Otterbein University – Foodie Guide

There’s something really exciting about college life. For the first time, you’re on your own, but it’s always special to have family and friends drop by to see you. When you are playing the host, you’re looking to have an awesome time on campus and the surrounding area. This means you want to be able to show your friends and family a great time in every sense.

However, the one thing that isn’t always a delight when it comes to colleges is the food. That’s why when you are at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, we want to make sure you know where to go to get some of the best grub in town. This way, you can impress your guests and know where you can go on your own for a bite to eat. All of the eateries below are within driving or walking distance from the campus.

Sunny Street Cafe

You can’t go wrong with breakfast food, and Sunny Street Cafe is only a five-minute drive from Otterbein University. This casual eatery is a great option for home-cooked meals. And rest assured that food is always fresh using local ingredients.

There are a couple of breakfast dishes that Sunny Street Cafe is well known for. First is their famous hearty breakfast combo that comes with two eggs, pancakes, choice of meat, and one side. Loaded hash browns are another one of their specialties. These hash browns are topped with two eggs, sausage gravy, cheese, and sauteed onions. If those options sound a bit too heavy for you, order their power breakfast of scrambled egg whites, chicken sausage, fruit, and toast.

You can also stop by Sunny Street Cafe for lunch. Wraps, salads, and sandwiches are good for a quick, light lunch. The Monterey ranch chicken wrap is a popular choice and can be made with crispy or grilled chicken. There are two salads that feature chicken as well, but vegetarians can order the berry avocado salad.

Scramblers

Scramblers is another breakfast spot just two miles from Otterbein University. Like Sunny Street Cafe, Scramblers is a great option for those who are budget-conscious and want delicious food made with fresh ingredients.

The menu at Scramblers is impressive, with everything from omelets and Benedicts to salads and burgers. Those who need gluten-free or meatless dishes also have plenty to choose from at this diner. Some vegetarian specialties are the Wisconsin Scrambled and avocado toast. An easy and gluten-free combo is the Hash & Eggs, which allows patrons to have two eggs any style with corned beef hash and bread.

Duck Donuts

One more breakfast option is Duck Donuts. They open early and stay open late, so you can even make one of their donuts a midday or late-night snack. Go ahead, we won’t judge! It’s easy to pop in because they’re just a five-minute drive from Otterbein University.

What makes Duck Donuts stand out is that patrons can create their own donut. Their signature vanilla cake donut is freshly baked and you get to choose a coating, topping, and drizzle.

If you’re too indecisive to construct your own donut creation, they have an assortment of seasonal flavors and fan favorites ready for you. These flavors include cinnamon sugar with vanilla drizzle, lemon icing with raspberry drizzle, and s’mores.

Cardone’s Restaurant

Cardone’s Restaurant is so close to Otterbein College that you can walk there in about 10 minutes. This cozy restaurant with rustic decor is dedicated to making Italian cuisine from scratch with high-quality ingredients. And no matter what you order, you’ll be able to find a wine to compliment your dish from their fully Italian wine list.

Begin your dinner with an appetizer of arancini, which are hand-rolled risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella and pancetta. They are served with a side of garlic aioli. For an entree, order the gnocchi alla gorgonzola. If you prefer something with a bit more kick, try the halibut fra diavolo, which is halibut with spaghetti in a spicy tomato sauce with capers, lemon, and herbs. Be sure to save room for a dessert! Try their unique Limoncello Flute that comes limoncello swirled in lemon gelato.

Giammarco’s Italian Restaurant

For a livelier Italian eatery, take an eight-minute drive from Otterbein University to Giammarco’s Italian Restaurant. Giammarco’s is family-owned and they want to make sure you and yours have a great time eating authentic, fresh food. Not only can you enjoy food made with top-quality ingredients, but you can also have fun with live entertainment on the patio or in the grotto bar.

Giammarco’s is perfect for groups, and if you are visiting with friends or family, you may want to consider ordering a large stromboli or pizza to split. There are a few stromboli options to choose from, such as one stuffed with sausage, pepper, and onion or the Italiano that comes with capicola ham, pepperoni, crumbled sausage, and provolone. For pizza, try their chicken Alfredo or The Godfather, topped with Italian sausage, roasted red peppers, and pepperoni.

Aangan India Bistro

Stop at Aangan India Bistro for delicious Indian cuisine. It is an 11-minute drive from Otterbein University. Aangan aims to offer their patrons a memorable dining experience, so whether you stop in for the lunch buffet or dinner, their food and service will surely exceed your expectations.

Indian cuisine is typically accommodating to vegetarians, and that holds true at Aangan. There are plenty of vegetarian-friendly options, such as the sweet mango chutney, curry, channa masala, palak paneer, and more. However, carnivores can find an ample amount of dishes on the menu that feature perfectly tender meats. These meals include items like tandoori murgh and tikka masala.

Thai Grille

Another restaurant within walking distance to Otterbein University is Thai Grille. You can get there in under 10 minutes. You’ll feel welcomed by the friendly service in this quaint, little eatery filled with warm decor.

Thai Grille is dedicated to serving only the best food to their patrons. Whether you’re having pad Thai, ginger chicken, shrimp rolls, or any of their other dishes, you can be sure that your meal will be vibrant and bursting with flavor because Thai Grille only uses high-grade, in-season ingredients.

Uptown Deli and Brew

From lunch to a late-night snack and a beer, Uptown Deli and Brew is a fun hangout for locals, college students, and visitors alike. Since it is less than half a mile from Otterbein University, you can walk to Uptown Deli and Brew in seven or so minutes.

The deli section serves sandwiches, soups, and salads. You can order a classic sandwich like a Reuben or experiment with something more out there like the Figaboudit. The Figaboudit comes with prosciutto, goat cheese, arugula, and fig jam on a grilled ciabatta. If you’re there with a group, try the charcuterie board that comes with meats, cheeses, mixed nuts, and other accompaniments. There is also a market inside if you want to buy some meat, cheese, or bread to bring back to your hotel or the university.

Uptown Deli and Brew is also home to the Temperance Row Brewing Company, which is Westerville’s first legal brewing company. The name stems from the history of Westerville. “Temperance” means abstinence from alcoholic drinks, and this city used to be known as the dry capital of the world because of its liquor law bans. Now guests can come to this brewpub to savor craft beers in their secluded biergarten.