Your wallet is empty, and your stomach is even emptier…
When it comes to dining out at OSU Mansfield, there are many hidden gems around campus that you will have the opportunity to choose from. The trick is picking the ones that satisfy both your tastebuds and your wallet. So, before you venture out with your stomach growling and your hangry alternative ego ready to fight, take a look at five of the most affordable and edible sit-down restaurants near OSU.
1. IHOP
Everyone in Mansfield knows about the brand-spanking-new IHOP. Its brilliant blue smiley-faced sign is the glowing reminder of a small city on the rise. Many of Denny’s usual customers have found a more appealing food source in the light atmosphere at IHOP. And while the restaurant is well-known for its pancakes, the menu offers a plethora of meals for all times of the day, ranging from the Mega Monster Cheeseburger to the Chicken Cobb Salad. And the best part is, IHOP serves anything on the menu 24/7. That means that it can provide you with your late-night fuel when cramming for your history exam the next morning.
2. Coney Island Diner
If you thought hot dogs were good before you went to OSU Mansfield, you’re bound to fall in love with the savory, delectable hot dogs served at the Coney Island Diner in downtown Mansfield. Coney Island is open 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Fri, 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays. While this little sit-down restaurant is about a fifteen minute drive (with traffic) from OSU’s campus, the food is absolutely worth it. Not only does Coney Island offer the best hot dogs imaginable, but it boasts its rich history as being the original inventor of coney sauce. Don’t like hot dogs? Not to worry! The restaurant offers a number of incredible meals, most served with the crispiest, softest French fries ever imagined. And to top it all off, this cheap, cute, little restaurant is located directly caddy-corner to the Mansfield Carousel, which makes your short drive well worth it.
3. Applebee’s
Applebee’s is the place to go in Mansfield! Open 11 a.m. to 12 a.m Sun-Thu and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fri-Sat, it might be a bit more expensive than other sit-down restaurants, but the trick is to find the ideal time to go. Applebee’s offers a hefty menu of food ranging from scrumptious appetizers to beefy burgers to succulent salads. However, if you are looking to get a full stomach on a tight budget, the best time to visit Applebee’s is around 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. because you will be able to order off of the Lunch Combo menu, which starts at just $6.99! You can mix and match a number of wraps, salads, pastas, and sandwiches for all under $10. The trip is short, right around five minutes, and the food is well worth it.
4. Golden Corral
If you are hungry and looking for a large meal that won’t break the bank, Golden Corral is the place for you. By paying your $9.95 entrance fee, you have unlimited access to an endless buffet of food ranging from a multitude of ethnicities. If you want to eat all three meals in one sitting, this is the way to do it. The Golden Corral has steaming buffets of Chinese food, burgers, pancakes, seafood, and more. And to get the most for your dollar, finish up your meal with a delectable treat from Golden Corral’s pastry corner. The restaurant is open Mon-Fri 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sat-Sun 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. So, whether you want to get in all your meals for the day, satisfy your late night munchies, or just open up a gateway to more food than you can imagine, Golden Corral is the way to go.
5. Bob Evan’s
When you start to get tired of dining hall food, and feel a real aching for Mom’s home-cooking, Bob Evans is the go-to restaurant. With a menu boasting healthy, fresh-off-the-farm meals, and a wide variety of breakfast, lunches, and dinners, Bob Evans has something for almost everyone. Bob’s is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Wednesday, and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday. Not only is the restaurant affordable, healthy, and delicious, but it is only a short five minute drive from campus. All of your late-night cravings, friendly get-togethers, and quick lunches are prime opportunities to eat at Bob Evans. The service is great, the food comes relatively soon, and if you ask the hostess you can get a kid’s menu to draw on while you’re waiting!
Hunger beware…
Your stomach is no match for these great places to eat. Being aware of these affordable, yet delicious, sit-down restaurants, your hunger will no longer be left unattended to in order to save money. Whether you are sick of the dining hall food, or just need to get out on the town a bit, be sure to make a stop at any of these restaurants if you want to satisfy both your stomach and your wallet!
