Vanderbilt students - help please!
 

Hi, I am starting to get care packages ready to send with my two nephews who will be going to Vanderbilt this year. One will be a junior and is living with a bunch of friends in a house on campus; the other is a freshman who will be living in the dorms (The Commons).

I have already planned what I am baking for the care packages, but I would also like to include some gift cards they can use in Nashville. One type of gift card that I would like to include is a gas card since they will have a car on campus. However, I was wondering if anyone could help me by letting me know what some of the the more common gas stations are in Nashville (Mobil, Shell, bp). I was also hoping to include gift cards to common retail stores (Target, Wal-Mart), but again I was hoping for input on where the students shop. Finally, I would like to try to get some gift cards for fast food restaurants (Culvers, Jimmy Johns, Quizno's, pizza places).

If any students from Vanderbilt can help me, I would be very grateful! Thanks.:)

I don't go to Vanderbilt, but can I be your nephew?

Agreed, can I be your nephew too! I know there is a Starbucks and a PF Chang's near campus.

Leave it to all of you to make me laugh! :D I was wondering if there was a Starbucks -- that's always a great place to stop.

I am not a student, but used to live 1/2 mile from campus.

Def Target and not Wal-mart. There is no Wal-mart nearby,

There is a shell station nearby, as well as quite a few BP.

Fast food: Jimmy Johns is popular, Quizznos is nearby (but for some reason it is open just for lunch- or at least was when I was there), but there is a Subway that is open more normal hours. Papa Johns is right across from campus. Ben and Jerry's is nearby and also popular with the students.

Local fare that is popular with the students: San Antonio Taco Co., Bosco's, and Sam's. Each one is on 21st avenue and could likely be found with a google search.

ETA: grocery stores: closest- Harris Teeter. Further out, but bigger and cheaper: Kroger

Yes... several!!

Thank you so much for your help! Many of these stores are near my home which will make buying the gift cards nice and easy. I think I will definitely have to get a couple of Ben and Jerry's gift cards -- yum!

I was about to suggest S.A.T.CO., too. I used to go there for lunch at least once a week when the campaign was located two streets away.

Starbucks, Panera Bread, P.F. Changs, Chili's, etc. There's a few Exxons around there. Whole Foods is a couple of streets away.

The Mellow Mushroom is always popular!! SATCo is soo good!!
I've heard good things about The Pancake Pantry and Nick and Rudy's.
Then there's Ben and Jerry's, Five Guy's, and Noshville.

ETA: Oh yeah, you already mentioned Ben and Jerry's

Oh, Noshville! I miss Noshville! Yum!

Pancake Pantry... good, if you don't mind waiting in line. On Saturday mornings the line snakes down the block and you can wait outside for an hour. Not bad during good weather... bummer when it is cold! Good pancakes, close quarters (they really jam you in) but worth the wait. Also a good place to see famous people. Lee Ann Rimes is a frequent patron, though, surprise, surprise, she gets to sneak in the back door.

For the OP- check with the Ben and Jerry's where you live... seems like they might be franchised and not all may take gift cards from other places. There was a Ben and Jerry's across from campus, as well as one in the Children's Hospital (the whole medical area is right on Vandy campus). IIRC, the one in the Children's Hospital was picky about taking the other's coupons, and vice versa for the one across from campus. But... that may be fuzzy memory.

You should also tell them to visit my all-time favorite place in Nashville -- PROVENCE Bakery and Deli. LOVE this place. Handmade artisan breads, handmade pastries and desserts, sandwiches, salads, fruit, etc.

I really appreciate everyone's input. I know that my husband and I are going down to visit in late September. I will definitely be trying to go to several of the spots mentioned in this thread.