Madina Seytmuradova
Variety editor
Priyanka Sharma
Staff Writer
After exploring the on-campus dining options in the first few weeks of classes and spending half of the flex points at Einstein’s and Moe’s, Trojans start looking around for cheaper dining alternatives.
Upperclassmen, including Shelby Wood, a senior social science education major from Wewahitchka, Florida, shared their favorite restaurants and fast food places in Troy.
Santa Fe Cattle Co., a steakhouse boasting “a Southwestern-inspired menu and dining room” on 1270 Highway 231 South, is a good family choice, according to Wood.
“It has an energetic atmosphere, large tables to seat family members and friends, and lots of great items on the menu,” Wood said.
Wood said that while she always orders the 6.0-ounce Bubba’s Sirloin, Santa Fe offers a variety of quality dishes for reasonable prices, including vegetarian dishes, desserts and a free appetizer.
“When you walk into Santa Fe, the first thing you notice is the crunching sound of peanut shells beneath your feet because Santa Fe gives every customer, at no extra charge, a bucket of peanuts to enjoy as an appetizer. It’s a lot of fun because you can throw your peanut shells on the floor.”
Another dining place that offers entertainment to its customers is Shish Kabab on 600 S. Brundidge St. Here, guests can try the Arabian Hookah while treating themselves to selected Mediterranean dishes.
Jafar Payandeh, a junior hospitality management major from Pune, India, is a frequent customer of Shish Kabab.
“I go and eat there at least once in two weeks,” Payandeh said. “I like that we have a chance to try Arabian food, and I like the ambience. The price is also reasonable for students.”
Payandeh said he likes the chelo kabab, a dish of minced meat and rice, and baklava, a sweet, puffed pastry layered with chopped nuts and topped with sugar syrup.
The restaurant is one of the few Troy dining places that serves halal meat, which makes it a good choice for people with specific religious beliefs.
Students interested in international dining can also visit Golden Crane, a Chinese restaurant on Highway 231 South.
“Golden Crane is really good if you want to go on a date night,” said Corina Wieser-Cox, a senior English and creative writing major from Los Fresnos, Texas.
“It’s kind of fancy but not too expensive like Mikata (the Japanese steakhouse).”
Weiser-Cox said she usually spends $8-$10 in Golden Crane and $6-$8 at Chick-fil-A, her budget choice chain restaurants on Highway 231.
“I think it’s worth it … compared to a lot of other places,” Weiser-Cox said. “If I go to McDonald’s, it’s less food (that’s) not done as well. To save money, I go to those places for the dollar menu.”
Arby’s, another fast-food restaurant on Highway 231, offers dollar menu sandwiches which may be helpful for Trojans who go through their flex points much too fast.
Bradley Bricker, a sophomore accounting major from Pell City, said he bought four chicken sandwiches for $6 at Arby’s.
“I mean Arby’s is good; it’s relatively cheap, and I can just get it on the go,” Bricker said.
Both Chick-fil-A and Arby’s offer a variety of chicken sandwiches, strips, nuggets and burgers for a quick and cheap meal before class.
