35 College Towns That Serve Up The Best Food Scenes Across America

32. Hidden Heat: Pullman, Washington

Pullman, home to Washington State University, might surprise you. Nestled in the Palouse Hills, it offers more than panoramic wheat fields—it’s a rising culinary hotspot. Locally sourced bison burgers, huckleberry desserts, and craft brews made with Yakima Valley hops bring Washington’s flavors to the plate. The town’s blend of rancher heritage and student innovation means menus lean hearty but creative—think elk chili, espresso-rubbed pork, or wild mushroom flatbreads. Add in Pullman’s tight-knit community and farm-driven ethos, and you’ve got a town that punches well above its weight in flavor and heart.