Let’s Eat

By: Nolan Stout

            Arguably one of the most important aspects of college life is food.

            While college students might be known for late night trips to places like Cookout, McDonald’s, and Taco Bell, they also favor finer dining.

High Point and Greensboro offer many excellent restaurants. However, there are three in particular that stick in the mind of High Point University students.

Giannos

            Giannos is an upscale Italian restaurant that is great for romance. Winner of “Best Place To Take A Date,” “Best Romantic Restaurant,” “Best Overall Restaurant,” “Best Italian Restaurant” and “Best Restaurant in High Point” in 2012 by the High Point Enterprise, Giannos lives up to its reputation.

Giannos is indeed a great place to “take a date,” but may require a reservation for dinner, as they are usually busy between 6:30 and 10 p.m.

The restaurant offers romantic lighting and seating and some entrees big enough for two people to share.

            Owner Dave Nicoletta believes that the atmosphere is a big part of what brings people back.

            “I think when people go out to eat they want a total experience,” said Nicoletta. “People eat with more than just their mouth. They eat with their senses. When you go out to eat, to spend money, you want to feel good.”

            Giannos also offers great choices of entrees that are not cheap, but are not ridiculously expensive either.

            Nicoletta said that pizza and lasagna are among the most popular on the menu.

            Will Llewellyn, a sophomore at HPU, agreed with Nicoletta.

            “The pizza is amazing,” said Llewellyn. “That’s what I get every time I go.”

            The HPU student passport is also accepted as a form of payment.

            Giannos offers an open bar with a full menu. The bar also has a special each day of the week, except Sunday.

            Giannos is open on Monday thru Saturday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Least Expensive Entrée: Homemade Lasagna $10.50

Most Expensive Entrée: Steak Margherita $27.95

1124 Eastchester Dr.

High Point, N.C.

Harper’s Restaurant

            Harper’s Restaurant at Greensboro’s Friendly Center is a quaint place for casual dining. Harper’s offers both a dining room and an open seating bar. The bar offers full menu service for anyone in a hurry. The dining room offers quick service as well. No matter how busy or how many in a party, it seems that the wait time for food is never too long.

            Harper’s is part of a small, Charlotte-based chain that has locations in Charlotte and Columbia, S.C., as well as the Greensboro location.

For an appetizer, Harper’s has arguably the best pimento cheese dip and chips in the Triangle. Not too creamy, not too cheesy, the pimento cheese is on par. This is on the menu under “Harper’s Dip Duo.”

Harper’s is also a great place to go for a nice meal that won’t break the bank. For example, an 8-ounce sirloin with fries is only $17. They also offer a gluten free menu and have brunch in the spring.

HPU student Michael Leone really enjoys the staff.

“They have so many people involved in serving your food,” said Leone. “They are all smiling and so nice all the time, it’s really nice.”

Lee Richardson is a waitress and has been working at Harper’s for 16 years. She believes the restaurant has some of the best service around.

“I think we do a good job of making people feel at home and getting people in and out when they are in a hurry and if they have time to stay we give them a good experience.”

Richardson also said that the Harper’s Original Chicken Supremes are one of the most popular things on the menu.

She’s not wrong. They are the perfect mixture of a crunchy exterior with a soft, well-cooked, juicy interior. Unsure what to try on the menu? The Harper’s Original Chicken Supremes are a safe bet.

The supremes can also be ordered in a larger entrée portion or as a smaller appetizer.

Harper’s is open Monday thru Thursday 11:15 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:15 a.m. – 11 p.m., and Sunday 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. In spring, there is brunch every day from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Least Expensive Entrée: House Made Veggie Burger $10

Most Expensive Entrée: The Original Roswell Rib-Eye Steak $26

601 Friendly Center Road

Greensboro, N.C.

Carolina Diner

            Carolina Diner offers old-fashioned Southern cooking. With an atmosphere that seems plucked right out of the 1960s, the diner takes patrons back to a simpler time.

            The diner is part of a small North Carolina chain with locations in High Point, Greensboro, and Archdale.

            HPU student Steph Sapp loves the environment.

            “It’s full of old posters and plays really good music,” said Sapp. “It’s really nostalgic, but in a good way.”

            Sam Kulwicki, who has worked as a manager with the restaurant for 14 years, says there are many of the older crowd that enjoy the atmosphere.

            “The older folks, the regulars, really love the music and the prices,” said Kulwicki. “I think it takes them back to their younger days, reminds them of old times”

Be prepared for large portions as many meals are served with multiple sides to go with large entrees. The diner also offers a frequent diner service that gives customers points for each entrée ordered and at 100 points rewards them with a free meal.

            Carolina Diner is a great place to go for a lot of food at a lower price. For example, the “Carolina’s Big Boy Breakfast” offers three eggs, country gravy, grits, hash browns, two pancakes, choice of three bacon or sausage links and a biscuit for only $8.99.

            The diner serves both breakfast and dinner all day. However, Kulwicki knows there is no contest for which part of the menu is more popular.

            “Breakfast hands down,” said Kulwicki. “People love that we serve that all day. The two egg plate with bacon and hashbrowns is ordered a lot.”           

            The diner is open 24 hours a day for six days. On Sunday they close at 9 p.m. and reopen on Monday at 6 a.m.

Least Expensive Entrée: Hot Dog and Fries $4.29

Most Expensive Entrée: T-bone steak and eggs $14.50

201 Eastchester Dr.

High Point, N.C.

            Each restaurant offers a great atmosphere and great service. For finer dining, head down to Giannos, but make a reservation first. For a more relaxed experience, take the short drive to Greensboro and check out Harper’s. For a trip back to a simpler time, go to Carolina Diner.

            All in all, High Point and Greensboro have some great restaurants, but these are some of the best