public enjoy the grassy area by sunbathing, studying, socializing and, of course, sleeping. Although punctuated by the occasional curious squirrel, the luscious grass, cool breezes and trees casting warm shadows make the Quad appealing to those who want to take a short snooze. “Sleep difficulties are an issue with students. About 30 percent of students here say sleep difficulty interferes with academics,” said... ...

The various stalls, the fresh produce and the enticing scent of cooked food and kettle corn draw in students and families alike. People new to the Davis Farmers Market quickly learn to appreciate its charm and invite their friends or family to partake in the experience. As such, the Davis Farmers Market is the number-one choice for families to visit. One of the many people responsible for the Davis Farmers Market, Randii MacNear, executive director of the market, oversees a booth selling shirts, woven baskets and other goods promoting the market. “I have students tell me that the Farmers Market makes them feel less lonely,” MacNear said. “When you come here it feels like a big family. There’s nothing bad here. It’s a stress-reducer. They aren’t going to be in a dark room [but are] outside, eating good food and creating familial ties.” Whether the Farmers Market is selling at the Silo or Central Park, both locations are convenient for students and provide a needed break from stress. “I’ve been... ...

As one of the only clothing chain retailers in Davis, Forever 21 wins best clothing store for the second year in a row. The store, which opened in 2011, is conveniently located at the University Mall shopping center across the street from campus and next to other highly patronized stores. The store boasts an impressive 38,418 square feet of space and two entrances. “I think UC Davis students like Forever 21 for its location, its wide variety of styles and the prices,” said Nicole Lanni, a second-year textiles and clothing major and former Forever 21 sales associate who worked there during spring and fall of 2012. “Forever 21 is always a good option for college students on a budget as opposed to the boutiques downtown or the Gap,” she said. Students like the Davis location for its spacious and organized layout. There are often themed “rooms” for similar items. For example, past themes have included tribal prints or neon colors. Furthermore, there are often markdowns on older pieces as new... ...

Davis is the UC school known for bikes, so of course bike shops are a top concern for students here. And this year B&L Bike shop won first place in its Best of Davis category. B&L has been in Davis for 48 years and has provided consistently friendly service and helpful advice to the commuters of Davis, and now they have been awarded the title of best bike shop. They have a range of quality bikes and accessories for the incoming first-years and newcomers, as well as a large arsenal of advice for professionals. Of course, Milo, the shop’s grey and very furry cat, is also a part of the staff, and he is quite a popular part of the business too. He is just as friendly as the staff members, but maybe not as helpful with bike problems as the others. After being in business for such a long time the staff is full of advice. “We are a commuter’s bike shop,” Grundman said. “We try to give helpful... ...

The winning restaurant for best sandwich in Davis is, once again, Zia’s Delicatessen, an Italian restaurant located in downtown Davis. When asked why Zia’s is such a popular place among Davis residents and students of UC Davis, Anne Marie Crilly, Zia’s manager, said that it’s the combination of the quality of the food and service that attracts people the most. “I think it’s popular because we have really high-quality food and because of our customer service,” Crilly said. “We’re family run. I really do believe that we’ve come to know our customers since day one. We’ve had some of the same customers since 1985.” According to Crilly, the most popular sandwich from their menu is the turkey smoked mozzarella with pesto, mayo and veggies. “It is by far the most popular sandwich. I believe [that] students like us and like our food,” she said. Student appreciation for Zia’s can be seen in the restaurant’s first-place ranking, followed by Nugget Market and Beach Hut Deli. Zia’s Delicatessen is open Monday through... ...

The UC Davis Arboretum has captured the eyes of students, earning itself the name of Most Picturesque Location. With 100 acres of gorgeous gardens and reflecting pools of water, the Arboretum is a venue where many students go to relax, exercise or spend time with friends. “We’re thrilled that students appreciate coming to the Arboretum,” said Carmia Feldman, assistant director at the Arboretum. Students, faculty and the broader Davis community enjoy the Arboretum every day, Feldman said. Visitors can explore the variety of gardens, including the Desert Collection, the East Asian Collection, the Mediterranean Collection and the Australian Collection, to name a few. The Arboretum is free and open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. “It’s a peaceful place to come,” Feldman said. “The Arboretum is very convenient for students.” The Arboretum is located near many widely used buildings on campus, including Mrak Hall, the Mondavi Performing Arts Center and the Tercero dorms, making it an easy place for students and faculty members to visit. Popular activities... ...

