Students have always ventured off campus in search of food that isn't from campus dining halls, but they won't go to just any place they can find.
Most have specifications of restaurants they want the Village and downtown to have.
Although the Village seems to be the more popular of the two choices, expectations for restaurants remain the same for both. Students want restaurants that are fast, cheap and have late hours.
“I like what the Village has set up now with restaurants,” said sophomore history major Jacob Parks. “Quick, easy and delivery is what attracts students.”
Parks also said restaurant hours play a significant role in attracting students. Places like Jimmy John's, which is open late throughout the week, gives students the option of somewhere to go when campus dining is closed, he said.
Freshman theatrical studies major Jacob Davis said he likes Greek's Pizzeria the best out of the options in the Village.
“Everything tastes great, fills you up and is not too expensive, which is what I like," Davis said.
Greek's offers free delivery and daily specials, and prices range under $10, according to Yelp.
However, downtown Muncie isn't as popular of a destination for students. For some, it's the distance, and for others, they don't like the options available.
“I think it is really weird that students don’t go out and explore downtown,” said Diamond Swope, a sophomore pathology and Spanish major. “It's still a part of Muncie, and I feel like it gets us out there and more involved in the bigger community.”
Swope said even though downtown Muncie doesn’t really feature any fast-paced restaurants other than Subway — which is also in the Village — if students are looking for something good and cheap, Casa Del Sol is a great option.
One of the many Mexican restaurants in Muncie, Casa Del Sol has a price range under $10 and gives a "classy, downtown feel," according to its advertised menu.
However, the biggest reason why students said they aren't attracted to downtown is not necessarily because of the restaurant choices, but more because of the distance.
“I don’t know if the attraction part of downtown has anything to do with the restaurants,” said senior political science major Sawyer Blevins. “I think it is just the location, especially for underclassmen. Downtown is too inconvenient.”
Morgan Fisher, a senior speech pathology major, said there is more downtown restaurants could be doing to try to attract students.
“I feel like if downtown restaurants advertised things like student discounts and more affordable meals, students would be more drawn in,” Fisher said.
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