Long time no see! I’m wishing you a warm welcome back to the Tasting With Thomas series as we dive into our fourth edition: Nai Brother Sauerkraut Fish. In case you’re new here, I’m reviewing all the NYC bites that are friendly to college student budgets. Today I’ll be taking stock of what the Morningside Heights neighborhood has to offer Columbia and Manhattan School of Music students.
Nai Brother Sauerkraut Fish, located on Broadway and 109th.
Immaculately placed on Broadway and 109th st, and right next to campus craze HeyTea, you can’t miss Nai Brother Sauerkraut Fish on your stroll around Columbia’s campus. The restaurant’s windows are splayed with bright orange banners, each filled with giant photos of the chinese dishes being served. Varieties of soups, seafood, vegetarian, and meat options are on full display, so you can be sure that everyone will find something to satisfy their cravings here.
So many options!
Walking through the door, you’re greeted by a nice and open dining space. There were plenty of tables and chairs to accommodate everyone, and we were seated at a table right away. Our waiters greeted us with water and menus, and we set to work looking through the expansive menu. With so many options, we bounced ideas back and forth for at least five minutes each. Between the choices of soup or dry, veggie/meat/seafood, and spicy or mild, we had access to any meal of our liking.
Spicy Prawn Pot!
I finally settled on the spicy prawn pot for my entree, and as soon as it came out I knew I had made the right choice. My dish was loaded with a mix of prawns, lotus roots, cauliflower, black fungus, and bean curd sticks all tossed together in a flavorful spice that packed the perfect punch. I can be a stickler about spice that trumps the flavor of a dish, and I was glad to say that this was not the case here!
Thankfully our waiter kept our water glasses filled so I could cool down after the spice in my entree. Since the portions were so generous, I finished as much as I could and saved the rest for later. Content and fulfilled, I left Nai Brother Sauerkraut Fish with both a great story to tell and leftovers to savor!
Thats all for this edition of Tasting with Thomas! Be sure to check out the flyer below to get your own taste of what Nai Brother Sauerkraut Fish is serving.
Make sure to take advantage of Nai Brother Sauerkraut Fish’s 10% off deal for students and teachers. This deal runs Mondays through Fridays, and cannot be combined with any other offer, promotion, or lunch special.
Written By Thomas Stewart, 09/26/2026
Author Bio: Thomas Stewart is an undergraduate student at Columbia University pursuing studies in creative writing and human rights in an effort to utilize media as a tool to vitalize the Black LGBTQ community. When Thomas isn’t off overthinking in his journal, you can find him on campus organizing for the Proud Colors (Columbia’s POC LGBTQ org) or playing a jam session at Columbia University Records club. Ultimately, his love for all things creative prevails throughout his life.
This diet varies depending on many factors: income, cultural background, access to student discounts, eating habits, schedule, etc. However, the common denominator in at least the student body I have encountered is that we all eat poorly. The reasons, as mentioned above, can differ, yet we all struggle to keep a balanced diet during the semester.
I noticed this in others before I became aware of it in myself. A friend told me once that all he ate during his years in college was pizza because he was “broke” and had no kitchen in his dorm. Another one said that the stress during the semester made her appetite go away, so she would barely eat, while others told me they would eat more during the stressful four months. Slowly, I noticed how my habits would shift while studying. I could go hours without eating or drinking water. Once I finished my homework, I would buy anything accessible at the time—normally fast food—and eat very late at night. It was impossible to know if the constant exhaustion my body felt was due to the lack of nurturing food, sleep, or time off. Whatever the reason, it was there, and I could see it in my classmates as well.
Paying out of pocket for the semester also influenced my meal choices. Since money was limited, fast food was all I could afford because healthier options are more expensive–unjustifiable in a student’s budget. Throughout college, I’ve learned that many students deal with income-related issues, including the struggle with time management to prepare home-cooked meals or lack a support system to cook for them. In this aspect, I was fortunate to rely on my husband to cook meals for me when I was at my busiest. One term, I organized my schedule with four classes each day, with only 15 minutes between each class. For some reason, I didn’t think about leaving time to eat lunch. Consequently, not only did I not have time to cook at home, but I also didn’t have time to buy food. Thus, he would meal-prep for my week, making sure to pack healthier snacks with my lunch. Thankfully, I had someone making sure I fed myself properly, but some students don’t have that luxury.
