Eating Well: Where to Get Your Chow on at Northeast Ohio’s Colleges and Universities

The dining component of college life certainly extends beyond that place down the street that delivers, like, awesome wings, dude. As a student, you’re hopefully well aware that Northeast Ohio boasts a veritable kingdom of killer restaurants. You can make the trek downtown or to Ohio City (and we recommend it), but we’d like to offer you some of our favorite nearby morsels for the collegiate la vita deliciosa.

Case Western Reserve University

There are some damn good restaurants in this neighborhood. Enjoy them all.

Quick Eats: The Jolly Scholar |

The burger here is the real deal. Order bourbon barbecue sauce taboot for the genuine Jolly Scholar experience. Feel free to call ahead and pick it up on your way back home, or pop a squat at the bar and enjoy dynamite food over an ice-cold IPA. 11111 Euclid Ave., 216-368-0090, thejollyscholar.com.

Date Night: Trentina | Impress your date by laying down a reso at the new Jonathon Sawyer spot. Trentina features a “chef’s tasting menu,” which means you throw down a ticket price and get samplings of Sawyer’s Northern Italy-inspired meals. The menu bianco currently boasts the likes of caviar + ciccoli, pasta alla chitarra, and beasts roasted over embers, for crissakes. Yes, that’s your mouth watering and, yes, you should book an evening here right now. 1903 Ford Dr., 216-421-2900, restauranttrentina.com.

Parents in Town: L’Albatros Brasserie and Bar | It’s a special-occasion restaurant that needn’t be reserved for special occasions. We love the out-of-the-way locale, the history-dripping old carriage house, and that romance-inducing magic-garden patio. But without stellar food and service, all of the former would be mere window dressing. Grab the lengthy one-page menu, point your finger at some French words and phrases, and know that whatever the kitchen sends out will knock your socks off. 11401 Bellflower Rd., 216-791-7880, albatrosbrasserie.com.

Late Night: Ninja City Kitchen and Bar | Friday and Saturday late-night hours make this Bac spinoff a must-visit after a night carousing around Case. Ninja City features a quick-service setup, but also boasts a classic full-service format with a bar. You’ll get to build your own banh mi, rice bowl or bun over a drink. Nothing sounds better than that. 11311 Euclid Ave., 216-860-0510, ninjacity.com.

John Carroll University

Easy access to Shaker Square and other east-side eateries makes JCU a tasty starting point for your culinary explorations.

Quick Eats: Pizzazz on the Circle | A fine blend of college budget mindfulness and hip aesthetics, Pizzazz has become a JCU mainstay over the past 40 years. Hey, you can even get kinda fancy here and order up a horseradish-encrusted salmon salad or eggplant roulettes. But don’t sleep on that awesome pizza! 20680 John Carroll Blvd., University Heights, 216-285-9958, pizzazzpizza.com.

Date Night: EDWINS | Far from a stuffy French bistro, EDWINS keeps spirits as high as the ceilings thanks to a breezy interior, refreshingly unceremonious service and a magnanimously priced wine list. But the food, overseen by French-born chef Gilbert Brenot, is what lures diners back time and again, for garlicky frogs’ legs, escargot, steak au poivre and ripe, funky cheese. 13101 Shaker Square, 216-921-3333, edwinsrestaurant.org.

Parents in Town: Fire | The restaurant has thrived because it is one of the most consistently excellent options in town in terms of food, service and atmosphere. If Fire opened up tomorrow in Tremont looking just as it did 13 years back, it still would win Best New Restaurant: That’s how timeless the place is. Chef-owner Doug Katz owns the farm-to-table American bistro genre, where the season’s best ingredients are coaxed into flavor-forward plates of perfection. 13220 Shaker Square, 216-921-3473, firefoodanddrink.com.

Late Night: Rascal House Pizza | With hours that run until 2:30 a.m. (1 a.m. on Sunday nights), Rascal House is there for you when that heady craving for pizza comes along. You can order an array of comestibles through an innovative combo method (pairing various sizes of salads, pastas and pizzas) guaranteeing you and your buds get what you need when you need it. 11316 Euclid Ave., 216-791-4444, rascalhousepizza.com.

Little Italy

This isn’t a college campus, but the neighborhood is near several institutions of higher learning. If you’re up for a jaunt to one of Northeast Ohio’s greatest cultural gems, pay attention.

Quick Eats: Mama Santa’s | This restaurant could easily fit into any of the categories we’ve established here, so we’ll toss it in thusly and mandate that you pick up a pizza this week right now and relish the region’s best pie. 12301 Mayfield Rd., 216-421-2159, mamasantas.com.

