Mirror Lake Eatery: A Local's Guide to Campus Dining in Columbus, OH

Mirror Lake Eatery Photos

Mirror Lake Eatery Introduce

For those in the Columbus, Ohio, area, especially the vibrant community surrounding The Ohio State University, finding a great spot for a quick and satisfying meal can be a daily quest. Mirror Lake Eatery, located within the historic Pomerene Hall, has become a well-loved destination for students, faculty, and visitors alike. It's not just another campus cafeteria; it's a dedicated eatery that specializes in delicious, classic comfort food with a unique twist. The combination of its convenient location, flavorful menu, and stunning views of the nearby Mirror Lake makes it a popular and highly recommended spot for anyone on campus.

Mirror Lake Eatery has a reputation for delivering a high-quality dining experience with a focus on a simple but effective menu. The core of their offering revolves around hand-breaded chicken tenders, which are often praised for being tasty and perfectly cooked. But what truly sets this place apart are the little details, such as the complimentary Hawaiian rolls that come with the combos and the wide variety of free sauces. It's these unique features that make the meal feel special and have garnered a loyal following. The eatery operates with the efficiency of a quick-service location, but with the quality and care you would expect from a more specialized restaurant. For anyone in the South Campus area, Mirror Lake Eatery is a fantastic option that provides great food, a pleasant atmosphere, and an overall positive dining experience.

Mirror Lake Eatery is located inside Pomerene Hall at 1760 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, right on The Ohio State University campus. This location is a major draw, as it is situated in a central and picturesque part of the university, right next to the famous Mirror Lake. For those on campus, it is easily accessible on foot, and its placement within a well-known building makes it simple to find. For those who may not be on campus, navigating to the area is straightforward, although it's important to note that parking can be limited and is typically subject to university regulations. The location's primary audience is the campus community, but its appeal extends to anyone visiting the university or attending an event in the area. The building itself is a beautiful and historic part of the campus, and dining inside or on the outdoor patio offers a unique experience.

The accessibility of the eatery is also a significant highlight. It's a key spot for those in the South Campus area, providing a convenient dining option that saves them from having to travel to other parts of the campus or to High Street. The fact that you can get your food and then enjoy it outside overlooking the scenic Mirror Lake is a massive bonus, especially during pleasant weather. The restaurant's design and location within Pomerene Hall are optimized for foot traffic, making the flow of ordering and receiving your food relatively smooth. While the wait time can be around 20 minutes, the quality of the food and the overall experience are well worth it for many patrons.

Mirror Lake Eatery offers a range of services that are tailored to the needs of the university community.

Quick-Service Dining: The restaurant operates on a quick-service model, making it an ideal option for students and staff on a tight schedule. Orders are placed at the counter, and food is prepared fresh to order.
Online and Mobile Ordering: For maximum convenience, you can order ahead using services like Grubhub. This allows you to skip the line and have your meal ready for pickup, a highly valued service for a busy campus.
Customizable Combos: The menu is simple but flexible. For instance, the popular Three Tender Combo, which comes with chicken tenders, fries, and a Hawaiian roll, is a complete meal. You can also customize your order, opting for two tenders and rolls for a cheaper and equally filling option.
Beverage and Sauce Selection: A standout feature is the unlimited sauces and drinks. The restaurant offers a large selection of sauces to go with the chicken tenders, and the drink options are plentiful, including milkshakes for an additional charge.
Payment Options: Being a part of Ohio State's dining services, the eatery accepts various forms of payment, including student meal plans, dining dollars, and credit/debit cards, making transactions seamless for students.

These services are designed to provide an efficient and rewarding experience for its primary customer base.

Mirror Lake Eatery is celebrated for several features and highlights that make it a local favorite.

Delicious Chicken Tenders: The chicken tenders are the star of the show. They are consistently praised for their great taste and quality, often drawing comparisons to popular off-campus chains.
The Hawaiian Roll: The inclusion of a Hawaiian roll with the combos is a unique and beloved feature. Many customers, including students, have noted that this is a highlight of the meal.
Great Value: The combos are considered a great value for the price, providing a substantial meal that is both delicious and affordable, which is particularly important for students.
Scenic Outdoor Seating: On a nice day, one of the best features is the option to eat outside with a view of Mirror Lake. This beautiful setting elevates the dining experience and provides a peaceful break from campus life.
Wide Variety of Sauces: The large selection of free sauces allows for a customizable flavor experience with every visit, catering to different taste preferences.