The many factors that influence “The Student Diet” make it difficult to come up with a solution. It is the reality of many students, especially those with limited income and support. Some public colleges offer food assistance, but that doesn’t mean students have the time to cook, since many work more than one job. Even those that offer canned or microwavable food are still flawed since these are not healthier alternatives either. However, I think an important step to improve this pattern in students’ diet is awareness. Many of us are unaware of our eligibility for welfare programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which still doesn’t provide the time to cook meals but at least it could help with the expense of more nurturing foods. Additionally, more conscious choices when grocery shopping are important. Some small but powerful decisions I have made, for example, are buying more filling snacks that are still cheap (fruits, yogurt, nuts) and avoiding the chips at the vending machine. It has helped with boosting my energy in between classes, at least.
Changing this diet for any other is challenging; thus, we must be aware of what we can control and the assistance programs available to us. So many of those factors that make us fall into it are out of our control, but there are others we can have a say on. Ultimately, unhealthy food habits could impact our performance during the semester. It is harder for the brain to study when it is not well-nurtured. If our bodies are tired, our minds are too. I am still on this journey of making better decisions; hopefully, you can join me in making little yet empowering food choices and breaking the cycle of “The Student Diet.”
Enjoy a vitamin booster drink or bowl AND save some money while you do so with this coupon!
By Roxanna Cardenas
Roxanna is a Venezuelan writer living in New York City. Her works include essays, poetry, screenplays, and short stories. She explores fiction and non-fiction genres, with a special interest in horror and sci-fi. She has an A.A. in Writing and Literature and is working on her B.A. in English with a Creative Writing concentration.
For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC, from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.
At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.
After being vegetarian for four years I have recently started eating meat again, and let me just say, I am so glad to be back to burgers. The other day I went to SmashBurger, which is in Back Bay just a few hundred feet from the Copley stop on the Green Line, and it was truly so delicious. I was coming from the Orange Line, but it was just a few minutes walk from the Back Bay stop, which was super easy. It’s also in a great area, with Newbury Street closeby and lots of opportunities to shop and putter around.
The building itself was under a bit of construction, but its interior had a sort of clean, modern look. They were also decorated for Halloween! They had decorative cobwebs and spiders, and as a girl who loves Hallwoeen, I was thrilled to see them so festive! The menu was pretty extensive, but not overwhelming, but it did take us a minute to decide what to get. Once we settled on what we wanted, we got our order in and sat down to wait! It didn’t take long at all, and they brought our food out in these cute little wire plates, diner-style.
I got the double smash burger, which is seemingly the signature burger there, and it was so good! The burger itself tasted really fresh and was cooked well. I don’t really like tomatoes or onions, but wanted to get it without any substitutions just to get the full experience. Honestly, I was surprised how much I liked it with everything on it, I think it just all tasted so good together that my hatred for tomatoes couldn’t even phase me. My milkshake was also really good, I love a strawberry milkshake with a burger and it all paired really well with each other. The shake was also sort of gorgeous, sporting a whipped cream top and some type of strawberry syrup garnish which added some extra flare. They had some extra so they also gave my partner a little milkshake with the excess which was really nice of them!
We also got a crispy chicken sandwich, which must have been made fresh because it was super hot when we got it, but it was cooked perfectly and so yummy when it cooled down. The real star of the show had to be the fries, though. We could literally not get over how good they were. They were the perfect type of thin-cut fries where they are crisp but not hard, and tender but not soggy. They were also really flavorful on their own, so I even forgot to eat them with sauce because they didn’t even need any!
Another thing I really like about it is the staff environment. They were nice to us, but what I appreciated most was the good energy they had towards each other. The staff here seemed to be in good spirits and seemed to genuinely enjoy each other’s company, which sort of added to the good vibes of the place.
Overall, great eats and great atmosphere there! You can use the coupon below to get 15% off when you visit with your student ID, so go enjoy!
By Erin O’Brien
Erin is a student based in Boston, MA studying Communications and Studio Art. She is drawn to telling stories about love and friendship, with themes of humanity and connection at its core. In sharing her personal truths, she hopes to provide readers with nuggets of learned wisdom and college survival skills
For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC, from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.
At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.
99 Cent Fresh pizza is your best friend. 99 Cent Fresh pizza will greet you in whatever condition: rain or shine, night and day. 99 Cent Fresh pizza is there for you coming home from a long day and 99 Cent Fresh pizza is there for you when you stumble in with only a dollar in your wallet. 99 Cent Fresh pizza is everywhere and open from morning until just before the sun rises. 99 Cent Fresh Pizza is God’s greatest creation and have I mentioned that 99 Cent Fresh pizza costs 99 cents?
