Behind the scenes of Athens restaurants with rich cultural cuisine.
Story by Sarah Imler
Photos by Pearl Spurlock
Naan from Star of India in Athens, Ohio
Trying new things is an important part of life. Stepping out of comfort zones and trying dishes from other cultures is both enriching and rewarding. There are many places to eat around Athens, especially near campus, including several restaurants that serve cuisine with rich cultural origins.
Casa Nueva is a Mexican restaurant located at 6 West State St., right off Court Street. They offer a large indoor seating area, as well as take-out. Their demographic is mostly locals, but they welcome Ohio University students with open arms. Being further down Court Street, students tend to miss them, despite the dining establishment being close to campus.
Casa Nueva is unique in many ways, but one of the incredible things that sets it apart from other businesses in the area is its method of ownership. The restaurant uses a co-op business model, meaning all workers have a say in decisions. Everyone has a voice. While everyone has their own job titles, such as Grace Corbin, current vice president of the board of directors, each employee gives their input. This type of business model is not seen in a lot of companies, especially in America.
Casa Nueva is also environmentally conscious. They recycle or compost all their waste and offer several vegan options. Most of their ingredients are sourced locally, and all their dishes are made from scratch.
The most popular of these dishes is their enchilada verde. It is a freshly made tortilla accompanied by a choice of filling, onions, cheese, cream cheese and roasted green chiles, all topped with verde salsa. It is an order people cannot go wrong with, especially if someone happens to be an enjoyer of a bit of spice and would be a great first dish to try.
Casa Nueva is also a big supporter of local artists. It can be seen on their walls, as well as their live performances. Something many students may find interesting is their open mic nights on Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. Come in and sign up, but do not worry, those who end up getting cold feet always have the option to back out.
While stopping by for the show, might as well get a margarita. Casa Nueva has freshly made margaritas, and during shows, they offer a discount. For people who are not margarita fans, that is okay; they also have many different drink options, so there is a likelihood of finding something to enjoy! Another aspect of Casa Nueva that some people might not be aware of is their breakfast options. They open at 9 a.m. most days, with a range of menu items.
When asked why people should step out of their comfort zones and try different foods, Corin says, “Why not! Staying in your comfort zone, especially with food, makes for a pretty boring life.”
Shrimp Marsala from Star of India in Athens, Ohio
Star of India is a cozy family-owned Indian restaurant with a very friendly atmosphere. They are located at 128 W Union St, which is within walking distance to campus. They offer indoor seating as well as take-out. Being the main source of Indian cuisine in the area, they are an absolute must to try. The owner, Lovedeep Singh, even takes the time to drive up to Columbus to get fresh food weekly since there are few international markets in the area.
They offer many classic dishes such as chicken tikka masala, chicken cooked in a light gravy and cream sauce, and makhani chicken, chicken cooked in butter and tomato gravy. Star of India has many other options such as vegetarian, seafood or lamb. They also have many types of naans and bread to choose from.
Singh says that one of the most rewarding things about their business is the people who grew up with Star of India. Since it opened around 2001 , many local kids have been here through the restaurant’s development.
“Those kids grow up, now they come back, they remember us and come talk to us, and it feels so good,” Singh says.
Last but not least, a restaurant in Athens that deserves recognition is Siam Thai. It is located at 102 W Union St. They have indoor and outdoor seating options, as well as take-out. Outsai ChanThasene, the owner of Siam Thai, is an Athens local who has been in the Thai food business for over two years. The restaurant was previously known as Thai Paradise until ChanThasene took over around two years ago.
Spring Rolls from Siam Thai in Athens, Ohio.
Siam Thai offers a friendly atmosphere with great food. They have a variety of authentic dishes, soups and appetizers. The menu has a one to 10 spice scale for people to choose the heat level for their meal.
Some of the classic dishes people tend to enjoy are Siam Thai’s pad thai or curry. The pad thai consists of rice noodles, egg, bean sprouts and scallions, stir-fried in a tamarind sauce and served with a side of peanuts and lime. There are six different options of curry: green, yellow, red, pineapple, panang and massaman, all served with brown or white rice.
If someone is searching for more authentic Thai dishes, they also have many options, including larb gai, which is steamed and minced chicken tossed with onions, cilantro, mint and lime dressing, served on a bed of lettuce. They also offer a similar dish but with thinly sliced steak instead of chicken, called naum toak. They also have soup options, one that stands out the most is the tom kha gai, which is a coconut soup made of chicken, tomato, mushrooms, onions, galanga, lime leaf and lemongrass.
Thai tea is another item to try of Siam Thai’s. Being only $3, it is one of the more affordable options in the area.
Pad See Ew from Siam Thai in Athens, Ohio
For both OU students and Athens residents who are looking for something different or a new restaurant to frequent, make sure to stop in at these local restaurants Athens has to offer.
