Best of MSU 2023 by The Standard at Missouri State University

2 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | BEST OF MSU

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THE STANDARD’s Best of MSU 2023 It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and not just because it’s almost Christmas! This is the time of year where the MSU and Springfield communities come together to celebrate our favorites in the area. Every fall, students of MSU vote for their favorite restaurants, activities, stores and more in The Standard’s Best of MSU poll. Among the honorees, we hope you’ll find

your very own favorites, and maybe even something new to try. Thank you to those who voted, and thank you for helping us recognize our fantastic businesses and organizations by picking up a copy of this issue. Let’s congratulate our winners and their impact on our community! — Makayla Malachowski, advertising assistant

Four “Best of MSU” voters were randomly selected to receive $25 bookstore gift cards. The winners were: Jen Crooks Abbie Dameron Zoe Rico-Beaubien Spencer Vreeland Congratulations! The Standard’s Best of MSU 2023 is published by The Standard, Missouri State University’s student-run media organization. The university has not approved and is not responsible for its content, which is produced and edited by The Standard staff. THE STANDARD 901 S. National Ave. Springfield, MO 65897 417-836-5272 Standard@MissouriState.edu the-standard.org

Cover and logo design by Paris Wilken

ADVERTISING STAFF Makayla Malachowski advertising assistant Paris Wilken graphic designer PROFESSIONAL STAFF Jack Dimond faculty adviser

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BEST RESTAURANT IN SPRINGFIELD WINNER: Black Sheep FINALIST: FINALIST:

Gailey’s Breakfast Café Greek Belly

BEST BURGER WINNER: Black Sheep FINALIST: FINALIST:

Big Whiskey’s Five Guys

BEST COFFEEHOUSE WINNER: Potter’s House FINALIST: FINALIST:

Mudhouse 7Brew

BEST RESTAURANT FOR DELIVERY WINNER: Domino’s FINALIST: FINALIST:

Insomnia Cookies Pickleman’s

BEST PLACE TO TAKE PARENTS FOR DINNER WINNER: Springfield Brewing Company FINALIST: FINALIST:

Black Sheep PaPPo’s Pizzeria

BEST PLACE TO EAT ON CAMPUS WINNER: Chick-fil-A FINALIST: FINALIST:

Einstein Bros. Bagels Panda Express

BEST BAR FOOD WINNER: Big Whiskey’s FINALIST: FINALIST:

Bricktown Brewery Springfield Brewing Company

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BEST UNDER-21 HAPPY HOUR WINNER: Sonic FINALIST: FINALIST:

Applebee’s Steak ‘n Shake

BEST 21-AND-OVER HAPPY HOUR WINNER: Martha’s Vineyard FINALIST: FINALIST:

MudLounge Springfield Brewing Company

BEST LATE-NIGHT FOOD WINNER: Taco Bell FINALIST: FINALIST:

Domino’s IHOP

BEST SANDWICH WINNER: Pickleman’s FINALIST: FINALIST:

McAlister’s Deli Panera Bread

THANK YOU MSU STUDENTS!

BEST ASIAN FOOD

VOTED SGF’S BEST RESTAURANT

WINNER: Rama Thai FINALIST: FINALIST:

Kai After Dark Nakato Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

BEST ITALIAN FOOD WINNER: Bambinos Café FINALIST: FINALIST:

Nonna’s Italian Café Ott’s Pasta

BEST DESSERT WINNER: Andy’s Frozen Custard FINALIST: FINALIST:

Hurts Donut Co. Insomnia Cookies

Come Stop By For Authentic Taste That Has Been Passed Down Generations! 320 E. Walnut St. Springﬁeld MO 65806 Mon – Thurs 11am – 9pm Fri – Sat 11am – 10pm Sun CLOSED

 417.597.3382  greekbelly.com greekbelly @86feta

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BEST PLACE FOR A DATE NIGHT DINNER WINNER: Bambinos Café FINALIST: FINALIST:

BEST WINGS WINNER: Buffalo Wild Wings FINALIST: FINALIST:

Big Whiskey’s Wingstop

BEST FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE WINNER: DoorDash FINALIST: FINALIST:

Starship Food Delivery Uber Eats

Kai After Dark Texas Roadhouse

BEST BARBECUE WINNER: Gettin’ Basted FINALIST: FINALIST:

Black Sheep Whole Hog Café

BEST VEGETARIAN FOOD WINNER: Rama Thai FINALIST: FINALIST:

