Always nice to see the USC campus and surrounding area get some props, especially when the writer gets the details right. Here’s a few of the choice bits from Sports Illustrated writer Arash Markazi’s Road Trip to USC:

Best place to go after 2 a.m.: Chanos. It’s not the best Mexican food in L.A., but it’s the best you’re going to get in the middle of the night around campus. Don’t ask for the hours, because there are none — Chanos closes when things slow down, and it hardly does with oversized burritos going for $3.

Best ‘must-eat’ item on campus: The famous bacon-wrapped hot dogs sold outside of the Coliseum are a USC institution. The carts often are surrounded by dozens who hope to get one of the delectable dogs before the carts disappear; police patrol the area looking for vendors without licenses. Breaking bread — and the law — never tasted so good.

Best pregame ritual: Get your early-bird drink on at the 9-0 or at one of the houses on The Row before you start your own Trojan Walk. Start by walking past the Shrine Auditorium, home of award shows like the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys for past 50 years. Walk across the street to campus and pay respect to Tommy Trojan, who stands gallantly next to the Student Union. Join in the ceremonial kicking of the flag poles on campus, then cross the street to Exposition Park and pass through the beautiful Rose Garden and Science Center before finally arriving at the famed peristyles in front of the Coliseum, where tailgates abound. Simply showing a “Fight On!” victory sign is usually good for a few beers.

Best thing to pack before going to the game: Um, beverage-holding binoculars. USC was the only Pac-10 school to serve alcohol at its home games for years, now the Coliseum is a dry this season. Most students have compensated by going at the beer pong extra hard before game time, but the ol’ alky binocs have also been a favorite in the student section.

Best rite of passage for students: Any student with a discretionary card, which is basically money on your student ID, must go down to the on-campus bar in the basement of the student union called Traditions, or “Tradys,” and use up their “discresh” on pitchers of beer, tequila shots and car bombs. While you get hammered, say a toast to your parents, who think the money they put on the card is going to nutritious meals or books for your classes.

Road Trip: USC [SI on Campus – Thanks, Freerdo]