Cheap places to eat near CP?

We are headed to CP in May and we are trying to work out a budget for our trip.  We do not want to take our own food in a cooler, etc.  Can anybody tell me what cheap (but not too nasty) places can be found near Cedar Point?  What about out toward the Clarion on 250, which is where we are staying?  I think it's near the mall, if that helps.  We really aren't worried about stuff inside the park, we are mainly wondering what places might be good for breakfast before the park and dinner after the park.  I think I heard that there is a Steak and Shake and a Friendlys.  Where are those?  I know a lot of people hate Steak and Shake, but we like it.  We don't have any where we live, so I guess it is sort of a novelty.  What about Denny's or Shoney's, or places like that?  We don't really want places like McDonald's or Burger King, etc.  We want places where you actually sit down and someone takes  your order.  Any suggestions?  Thanks!

Whatever you do, don't go to the McDonald's on Cedar Point Drive. Those idiots couldn't serve water standing in Lake Erie. Over the years, I've gone back thinking I may have caught them on an off day, but it never gets better, year after year.

Most of the restaurants are on 250 and if you're there anyway you might as well stay there.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

I was only there for a couple days so I don't know of any cheap places, but DAMON'S would be my Fav. pick to eat not only for the mouthwatering food and GREAT SERVICE, the best part is if you can get a view of the Lake.  DAMON'S is on the edge of the lake, and there is a breathtaking view of CP across the lake!
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SUBWAY!!!! wee!!! thats the only place we ate for dinner all the way from PHX to ohio driving, never got sick of it either.  theres one around i know it, just go there!

There's a Taco Bell and an Arby's close to the Clarion. My husband and I always stay there, so we hit those fast food places quite a bit. As for the Shoney's, it was closed the last time we were there in October, so I'm assuming it's out of business now.

Steak and Shake is on route 250 which will be on your right if you are heading from the turnpike to CP. There are lots of sit-down restaurants on 250 where your hotel is at so you will have plenty of choices.

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Don't, Don't Don't believe, Don't believe the hype.

Man, I hate that McD's next to CP. That place is the most screwed up place I've ever been to. It really needs some new managers. I just don't understand how anyplace could be as bad as that. Just don't complain to them, they'll try to have you arrested.

Well, you've pretty much hit on most of the places I can think of right now.

but here goes anyways

Breakfast on 250 -- Bob Evans across from mall, Perkins Resteraunt (excellent pancakes and muffins) on the other side of Rte. 2, Diana's (by Goofy Golf near the Cedar Point ramp on 250).  Shoney's is closed, and not sure about most of the other places.

Dinner on 250 -- Steak and Shake, Diana's, Bob Evans, Perkins, Friendly's (like denny's but with ice cream shop), and a Ponderosa (buffet style, but wait staff serves drinks and steaks if ordered)...........all are fairly cheap, but it depends a lot on when you leave the park.......only Steak and Shake and Diana's are 24 hours...........

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Okay.  Listen carefully.  Haveing worked at the park for two seasons, I can tell you that the very best place to eat in Sanduski is without a doubt an underated family pizza resteraunt called "Chet and Matts".  Its located just off 250,  has a wonderful atmosphere, service beond compare, priced just right (a little cheaper than Pizza Hut), and they serve the best pizza you'll ever eat.  While you're eating your food, Chet or Matt will come out to personally ask you how your meal is.  They have some cool video games and sometimes a young balloon artist will make you balloon animals.  They even have a chalkboard in the restrooms to scribble on.  My favorite resteraunt, period.

Thanks for the information.  Sounds like we will have some ok choices.  We'll avoid the McDonalds.  Thanks for the warning.  We do like Subway for lunch sometimes, but we probably wouldn't eat there for dinner.  We usually want something more than just a sandwhich.  But Steak and Shake, Friendlys, Perkins, etc. all sound like good options for us - quick and cheap, but you don't have to unwrap your food before you eat it.  We will try to check out Damons, too.  And that pizza place.  We love good pizza!  I don't suppose there is an Applebees or a Chillis or Olive Garden or anything like that nearby, is there?

*** This post was edited by GEM on 2/19/2002. ***

Three words...
Steak and Shake...Rt. 250....yeah baby!
There's an Applebees on Rt. 250 as well...just North of Rt. 2.
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James Draeger
http://draegs.livejournal.com
"Legend is a wooden Jesus"

*** This post was edited by ACEerCG on 2/19/2002. ***

There is a pizza place that is right across the street from Breakers Express.  It was a buffet and pretty good food and reasonably priced.  Eat there if you have the chance.  We did it at the end of the day after not eating much in the park.

I can not think of the name of the place for the life of me(maybe some CP regulars can help me)

East of Chicago Pizza

Yes there is a Chili's and I tihnk there is an Applebee's. There is a Ruby Tuesday in the mall. Of course the best place is the China Buffet :).

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Don't, Don't Don't believe, Don't believe the hype.

I rather "make a run for the toilet (I mean boarder ;))" than eat at a Steak & Shake. Do they even know how to clean those places?
lata,
jeremy
--who hits a Taco Bell just about *every* out-of-town coaster trip...

Great!  Applebees and Chillis are right up our alley.

The last time we visted CP (this past Oct) we went to the Taco Bell on Milan Road and it wasn't all that let me tell ya.  There's something to be said for a restaurant that has video cameras pointing at the workers preparing your food and a monitor for the customers to see.  Since we're out-of-towners, we stay at a motel and usually order pizza to be delivered and by far the best pizza I've eaten up in Sandusky is from Two Brothers.  Really cheap too!  A large pizza with your choice of 1 or 2 toppings for 7.99!  (and their large pizza is 17" across)  Can't beat that with a stick if you ask me.  :)
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God please let SFKK get something in 2002. ANYTHING!!

If it aint from Chicago, it aint pizza...
jeremy
--partial to Connie's, Gino's East, and Giordano's

Applebees and Chilis on US 250 yes, and even better, and Outback Steakhouse, Max & Erma's, and Cracker Barrel just opened up too.  There is also a Ruby Tuesday inside the Sandusky Mall, which is also right on US 250.  The Ramada Inn has a restaurant called the Road House, which is also comparable to Max & Erma's and Outback.  Great steaks!  Hope you have a good trip
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I didn't have any trouble at McDonalds in 2000 the two times I ate breakfast there, and the view was really nice at the back of the restaurant. But, most McDonalds are not exactly well known for their quick and accurate service.
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If you have to figure out how to ride a coaster to be comfortable, then that's not a coaster worth riding.

TGI Fridays both on the point and outside the park.