Bambinos Café Subway

BEST PIZZA WINNER: PaPPo’s Pizzeria FINALIST: FINALIST:

Domino’s Imo’s Pizza

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BEST MEXICAN FOOD WINNER: Jose Loco’s FINALIST: FINALIST:

BEST SUSHI

BEST BEER SPECIALS WINNER: Mother’s Brewing Company FINALIST: FINALIST:

Finnegan’s Wake Springfield Brewing Company

BEST FAST FOOD WINNER: Raising Cane’s FINALIST: FINALIST:

Chick-fil-A Taco Bell

WINNER: Kai After Dark FINALIST: FINALIST:

Haruno Bar Nakato Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi

BEST FROZEN TREAT WINNER: Andy’s Frozen Custard FINALIST: FINALIST:

Orange Leaf Pineapple Whip

BEST SALAD

BEST BARGAIN MEAL

WINNER: Olive Garden

WINNER: Taco Bell FINALIST: FINALIST:

Cesar’s Old Mexico Mexican Villa

McDonald’s Steak ‘n Shake

FINALIST: FINALIST:

McAlister’s Deli Panera Bread

THANK YOU, STUDENTS for making Glass Hall a top study spot on campus for 2023.

Good luck on finals!

learn more about business majors

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BEST PLACE FOR A CONCERT WINNER: Great Southern Bank Arena FINALIST: FINALIST:

BEST GAMING SPOT WINNER: 1984 FINALIST: FINALIST:

Contender Esports Meta Games Unlimited

BEST MOVIE THEATER WINNER: Alamo Drafthouse FINALIST: FINALIST:

AMC Springfield 11 Moxie Cinema

BEST DANCE CLUB WINNER: Martha’s Vineyard FINALIST: FINALIST:

Boogie Club Rodeo

Gillioz Theatre Juanita K. Hammons Hall

BEST PLACE TO HEAR LOCAL BANDS WINNER: Classic Rock Café FINALIST: FINALIST:

Ernie Biggs Outland Complex

BEST PLACE TO HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS WINNER: Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park FINALIST: FINALIST:

Mudhouse Potter’s House

BEST SPRINGFIELD-AREA ATTRACTION WINNER: Wonders of Wildlife FINALIST: FINALIST:

Bass Pro Shops Springfield Art Museum

LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE

Student Friendly Communities Battlefield Park Cambridge Park Coryell Crossing Highland Park Marion Park Sandstone Heights Scenic Station Community Amenities Convenient Locations On Property Management On-Site Maintenance Free Internet Swimming Pool Fitness Center* Dog Parks* *At Select Locations

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VOTED BEST FROZEN TREAT

BUY ONE LARGE,

GET ONE FREE! EVERY TUESDAY FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH STUDENT IDS

BEST MANICURE/PEDICURE WINNER: Pink + White Nail Studio FINALIST: FINALIST:

Aqua Nails Mosaic Nails & Spa

@tenowski.branding

OUR LOCATIONS

BEST PLACE TO GET A BODY PIERCING

1368 E Republic Road Near MSU @ Glenstone & Grand 1011 S Glenstone Ave Southside @ Republic & Fremont

WINNER: Kaleidoscope Sun-Thurs 11:30am - 10pm • Fri & Sat 11:30am - 11pm

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR WONDERFUL STUDENT EMPLOYEES!

FINALIST: FINALIST:

Body Piercing by Qui Qui Next Generation Tattoo & Body Piercing

BEST PLACE TO GET A TATTOO WINNER: Kaleidoscope FINALIST: FINALIST:

Next Generation Tattoo & Body Piercing Tattoo Coven

They are dedicated to helping you succeed in your courses. Good Luck on your finals and visit with our student employees next semester!

BEST BARBER SHOP

Come see us in the Meyer Library or Discover Student Success Resources on your My Missouri State Portal.

FINALIST: FINALIST:

WINNER: Hudson/Hawk

VOTED BEST ON-CAMPUS SERVICE

Great Clips Sport Clips

BEST HAIR SALON WINNER: Studio 417 Salon FINALIST: FINALIST:

Great Clips Luxe Salon

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Hey, Neighbor! Need More Space?

BEST TANNING SALON

Are you headed home at the end of the semester, but don’t want to haul all of your belongings with you? Store them in a 100% indoor climate controlled storage facility located right off Highway 65.

