FIRST: Insomnia Cookies
The Kent community picked Insomnia Cookies as the best place to get a sweet treat in Kent. Whether you’re craving cookies, ice cream or brownies, Insomnia has it all.
The menu offers over 18 cookie flavors, including vegan options, as well as eight ice cream flavors.
“It’s really nice because we can use our Downtown Dining Dollars if you’re on the meal plan,” said Grace Erichsen, a junior architecture major. “My favorite is the double chocolate cookie.”
Along with classic cookie flavors like oatmeal raisin and snickerdoodle, Insomnia also has deluxe flavors.
Bianca Filaskoski, a senior neuroscience major, said she gets the M&M and white chocolate macadamia cookies, as she likes to stay in her comfort zone.
“I usually go with my fiance,” she said. “[He] is lactose intolerant, so he always gets the vegan cookies. [It’s] nice that they have vegan options.”
The cookie shop is located at 295 S. Water St. in downtown Kent and stays open as late as 3 a.m. on Thursday through Saturday and 1 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday.
“It’s nice that they’re open so late if you’re craving something,” Erichsen said.
Insomnia showcases their cookie flavors on their Instagram. The business has over 250 stores across the U.S., with Ohio housing 16 of them throughout the state.
“It’s very welcoming and warm in the winter,” Filaskoski said.
Students can place orders online through their website or contact them at 330-694-7024.
SECOND: Ming’s Bubble Tea
Ming’s Bubble Tea came in second place as Kent’s best sweet treat location. Students can find milk tea, fruit tea, flavored snow drinks or shaved ice at Ming’s.
Katey Berry, a senior political science major, said Ming’s is one of her favorite places to go.
“[The atmosphere] is honestly great,” Berry said. “I’ve had my whole mock trial team in there, almost 20 people, and they were very accommodating in getting us in and getting a table together for us.”
Ming’s interior includes a wall dedicated to post-it notes full of customer doodles and plenty of seating where students can unwind.
“I think it’s really cute how they do the post-it notes,” Berry said. “They have books, they have board games, or even just going with my friends and just sitting there and talking. It’s very relaxing.”
She feels the prices are fair for bubble tea, especially as a college student.
“It’s below $10 for a fun drink,” she said.
Ming’s opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. every day of the week.
Through their website, students can place an online order for pickup. Ming’s has a store in Hudson and Kent. You can find the Kent location at 1699 E Main St.
THIRD: Popped!
Popped! is a downtown sweets shop that offers a variety of specialty flavored popcorn, as well as chocolates and gummies.
Maya Culley graduated from Kent State in 2024 and has been a team member at Popped! for over a year. She said they’re most well known for their butter popcorn, kettle corn and caramel-covered popcorn.
“We have a lot of Kent-themed treats,” Culley said. “We have chocolates that say Kent on them and we have a lot of really cheap options, so it’s a good place for students to come and get a really quick snack.”
Opened in 2012 by Aaron and Gwen Rosenburg, Culley said they prioritize sourcing local ingredients.
“Some of our salt, butter and corn is local,” Culley said. “[We have] that homemade feel. It feels warm and comforting, but we’re still polished and professional.”
Popped! is closed on Monday, open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and closes early at 6 p.m. on Sunday. They are located at 138 E Main St. #101 and online orders can be placed on their website.
Aryn Kauble is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].
