Bites Around Kean University
By Nicole Diefenbacher | Published by Nov. 2, 2018
Everyone knows that campus food can be hit or miss. Sometimes it’s great, and other times, not so much. So it’s always good to know the best places around campus to grab a bite to eat, without breaking the bank.
There are so many places around Kean University to get a good bite to eat, some of these places include Van Gogh’s Ear Cafe, Parador Rojo, Tropicana Diner, and Johnny Napkins Pizzeria.
Van Gogh’s Ear Cafe, located 10 minutes away from campus on Stuyvesant Ave in Union, is a small cafe that offers five different menus, as well as the ability to cater events.
Mac and Cheese from Van Gogh’s Ear Cafe. Photo Courtesy of Van Gogh’s Cafe.
“Van Gogh’s is my favorite food spot around Kean. Their mac and cheese is amazing and their coffee is so good,” said Jenna Jones, a senior at Kean University. “The atmosphere is super cozy and they offer books for you to read and live jazz music on Sundays. I also love that they offer a lot of vegetarian and vegan options. It’s a great place to go and study or hang with friends.”
Parador Rojo, a Colombian restaurant, has two locations, both on Morris Avenue in Elizabeth. They offer breakfast, seafood, meat dishes, appetizers and a bakery.
“They have really good guava juice, and my favorite dish is Carne a la Plancha, it’s grilled beef steak that comes with rice, fries, beans and a salad,” said Jason Santiago, a junior at Kean University. “It’s definitely a more family oriented place, and they play music and offer karaoke on Fridays, which is a lot of fun, but if you’re looking for a quiet place to eat, it’s usually good for that anytime before dinner.”
Tropicana Diner is a staple among Kean University students. Located on Morris Avenue and open 24 hours, this diner offers an array of delicious foods, from classic diner essentials like hamburgers and wraps to full dinners such as steaks and chops.
“I absolutely love the cowboy fries at Trop,” said Jessica Ansbach, a senior at Kean University. “They’re french fries that are loaded with melted cheddar cheese and bacon and they come with a side of ranch. They taste amazing. I love that Kean residents can use Cougar Dollars to pay too, and if you aren’t a resident, but have a Kean ID, you still get a discount.”
Grandma Pizza from Johnny Napkins. Photo Courtesy of Yelp.
Johnny Napkins, another Kean University staple, is also located on Morris Avenue. This pizzeria offers an array of different Italian foods, from appetizers and sub sandwiches to pizza pies and classic pasta dishes. They also offer 10 percent off for Kean students.
“The Grandma Pie is my ultimate favorite,” said Michael Petrie, a senior at Kean University. “It’s a thin crust, Sicilian pizza with tomato sauce, grated cheese and a little bit of mozzarella. It’s the best.”
Jason De La Cruz, a sophomore at Kean University spoke highly of Johnny Napkins in regard to the food.
“Johnny Naps honestly has the best food around,” said De La Cruz, “They make amazing slices, the garlic shrimp is mouthwatering and you have to try the chicken cutlet with everything on it.”
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