More Best of Kent categories: FOOD | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT & STUDENT LIFE 

FIRST – Ray’s Place

Kent State students and community members know Ray’s Place is a favorite for signature drinks and bar specials. Charlie Thomas, owner and manager of Ray’s Place, said their success is due to the atmosphere and employees they have.

Ray’s Place regularly participates in holidays and campus events such as St. Patrick’s Day and Main Street Kent Oktoberfest.

Thomas changes the drink selection often to please customers throughout the seasons. Hot coffee drinks are served more in the winter and frozen drinks in the summer.

“We serve drinks students like, especially new ones students created or picked up over spring break and other holidays,” Thomas said.

Ray’s Place has a well-known variety of imported beer and house drafts. Between the two-floor Franklin Avenue establishment, draft lists change monthly due to its selection of 64 taps.

“We have the largest selection of draft and bottle beer in Kent,” Thomas said. “Our bartenders can please all types of palates.”

SECOND – Water Street Tavern

Water Street Tavern has been serving its customers since 2001. Their rooftop patio, live music and drink menu are a destination for the Kent community.

From 4 to 9 p.m. everyday, Water Street Tavern serves $2 drinks. Manager Kyle Paridon said the daily specials are a big attraction to students.

“Students really like our happy hour specials, especially the fish bowls,” Paridon said. “People like the atmosphere here and often make it the big stop of the night.”

THIRD – Zephyr Pub

In the heart of downtown Kent, Zephyr Pub is booming with karaoke, drink specials and a wide variety of craft beer.

Known for its three-floor patio, students and Kent locals come for happy hour from 3 to 9 p.m.

Manager Patty Restaine said the busiest times of the year are holidays and breaks.

“We are a 21-and-older bar and want everyone to have a fun, safe time,” Restaine said.

FIRST – Long Island Iced Tea | Ray’s Place

SECOND – Fishbowl | Water Street Tavern

THIRD – The Incredible Hulk | The Loft

FIRST – Euro Gyro

For drunk Kent State students, nothing fills a sloshy, alcohol-induced beer belly like freshly made fried food. Unsurprisingly, Euro Gyro fills that requirement at the top spot.

Manager William King credits the pizza, wings and subs as the best-sellers for Kent State students.

“We get packed and sell a lot,” King said. “We’re also open the latest, deliver and we have awesome food.”

Euro Gyro closes at 3 a.m. Monday through Wednesday, 3:30 a.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2:30 a.m. on Sundays.

SECOND – Guy’s Pizza

Guy’s Pizza takes the second slot for its pizza-by-the-slice option right downtown.

“We love our drunk Kent State students. They’re our favorite,” said Steve Greenaway, a Guy’s employee. “We’re open really late you can actually get food when you’re actually drunk. Our pizza tastes stupid good when you’re drunk, too. When I get drunk, I want to eat our pizza.”

Guy’s is open Sunday through Wednesday 10:30 a.m. until midnight, and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1:30 a.m.

THIRD – Sheetz

Sheetz nabs the last position of the list for its 24-hour convenience and touch screen, made-to-order menu.

Sophomore business management major Alexia Mantas loves Sheetz for its “quick hospitality,” variety of food and quick preparation.

FIRST – Joel McAdams | Zephyr Pub

SECOND – Mike Haney | Water Street Tavern

THIRD – Savannah Freese | Water Street Tavern

FIRST – Mike’s Place

You wake up after a long night of drinking and cutting it loose during a night on the town with your friends. Your head is pounding like a drum, you can vaguely remember what happened and, worst of all, you’re hungry.

What happened last night? How do you stop the piercing headache you have? While there may not be an answer for that first question, the answer to the latter is easy: Mike’s Place.

Established in 1987, the family-owned restaurant has a menu of over 100 dishes to choose from that’ll help knock out even the nastiest hangover.

The portions of food are big enough to fill you up and leave extra food for later. Try the “Mommy I Have A Tummy Ache & Should Have Eaten At Home,” a monstrous sandwich stacked with all of your favorite breakfast foods.

The restaurant also has a lively atmosphere. It may look like your average diner on the outside, but once you go in, a giant pirate ship pointed right at you will greet you immediately, setting the mood for a fun, laid back atmosphere. The walls are decorated with anything from funny little pictures and memos to even car parts.

SECOND – Wild Goats Cafe

Serving an all-day breakfast, you can stroll into Wild Goats Cafe any time of day to fill up and refuel from a long night of alcohol and loud music.

Take your pick at a menu that offers an assortment of pancakes and omelets, or you can build your own breakfast.

“We use high quality ingredients and fresh food,” said Charlie Ciborek, owner of Wild Goats. “Whether that’s premium meat or thick-cut fresh bread or jalapeño sausages made specifically for us, we try to use the best ingredients and that goes a long way.”

Wild Goats has the answer to help you get started on your long road to hangover recovery.

THIRD – Taco Tontos 

One of Kent’s best kept secrets is a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant that goes by the name Taco Tontos.

The main attraction for those weekend woes is something called the “Brunch Burrito,” a burrito served with an egg and your choice of meat.

“We cook our food fresh every single day,” said Emma Lasko, manager of Taco Tontos. “Organic ingredients with local meat, all fresh cooked in the morning.”

More Best of Kent categories: FOOD | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT & STUDENT LIFE