A look at where CSU students get their groceries – The Cauldron
With recent expansions in Cleveland State’s housing options, more students than ever are living on campus. Dorms provide students with access to, in most cases, a full kitchen—an especially appealing option for those with dietary restrictions, unique preferences or an appetite for a home cooked meal of their own.
So, where do students purchase their groceries?
On-campus options
Newly updated for the 2023-2024 academic year, the Market on Euclid, Viking Express and The Link all offer a variety of quick snacks, hygiene products and a few groceries for students such as chips, granola bars and bottled drinks.
1. Market on Euclid
Of the on-campus stores, the Market on Euclid offers the most groceries such as pasta and sauce, pancake mix and syrup, frozen meals and a variety of other options. The Market on Euclid is open Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
2. Viking Express
Viking Express has fruits like apples and bananas and snacks such as sushi, salads, sandwiches and overnight oats. Among other options are boba tea, frozen foods and candy. Viking Express is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. through 6 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. through 4 p.m.
3. The Link
The smallest of the three, The Link, offers fresh coffee in addition to the grab-and-go selection of drinks, sushi, salads, sandwiches, chips, and candy. Similar to Viking Express, The Link also offers Tylenol, cold medicine, tissues, and mores. The Link is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. through 6 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. through 2 p.m.
Walking distance
1. 1900 Food and Beverage
Across from the law building, 1900 Food and Beverage is a quick stop for snacks, some groceries and hygiene products, similar to on campus options. The store can be particularly alluring for students when stock at CSU stores runs low and a walk further down Euclid Avenue to Heinen’s is daunting.
2. Heinen’s
On the corner of Euclid Avenue and East Ninth Street, Heinen’s is a true grocery store just a short walk down the main strip of CSU’s campus. From an assortment of organic fruits and vegetables to frozen meals, Heinen’s offers a wide selection of products that are not found on campus.
A short drive away
1. Aldi
Perhaps the most budget-friendly approach is just a few minutes from campus: Aldi. CSU students can use their RTA U-Pass or drive just a few minutes to Aldi at 7500 Euclid Ave.
Aldi is particularly known for low prices and “Aldi Finds,” which are limited-stock discounted items that range from seasonal items to essential groceries. For example, a 10 ounce bag of Clancy’s potato chips regularly sells for $2.19, while a two and five-eighths bag of Lay’s original potato chips from Viking Express sells for $2.69.
Meal plans
Students living on campus are required to have meal plans, according to CSU’s Residential Community Policies. Meal plans account for the majority of residents’ meals, although meal plan sizes vary.
Upperclassmen are permitted to have a 5 meal swipe and $500 dining dollar meal plan, which is the smallest meal plan available. Other meal plans offer 14 meals a week and $150 dining dollars or unlimited swipes and $400 dining dollars.
Meal swipes can be used for entry at Viking Marketplace or certain meals at Viking Public House. Dining dollars can be used to pay for a variety of options, including:
- Purchases at the Market on Euclid, The Link and Viking Express
- Entry into Viking Marketplace
- Fast food such as Starbucks, Chick-fil-a and Barrio
- Meals at Viking Public House
For more information about CSU’s grocery and dining options, visit CSU’s website.