Look, New York City is expensive. Coming from Texas where big portions are met with low prices, the fact of groceries and restaurants being more expensive than what I was used to gave me quite a headache. So, it was like magic in my freshman year walking down Second Avenue, and seeing it there—a place where pizza sells for only a dollar a slice. It felt heaven sent.
As I’ve mentioned before, 99 Cent Fresh Pizza and its competitors in the 99 cent pizza market are everywhere. Most are found in Manhattan, but they can be as far flung as the North Bronx and Flatbush. Because of the high rent and slim profit margins, they’re typically hidden gems, small hole-in-the-wall places squeezed into narrow spaces. However, the signs above are easy to catch, and most locations are smart enough to be on major avenues or near parks. For the purpose of the review, we’ll go to the first one I went to and the closest one to my apartment on Second Avenue and Fourth.
The place fits the typical M.O.: small, narrow, just enough room to order and get out as soon as the slices are handed to you. Despite its name, only the cheese slice will cost a dollar; the most expensive slice, the Buffalo Chicken slice, will cost a whopping two dollars. Toppings are 50 cents each and pies range from eight dollars to fifteen dollars, two bucks per additional topping. The math is astounding. Regular pizza, slice or pie, costs two to three times greater than what they’re serving, yet here it is, a whole meal for you in under ten dollars. Deals like buy two slices of cheese and a drink for $2.75 make it even more ridiculous to consider, yet tempting to buy.
I bought the $2.75 meal and the pizza tasted, well, cheap. What else do you expect? The cheese lacks character, the sauce is barely there, and the crust at times tastes a little too sweet; but all three components balanced out to provide a satisfying taste, and there’s no feeling of bloating or pizza sweat that comes with other places. It’s delicious, better than more expensive slices I’ve gotten in the City. And with the context of price in mind, how it turned out is a miracle of human ingenuity.
As time goes on, and rents rise and inflation rises, I fear that 99 Cent Fresh Pizza may have to change its branding in order to stay open. There will inevitably be a time when it becomes 149 Cent Fresh Pizza or heaven forbid 199 Cent Fresh Pizza. So, do yourself a favor, treat yourself to a New York City institution, and get some cheap good 99 cent pizza now.
Jared Skoro is a junior at NYU Gallatin studying a mix of English, Political Science, and Psychology. In his free time, he enjoys reading, hiking, and exploring a new neighborhood of the city every weekend.
For over 20 years, theCampus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC, from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a specialcoupon bookletand theOfficial Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services. At theCampus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check ourwebsite for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during theWelcome Week of 2015.
Food hacks have become all the rage amid facts and fiction in the cyber realm. Social media platforms, such as TikTok and YouTube, are great places to discover quick and easy recipes that are perfect for those who need a little inspiration. From mindless scrolling on these platforms hours on end, I have come across countless examples of food-inspired content. And so, in this edition of Plugging in with Good Intentions, I’m sharing my favorite recipes for each meal of the day, including dessert, that I have discovered via the Internet and social media.
~Breakfast~
We’ve all heard that ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day,’ so why not make it tasty? I love bananas, especially on top of traditional flapjacks. So, when I watched @maddisonskitchen make her own on TikTok, I knew I had to re-create it and share this fun twist on pancakes. Also, if you aren’t a fan of bananas, you can easily replace them with other fruits in this recipe! From sliced strawberries to apples, the possibilities are endless.
Banana Pancake Dippers
What You’ll Need:
Pancake mix (or you can make it from scratch)
Bananas (as much as your heart desires)
Pan
Oil or butter
Toppings (ex. syrup, whipped cream, Nutella)
Steps:
Prepare your pancake mix.
Slice your bananas.
Heat up your pan and oil/butter it up.
Dip each banana slice into your batter and ensure they are fully coated.
Place each of your banana pancake dippers about an inch away from one another on the pan to cook.
Once you see bubbles forming, flip them over to cook the other side.
Cook until your banana pancake dippers are golden brown on each side.
Serve with toppings, if desired.
~Lunch~
Back in the day, I would bring sandwiches that my mom made for school lunch. Of course, I would be picky and request to have no crust. Then, I discovered Smucker’s Uncrustables and thought they were so convenient. Essentially, they are sealed sandwiches with no crust.
As seen in the picture above, there is a variety of flavors for Uncrustables. Still, if you think about it, they’re chemically processed and frozen. After watching the ‘Trying TikTok Food Hacks’ YouTube video from @merrelltwins, however, I learned that I could make a more nutritional and fresh version of Uncrustables.
DIY Uncrustables
What You’ll Need:
Bread
Cup or glass
Filling (ex. Peanut Butter, Nutella, jelly, fruits, ham, cheese)
Toaster
Steps:
Choose your filling (possibilities are endless here).
