While Colgate University students may disagree on their favorite Colgate Dining offering — Frank Dining Hall’s La Mesa or the weekend brunch at the O’Connor Campus Center (the Coop), Jeremy’s omelets or the Coop’s quesadilla Thursdays — all students can agree that getting food outside of campus is always appreciated.
For some, a quick stop in town offers all the options they could want: pho and breakfast sandwiches, a burger or chicken. However, for others, the more ideal food options are a bit further beyond the boundaries of Hamilton.
About 11 minutes north of Colgate lies what some Colgate students believe to be a hidden gem. Located in Bouckville, N.Y., Chimichanga Firehouse offers some of the best burritos Colgate students have tried.
Sophomores Nick Larson, Sean Haney and Mei McGuinness are all avid fans. For Larson and Haney, the atmosphere is truly what sets Chimichanga Firehouse apart from other local restaurants.
“I think it’s the atmosphere of the restaurant itself. You know, it’s very friendly and very welcoming. It’s somewhere to eat that always seems to be open — there aren’t too many of those around,” Larson said. “The owner is really nice. We went 10 minutes after they closed one time. They were closing down the kitchen but the door was open and he said, ‘Come on in.’”
“It’s a family run business with big portion sizes and authentic Mexican food. It’s my go-to,” Haney added.
Interestingly, Haney and Larson — both athletes on the Colgate football and track teams, respectively — learned about Chimichanga Firehouse through the suggestions of their older teammates. However, McGuinness’s path to learning about Chimichanga Firehouse was a bit different.
“I learned about Chimichanga Firehouse after traveling to Chipotle so often that gas bills were ranking up. We needed to find a closer alternative option, so I asked around. We heard about Mad Tacos and Royal India Grill, but none seemed to compare to Chipotle, until one did: Chimichanga Firehouse,” McGuinness said.
Hidden gems like Chimichanga Firehouse are easy to find with some suggestions and a little exploration. Larson and McGuinness agree that it is worth leaving campus for a quick meal and hunting down new things to try.
“I really like the opportunity to change up the options that I have every day in Frank and the Coop,” Larson said.
“While the food quality is good at Colgate, it can get repetitive. So, by switching up your options by dining out at places like Friends and Pho and Royal Indian Grill, you’re able to support small businesses and change up the food you get to eat,” McGuinness added.
Furthermore, both Larson and Haney agree on the enjoyment of the journey to Chimichanga Firehouse.
“It’s a fun, short drive and it’s nice to get away for a bit,” Larson said.
“I really like being in the car with my friends,” Haney added.
“I think that when you get off campus to eat, not only are you able to enjoy the scenery and go on a ride with friends, but you’re also able to explore the unique and diverse options that aren’t at Colgate,” McGuinness said.
So, whether it’s an adventure to Chimichanga Firehouse for a prime burrito, as Haney recommends, or simply as a quick escape from campus and an enjoyable activity with friends, Chimichanga Firehouse should be added to the repertoire of every Colgate student looking for a quick change.
