Review: Where to eat on Franklin Street, based on price and quality

Every semester, thousands of UNC students pledge that they'll make it to LDOC mostly on their meal plans. And, every semester, those same thousands eat less and less at the dining halls and more and more at the dozens of off-campus restaurants, drive-thrus and cafes on Franklin Street. As the semester draws to a close, here are the best and most affordable dining spots on Franklin Street.

Momo's Master

A restaurant as consistent and fulfilling as it is affordable, Momo's Master is one of the best sit-down establishments on Franklin. A Nepali bistro in their own words, Momo's is great for vegetarian, vegan and omnivorous customers alike. Personally, I order Momo's pretty frequently in the springtime, as their steamed Himalayan dumplings are a full meal under $15 with enough spice to clear my head in allergy season.

Cosmic Cantina

Cosmic Cantina is the backbone of the impromptu hangout in this town. I can't count the number of times I've been out with friends and wandered into Cosmic for a quick bite on the way to some other function. Cosmic is the best place to go for a burrito short of journeying all the way to Carrboro to drop into Carrburritos. Pro tip: Cosmic's vegan platter is under $7 and comes with a generous portion of everything you get in a veggie burrito – definitely my favorite budget meal on Franklin.

Tea Hill

Need something lighter? Tea Hill might be a bit more of a trek on foot from campus, but it is your best bet when it comes to boba tea. Not quite as pricey as other nearby options like Möge Tee, and (in my opinion) better enough than the competition to earn its spot. Tea Hill has both fruit and milk tea options, with and without toppings and add-ons, so there's something there for vegans, omnivores and sweet tooths alike.

CholaNad

If there's anything close to fine dining on Franklin Street, it's the South Indian restaurant CholaNad. I make a point of going here every semester after I finish my finals, as it's enough of a splurge meal that it feels inherently celebratory. If you think you've experienced CholaNad based on their (already pretty good) bottom of Lenoir offerings, you're wrong. The brick-and-mortar restaurant manages to soar above its pared-down counterpart. It's on the pricier side, so I recommend saving this trip for a special occasion. If you do go, however, make sure to try their Gobi Manchurian. It's the best meatless dish on Franklin.

Time-Out

There's little more iconically Chapel Hill than Time-Out — the ever-open Southern cookery has been sustaining this campus since the 1970s, and remains affordable and conveniently near to North Campus. This (besides the tragically-still-closed Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering) was the restaurant I heard the most about before coming to this school, and it certainly lives up to the hype. If what you want is fried chicken at 11:30 p.m., you have no better option. Even if you did, Time-Out's prices and proximity might still put it over the edge.

Roots Natural Kitchen

Being vegetarian, I feel like I must shout out Roots. Though I've managed to never go to the brick-and-mortar restaurant, I've had take-out, and it's definitely worth the price. Roots is a very reliable spot for the vegans and vegetarians of Chapel Hill. Given how often we're left with only one or two options at the bigger-name restaurants around town, it's nice to see a place that actually has multiple options available that aren't loaded with animal products. 

BonChon

BonChon is not only a great place for Korean food (and, if I'm not wrong, maybe the only place for it nearby), but it's relatively cheap and refreshingly near to the upper Quad. BonChon serves a similar role to Cosmic Cantina in many ways, in that it's nearby and affordable, but caters to an unequivocally different taste. Similarly, if you're out with friends and just need a bite, BonChon is your ol’ reliable. 

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