Sate appetite with midday bite

Calvin Falk

Liquiteria offers a variety of healthy smoothies, which make for good snacks.

Caroline Ogulnick, Staff Writer

For busy college students, making time for three big meals a day is not always possible. Sitting down for a quick bite or grabbing food on the go allows you to maintain to your busy schedule and will hold you over until the next meal. There are many restaurants close to campus that offer light menus ideal for a midday snack.

Chobani SoHo

Located at 152 Prince St., the shop opened in 2012 as the Greek yogurt company’s first outpost. The cafe puts sweet and savory twists on their traditional Greek yogurt, offering customers light yet flavorful creations. The options include fresh fruit and granola, PB&J and mango avocado, and are available in both half and full portions. Simit sandwiches, which resemble a lighter version of a bagel, are also offered at the Chobani shop. They can either be served with yogurt-based labne spread or a cup of soup. Chobani’s yogurt creations are all under $6 and provide a satisfying snack for a hungry stomach.

Mimi Cheng’s Dumplings

Mimi Cheng’s Dumplings is the perfect spot to get your Taiwanese-Chinese snack fix. The Cheng sisters opened up shop on Second Avenue looking to recreate their mother’s cooking while creating a sustainable and fresh restaurant. Though Mimi Cheng’s serves solely dumplings, the menu is suitable for all tastes. Customers have the option to get their dumplings pan-fried or boiled, and each order comes with Mimi’s Secret Sauce for dipping. An order of six is priced at $8, which is perfect for a light snack, but if you’re in need of something a bit substantial, you can get eight for $10. In addition to the chicken, pork and vegetable dumplings, dessert dumplings are also offered if you’re in the mood for a sweeter snack.

Liquiteria

If you need an energy boost, stopping by Liquiteria will definitely do the job. Liquiteria has two locations close to campus, one near Union Square on Fourth Avenue and 13th Street, and in the East Village at Second Avenue and 11th Street. This health food haven offers a wide variety of smoothies, juices and bowls. Cold-pressed juices are their lightest option, and are easy and convenient for energy throughout the day. The smoothies, which range in price from between $7-$9, are quite filling and can even serve as a meal if you don’t have the time to have a sit-down lunch.  Their acai bowls are topped with fresh fruit, granola and an optional dollop of peanut or almond butter. Liquiteria also offers an assortment of snack-sized pastries, all of which are gluten-free, dairy-free and organic.

A version of this article appeared in the Tuesday, March 3rd print edition. Email Caroline Ogulnick at [email protected].