Who doesn’t love an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant? With countless dishes on the menu, excellent service and relaxing ambiance, Davis Sushi Buffet has claimed the prestigious title of best buffet in Davis. Experienced Chef Huang Cui began his career in his early twenties, acquiring a great deal of knowledge and experience in his current expertise. Under the guidance of Sam Hui, Chef Daniel Khuu incorporates local and traditional Asian tastes into the art of sushi-making. The fusion of Asian tastes and American styles makes this buffet one of a kind. Davis Sushi Buffet produces a variety of fresh and delicious sushi, as well as side dishes, at a reasonable price of $14 for lunch, including the Tiger Roll, Davis Roll and numerous types of sashimi. “My favorite is the California Spicy Unagi Roll. It has cucumber, eel [and] avocado and is to die for,” said second-year sushi enthusiast Stacey Liang. Liang enjoys visiting the restaurant for a casual sushi lunch on any given weekend. “Whenever I have a relatively free weekend,... ...

Cheap prices, enormous entrees and the savor of Mexican flavor have attracted students to vote Dos Coyotes “Best Place to Use Aggie Cash.” “There is something for everyone and it’s easy to use Aggie Cash,” said Bobby Coyote, the owner of Dos Coyotes. Serving dishes ranging from seasonal specials to vegetarian options, Dos Coyotes makes every effort to satisfy its customers with plenty of varieties. “We try really hard to serve food at fantastic prices,” Coyote said. Popular items include the Yucatan Chicken Salad, the Mahi Mahi Burrito and the assortment of burrito bowls. Dos Coyotes also serves fresh local produce, certified Angus beef and zesty seasonal salsas. “It’s really high-quality food for a fast, casual restaurant,” Coyote said. Inspired by the authentic Mexican food from West Los Angeles and Santa Fe, Coyote spent years experimenting with ingredients in the kitchen. While testing new combinations for yummy recipes, he dreamed of building a business that served delicious food at an affordable price. “We’ve been in Davis for 22 years, way... ...

A small, unassuming building by the train tracks, Village Bakery takes the crown for having the best pizza in Davis. “We use simple, but quality, ingredients for our product. All the extra-virgin olive oil, vegetables and stuff that makes pizza good is organic,” said manager Raul Cruz. “We use a brick oven, one of the best ovens in town, and it really makes the pizza crusts better than other ovens.” Justin Woodjack, a fourth-year Ph.D. student and frequent Village Bakery customer, loves their cheese, delicious crusts and excellent combination of ingredients. “Their veggie pizza is my favorite. The feta cheese really adds that special kick you didn’t know you needed until you had it,” Woodjack said. “A huge component of what makes pizza good is just tasty cheese, and they got it right.” Pizza sold by the slice, with veggie, pepperoni and cheese being the usual offerings, provides instant gratification for walk-ins. Customers can also choose from the 13 flavors of 16-inch whole pizzas for pickup or delivery. “Our brick... ...

With a plethora of Thai food options in Davis, UC Davis students chose Thai Canteen as the best. The restaurant, located on E Street, opened in 2010 and prides itself on its casual and student-friendly atmosphere. “We cater to UC Davis students,” said store manager Peter Sriboonreuang. “It’s not your typical Thai restaurant with a waiter — you order at the counter. It’s fast-paced.” Thai Canteen offers some of the lowest prices compared to other Thai restaurants in Davis. The most expensive item on the menu is the crab fried rice for $8.95. According to Sriboonreuang, the pad thai and Pad Si Ew are the most popular dishes, along with No. 10 on the menu, which is a stir-fry cashew dish. All range from $6.95 to $7.95 in price. “The Pad Thai there is my favorite out of all the Thai restaurants in Davis,” said fourth-year chemical engineering major Kent Ly. “It’s a good place to come with a group of friends. They’re one of the only places that consistently... ...

