FIRST: Over Easy at the Depot

Over Easy at the Depot, located in the old train depot off Franklin Avenue, features eggs, pancakes and dozens of other options on its menu from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every day. 

 Rayanne Anderson, who manages and serves at Over Easy, credits the unique atmosphere of the restaurant for its growing popularity. 

 “It’s a fun, different environment with a lot of history to it,” she said. “It’s very creative in our own style. Our customers are very diverse, and we get a lot of different people from the university, out of town or even locals. It’s just a unique environment to be a part of.” 

 Over Easy specializes in breakfast and lunch, with different varieties of sandwiches, waffles and pancakes. The business offers its whole menu all day. It recently got a liquor license, so customers 21-and-over can now order alcoholic drinks as well, Anderson said. 

 According to Anderson, social media has played a big role in attracting students to Over Easy. Not only do customers enjoy seeing the posts made by Over Easy, but they enjoy making their own posts as well, she said. 

 “I know people like to post on social media a lot, and they like what looks good on their social media page, so I know that has a big aspect to it,” she said. “They like to post how big our pancakes are and how cool our milkshakes and drinks look.”

The location of Over Easy allows students the option of going out to get breakfast before classes or grabbing lunch with friends after, without too much of a commute, Anderson said.

SECOND: Mike’s Place

There’s nothing like Mike’s Place, according to manager Cody Kostensky. The family-owned business is filled with floor-to-ceiling decor and it serves all-day breakfast. 

The restaurant was founded in 1987 by Mike Kostensky, Cody’s father, and its staff includes all of Mike’s children, as well as his wife, sister and brother. 

The lengthy menu at Mike’s Place includes a variety of breakfast meals with names such as “Keep Mama Away From Those Spuds!!,” “The Big Beefer” and Crabby Benny.” One of their most popular breakfast meals is the overstuffed biscuit, with bacon, sausage and eggs, Kostensky said. 

 The restaurant’s atmosphere draws Kent students to Mike’s Place, Kostensky said. 

“It’s very unique,” he said. “There’s a lot. There’s a bus, an X-wing fighter, and a full-size boat and you can eat inside the bus. There’s really nowhere else you can do that.” 

 According to Kostensky, breakfast is the most popular time for customers to stop by Mike’s Place. The restaurant also serves all different types of food. 

Customers can order “anything from wings to pasta to burgers,” and all of the restaurant’s food is made from recipes staff created or borrowed from the past few decades. 

“We got a bar, a lot of different things to see and a lot of big portions,” Kostensky said. “It’s really fun.” 

THIRD: Wild Goats Cafe

Wild Goats Cafe serves breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day of the week.  

The menu primarily includes breakfast options such as eggs and pancakes, breakfast combos and sandwiches, manager Justin Rogers said. Wild Goats Cafe offers a variety of omelets, benedicts and side dishes.

The restaurant also sells milkshakes, specialty sodas and coffees. It recently started expanding its menu to hot deli sandwiches. 

 Rogers described the restaurant as a relaxing and friendly environment students can work in. 

 “It has a really friendly, chill vibe,” he said. “It’s a nice place in the community. It’s kind of quiet, you can sit with your friends and do homework. It’s just a really friendly atmosphere.” 

 Wild Goats Cafe features different deals every day of the week, which Rogers thinks attracts a lot of customers. 

 “Wednesday is our famous Buck Buck deal, where you get multiple breakfast items at a discounted price, and then you can eat as many or as little as you like,” he said. “Then we have a reigning champion competition. So, if you eat more than the reigning champion you get to eat free every Wednesday until you’re dethroned.” 

Kayla Gleason is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].