College students love going out to eat, and will splurge a little if it means they’re getting a great meal. But many students don’t realize they don’t need to go down the block, or even to the dining hall, to eat well. They can find delicious, high-quality, inexpensive food in trucks parked right outside their classroom. Note: The following trucks are located on S. Church St between University Ave and Rosedale Ave. in West Chester, PA, just outside Philadelphia.
Grateful Beans 
If you’re looking for a less expensive alternative to Starbucks, you’ve found it. Grateful Beans is a fair-trade, organic coffee and tea stop with lots of great flavors and different types of drinks. They also have sweets — like muffins and cookies — for a quick mid-morning snack. Special fall and winter flavors are added to keep your chilly, gray days sweet, including pumpkin, eggnog and peppermint coffees. Partnered with Fennario’s, they are true West Chester people, and they know what’s up downtown.
Open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Lunch Box
The Lunch Box is campus food at its finest. They’re known for their chicken sandwiches and burgers, and as a Thanksgiving special, they’ll soon be adding a hot turkey sandwich with all the holiday fixings – stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce included (I’ll be back!). The Lunch Box is better than ever since they’ve updated and expanded their menu, and will soon be adding more salads. This isn’t just a quick snack, but a true meal. All the food is fresh and made to order. They also point out that they will be the only food truck to accept RamBucks. As of now, they are waiting to be accepted into the system. System, please hurry – I know there will be a line for that yummy Thanksgiving special!
Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Curbie’s Catering Cart
I was so happy to step up in line at Curbie’s Catering Cart. The owner is so friendly, and they are happy to make anything you’d like from the menu, at any time of day. Craving a cheesesteak at 8 a.m.? Call them before class and they’ll have it ready for you as soon as you please. They’ve got excellent breakfast sandwiches and serve them along with their other early-morning items all day long. I love this because I truly love breakfast. Pancakes for dinner, please! They are wonderful people who will proudly make you whatever you want, whenever you want. MasterCard and Visa are accepted.
Open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Alexander’s Lunch Truck
The last stop on my food truck tour was Alexander’s Lunch Truck. I was greeted with smiles and decided to order a small bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. It was made the moment I asked, and was a filling and delicious breakfast. This is another great breakfast spot! They make a great sausage, egg and cheese bagel. This seemed to be the most popular item on their menu, and many people ordered it in the short amount of time I was there. They also make great, old-fashioned coffee and hot chocolate to keep you warm during the winter months. Everything is cheap and made right then and there. What more could a student ask for?
Open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
