Daily Bruin File Photo Customers head toward Diddy Riese in Westwood, known for its cookies and ice cream sandwiches.
By Kelly Rayburn and Josh Wolf
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Westwood Village might be the only place with a sandwich stand nicknamed “buck fitty” or a cookie store which still sells cookies for a quarter.
UCLA students, often strapped for spending money and time, have many cheap and convenient food options close to campus, including “buck fitty,” officially named Roll-Inn Sandwich, Tommy’s and Diddy Riese. But the village also features more expensive, sit-down restaurants for those occasions when students wish to splurge on a meal.
Good service, late hours and cheap cookies, make Diddy, located on 926 Broxton Ave., an attraction for students. And with other community members heading into Westwood for its cookies as well, the store is often busy until it closes at midnight.
Diddy Riese, named after the owner’s grandmother, offers many different cookies and ice cream flavors, but for experienced students, deciding on an order becomes routine.
People invariably develop personal favorites.
“I recommend symmetry – chocolate chip ice cream with chocolate chip cookies. It may seem boring, but I like chocolate,” said Nicole Chretien, a third-year microbiology student.
Second-year physics student Darin Nee has a different outlook:
“I don’t go for chocolate chips because they melt all over my fingertips. My recommendation is nuts or just cookie,” he said.
Even with this range of preferences, students seem to agree that the best part about Diddy Riese is its price.
“It’s cheap,” said Nee.
But Diddy Riese isn’t the only cheap food place in Westwood.
If it’s a cheap breakfast that students are after, Headlines, on Kinross Avenue, offers “Joe’s prescription breakfast” – two eggs, bacon, potatoes and toast – for $3.25.
Students can also grab a chicken or beef 12-inch burrito at Tommy’s for $3, buy cheese pizza by the slice for $1.65 at La Monica’s New York Pizza, or for $2.25, get an 8-inch sandwich at Roll-Inn – the store which was first nicknamed “buck-fitty” when sandwiches cost $1.50.
Roll-Inn remains a popular destination for hungry students, even after city officials temporarily shut it down in February because of a cockroach infestation.
Second-year biology student Victoria Tai said she likes to go to Roll-Inn for a quick bite.
“It’s really convenient,” she said. “You can walk there, it’s close. You can go there when you only have an hour between classes.”
Tai said she also likes restaurants like BJ’s Pizza and Grill or California Pizza Kitchen when she has time to sit down with friends.
Westwood is also home to some upscale, more expensive restaurants for special occasions.
Eurochow, located on 1099 Westwood Blvd., opened in 1999. The dome-shaped building that houses the restaurant was constructed in 1929 and is now a historic landmark.
Since its opening, Eurochow, which features a glass dining room floor, has served many movie stars, including Drew Barrymore, Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington.
But be prepared to dole out some money.
Eurochow’s main courses range from the grilled portobello, which costs $15.95, to the grilled veal chop, at $24.95. Pasta dishes, pizzas, soups and appetizers are available at cheaper prices.
Another new arrival to Westwood, the Glendon Avenue Napa Valley Grille, opened in January and strives to have its clientele experience wine country while they dine.
Spacious patios and fireplaces contribute to its ambiance.
In May, Los Angeles City Council candidate Tom Hayden held a $500 per person fundraiser there.
At the Grille, main courses cost $16.95 and up – much more than a “buck fitty” sandwich.