Group of Seven Conferences as State College restaurants

Just six short months ago, the Group of Five Conferences in college football were just that, the Group of Five. Five conferences that are stuck in limbo between the FCS and the new Power Four, endearing themselves to the hearts and minds of college football fans all across America. They even brought in a new member to their ranks with the PAC 12.

Add in the independent schools, and you have seven conferences Americans love for their ability to generate underdog stories and upsets that make this sport great.

Do you know what else Americans love? They love eating at restaurants. That’s why new ones keep springing up everywhere in the country. Many people love combining going out to eat with watching college football, a tradition as American as shooting off fireworks on July 4.

So I wanted to combine these two passions in a different way.

I wanted to compare these conferences to specific restaurants that mirror them. One note, I have decided to use restaurants located in State College and did my best to avoid national chains and brands. Without further ado, here’s each Group of Seven Conference as a State College restaurant. Warning: this article made me hungry and will do the same to you.

American Athletic: Allen Street Grill

Do you know how the SEC is widely seen as the most pristine conference of the Power Four? That’s what the American Athletic is to the Group of Seven. The most formal conference of the bunch with an excellent track record regarding their performance. Most restaurants in State College offer typical food either consistently available at fast food joints or certain specialty dishes.

Allen Street Grill offers a high-quality dining experience with certain eloquent dishes that can’t be found anywhere else downtown. The American offers Army, Navy, Tulane and Memphis. The Allen Street Grill offers black cod, swordfish, risotto and roasted duck breast. Both provide top-of-the-line options that are the best in their field.

Conference USA: El Jefe's

Much like the El Jefe’s menu has a variety of fun dishes of Mexican food to pick from, including super and veggie options of your favorite Mexican foods, Conference USA has some of the most fun teams in the country.

Much like El Jefe’s menu, Conference USA also offers several quality items at all times. Be it Liberty, Western Kentucky, Sam Houston State or Jacksonville State, or a super quesadilla, veggie nachos or even a fajita bowl. Both places have a variety of options to satisfy your food and football needs.

Independents: Giuseppe's Pizza

I’ll be honest, this was mostly to be able to talk about Guiseppe’s Pizza because I really like their meat lover's pizza. Just like how a lot of college football fans really like Notre Dame and want them to be into the annual 12-team playoff. Both have one main thing to offer that people really like, or in the case of the Irish, are polarized by. Both have one main attraction with some side pieces that are better used elsewhere.

Mid-American: Irving’s

Irving’s is a cute little coffee and breakfast place located just across the street from Old Main. It is meant to be enjoyed at a very specific time. That time is when you need to study and grab a quick bite to eat in a quiet place downtown that will not drain your bank account. Mid-American football is meant to be enjoyed during a very specific period of the college season.

It is meant to be enjoyed during weekdays in November when there are no other sports or shows on television worth your time. Both are niche and loved by many, but not a primary option when it comes to filling a void in their respective areas.

Mountain West: Raising Cane’s

Both of these are one-trick ponies, but those ponies are the best at what they do. Boise St. has been the best team in the Mountain West for almost two decades, having dominated the conference with elite defense, explosive offense and excellent head coaches.

Raising Cane’s dominates the restaurant business downtown with their tangy Cane’s sauce, fresh chicken tenders and delectable Texas toast. Both have a main attraction, and that attraction exceeds every expectation you have for it going in.

Pac 12: McDonald’s

This is more about recent events taking place than anything else. The McDonald’s near the University Park campus shut down earlier this week, similar to the Pac 12 after all the teams left. It was a very emotional and upsetting time for many impacted by the closings. But thankfully, soon enough both will be refurbished and up and running again.

Will it be as good as the original? Time will tell, but both iconic brands will be bringing smiles to fans sooner rather than later.

Sun Belt: The Corner Room

These guys are comfort foods both literally and figuratively. The Corner Room has everything from sandwiches to burgers and even pasta dishes. Their dessert and drink menus make for a complete meal. The Sun Belt offers fun offenses with Coastal Carolina and Texas State, stout defensive units with Troy and Louisiana, and AP Top 25 teams in James Madison and Appalachian State.

Once in a while teams like Old Dominion, South Alabama and Georgia Southern can be sweet surprises during the season. You get a whole experience in the Sun Belt just like at the Corner Room.

Nate Johns is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism.​​ To contact him, email jzn5275@psu.edu.