For most Athens residents, local businesses are the heart of the city, with multiple businesses offering a variety of menu items. From handcrafted lattes to popular fast food chains and historical establishments, a hidden gem may be right around the corner.
Located at 30 W. Union St., Fusion Noodle Company has been leaving city residents and Ohio University students smiling for over a decade.
A meal at Fusion can range from $10 to $20, with a large menu to choose from. Whether a resident is looking for pot stickers, udon or even French fries, Fusion can be the spot for an affordable, yet diverse meal.
The restaurant, open from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, fuses Italian and Asian cuisine to create innovative dishes unlike other Athens eateries.
Mia Comello, a sophomore studying anthropology, said she and her roommate recently tried Fusion for the first time.
“I ordered the spicy lamb skewers, got my roommate Magnolia the crab rangoons, and I also ordered the pho,” Comello said. “I ordered it at night (and) there was no one in there. It was very fast and it only took 10 to 15 minutes to make it. They were very kind.”
Comello said she recommends Fusion to those who have not tried it.
While some Bobcats may not stumble upon the restaurant just yet, others have discovered their regular spot.
In a five-star rated Yelp review on the restaurant, Becky F. of Athens wrote the restaurant had “excellent service and patience with my bad hearing … comfort food from really nice people.”
Not only do customers enjoy the atmosphere of Fusion, but so do employees.
Jonathan Zheng, a local high school student, is a cashier at the restaurant. Zheng said the menu offers a variety of items, with the most expensive costing $18.25.
“(I recommend) the Taiwan steak noodle soup, if you have the money,” he said.
More affordable menu options include the pho or the pad thai. Zheng said Fusion stands out among other Athens restaurants because it serves pho.
“Most restaurants don't have pho, and we are the only restaurant around here that has pho,” he said.
For freshmen who are new to Athens, the wide variety of food options can be overwhelming.
Katie Metzler, a freshman studying pre-physical therapy, has yet to try Fusion.
“I’ve seen it when I have gone up Court Street, but I just haven't gone out to eat much,” she said.
Based on first impressions, Metzler said she could see herself stopping in at some point throughout the year and plans to try Fusion’s pad Thai.
“It’s just a classic,” she said. “I enjoy eating at places like that. I think Athens actually has a pretty wide variety, with all the fast food and then also the little coffee shops and noodle places.”
The establishment features a dining room with various seating options. Customers can sit at a counter, high-top, low-top table, or outdoor table.
Fusion also offers 20-minute pickup or delivery, as listed on their website. Orders are also taken over the phone.
Zheng said working on a college campus is interesting, but he enjoys the fluctuation of customers who come into the restaurant.
“It goes from really slow to really busy,” he said.
