Harrison Roadhouse

• Harrison Roadhouse is less than two miles from Wharton Center. The Roadhouse has been a part of East Lansing and a haunt for MSU students since 1981. The menu consists of traditional pub food, such as salads, sandwiches, burgers and snacks. The Roadhouse also offers specials on certain nights, such as "2 for Tuesdays" or Burger Buster nights. The pub portion of the Roadhouse features a full bar, drinks specials and a scaled-down version of the Roadhouse menu. The Harrison Roadhouse is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
  
  

Menna's Joint

• Menna's Joint is also less than two miles from Wharton Center. This sandwich spot began at this location in 2003 and immediately caught on with MSU students and residents of East Lansing. That led to another East Lansing location and to locations in two other Michigan college towns. The menu at this casual spot is simple and straightforward. Menna's offers wrapped sandwiches stuffed with almost any combination of ingredients imaginable. The restaurant also serves salads and side dishes. Menna's provides dine-in, takeout or delivery service for lunch, dinner or late-night dining.
  
  

El Azteco

• El Azteco is about a mile and a half from Wharton Center and is possibly the most well known Mexican spot in East Lansing, having been part of the community for 30 years. The restaurant is spacious, with plenty of seating, and authentic Mexican art and decor throughout. The menu offers traditional Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos and enchiladas. Dishes may be ordered in combination or ala carte. The restaurant runs daily specials as well, with certain items on special Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. El Azteco is open seven days a week, for both lunch and dinner.
  
  

Pizza House

• It's not a college town without at least one delicious pizza place. One such place in East Lansing is the Pizza House, located less than a mile from Wharton Center. The Pizza House is a family-owned restaurant that's been in business since 1986. Pizza is the star of the menu, and every style is offered from thin crust to Chicago-style stuffed or deep dish. The menu contains much more than pizza though, with everything from salads and appetizers to burgers and entrees available. The Pizza House is open seven days a week, for both dine-in and delivery, from 10:30 a.m. until 4 a.m.