If you think the Evansdale neighborhood is just home to West Virginia University’s campus and student housing, think again. Tucked along University Avenue, nestled near the Monongahela River, and scattered along Patteson Drive, Evansdale is quietly building a reputation as one of Morgantown’s most diverse and exciting food scenes. Whether you’re craving bold international flavors, a comforting slice of pizza, epic late-night eats, or coffeehouse ambiance, Evansdale has plenty to surprise you.
Hidden Gems & Local Classics
The Evansdale neighborhood is unique among Morgantown’s dining spots, thanks to its consistency, character, and a parade of entrepreneurial food pioneers. Here are favorite standouts:
- Chaang Thai (361 High St)
Okay, it’s technically just beyond the traditional boundary of Evansdale, but every local agrees it’s worth the two-minute drive or a healthy walk from the Engineering Campus. Chaang Thai offers up aromatic curries, steaming bowls of noodle soup, and signature favorites like their Pad Thai or Drunken Noodles. Prices range $10–18 per entrée, and the boba tea bar in the front is a must-try for sweet, chewy refreshment.
- Tailpipes Food Truck
Evansdale’s food truck scene is anchored by the legendary Tailpipes—a burger and fry institution that roams between campus hotspots. The menu is playful and decadent: think burgers topped with fried pickles, peanut butter, or house-made mac and cheese, with a side of hand-cut sweet potato fries. Most sandwiches $8-12. Look for Tailpipes regularly outside the Evansdale Crossing, especially on game days and weekends.
- Joy’s Mongolian Grill (1125 University Ave)
Set right in the heart of Evansdale near the Star City bridge, Joy’s offers one of Morgantown’s most customizable dining experiences. Grab a bowl, pick your proteins (beef, chicken, tofu), pile on colorful veggies, select sauces, and then watch it all sizzle on their blazing hot Mongolian grill. All-you-can-eat lunch buffets ($11-$15) are wildly popular.
Coffee & Sweets
Great days in Evansdale start with great coffee. Whether you need a study-session boost or a lazy morning treat, here’s where to find caffeinated bliss:
- Tandem Coffee & Kitchen (351 Evansdale Dr, inside the WVU Rec Center)
Four words: locally roasted Black Dog Coffee. Tandem’s micro-café, located right inside the Rec Center, lets you fuel up pre- or post-workout with artfully poured cappuccinos and house pastries. It’s both a hidden gem and a social hub for students and faculty alike.
- The Cupcakerie (194 Willey St)
If you’re a fan of sweet treats, this delightful bakery is a must-visit. Their rotating selection of gourmet cupcakes (try the “Almost Heaven” – a vanilla cupcake with chocolate buttercream) and seasonal cookies are perfect for birthdays, tailgates, or any pick-me-up. Prices typically range $3–$4 per cupcake.
International Flavors that Shine
The Evansdale food culture owes much of its charm to an eclectic mix of cuisines—many run by local immigrant families—serving up authentic and affordable meals.
- Ali Baba Restaurant (83 Hart Field Rd, adjacent to the Airport)
Ali Baba is a Morgantown icon, just a stone’s throw from the Engineering PRT station. They serve up a lavish buffet (weekdays) and a full menu specializing in Middle Eastern comfort food: shawarma, gyro plates, kibbeh, and legendary baklava. Most entrées $12–20.
- Yama Japanese Restaurant (387 High St, Near Monongalia Blvd intersection)
While technically downtown, Yama is part of any Evansdale student’s regular orbit, given the quick PRT hop between the two neighborhoods. Hidden in plain sight and run for decades by a thoughtful husband-and-wife team, Yama offers the purest miso soup, feather-light tempura, and sushi rolls that are both creative and classic. Entrées $10–$18.
Pizza, Pub Grub & Late-Night Eats
Evansdale’s food scene shifts after dark—student favorites open late, feeding hungry night owls and game-day revelers.
- Pizza Al’s (2952 University Ave)
A true Morgantown staple. Pizza Al’s is famous for New-York-style pies so massive a single slice can nearly fold in half. The pepperoni is legendary, and the cheese-to-crust ratio hits the sweet spot. “King-sized” pies serve four or more; whole pizzas range $12–$18. Low-key, cash only.
- Varsity Club (910 Don Nehlen Dr)
Nestled near Milan Puskar Stadium, the Varsity Club is ground zero on game days. The menu covers wings, burgers, loaded fries, and hearty sub sandwiches. There’s a great patio for people-watching, and the kitchen keeps the fryers running well into the night. Most meals $7–$14.
Where Foodies Should Cluster
For those looking to explore Evansdale by foot or bike, focus your appetite in two main clusters:
1. University Avenue Corridor: Between the Star City Bridge and Patteson Drive, spots like Joy’s Mongolian Grill, Pizza Al’s, and street food trucks set up near the WVU Rec Center draw students and locals alike.
2. Hart Field Road & Near the Coliseum: Ali Baba, as well as rotating pop-up food carts, thrive thanks to the proximity of WVU’s sports spaces and the Health Sciences Center.
Wander off Patteson Drive for coffee shops and bakeries. The area behind University Towers is perfect for grabbing a treat and people-watching.
Local Food Traditions & Final Bites
Evansdale is home to time-honored local traditions—a pilgrimage to Ali Baba for Sunday dinner, lining up at Tailpipes after Mountaineer games, or sharing a giant Pizza Al’s pie with friends at the end of finals week. Seasonal food festivals and farmers markets often roll through the Evansdale Crossing, adding new flavors and energy to the neighborhood each semester.
The food in Evansdale is more than sustenance—it’s part of a lively, diverse community where everyone, from first-year students to longtime locals, finds a table (or picnic bench) to call their own.
So next time you’re in Morgantown, make Evansdale your foodie destination. Whether you’re fueling up for class, celebrating Mountaineer victories, or chasing a new culinary adventure, this neighborhood is always dishing out something delicious.