Date Night: La Dolce Vita Bistro | Wholly romantic and cozy, La Dolce Vita is a wonderful place to get to know someone better or infuse your long-term relationship with a bit of that honeymoon jazz. 12112 Mayfield Rd., 216-721-8155, ladolcevitamurrayhill.com.

Parents in Town: Washington Place Bistro and Inn | First off, yes, this is actually an inn where you can reserve a room. But more importantly, the food is divine. We recommend the shrimp and grits or the “mack & cheese” (with goat cheese strudel!). 2203 Cornell Rd., 216-791-6500, washingtonplacelittleitaly.com.

Late Night: Nighttown | It’s not technically in Little Italy, nor is it a classically “late night eats” option, but Nighttown, which serves dinner until 1 a.m. on weekends, offers a unique experience that should always be taken into consideration. If you’re up for it, plunk down some cash to hear some fine jazz music and order up a meal for the gang. You’re gonna have a good time. 12387 Cedar Rd., 216-795-0550, nighttowncleveland.com.

Akron University

Akron’s cultural scene has plenty to love. Its dining options, particularly in the booming downtown district, should be enough to call any student down into the city. Here are our top picks.

Quick Eats: Nervous Dog Coffee Bar |

This place is known for its killer coffee — and deservedly so — but do stop in and grab a sandwich to pair with that essay you’re working on. The atmosphere is laid-back and reflective of the university lifestyle that surrounds it. 1530 West Market St., Akron, 330-864-2326, nervousdog.com.

Date Night: Swenson’s | You drive up, flip on your lights, place an order with a Hermes-like server, and enjoy your feast in-car at this classic Akron drive-in. It doesn’t hurt that this joint serves the best cheeseburgers in the world. How about this, Grasshopper: a Galley Boy with onion rings and fries and a tall chocolate shake. Mmm. 658 East Cuyahoga Falls Ave., Akron, 330-928-8515, swensonsdriveins.com.

Parents in Town: Cilantro Thai and Sushi | This upscale restaurant in downtown Akron showcases the finer sides of Southeast Asian cuisine. Order up a bottle of sake and dive into the menu with your whole family. 326 South Main St., Akron, 330-434-2876, cilantrothai.com.

Late Night: Luigi’s | Remember when we lauded Swenson’s as the best burger in the world? (See above.) Okay. Here’s the best pizza in the world. Not kidding. Any time of the night, when the hankering is just right, get your crew to roll on up and gather round the pepperoni. You’ll never be the same again. Note: cash only. 105 North Main St., Akron, 330-253-2999, luigisrestaurant.com.

Kent State University

Kent is the quintessential college town and, as such, it offers students a plethora of unique eats and cool vibes.

Quick Eats: Taco Tonto’s | The massive burrito joint that got its start in Lakewood holds down moorage in Kent. The sweet potato and black bean burrito is amazing. 123 Franklin Ave., Kent, 330-677-0223, tacotontos.com.

Date Night: Newdle Bar | Take your date out to Newdle and see what they make of the restaurant’s dynamic sashimi offerings. If he/she is into it, then maybe you’ve picked a keeper. The menu here is deep enough to warrant multiple trips. 295 South Water St., #116, Kent, 330-968-6134, newdlebar-kent.com.

Parents in Town: Laziza | With a modern vibe, this upscale restaurant offers a fine contrast to much of downtown Kent. The Mediterranean-sourced menu covers a lot of ground, so when your ‘rents are in town and footing the bill, you can stretch your palate a bit and savor the flavors of the Near East. 195 East Erie St., Kent, 330-677-7000, yourlaziza.com.

Late Night: EuroGyro | Last time we were in Kent, we got caught up in the current of some merry pranksters and ended up here. Open until 3:30 a.m. on the weekend, this place has that classic college dive feel. And the menu is equally nuts: There are probably a million sandwiches and all are completely delicious at 3 a.m. Cheap, too, so you can scarf, like, four of them in between games of pool. Do it. 107 South Depeyster St., 330-678-4976, eurogyro.com.

Cleveland State University

As a CSU student, you’re living along the main nerve of the region’s dining renaissance. Here are the must-eats.

Quick Eats: Dynomite Burgers | Offering a pick-up-and-slam sort of presentation, Dynomite opened in 2013 to much fanfare. Visually, Dynomite is essentially a kiosk on the south side of Euclid. But here’s the deal: burgers ($6-$8), hot dogs ($5) and chili dogs ($7), chicken sandwiches ($6), vegan burgers ($6), fries ($2.50) and chili fries ($4). ‘Nuff said? ‘Nuff said. 1302 Euclid Ave., 216-298-4077, dynomitecleveland.com.