Take two slices of bread and spread your filling in the middle of one piece. Be sure to leave space on the outer edges, so your sandwich can be sealed with no leakage.
Assemble your sandwich by placing the second piece of bread on top of the other.
Now, use your cup or glass to seal your sandwich by pressing firmly and twisting to remove the crusts.
You should now have your very own and perfectly sealed DIY Uncrustable.
You can either eat it just the way it is or toast it. Also, they can be prepared and stored in the freezer for later.
~Snack~
At this time of the day, sometimes all you want is something sweet to satisfy your cravings. One of my favorite snacks is cookies, especially Oreos. Still, it’s fun to try your own twist on an American classic.
And so, as I was scrolling on Pinterest, I came across a quick recipe from @CookingClassy on how to make Oreo Truffles! With the recipe calling for only three ingredients, I knew I had to make some myself and share it with you all.
Oreo Truffles
What You’ll Need:
Oreos
Cream Cheese
Melted Chocolate
Steps:
Crush Oreos into fine crumbs. This step can be executed in multiple ways. For instance, you can use a food processor, crush them by hand with a fork in a bowl, or by putting the Oreos in a plastic bag and crushing them with a rolling pin.
Add enough cream cheese to your Oreo crumbs, so that your mixture becomes thick or dough-like.
Now, shape your mixture into round balls.
Put your Oreo truffles into the freezer to solidify for about 15 minutes.
Once chilled, dip your Oreo truffles into melted chocolate.
You can also add toppings such as additional Oreo crumbs and sprinkles.
~Dinner~
Now, if you’re a regular user of TikTok you might be familiar with this meal I’m about to share with you. One food hack that went viral in early 2021 was Baked Feta Pasta. After watching the TikTok from @feelgoodfoodie, I knew I had to make some myself.
Baked Feta Pasta
What You’ll Need:
Pasta
Feta Cheese
Cherry Tomatoes
Olive oil
Salt and Pepper
Garlic
Basil (if you want to be fancy)
Baking dish
Steps:
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
Place a block of feta in the middle of your dish and surround it with your cherry tomatoes.
Drizzle olive oil as well as sprinkle salt, pepper, and a few garlic cloves (or garlic powder) across your dish.
Bake for about 30 minutes or until everything is softened.
In the meantime, boil the pasta.
Once the tomatoes and feta are thoroughly cooked, smash them to create a creamy sauce. Then, stir in your cooked pasta.
Top with fresh basil, if desired.
~Dessert~
If the Oreo truffles weren’t enough, then how about Oreo mug cake? Again, here is another twist on an American classic.
Oreo Mug Cake
What You’ll Need:
Oreos
Milk
Mug
Steps:
Place a few Oreos into a microwave-safe mug.
Crush your Oreos into a chunky mixture.
Pour just enough milk, so that your mixture is submerged but peeking through the top.
Heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute.
Now, you have a gooey chocolate pudding-like mug cake that will satisfy any nightly cravings.
In the end, these fun food formulas can be altered however to your liking. Still, go on and discover more recipes. And remember, stay positive and maintain good intentions.
If you can’t find something you like right away, you can always visit the multitude of organizations that offer student discounts on Campus Clipper to find inspiration on your own fun food formulas.
For instance, check out Tropic Berry Cafe for fun acai bowls and smoothies!
By: Sydney Ly
Sydney Ly studies Communication with dual minors in Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She is currently working in retail and has experience as a tutor. Her passions include but are not limited to reading, listening to music, and watching The Office.
For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC, from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.
At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.
I became a vegetarian in the 7th grade. The dietary restrictions that accompanied my new lifestyle were not so difficult to navigate since I was still living at home where my parents cooked for me and provided me with other nutritional sources. However, once I ventured into the world of independence and limited college food choices, I had to figure out the best and most affordable ways to nourish myself. As a freshman at NYU, every student is required to select a meal plan. Although the meal plan appeals to many, especially since it includes the infamous Chick Fil A restaurant, there are still many other students who struggle with finding vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, or gluten-free options.
