So you've finally made the transition to MSU.
The dreaded orientation period is done, and now you're left on your own to figure things out. Though it's easy to be overwhelmed by all the food choices, I'm here to make matters a little easier for those of you on a tight budget.
If you're like me, you don't have the kind of money to be eating out all the time. Also, if you're like me, you can't always afford to eat at upscale establishments.
Luckily for you, there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance offering quality eats for roughly the same price as your laundry detergent. Let me fill you in on some of my personal favorites.
First and foremost, I'd like to begin with what is perhaps one of Lansing's best-kept secrets. Located at 3020 E. Kalamazoo St., the Best Steak House doesn't have the extravagant design or elaborate awning you might see at other area restaurants. But make no mistake about labeling this place - you'd be hard-pressed to find better quality beef for the price anywhere in the area. They offer excellent steak dinners at almost giveaway prices. My personal favorite is the 8-ounce sirloin steak combo that comes with a salad, Texas Toast and a choice of baked potato, hash browns or french fries. The kicker is the whole meal rings in at just $6.50. They also have excellent, non-greasy burgers that come with fries for $4.75.
If you're looking for grilled Mexican food cooked to order and available until 3 a.m. on the weekends, look no farther than Panchero's Mexican Grill, 125 E. Grand River Ave. Their food isn't exactly cheap, comparatively speaking, but you get your money's worth for a good price. They are perhaps most famous for their enormous El Gordo burrito, which weighs a good pound and is stuffed with meat, cheese, beans and rice, plus available extras such as salsa, sour cream, guacamole, all for six bucks and some change. Don't forget to try their excellent quesadillas, which range from $2.95 to $3.45 and are available with steak, chicken or just cheese.
The Peanut Barrel Restaurant, 521 E. Grand River Ave., is the ideal place for quality eats. The barrel is known for the Papa Joe's Cheeseburger, a one-third-pound burger served with melted Swiss or cheddar cheese. Its burgers are thick and juicy and somewhat messy, but have the taste that always seems to hit the spot.
They also have a prime location, right next to MSU Federal Credit Union on Grand River Avenue, and an outdoor patio so you can get together with some friends to grab a bite to eat. Weather permitting of course.
If you've ever found yourself paying $5 or more for a combo meal at a fast food joint, only to be disappointed at the small portion or poor quality food you receive, then Lou & Harry's Greek Grill, 1139 E. Grand River Ave., is the place to go to get your money's worth. You can get a made-to-order burger with fries and a 32-ounce drink for about $5.50. In addition, there are delectable beef and chicken gyros available, along with fresh sandwiches.
But if deli food isn't what your craving, then maybe Peking Express, 603 E. Grand River Ave., is the place to go. OK, so it's not the cheapest, but you know anytime you order Chinese food you will receive a good-sized portion. Peking Express is no different, offering both pint-size and quart-size meal portions of all your favorite dishes. Unless you're somewhere just shy of malnourished, the pint-sized portion should be enough to fill you up. For chicken and pork lovers, every pint-sized dish is $5, for beef they're $5.25 and shrimp is just a little more expensive at $5.95. Extra vegetables can be added to every meal for just 75 cents and drinks also are priced nicely, with a 32-ounce soda totaling a mere 99 cents. If you're lazy like me, you can have your food delivered for just a buck.
If you're in the mood for something a little different, why not try The Pita Pit, a popular destination for poor, hungry MSU students since it came to East Lansing in 1999. Located at 219 E. Grand River Ave., you might have guessed the restaurant specializes in none other than freshly made pitas. But what you might not have guessed is that they also have numerous salads available, including chicken caeser, julienne, Greek, seafood and tuna. Pita-wise they have everything from chicken Caeser to Philly steak to falafel. Pitas can be topped with tomato, lettuce, olives, mushrooms, pickles - you name it, and they probably got it. There also are a variety of sauces such as barbecue, honey mustard, hot sauce and ranch. The chicken Caesar pita with mushrooms, feta cheese and topped with honey mustard sauce is muy perfecto. Prices primarily fall in the $4 to $5 range for both pitas and salads. Extra bacon can be added for 75 cents and hummus for $1.
This is by no means a complete or a definitive list but rather a small compilation of various local restaurants enjoyed by yours truly. As such, it shall be made known all views expressed are subjective and do not necessarily reflect those of the staff of The State News, nor do they speak for the 44,000 other MSU students. Hopefully, this listing can provide some guidance for those who are in need of good food at a decent price.
Evan Rondeau is a State News intern. He can be reached at rondeau1@msu.edu.
