Words by Michaela Barnes | Photo by Lauren Bruce
Sometimes you get bored and tired of going to the same places over and over again to eat out. You want to branch out and find some new places to hang out at and grub out. We know this struggle all too well, so we went out to find a few of the hidden gems around campus.
Mame
541 Blair Blvd.
If sushi is your thing, Mame is the place to be with its stellar sushi and cozy atmosphere. It’s a great place to relax and wind down after a long day after class. They even have vegetarian dishes for those who might want something other than seafood. Try out their cheesecakes for an elevated experience. Mame is open from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, but make sure to make a reservation in advance to get a spot at the small eatery. Prices range from $15 to $30.
Sweet Life Patisserie
755 Monroe St.
With two locations, it is super easy to jet off to this bakery for some yummy treats because
sometimes baked goods are all we need to make a day better. Sweet Life Patisserie is a cute and cozy bakery with multiple options for gluten and dairy-free treats, as well as an inclusive menu filled with cupcakes, wedding cakes, espresso, teas and other pastries. Some of their ‘Desserts of the Month’ include red velvet cupcakes and their dairy-free, gluten-free and egg-free chocolate strawberry cupcakes.
The Jail
490 E Broadway
Have you ever thought about going to jail before and the experience you’d gain? Because if so, you just might want to go stop in and order some grub. With reasonably priced delicious Korean-style barbeque, you can’t go wrong by taking your family on a trip to The Jail. It’s a great choice if you love Pho, as it has many Pho meal options, including Pho Ga (chicken breast) and their house special pho. It will be a memory to keep for sure. It’s open Monday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Hideaway Bakery
3377 E. Amazon Drive
Are you looking for that one random, out-of-the-way place to impress your friends with? Why not go on down to the Hideaway Bakery? It has a robust menu filled with great breads, cookies, pastas and much more. This unique bakery serves pizza ranging from $5.25 to $14. If you’ve got a hankering for a sweet tooth, try out a slice of Hideaway Chocolate Cake.
Laughing Planet
4802, 760 Blair Blvd.
Didn’t anyone ever tell you that laughing is good for the soul? No? Not only will you not be able to stop laughing, you’ll be able to eat some great food at a great price. We recommend grabbing yourself a simple burrito for only $5.50.
Ambrosia
174 East Broadway
Are you looking to head out to an elegant restaurant but don’t want to break the bank completely? Try Ambrosia, a Pacific Northwest Italian-styled restaurant. If you’re looking to enhance your flavor profile, try the Rabbit Manicotti for $18. And if you’re not looking to try something new, tuck into a slice of Pizza Tre Formaggio for only $13. While food is their game, wine is their specialty. They have a wine list that can cater to anyone with many wines from Italy, Oregon and many other areas around the world.
Sweet Cheeks Tasting Room
5th Street Market
Not looking for a meal but you really want to do something fun with your friends or loved one? Try out the Sweet Cheeks Tasting Room at the 5th Street Market for some wine. Their indoor tasting room has a cozy cabin feel, complete with couches and fireplace. You can sample their Reserve Pinot Noir for $3 or any other wine for $1. They also provide live music Friday nights from 6 p.m to 8 p.m during the year, and on Saturdays during the summer.
