I think one of my favorite recurring experiences of university was Rocco's Restaurant in Riverside.
Mr. Rocco was a nut, but a fun one, and he liked students. He was happy to have us spend time in his restaurant with our books. He never cleared us off his tables or pressured us to leave when our meal was done. I remember one of the first times I went there, he asked what I wanted to drink, I said "Oh water will be fine." He said, in a very peremptory and confident way, "Water is for washing floors. What will you have to drink?"
I loved the antipasto. I loved the multiple courses. A meal there was only a few dollars and you got salad, antipasto, a main dish and desert. It was student-fare heaven.
We weren't there often. It was the next city over, and few of us had cars. It was a special treat, usually in groups. We'd journey there to study on special occasions, perhaps before a big presentation, or perhaps more rarely someone's birthday. It might have been its rarity which made it special. Where Mentone Donuts was stellar but far more routine.