ONU just increased the number of restaurants on campus for students by 100% (from 1 to 2). In September 2025, The Inn at Ohio Northern University sent out a campus-wide email, inviting students to “take a study break” and indulge in a “delicious meal” with them.
As the editor of Northern Review’s Culture and Entertainment section, I was intrigued by this unprecedented invitation to students. Admittedly, I had never considered that a second, fully accessible restaurant was operating on campus. I had always pictured The Inn as this elusive dining experience, exclusive to alumni, faculty, and other mysterious adults with expense accounts — a forbidden luxury my debt-ridden student lips would never taste. My knowledge of The Inn as a whole was also minimal; I vaguely knew it existed and assumed it was off-limits. I was also slightly aware of its origins: The Inn originally served as a sleek hotel for university guests, particularly those visiting for business. But, as it turns out, I had been gatekeeping The Inn in my own mind for absolutely no reason.
When they communicated that their doors were open to students, I invited some of my friends on the Northern Review team — Gabriel Mott and Alison Ringhiser — who jumped at the opportunity to expand their Polar Bear palettes in order to serve you, the student body. We tasted 7 items total — 3 entrees, 3 alcoholic beverages, and 1 appetizer — and rated each according to its taste, presentation, and value. Here are our reviews:
Drinks
Drink Name: Going Bananas
Reviewer: Carys Williams
Ingredients: Jim Beam whiskey, Malibu rum, crème de banana, bitters with muddled orange
Taste: Sweet caramel vanilla, slight coconut, banana bread, bitter like the zest of an orange.
Presentation: Very visually appealing — the colors blend into a beautiful sunset gradient.
Value: I am a (21-year-old) college student … I like my alcohol cheap and strong, dammit! The price of this whiskey cocktail was $12.50. A 1-liter bottle of Jim Beam is $19.99, and the average price of a whiskey cocktail in Ohio ranges from $7 to $15. This is not a relatively affordable option, but it tastes good and gets the job done.
Drink Name: Rum Away with Me (Note, this was a special drink being served in honor of the musical The Mad Ones)
Reviewer: Gabriel Mott
Ingredients: Bacardi, Strawberry Puree, Lemonade
Taste: VERY GOOD, seriously made me consider ordering a second.
Presentation: Looks pretty cool!
Value: Good, but maybe a slightly weaker drink. I couldn’t taste the alcohol.
Drink Name: On the Road
Reviewer: Alison Ringhiser
Ingredients: Whipped Cream Smirnoff and Orange Crush
Taste: I loved the Smirnoff and it worked well with the Orange Crush, but for $12.50, I expected a more sophisticated mixer.
Presentation: It was pretty, but nothing special.
Value: A delicious drink, but I could get a whole bottle of Smirnoff from the drive-through for cheaper.
Appetizer
Appetizer Name: Breaded Mushrooms with Ranch
Reviewers: Carys Williams and Alison Ringhiser
Taste: The mushrooms are cut a bit too thin, so they almost become one with the breading. However, the saltiness of the breading pairs nicely with the tanginess of the ranch.
Presentation: Presentation is average. The spears are arranged haphazardly in a white ceramic dish, and ranch is served on the side in a seemingly tacky plastic container. However, upon looking into the manufacturer, Greenware, the container is made from plants and is compostable! Personally, I’m willing to move my pretentious desire for a cohesive presentation and eat out of a tacky little container if it’s better for the environment.
Value: The value is great, especially with the quantity you get—around eight spears for $5!
Entrées
Entrée Name: Caesar Salad
Reviewer: Carys Williams
Taste: Fresh, crunchy greens and croutons; dressing was GREAT—ordinarily, I’m not a fan of caesar dressing because there’s an anchovy flavor that overpowers everything, but this was balanced; parmesan was sliced into thick pieces.
Presentation: The main issue is that they didn’t wipe off the sides of the plate! Otherwise, a nice, clean presentation!
Value: $10 for a salad is nothing to write home about, but you can expect your $10 to go towards a tasty, quality meal.
Entrée Name: Spinach and Artichoke Flatbread
Reviewer: Gabriel Mott
Presentation: No complaints, serving it on a wooden peel was pretty cool.
Taste: AMAZING! Good crust thickness/texture, VERY juicy tomatoes, and crispy cheese. Literally one of the best meals I’ve ever had at a restaurant.
Value: $10 instead of $15 instead of Happy Hour, which is a great deal! I also felt the portion was fairly large and more than enough for me to eat.
Entrée Name: Classic Burger with Fries
Reviewer: Alison Ringhiser
Taste: Amazing. My only complaint was that it was a little messy. I had to eat it with a knife and fork at the end, but it was so good that I’m willing to overlook that. The fries had excellent flavor and seasoning, but could have been crispier.
Presentation: It was just a burger and fries, but it looked so good that it made me even more hungry. I would have liked to see a different construction so it wasn’t so messy. It was done medium well; I didn’t specify that, but I really appreciated it. Most places would have cooked it well done.
Value: For $10, the portion size is amazing, better than WOW.