When I started at NYU, I attempted to use the meal plan and tried to meet my 14 weekly swipe option. However, I quickly realized there were very limited choices for me. As I walked into the dining hall known for the most options, I was hopefully optimistic. My eyes gazed at all of the different food options. I soon realized that most of the vegetables were cooked with meat. As I took a closer look into each of the tins, I saw that most options that were deemed to be “healthy” were cooked in unhealthy oils and other sauces that were not appealing. I had to eat something, and I already paid for the meal plan, so I had to try to survive off of what I saw. I thought my safest option was to go to the salad bar. I was hoping most salad bars include a multitude of ripe-looking vegetables and various options for protein. As I placed my order, my options included a choice of lettuce, what looked to be spoiled vegetables, mystery cheese, and no protein. None of those options appealed to me. For the first few weeks, I did indeed survive off of lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
As I ate that I tried to survive off of the limited options especially since I am a college student on a budget, but quickly realized this was not going to work. Besides the limited amount of money that I had, there was also limited space to store various vegetables, fruits, and even snacks since you are typically sharing a mini-fridge with your roommate. I had to find a way to be creative! Luckily, this is when I discovered Trader Joes, a well-known grocery store, located right near my dorm on 14th street between 3rd and 4th avenue. This is a prime location for every NYU college student as it’s a 5-10 minute walk from most dorms.
“Trader Joe’s Union Square – Grocery Store (540).” Grocery Store on 142 E 14th St in New York, NY. Web. 12 July 2021.
This store is especially known for being super affordable for quality produce and snacks. As a college student surviving in a small dorm with limited cooking options, I found out that Trader Joe’s has a section dedicated to pre-made, pre-packaged food, ranging from veggie wraps to salads and bowls, for meat lovers, vegans, and vegetarians. The options are endless.
“10 Must Haves Items From Trader Joe’s: Trader Joes Frozen Food, Trader Joes Food, Trader Joes Dinner.” Pinterest. Web. 12 July 2021.
Trader joes also has a bunch of affordable pre-packaged nuts, snacks, and freezer foods that are ready to heat up and be devoured. Their snacks especially were key because they are made with more whole ingredients, and also came in good sizes to store in the tiny dorm room spaces. Since many college students have microwaves along with mini-fridges in their dorms, this is a viable option. Overall, I overcame my journey to find edible meals, and instead found other various delectable meals! Those delicious meals then were options that I told my friends about that soon spread throughout campus for any college student with those dietary needs or not to eat healthy, pre-made, nutritious food at all times.
By: Hanna Mandel
Hanna Mandel studies Drama at NYU Tisch in hopes of being on the big screen one day. She hopes to venture into writing, directing, and producing. She loves to travel and explore new places, as well as trying new foods!
For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC, from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.
At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.
Intern Brenna Sheets from Emerson College is joined by fellow students Amber Call and Grace Rubin to discuss the reality of dating in the digital age. Whether you're an undergrad grinding through finals or a grad student juggling class, TA positions, and a work schedule, adding dating to the mix can feel like an unpaid […]
Intern Brenna Sheets from Emerson College is joined by Cambridge Natural's Emily K. to discuss natural health and wellness in the modern age. They discuss how supplements and herbal teas are being used, marketed, and perceived in our fast-paced, wellness-obsessed society. Is our reliance on these products a sign of empowerment—taking control of our health […]
Intern Brenna Sheets from Emerson College leads today's discussion on self-care and wellness in college. With fellow interns Aidann Gia (Pace University) and Agatha Edwards (Brandeis University), the group discusses what American culture says about self-care, everyone's favorite wellness activities after a stressful week, what gets in the way of students prioritizing themselves, and the […]
Intern Katie leads today's discussion. We talk about the pandemic's effect on college students, since current juniors and seniors' college experiences have been largely defined by the pandemic. We discuss what it was like being sent home from college in 2020, navigating online classes and extracurricular activities, and the lessons we've learned from this whole […]
Welcome back to a new season of the Campus Clipper podcast!Intern Megan leads today's discussion. We talk about the activities that inspire creativity in our cities and how to balance creative hobbies with schoolwork and internships. We also discuss the uncertainty and insecurity that we often feel when putting our creative work out in the […]
Intern Ehani leads today's discussion. We talk about the films, series, books, and other art that has touched our hearts, even when the world makes us want to be dark and cynical. We also discuss what role our passions have in our lives, and what passion means to us. Mentioned in this episode:Call Me By […]
In this episode, our interns talk about going to college in a big city - from the cultural advantages to how they deal with the expensive cost of living. We also share our favorite things to splurge on. Mentioned in this episode:The Whitney MuseumThe Tenement MuseumTips for budgeting (even when you're not the budgeting type)Check out […]
In this episode, our publishing interns talk about why they love writing and how they use writing and creativity as a tool for personal development and mental health. Check out our publishing interns' writing on the Campus Clipper Blog. This episode was recorded at the new East Village, NYC location of Marinara Pizza. Click this […]
