Best burger

Alton Northup, Reporter|March 20, 2022

FIRST: Ray’s Place

Bartender Chris Allen refills a drink for customers eating at the bar at Ray’s Place on March 20. Ray’s is located at 135 Franklin Ave. (Kaitlyn Finchler)

Take seventy years of history, two beef patties and what do you get? A MOFO, or what Kent students like to call, the best burger in town for the fifth year in a row.

The MOFO consists of two beef patties with bacon, cheese and mushrooms smashed between them. It is topped off with mayo, relish, mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle.

Nestled on Franklin Avenue in downtown Kent, the historic Ray’s Place has been a must-have over the years for thousands of students.

Founded in 1937 as “the place where the hustlers meet to hustle the hustlers,” according to its website, Ray’s Place maintained its popularity in Kent throughout the years. 

With an array of exciting choices, one is sure to have a burger they’ll never forget.

SECOND Five Guys

Five Guys on 626 E Main St. Pictured is the inside with workers and customers. (Sydney Pike)

The Five Guys on East Main Street may look unique on the outside, but on the inside, it is just like any other of the 1,700 locations around the world. Jamie Moore, the general manager, said that is exactly why Kent students keep coming back.

“When you walk in the doors at Five Guys, your burgers are gonna be juicy, they’re gonna be delicious, they’re gonna be pretty fast,” he said.

Because of this, students can always depend on Five Guys for a quick burger fix.

“What we strive for every day is to deliver the best burgers, fries and rock’n’roll,” Moore said.

THIRD: Mike’s Place

Mike’s Place is not a gimmick or a schtick — it is the real deal. Founded in 1987 by Mike Kostensky, this hard-to-miss restaurant on South Water Street holds a place in many Kent students’ hearts.

“We love Kent State,” said Cody Kostensky, the owner’s son. “It’s sort of what’s made us where we’re at today.” 

With burger names like the “Mr. Good Cats Towering BBQ Explosion,” “The Sriracha Yedi Pickle Monster Burg” and “Samurai Mike’s Teryaki Terror,” customers can choose from patties covered in every ingredient imaginable.

From marinara sauce and mac n’ cheese to pineapple onion rings and “precisely squirted mayo,” there’s no shortage of toppings to choose from.

All this together, Kostensky said, ensures anyone who heads on over to Mike’s Place is bound to have a great time.

Alton Northup is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].

Alexandra Golden is an assigning editor. Contact her at [email protected].