This fall’s incoming first-year students will partake in their first official semester of classes. They will become involved with student organizations and build relationships with faculty and fellow students.
They will also get to experience dorm life and how different it is compared to living at home. First-year students with meal plans will be provided with a handful of different locations where they can use meal swipes for food and drinks.
At Ohio University’s campus, there are three dining courts: Nelson Court on South Green, Boyd Dining Hall on West Green and Earl’s Coop, located between Shively Hall and Perkins Hall on East Green Drive.
Students also have the chance to explore OU’s three markets: Jefferson Marketplace, Nelson Market and Boyd Market. Freshmen can explore other spots on campus, including coffee shops and food trucks.
However, OU can only provide so much for both hungry and thirsty Bobcats. Undergrads unfamiliar with Athens may be eager to explore other places to eat and drink. The Bobcats of old will recommend some obvious choices, but some tend to fly under the radar.
Breakfast: Village Bakery & Café
For those freshmen who cannot get through the day without having a proper breakfast, Village Bakery & Café is a good option. Its menu offers delicious choices like breakfast sandwiches, quiche and often features daily specials that use local ingredients.
As the name suggests, it also serves coffee. Although its selections aren’t as varied as Starbucks, its menu is far from mediocre.
Village Bakery & Café is open Wednesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is closed Sunday through Tuesday.
Lunch: Big Mamma’s Burritos
Court Street is home to a Chipotle Mexican Grill, but it also houses Big Mamma’s Burritos. Many students may prefer Chipotle, but Big Mamma’s Burritos is just as good, if not better.
Although it may not be as popular as Chipotle, Big Mamma’s Burritos offers the same casual-local atmosphere while offering burritos, salads, bowls and chips.
When lunchtime rolls around, hungry students should consider Big Mamma’s Burritos.
Dinner: Lulu’s Casa El Camino
If students and their friends are looking for a nice restaurant to have dinner, beyond what’s available uptown, then a quick drive to Lulu’s Casa El Camino is just what they need.
The restaurant itself doesn’t show itself off too much, but it still has the nice aesthetic of an actual Mexican restaurant with authentic Mexican cuisine.
The staff are always friendly and attentive to what customers need, and they almost never get an order wrong. Lulu’s Casa El Camino is a hidden gem for food lovers.
Dessert: Whit’s Frozen Custard
Here comes the part everyone enjoys: dessert. Even though this choice is a cliché choice in Athens, Whit’s Frozen Custard is still a spot worth highlighting.
Whit’s is a delightful place to enjoy a variety of sweet treats, from custard to ice cream sundaes. It also serves as a popular social gathering place for students to talk with their friends while eating creamy deliciousness.
Despite everyone having their preferences, the options listed above are some of the best places to go for students who need a break from the dining hall food.
Each one will make an incoming freshman’s experience in Athens just a bit more special.
