Below are the results of The Collegian’s annual “Best of Hillsdale” survey. The survey was published in last week’s Student Activities Board newsletter and received 135 responses.
McDonald’s
Best Fast Food
McDonald’s is for all the people: Big Macs for the big macs and salads for the vegans; a playland for the kiddos and flower-adorned tables for date-night couples; automated checkout machines for the technos and friendly cashiers for the old-school. And a dollar menu for low-budget college students. You can’t beat this classic fast food chain, a worldwide phenomenon right here in Hillsdale. Just hope the ice cream machine isn’t broken.
– Nicole Ault
Rough Draft
Best Coffee
Rough Draft is the perfect spot to sit down with a coffee and chill out after a long week of work. The rustic interior, combined with an atmosphere of urban class, makes this coffee shop a great place to do some reading or catch up with friends. Coffee lovers will enjoy the quality and variety, but they also serve an array of other beverages and food for those whose tastes don’t tend toward the caffeinated.
– Nolan Ryan
Udder Side
Best Ice Cream
If you’re looking for quality ice cream, look no further than the Udder Side. A Jonesville icon, the ice cream shop has everything your sweet-tooth desires, from soft serve cones to hard scoops and specialty creations such as the “Manure Spreader,” a creation of brownie pieces, peanut butter, hot fudge, and whipped cream with soft serve ice cream. But the ice cream doesn’t stop there: ice cream drinks and other creations on a stick make sure there is something for everyone at Udder Side.
– Josephine Von Dohlen
Hillside Lanes
Best Entertainment
Located not far from campus, Hillsdale Lanes is the perfect place to spend a couple of hours on a weeknight if you’re looking for a study break, or an entire day if you’re in need of something to do with friends on a weekend. Bowling is reasonably priced; per game bowling is less than $3 per person, and shoe rental is less than $2 per person. There’s a generous selection of food and drinks at Lane 17 Sports Bar, located right inside the bowling alley.
– Nathan Grime
Domino’s
Best Pizza
Nothing says ‘Bring on the weekend’ (or homework all-nighter) better than a tray of carry-out carbs and a side of breadsticks. Located three minutes from campus, Domino’s provides speedy service, and customers can follow each stage of their order using the Live Pizza Tracker app. $6 for Valentines, $20 for Galentines. 2018’s biggest worldwide pizza chain is now Hillsdale College students’ first choice.
– Brooke Conrad
Lake Baw Beese
Best Nature Hangout
Just a five minute drive from campus, Baw Beese boasts three playsets, various picnic areas, a paved trail system, and a well-kept sandy beach. In the summer and early fall seasons, students can grab a friend and head to the Hillsdale Country Club for some paddle boarding or kayaking courtesy of SAB. In the winter months, students can grab a hot beverage and watch local families play hockey and ice fish on the frozen lake. Whatever the season, Baw Beese is the perfect place to relax and unwind: sit on the dock, watch the sunset, stargaze, and forget about those three term papers due on Tuesday.
– Regan Meyer
The Hunt Club
Best Burger
If you’re looking for a classic sports bar, a good date spot, or just an incredible burger, the Hunt Club is the place to go. With burgers as exotic as the Sunny Side Up, a burger with bacon and fried egg, served on Texas toast, or as classic as the Hunt Club burger itself, in addition to pizza, specialty salads, and even a Mexican menu, the Hunt Club has something for everyone. Grab a friend; grab a blind date; grab the best burger in Hillsdale.
– Carmel Kookogey
Pub & Grub
Best Bar
A favorite for both students and locals, Hillsdale’s Here’s to You Pub & Grub is the go-to for a downtown drink. Grub includes items like cheesecake with raspberry bourbon sauce or a Kevin’s Tossed Salad with chicken or steak on a bed of arugula. With a split-level set up, you can take your drinks upstairs for a game of pool, or dance the night away on the dance floor. Sipping away your school-time sorrows just got a little bit easier.
– Jordyn Pair
Olivia’s
Best Date Spot
Romantic ambience, house-made wine, and filet mignon — Olivia’s Chop House has it all. This quaint but elegant restaurant, located in Jonesville, has been the go-to date night location for years, and with good reason. With a varied list of appetizers, delicious entrees, and a selection of wines from around the world, Olivia’s has something for everyone. If you’re looking to splurge a bit on Valentine’s Day — or Galentine’s? — head to Olivia’s for a night worth remembering.
– Kaylee McGhee