Black Bear Diner, a well-known favorite of the Davis community, was voted as the best place for breakfast for its uniquely-sized plates and hearty menu. This small-town American diner is easily identifiable by its signature wooden black bear sculpture. “We are known for our big portions and friendly atmosphere. Our breakfast is favorable since you get a lot for your money and you are really stuffed by the time you leave,” said Carissa Brown, waitress and supervisor at Black Bear Diner. Their most popular dish is “The Grizz,” which consists of everything needed for an all-American breakfast: two pancakes, three eggs, bacon, sausage, a ham steak and hash browns. The diner gets a wide variety of customers, mainly large families, athletes and college students. “Of all the things I love about Black Bear Diner, their generous portions [have] to be number one on my list,” said Peter Tsou, a first-year exercise biology major. “Coming from someone that eats a lot, their food is definitely more than sufficient to leave you... ...

Forget chasing the ice cream truck, just swing by one of Davis’ fine frozen yogurt shops. Yolo Berry Yogurt has once again been voted Davis’ favorite ice cream or frozen yogurt shop. Yolo Berry opened in October 2008, and is owned by former Sudwerk manager Lee Pflugrath. Yogurt machines in the shop are self-serve, and flavors are rotated in and out daily. The most common flavors are original or tart and vanilla, with seasonal favorites such as pumpkin or raspberry among them. They also offer non-dairy sorbet for vegans and the lactose intolerant. “The one thing that we’re most well-known for is our toppings,” said manager Zachary Coleman. “Basic math will tell you that we tend to have more.” The shop boasts over 100 different toppings ranging from cookies to candy to fruit to whipped toppings. Prices are calculated by weight at a rate of 39 cents per ounce. Yolo Berry is located at 316 C St., across from the Davis Farmers Market downtown location and near Burgers and Brew.... ...

Nestled behind Sophia’s Thai Kitchen and The Dumpling House, the winner of the Best Chinese Food is Noodle City, which offers delicious spring rolls, pot stickers, noodle broths and fried rice as a few of their menu items. “We [have] had a Noodle City for about 11 years, and [the] noodle is very popular in our country. All the college towns have a lot of noodle shop[s], and I get [the] idea [that] I should open [a] noodle shop in Davis, it’s good for [the] students too,” said Linda Liu, owner of Noodle City. Noodle City’s hours are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and on Sundays 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Student customer Molly Burke, a third-year English major, is not surprised that Noodle City was voted the best Chinese restaurant in Davis. “They have very delicious food; I would definitely recommend this restaurant. The menu is comprehensive, the portion sizes are large, and the food is delicious!” Burke said. The restaurant offers Chinese food for good... ...

In the past year, the Mondavi Center has boasted many hard acts to follow; to name a few: Eddie Izzard, B.B. King, Dance Theatre of Harlem and The Shins. As a result, Mondavi was picked the best venue for evening entertainment in Davis. The Mondavi Center hosts a wide variety of artists in different disciplines in a state-of-the-art facility. Students are able to get discounts on tickets, making it extra-popular. First-years and first-year transfer students are able to get one free ticket to any event during that year. The Mondavi Center was built in accordance to the UC Davis mission as a land grant university. It offers cultural programming to students in support of the university’s academic departments. Additionally, the Mondavi Center has a professional laboratory to train students in the performing arts. “The Mondavi Center is a great place for a night out to stimulate intellectual discussion and brings a new unique entertainment value to the student campus,” said Max Hong, an undeclared second-year. As a great place to... ...

Either it was the luck of the Irish, or locals’ love of whiskey, because de Vere’s Irish Pub was voted the best bar in Davis. A Sacramento favorite since 2009, de Vere’s expanded to Davis in 2011, bringing along its unique pub atmosphere, a large selection of board games and an even wider selection of drinks. “Pub hours are all the time,” managing partner Josey McCarter said. “The pub environment is one where anyone from a construction worker to a student, to a lawyer, to the president of the United States can come in and feel at home.” In addition to a cornucopia of cocktails, de Vere’s boasts an Irish coffee, with cream so thick (and hand-whipped!) you could sleep on it. Though their specials are Irish-themed food and whiskey, throughout the week they offer international bar staples, like $2 tacos on Tuesdays and chicken wings on Thursdays. Regulars are impressed by the warm, friendly atmosphere — dark, but not seedy like some other watering holes around town. It is... ...