"The lunch bell rings once again and OSA students flock to the same restaurants again and again, but what are some new places to try out?" -- Ofelio Raven, 10th Grade
This article outlines and strings together peoples opinions into the top 3 restaurants around the OSA area that people either don’t give enough attention to, or simply don’t know much about.
3. Juice Joint Mexican Deli
Starting off the list, we have Juice Joint Mexican Deli. Unlike some restaurants that have a large and diverse menu but low quality, Juice Joint puts effort into all of their dishes. They provide Mexican cuisine, Italian cuisine, a large list of sandwiches and breakfast food.
This spot has almost no one there most of the time, and is on the way to city hall, but despite being hidden, it has much appeal.
OSA sophomore Jair Sanchez-Campbell recommends you try the meatball sandwich: “It has really gooey melty cheese and nice marinara sauce that makes me feel like a mafia boss," while Freshman Santiago Jaeger-Tovar recommends the Chicken Mole, which is "really rich and thick and the chicken is cooked great."
Overall, this spot has a great variety in dishes, they do what they do well, and they need more love.
2. Bagel Street Cafe
At the number two spot we have Bagel Street Cafe, a small and toasty spot at City Center. This is an inexpensive and great bagel spot with a large menu and fast service.
Despite not having a grand appearance, Bagel Street Cafe is the epitome of a lunch or quick snack you can bring anywhere while still maintaining its juicy, savory, and buttery flavors.
Bagel street Cafe competes with other bagel shops in the area that overprice their subpar and dull bagels that are just lackluster.
Go small and support Bagel Street Cafe, with a warm atmosphere that brings a compact and crisp breakfast, lunch, and snack.
OSA freshman Milo Henderson suggest you try the bagel dog,“The doughiness combined with the savory taste of the sausage is heavenly” whereas junior Marigold Chung recommends the lox shmear bagel, “I consistently get the lox bagel and it never fails to disappoint me, its smooth but also crunchy and just great”
1. Hotbird
An underrated and often empty restaurant that contrasts the bustling cafe a door down, Hotbird is excellent. Serving large portions of delicious fried chicken with a variety of spice levels, perfect fries and great drinks, Hotbird deserves a line. Their chicken is tender on the inside and has a crispy red outside that is quite literally mouth watering. With spice, seasoning and tang, this underrated restaurant competes with and outmatches many fried chicken restaurants in the area, such as Hot Boys and Dave’s.
Many students recommend a medium spicy fried chicken sandwich, which is plenty hot. Garnished with pickles, coleslaw and Thousand Island sauce, this sandwich is jam packed with juxtaposed flavors that don't clash.
3. Juice Joint Mexican Deli
Starting off the list, we have Juice Joint Mexican Deli. Unlike some restaurants that have a large and diverse menu but low quality, Juice Joint puts effort into all of their dishes. They provide Mexican cuisine, Italian cuisine, a large list of sandwiches and breakfast food.
This spot has almost no one there most of the time, and is on the way to city hall, but despite being hidden, it has much appeal.
OSA sophomore Jair Sanchez-Campbell recommends you try the meatball sandwich: “It has really gooey melty cheese and nice marinara sauce that makes me feel like a mafia boss," while Freshman Santiago Jaeger-Tovar recommends the Chicken Mole, which is "really rich and thick and the chicken is cooked great."
Overall, this spot has a great variety in dishes, they do what they do well, and they need more love.
2. Bagel Street Cafe
At the number two spot we have Bagel Street Cafe, a small and toasty spot at City Center. This is an inexpensive and great bagel spot with a large menu and fast service.
Despite not having a grand appearance, Bagel Street Cafe is the epitome of a lunch or quick snack you can bring anywhere while still maintaining its juicy, savory, and buttery flavors.
Bagel street Cafe competes with other bagel shops in the area that overprice their subpar and dull bagels that are just lackluster.
Go small and support Bagel Street Cafe, with a warm atmosphere that brings a compact and crisp breakfast, lunch, and snack.
OSA freshman Milo Henderson suggest you try the bagel dog,“The doughiness combined with the savory taste of the sausage is heavenly” whereas junior Marigold Chung recommends the lox shmear bagel, “I consistently get the lox bagel and it never fails to disappoint me, its smooth but also crunchy and just great”
1. Hotbird
An underrated and often empty restaurant that contrasts the bustling cafe a door down, Hotbird is excellent. Serving large portions of delicious fried chicken with a variety of spice levels, perfect fries and great drinks, Hotbird deserves a line. Their chicken is tender on the inside and has a crispy red outside that is quite literally mouth watering. With spice, seasoning and tang, this underrated restaurant competes with and outmatches many fried chicken restaurants in the area, such as Hot Boys and Dave’s.
Many students recommend a medium spicy fried chicken sandwich, which is plenty hot. Garnished with pickles, coleslaw and Thousand Island sauce, this sandwich is jam packed with juxtaposed flavors that don't clash.