Date Night: Cibreo Italian Kitchen | Cibreo is a comfortable place with a nice happy hour. Even better for you young lovebirds: The resto offers a “2 for $40” deal on Mondays. Share an app and a bottle of wine, and then order up two entrees. From seafood to veggie dishes and all manner of pasta in between, you’ll be in comfort food heaven. 1438 Euclid Ave., 216-862-9212, cibreocleveland.com.

Parents in Town: Cowell and Hubbard | This Playhouse Square dining institution, helmed by the same guy who brings you Dynomite Burgers, is exquisite. Get the seared shishito peppers to start, as they’re not widely available in our area and they’re deliciously zesty. They also set up the sea scallops, drizzled with Thai curry cream sauce, really well. Trust us. 1305 Euclid Ave., 216-479-0555, cowellhubbard.com.

Late Night: Bo Loong | This place serves until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and its offerings — everything from dim sum to karaoke — make this slightly out-of-the-way destination well worth the trip. Plus, hey, there aren’t many spots in town that dish up awesome Asian food post-midnight. 3922 St Clair Ave., 216-391-3113.

Oberlin College

Out in Oberlin, you’re in a self-contained community holding all the necessities of a liberal arts-based life. Bomb-ass cuisine, of course, is part of that. Dig in.

Quick Eats: Magpie Pizza | The epitome of both casual dining and killer pizza, Magpie hooks you up when you’ve got to get to class asap or when you’re wrapping up a long day and need a bite to eat. Look into their specialty pies too: They feature a really broad line-up of ingredients, so you know your cravings will be sated. 65 East College St., Oberlin, 440-774-2470, magpiepizzaoberlin.com.

Date Night: Black River Cafe | Sort of the classic hometown restaurant, Black River collects almost any meal you could want and offers it via its terrific menu. Steak and veggies, vegan pancakes, pistachio pizza, tuna sandwiches: Black River, which boasts an awesome breakfast, is the perfect spot for a night out as a couple. 15 South Main St., Oberlin, 440-775-3663, facebook.com/oberlinblackrivercafe.

Parents in Town: Weia Teia | Think Asian tapas. Sounds nice, right? Bring the whole family here for an evening of plate-sharing and “yum”-exclaiming. A sample dinner might include: Thai chicken satay, Szechuan chili shrimp, Uighur steak kebabs, seared sea scallops, and more. Hey, with all this talk, we’re already on our way over. Save us a seat, yeah? 9 South Main St., Oberlin,440-774-8880, weiateia.com.

Late Night: The Feve | Their upstairs offerings run until 2 a.m., though food stops at midnight. We recommend noshing on the wings, fries or tots, as they’re all divine munchies for the waning hours of the day. The grilled sandwiches, if you’re a bit hungrier, are spot-on too. (Psst: Happy hour runs all night on Mondays.) 30 South Main St., Oberlin, 440-774-1978, thefeve.com.

Ursuline College

Eastside Ursuline finds itself ensconced in neighborhoods brimming with delightful dining options. Here are four of our favorites.

Quick Eats: Corky and Lenny’s | The vibe here blends the old and the new; all traditional deli elements are in place (the dills, the corned beef, the phosphates, the latkes). Don’t skip the cheesecake either. 27091 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere, 216-464-3838, corkyandlennys.net.

Date Night: Red, the Steakhouse | If you’re hankering for a top-notch steak (and who isn’t?), this is the place you should be looking into for dinner. With the steak menu filled out by fresh seafood, rack of lamb and the delicacies you dream of while at the dining hall, Red makes for the perfect place to spend a romantic evening. 3355 Richmond Rd., Beachwood, 216-831-2252, redthesteakhouse.com.

Parents in Town: Peppermint Thai Cuisine | Just beyond the sprawl of nearby Woodmere, upscale but comfy Peppermint showcases a robust gamut of Thai cuisine, from top-notch satay to the requisite pad Thai (order it “country style”). 30769 Pinetree Rd., Pepper Pike, 216-464-5432, peppermintthaicuisine.com.

Late Night: Cork-N-Bottle | Ursuline, as you may have discovered, isn’t really embedded in Cleveland’s nightlife. But if you’re trying to hit the town and you don’t want to Uber it up too far away, head up the road to Cork-N-Bottle, which will take care of all your post-evening needs. They kick it until 2:30 a.m., and they’ve got the classic line-up of subs, pizza and salads on lockdown. 6724 Mayfield Rd., 440-473-2868, cork-n-bottle.com.

This article appears in Aug 27 – Sep 2, 2014.