Where to eat off campus is important to know at the beginning of the year. Cross Street offers a variety of options to choose from. One of those options is the Eastern Coney Island located at 533 W. Cross St.
When you walk into the restaurant you are likely to be greeted by the owner and main chef, Daniel Dawood.
“When you walk in, even if it’s your first time there, you feel like a regular,” said Greg MacBeth, a senior studying English Literature at Eastern Michigan University.
Dawood said that he wanted to open his business here because he likes that the location is right by EMU. One of his favorite things about his place is meeting the students and getting to know the regulars. He likes being a part of the college community and the Ypsilanti community as a whole.
The menu is full of a variety of unique American and Mediterranean styled meals to choose from. There are many highlights to the menu, including both meat and vegetarian options, such as the chicken shawarma or the veggie burger. Eastern Coney also offers sweet treats, serving ice cream from local Guernsey Dairy Farms and delicious baklava.
“The man knows how to cook a shawarma,” said Aaron Bedell, a former EMU College of Business student.
The location is just a short walk from campus and prices are kept fair and affordable for the students. According to Austin Wright, a senior in the College of Education, the reason he has been going there for years is obvious.
“It’s one of my favorite stops for food, and I would highly recommend it to anyone, especially if you are in the mood for Mediterranean,” said Wright.
Eastern Coney Island is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and until 3 a.m. on weekends. If you want to know more about Eastern Coney Island, check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EasternConeyIsland.
