Something that I wasn’t aware of prior to meeting Kit, a Syracuse stage management major, is that the ranking of the three restaurants in the general Syracuse Stage area are actually hotly debated. As someone who spends a lot of time eating there, I wanted to hear their opinion and whether or not it aligned with mine (it did!). If you ever find yourself near East Genesee with an empty stomach or if you really want to step into the shoes of a VPA student, we’ve got you covered. Links to each restaurant's menus is linked in their name.
The first spot on our list is one that I personally love, but can’t rate highly in good conscience. “It’s not a bad place, per se,” notes Kit. “A lot of their breakfast items and drinks are really good, but their food can be bland and overpriced. They’re pretty expensive, especially for a college student.” Indeed, in my experience, Phoebe’s dinner menu in particular has ravaged my wallet on a number of occasions. Several of their entrees can be $30 or more, which just isn’t in the cards for me.
Another drawback of Phoebe’s is their hours of operation. Specifically, the fact that it opens at 4:30 PM on Saturdays misses an opportunity for brunch, which has foiled my plans several times
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If you do go to Phoebe’s, however, their fried chicken sandwich is a must-try during lunch hours. According to one waitress there, it is the most popular dish on the menu. If you’re looking for a sit-down restaurant, I would still definitely look into Phoebe’s.
2. Tai Chi
I’ve actually only ever been to Kit’s second place once. It serves Japanese food such as sushi and ramen (with most of their orders being takeout), and also sells bubble tea. It makes sense that a student that spends a lot of time in the area would find Tai Chi appealing. “I think Tai Chi is good for a quick snack, especially if you’re someone who likes to customize their own food. The drawback is that it can get boring after a while because they don’t have that many options.”
I can only really speak to Tai Chi’s rice boxes, which are really good. Its most comparable opposition in the general Syracuse area is Bleu Monkey (which, as I’ve mentioned before, I’m not a huge fan of) - and Tai Chi wins that matchup for sure. I’ve also only heard good things about Tai Chi’s sushi bar.
“Strong Hearts has a lot of cheaper options and a lot of variety despite being vegan. A lot of the time, you can’t even tell. It’s good while also being healthy.” However, our expert warns against just one thing from the establishment. “Their seasonal specials can be hit-or-miss. There was this chili they had a while back and I was excited because I really like chili but it was, like, 75% beans.”
My favorite food from Strong Hearts is the Sweet Sassy Molassy (whose only downside is that you have to say the name out loud), which is a bargain. For only $11, it comes with a grilled maple chipotle tofu wrap and a side of fries. You definitely won’t find better prices in the general area, so for both me and Kit, Strong Hearts is undoubtedly the best of the three.
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