Stake Out is the quintessential across from campus hangout. The food is greasy, the beer is cheap and the atmosphere is casual. Ive been known to knock back a couple after a hard test here or come by to watch a game. The waitstaff is always pleasant and they have free wi-fi in case your putting the finishing touches on a term paper (because I always need beer to get me over the hump.)
The Stake Out gets a nice mix of people from students to faculty to after work professionals. Everyone feels comfortable there. Not the kind of place to come just for food but if you're having a beer or three its a nice compliment. Overall a solid joint. Never played the video poker inside but word on the street is its a little tight.
PS- If you pay by Credit Card, they have this goofy system where you have to write your tip or tell it to your waitress so she can add it before she runs it. I always am put off by this because I feel it influences me to leave a higher tip than I normally would. Now I always pay by cash to avoid this. I suppose this is the Larry David neurosis in me :)