Students will be returning to South Florida campuses next week, so we thought we'd help the freshmen out with a little guide to where to go to escape dining hall food. This is the first in a series of five posts that will cover each local university. This week: the University of Miami

Pizza: You will, at some point, eat at The Big Cheese with your friends. The restaurant is actually an official sponsor of Hurricane athletics, and every inch of the walls is covered with UM memorabilia. It's about a five-minute drive down US1 from campus, and we think it serves the best pizza in the area. And yes, they deliver.

Late Night: Not too many options here. The closest late-night joint is a 24-hour McDonald's across the street from campus, which will do in a pinch. You can get wings until 12:30 at Wing Zone, but your best bet after that is Miami's Best Pizza, which is open until 1 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday, 2 a.m. on Thursday nights, and until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Cheap Eats: More pizza. We're told that Gables Riviera Pizza (1558 S Dixie Hwy, the menu is forthcoming) is cheap. At the nearby Don Pan, an arepa and a fruit shake are pretty filling and cheap. And just a short drive or train ride (one stop on the Metrorail) away is Orale, a taco truck that serves the most authentic Oaxacan tacos around.

Chinese: Try Chef Tian Express, close to Merrick Park. They serve the standard Americanized Chinese fare sure to cure any cravings or provide cheap sustenance during a late-night study session. They'll deliver to the UM campus, but the minimum is $10.

On Mom & Dad's Dime: We did it in college too, made a list of restaurants we couldn't afford and hinted at said restaurants when the 'rents came to town. While Coral Gables may not offer so much in terms of cheap eats, it's got fine dining down pat. You might be able to afford Havana Harry's Restaurant on your own (especially if you split their huge entrees with a friend), but it's a good close option if your out-of-town parents want to sample Cuban food in a setting that's a little nicer than the average cafeteria. You definitely won't be able to afford Francesco Restaurant on your own; lure your parents with the promise of some of the best ceviche in town. And finally, if your parents are really willing to splurge, get thee to Cacao.

Photo: Hurricane Sports