These features contribute to its strong reputation and make it a highly recommended dining spot.

To get in touch with Mirror Lake Eatery or find its location, here is the essential information:
Address: Pomerene Hall, 1760 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Phone: (614) 292-5342

This contact information is valuable for those who need to call ahead with questions or find the restaurant within the sprawling university campus.

In conclusion, Mirror Lake Eatery is an ideal restaurant for locals in Columbus, Ohio, especially for those connected to The Ohio State University. Its location in Pomerene Hall provides a convenient and scenic spot for a meal, and its menu, centered around high-quality chicken tenders and unique Hawaiian rolls, offers a delicious and satisfying experience. The availability of online ordering, student-friendly payment options, and the great value of its combo meals make it a practical choice for a busy lifestyle. While it may sometimes take a little time to get your food, the overall quality, friendly atmosphere, and the option of enjoying your meal by the beautiful Mirror Lake make it a worthwhile destination. It’s a place that's popular with good reason, and it continues to be a cherished part of the campus community.

Mirror Lake Eatery Location

Mirror Lake Eatery

Ohio Franklin County Columbus University District Neil Avenue

Pomerene Hall, 1760 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, USA

Mirror Lake Eatery Reviews

Mirror Lake Eatery is popular in my classmates and friends. However, I have not been there until today, probably due to the location far away from engineering buildings. The chicken fingers tasted great. But I love the Hawaii roll the best. I would not recommend the 3 fingers combo. Instead, it is cheap and enough to order 2 fingers and rolls. The sauces and drink are unlimited. It generally takes 20 minutes to serve.
Oct 19, 2023 · Vincent Lam
Mirror Lake Eatery is one of the best dining locations on campus. For $8, you can get the Three Tender Combo, which comes with 3 chicken tenders, fries, and a Hawaiian desert bread roll. You can also order milkshakes for an additional few dollars. The food is really good, and the location is nice for South campus people. They also have a large selection of free sauces. If the weather is nice, you can eat outside and overlook mirror lake. Overall, I highly recommend it.
Nov 15, 2022 · Robert Kabelitz
This location on campus has a few accessible features to it, but while visiting the inside, I noticed some areas that could be upgraded to make it even more accessible. A few things I had noticed upon entering is there are two separate entrances, one with a handicap button and one without, and either way you enter, the doors are made of wood and seem to be fairly heavy for someone in a wheelchair. With the entrance that has the handicap button on the outside, the button seems to be a decent size to press for someone, but the door tends to only stay open for 3-5 seconds. This seems to be a short timeframe, in my opinion, as it may take longer for frequent users of the handicap button to get through the doors. I did not see a handicap button inside the doors, while leaving the establishment.There are no ramps or stairs which does make the area a bit more accessible, and along with this there is a variety of seating inside (booths, tables, comfortable chairs, etc.) and at all different heights as well. This makes things a bit easier for anyone with a disability and gives a wide selection of choices for all people who eat there. However, I noticed there are lots of tables in the side rooms that are within 3 feet or less of each other, and with chairs not pushed in, this creates barriers for any wheelchair users or blind individuals.I will say, most of the countertops are at a great height for reaching and grabbing everything you may need (cups, ordering off the iPad at the front, and sauces), but if you are placing a to-go order, the shelves that the food is placed on for those orders tend to become too high to reach for your food whenever it is ready. Also, they do have screens located up above behind the counter that shows when your food is being prepared and when it is ready which is helpful for any deaf or HOH individuals to follow along with when needed.Overall, this location does a good job at keeping some factors in mind for individuals with a disability, but there could always be upgrades and changes to make the establishment even more comfortable for those individuals!
Apr 05, 2022 · Aleesha Vaughn
Typical college eatery. Their food was okay, I probably had higher expectations from the reviews. The milkshakes are great. The chicken is regular, not bad, not anything mind-blowing. You can sit there and hangout or work on your own. Wasn't very crowded around 4PM.
Sep 18, 2024 · Kazi Priyanka Silmi
Fried chicken tenders and fries are both excellent, although not quite to the quality of Canes. The variety of sauces are also a nice touch.
Nov 10, 2021 · Andrew Bonfiglio