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Dining in York, where to get the most bang for your buck

In the early 2000’s, cheap dining was all the rage. Diners were at their peak and fast food was a common choice. Today, a modern twist has been added to restaurants. Now more than ever, the atmosphere is equally as important as the quality of the meal. Recently, I went through a Prowler article from 2011 that recommended different places to eat and compared it to what is popular today.

Round the Clock Diner was first established 20 years ago, so the ‘90s was a big year for this localized favorite. Being open 24/7 allows for a quick, cheap and reliable meal. Conveniently enough, there are locations on both the East and West ends of town which makes it accessible for anyone in the district. You can never go wrong with a diner like this.

ROOST Uncommon Kitchen is located on West Market Street right near Central Market and Cherry Lane. The scenery around it is beautiful and the inside is just as unique. Every wall is lined with different patterns, various seating arrangements and miniature decor. This restaurant not only has prices similar to Round the Clock but contains higher quality food items and incorporates a distinct, modern style that is different from anywhere else in York.

Mezzogiorno was ranked one of the best places to dine for brunch in the ‘90s and is still a successful business today. It can be found right inside the Central Market alongside many other styles of cuisine. It specializes in Italian food but covers a wide array of dining options. Some critics have mentioned it has something on the menu for everyone and the service matches the quality of its meals.

There are plenty of Italian options in York, but Dicarlos is by far the place to go. Pizza certainly dominates their menu, but they also offer sandwiches and calzones. Unlike other pizzerias in the area, Dicarlos provides an option to order your pizza with unmelted cheese, and the results are surprisingly delicious. Although the prices may be a tad more expensive, a small pie is still in a good price range for high school students.

Right next to the Central Market is the White Rose Bar & Grill, a location perfect for a cheap date. Their menu ranges from a tray of nachos to a Texas burger to even a grilled chicken sandwich. Everything you could want can all be found on their menu. The restaurant easily sits large tables of people, making it a great spot for birthday celebrations or a night out with friends. The environment allows for both casual dining at the bar or more formal dining in the sit-down area.

Continuing with the theme of flexible, inexpensive dining, Revival Social Club is a modern twist on White Rose. Not only is its food delicious and nutritious, but the atmosphere has a refreshing charm. The walls are lined with brick and the floorboards are made up of multi-colored wooden panels; however, there is the option of dining outdoors, as well. Revival Social Club is definitely one of the best sit down dining experiences in York City.

Essan Thai Restaurant has continued to keep a solid reputation in York for many years. When looking for another Asian styled restaurant, there didn’t seem to be many other options that matched the reviews of Esaan. Not only does it provide over 40 food options, but there’s also a vegan and dairy-free menu for anyone with dietary restrictions, which I found really neat. In addition, they also have gelato in flavors like raspberry, chocolate and mint.

Although it has closed since, Just Cupcakes specialized in both cupcakes and wedding cakes that added to their impressive reputation. No matter the time of year, Just Cupcakes was always the perfect place to find a sweet treat.

Since opening recently, Cupcakes & More has earned a five-star rating from locals. It’s known for its beautiful food displays amongst its loyal customers. This store specializes in forming more intricate flavors than standard vanilla or chocolate cupcake.


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