One of my favorite things to do is hunt for new local places to eat (particularly breakfast places!). I always prefer to go to a local place rather than a chain restaurant. Being someone who regularly cooks for herself, I love trying new foods that I don't know how to make myself. In my four years in La Crosse, Wisconsin, I've found a few favorite places that I always recommend to friends.

1. Iguana's Mexican Street Cafe

Located right across from the Cartwright Center, this adorable and affordable (most entrees are under $9) street cafe is a great place to grab some Mexican food. The service is friendly and fast, and they offer a wide variety of homemade Mexican meals with vegetarian options as well. My favorite meals are the Queso Dip Burrito and the Iguana-Changa. It's a great place if you're craving Mexican food but don't want the stomachache that comes with Taco Bell.

2. The Breakfast Club & Pub

If you love movies from the 1980s and breakfast food, The Breakfast Club is the place for you! This cute breakfast place downtown plays music from the 80s and is usually playing music videos or a movie on a TV (when I went, it was "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"). The Breakfast Club offers traditional breakfast dishes with punny titles as well as salads, wraps, sandwiches, and burgers. I tried one of their signature tater tot dishes, the Breakfast Lotsa Tots, a generous dish of tater tots with scrambled eggs, peppers, ham, bacon, onion, and gravy. It offers daily specials—my personal favorite is Monday, which is a free bottomless coffee with any menu purchase!

3. The Old Crow

Billed as an American gastropub, this sleek little downtown pub offers weekday specials, happy hour, and a special happy hour where you can get two appetizers for $10. The Old Crow offers a full bar open till standard La Crosse bar time, with specialty beers and bourbon cocktails. My favorite items include the Old Crow Burger, a bacon burger on a pretzel bun with garlic mayo, and the Third Street Nachos (it comes with guacamole, that's why I like it). It's a little pricey (make your parents take you when they're in town), but it's worth it!

4. The Root Note

The Root Note is one of La Crosse's hidden gems. This little joint offers an a bar with local beers and wines, an espresso menu with locally roasted Kickapoo Coffee, Rishi Tea from Milwaukee, as well as the best crepes you will ever taste, with organic ingredients (I recommend the Banana Nutella ones!). There is free WiFi, and it is a favorite place to get some work done. The Root Note offers fun evening activities as well, such as live jazz and open mic nights. A definite recommendation for anyone looking for some delicious coffee and live jazz performed by local musicians!