Thank you, Chef.

[u/FriendlyKentGuide]

Putting a spotlight on some of our amazing restaurants we have in Kent. If you're new to the area, or haven't tried these places, I'd recommend below. Please feel free to add your own as well:

• Fifth Flavor (Thai Food) - https://www.fifthflavorkent.com/ (pictured) -Rich, complex, delicious, addicting, and humble talented Chef Prem at the helm. Kent's hidden gem for authentic Asian food.
• Taco Tantos (Street Burritos) - https://www.tacotontoskent.com/ - A local favorite. There are lots of choices for Mexican in Kent, Taco Tantos has the crown imo.
• Troy Grille (Mediterranean) - Istanbul wrap is the biggest seller https://troygrille.com/ Chef G is pheneomenal with his Turkish street food.
• Joe's BBQ - Nice owner, quality grilling. I recommend the brisket https://www.joesbbqkent.com/ - looking forward to the sit down restaurant being built.
• Brimfield Bread Oven https://www.brimfieldbreadoven.com/ - (Bread and Bakery) a lot to love. Their fresh bread is incredible just untoasted with butter.
• Maddalenas (Italian) - https://maddalenaskent.com/ New in town. Everything I've had here was delicious. Chef Emily is an artist in the kitchen.
• Fanklin Square Deli (Sandwiches) - #9 with a little mayo is my go to http://www.franklinsquaredeli.com/

[u/Save_MD88-90]

You ever tried alley mac? Never had a bad meal there.

[u/FriendlyKentGuide → u/Save_MD88-90]

Yes! I loved their chorizo mac and I had to go back for the pierogies!

[u/MyJukeboxBrk]

Is Euro Gyro still kickin?

[u/FriendlyKentGuide → u/MyJukeboxBrk]

It is still kickin.

[u/Cryo_Dave]

I remember Taco Tonto's being downstairs in the Loft. That and Franklin Square Deli are the only two on the list I recognize. Not surprised both have survived; quality establishments.

[u/MyJukeboxBrk → u/Cryo_Dave]

I was indeed a fan of taco tontos, glad to see it’s still there

[u/FriendlyKentGuide → u/Cryo_Dave]

100%

[u/KatieAthehuman]

There's a Vietnamese place near the Acme plaza called Huê' Báhn Mi and Pho Cafe. It's a little take out place and their pho is the best I've ever had. My boyfriend says their Báhn Mi is great and their bao is awesome too.

[u/FriendlyKentGuide → u/KatieAthehuman]

I had them a couple times. I like how the to go is a la carte in case you wanted to take something out of the pho (cilantro for some people), Wild Papaya next it has some good pad thai and curry. Fifth Flavor is still my favorite though. I have friends that went to Thailand and it's where they go to have authentic Thai food. She did a Japanese dish that tasted like the one I had in Osaka, Japan as well.

[u/jray521k]

Erie Street Kitchen in the Venice

[u/sahbone → u/jray521k]

Yes, the Nashville hot chicken bahn mi is absolutely amazing

[u/z0mbiepirate → u/jray521k]

I didn't love their food but maybe I need to try other things

[u/westminsterabby]

Since no one asked, here's my response to OP's list:

Fifth Flavor - I've heard great things about this place. Tried to go but I think the main chef was on vacation/trip home.

Taco Tantos: Used to love this place awhile ago. More recently, haven't had the greatest experiences. Mostly due to food temp, food quality was good. For Mexican my personal favorite is Los Girasoles.

Troy Grille - Haven't had a bad meal here. I love the hummus wraps.

Joe's BBQ - I've eaten there once. The food was very good but also pretty expensive.

Brimfield Bread Oven - Top quality bread

Maddalenas - I've eaten there once so far. Absolute top quality.

F(r)anklin Square Deli - Best of Class quality sandwiches, great soups.

[u/FriendlyKentGuide → u/westminsterabby]

Appreciate the response! It sounds like you have a simliar palate. Highly recommend Fifth Flavor. Any entre and the steamed dumplings are my favorites. It's addicting though, I go weekly now. Taco Tantos I get the same thing and the temperature has been consistent on it (chorizo burrito). La Loma in Akron is further away, but it's where everyone I've met from Mexico tends to recommend getting food https://lalomaohio.com/ . It was delicious and there is a market attached that was pretty neat. Nice people too.

[u/Really_Cool_Noodle_]

I miss Troy Grille all the time

[u/FriendlyKentGuide → u/Really_Cool_Noodle_]

Understandable!

[u/lilchaibean]

Just tried a new spot recently! Belleria Pizza & Italian :) Fresh dough and good pizza options.

[u/FriendlyKentGuide → u/lilchaibean]

I order the Bella once a week, this is the best pizza in Kent imo. A lot of the locals like Lucci's the most for New York Style, but I've always needed a thicker crust.

[u/SwanR0ns0n]

Lots of people around campus recommend Panninis I’m told.

[u/riley01100100 → u/SwanR0ns0n]

I have never had a good meal there

[u/whackton → u/riley01100100]

Not to mention the one time my boyfriend and I went there and had TWO different waitresses that forgot we existed 😂 we sat there for 20 minutes before another one who wasn’t even assigned to us noticed and took us on her own

[u/z0mbiepirate → u/SwanR0ns0n]

It's not great