By Jill Rothwell – Collegiate Staff
It’s lunchtime and you have one hour between classes, $10 in your pocket and less than 10 minutes time to walk one-way, order, eat and get back to class.
Follow the Student Eatery Map where walking times begin from the Main Building on campus.
CVLT Pizza, 10 Jefferson Ave. SE
Bring your friends, share an east coast style thin crust pizza and stay within the $10 budget with the weekly deal, an 18-inch three-topping pizza, large garlic breadsticks and four sodas for $30. The dishes are made with only farm-to-table ingredients, predominantly vegetarian with a few meat options. By supporting CVLT, you are supporting West Michigan farmers as all products are sourced locally.
- Walking: 6 mins
- Hours: noon-10 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, 4 p.m.-10 p.m. on weekends
Bartertown Diner, 6 Jefferson Ave. SE
Like it’s sister restaurant (CVLT), they use produce from local farmers only. The daily specials change with seasonal product offerings. The Chickpea Melt gets great reviews on Facebook and Yelp, at $8 on the menu.
- Walking: 6 mins
- Hours: 8 a.m. -10 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, 4 p.m.-10 p.m. on weekends
Gita Pita, 2 Jefferson Ave. SE
As the freshman on the block, Gita Pita opened just over two monthsago on Jefferson Avenue from from 28th Street. Orders are assembled to your specification with fresh, bold, Mediterranean ingredients. A specialty of the house is pita bread cooked on upside down cast iron bowls, made-to-order. The falafel is crunchy yet creamy on the inside. You can get in and out, back to school within an hour, just don’t expect this to be a quick wait as it is a popular option.
- Walking: 6 mins
- Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 12 p.m.-8 p.m. on Sunday.
One Stop Coney Shop, 145 E. Fulton St. SE
Belgian frites (twice-cooked fries) are served in a cone with every hot dog combo. Often mistaken for french fries, Belgian frites are first cooked at a lower temperature, then flashed at a high temperature when ordered to crisp up the outside. Most hot dog combos are under $7.
- Walking: 5 mins
- Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday
Grand Central Market, 57 Monroe Center St. NW
Deli fresh sandwiches and salads are pre-made to-go and to order. Popular on the menu, the “57 Monroe” which is smoked turkey, pesto mayo, chevre, lettuce, tomato, onion, lemon vinaigrette on focaccia isasy to remember because the name is the address too!
- Walking: 7 mins
- Hours: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. 5 p.m. Saturday
XO Asian Cuisine, 58 Monroe Center St NW
Lunch specials are between $6-8 and include a spring roll and crab rangoon. Service at times can be slow, especially on Tuesdays when they offer a half off Sushi special. They feature authentic Thai, Japanese and Chinese cuisine all under one roof.
- Walking: 7 mins
- Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday.
Freshii, 146 Monroe Center NW
Ordering a wrap will help maintain the $10 (and under) budget. Plan to spend slightly more though, as the smoothies will put your meal more in the range of $12. Freshii’s motto, “Eat. Energize,” is certainly appropriate to a student and staying alert in class. Order online ahead to save some time.
- Walking: 9 mins
- Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday.
Smashburger, Food Court @ 25 Michigan St NE
“YOU ARE WHAT YOU MEAT” reads the Smashburger local mailer, boasting fresh, never frozen 100 percent certified ground Angus beef. You can save some time and skip the line, by ordering online for pick up. The Michigan Olive burger was created specifically for West Michigan. The signature “Smashfries” are tossed in Italian olive oil, rosemary & garlic. The Michigan Cherry Shake will exceed the $10 budget, but it is well worth the splurge.
- Walking: 9 mins
- Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m., daily
Also on the map:
Parsley Mediterranean Grille, 80 Ottawa NW, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday
Big O’s Cafe, 80 Ottawa Ave NW, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday
Two Beards Deli, 38 Commerce Ave SW, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Local Mocha, 96 Monroe Center St NW, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday
Starbucks, Food Court at 25 Michigan St NE, 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Zoup!, Food Court at 25 Michigan St NE, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday
Sushi-Yama, 146 Monroe Center NW, 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Georgio’s Gourmet Pizza, 15 Ionia SW, 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Sunday and Monday, 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday
Rockwell Republic, 45 S Division Ave, 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday through Tuesday, 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday
Cottage Bar, 18 La Grave Ave SE, 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. Monday – Thursday, 11 – 2 a.m. Friday – Saturday
