Back to school, with a serious meal plan

It’s September, the students are back in town, and University City is buzzing with activity. Here’s what’s happening west of the Schuylkill River this fall:

Distrito (3945 Chestnut St.) has instituted a Cantina menu downstairs. Now, in addition to Jose Garces’ high-end Mexican fare, you can get $2 Tecate beers and a menu of tacos and quesadillas — all for under $10.

The Blockley Pourhouse (3801 Chestnut St.) is in full swing and hosting bands practically every night. During Penn State football games (that’d be the Nittany Lions, not the hometown Quakers), $10 gets all-you-can-eat wings, corn dogs, fries and onion rings.

Also getting its sea legs is the neighborhood’s Capogiro (3925 Walnut St.). This outpost has a liquor license, meaning boozy concoctions such as the Mean Creamy Banana (banana gelato and Meyers rum).

This fall will also see a host of new spots opening, including MidAtlantic Restaurant & Tap Room (3711 Market St.) from restaurateur Daniel Snyder. On tap but further down the line is the Tap House (3925 Walnut St.), a beer-centric mega-bar for the Radian complex from the folks behind the Public House and Field House.