WINNER: Sun Tan City FINALIST: FINALIST:

Palm Beach Tan Suntastic Tanning

BEST PLACE FOR SPA SERVICES WINNER: 417 Beauty By Sam FINALIST: FINALIST:

European Wax Center Grove Spa

BEST WIRELESS SERVICE WINNER: AT&T FINALIST: FINALIST:

Verizon T-Mobile

BEST PLACE TO GET YOUR PHONE FIXED WINNER: 417 iPhone Repair FINALIST: FINALIST:

Best Buy We Fix It Phone Repair

BEST STORAGE FACILITY WINNER: A-1 Self Storage FINALIST: FINALIST:

Sixty 5 Self Storage Storage Climate Controlled

Scan This QR Code and Move In Online Today!

10% OFF

STOP BY OR VISIT US ONLINE TODAY!

FIRST 3 MONTHS

USE COUPON CODE: COLLEGE10

E @Sixty5Storage Office Hours: M-F 8:30am-5:30pm Sat 9am-2pm Q @Sixty5Storage 2107 Eastgate Ave Springfield, MO 65809 (417) 879-6565 • Sixty5Storage.com •

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Thank You Missouri State Students!

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LOTHING C T S E B D E T VO RIFT STORE H T + E L A S E R

Our stores wouldn’t be great without you!

Together with Missouri State students, we’re on a mission to make fashion sustainable and budgetfriendly. Your pre-loved gems find new homes, and we’re loving every eco-conscious moment. We make it easy to extend the life of your clothes, shoes and accessories by buying the items you no longer wear. Your items go onto our racks instead of into landfills helping continue the circle of sustainable fashion. Make a difference and recycle your style with Plato’s Closet!

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How Does It Work? Bring in your gently used brand-name clothing and accessories. If you accept our offer, you’ll get paid cash on the spot! While you are here, shop a huge selection of trendy designer styles as well as those every day basics you can’t live without.

Look good. Do good. Feel good.

STUDENTS RECIEVE

Stop By Today!

Learn More At

1258 E. Battlefield Rd. 417.886.7380

 platoscloset.com

Mon—Sat: 10a—8p Sun: 11 a—6p

Q @platoscloset E platoscloset

20%

OFF

their entire purchase! Bring in this coupon & your student ID Expires 12.31.23

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BEST THRIFT STORE

BEST FLEA MARKET OR ANTIQUE STORE

WINNER: Red Racks

WINNER: STD Flea Markets

FINALIST: FINALIST:

Plato’s Closet Uptown Cheapskate

Ozark Treasures Relics

BEST PLACE TO BUY USED FURNITURE

BEST ECLECTIC STORE

WINNER: Red Racks

WINNER: Earthbound Trading Co.

FINALIST: FINALIST:

Goodwill Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Renaissance Books & Gifts Vintage Stock

BEST PLACE TO GET OUTDOOR GEAR

BEST PLACE TO BUY RESALE CLOTHING

WINNER: Bass Pro Shops

WINNER: Plato’s Closet

FINALIST: FINALIST:

Academy Sports + Outdoors Gearhead Outfitters

Red Racks Uptown Cheapskate

BEST PLACE TO BUY WOMEN’S CLOTHING

BEST PLACE TO BUY MEN’S CLOTHING

WINNER: H&M

WINNER: Old Navy

FINALIST: FINALIST:

Old Navy T.J. Maxx

Bass Pro Shops H&M

BEST PLACE TO BUY SPORTS GEAR

BEST PLACE FOR A SHOPPING SPREE

WINNER: Academy Sports + Outdoors

WINNER: Battlefield Mall

FINALIST: FINALIST:

Bass Pro Shops Play It Again Sports

Tanger Outlets Target

BEST CONVENIENCE STORE

BEST GROCERY STORE

WINNER: Kum & Go

WINNER: Aldi

FINALIST: FINALIST:

Bear Necessities Casey’s

Hy-Vee Walmart

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THE STANDARD

VOTED BEST DY TATTOO + BO PIERCING BEST OF MSU WINNERS FOR

13 YEARS

1430 E SUNSHINE | 883.9636 KSCOPE4FUN.COM

BEST of 20

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MSU 22 201

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BEST PLACE TO RENT TEXTBOOKS WINNER: MSU Bookstore FINALIST: FINALIST:

Chegg Amazon

BEST PLACE TO STUDY ON CAMPUS

BEST SORORITY

WINNER: Meyer Library

WINNER: Delta Zeta

FINALIST: FINALIST:

Glass Hall Plaster Student Union

BEST ON CAMPUS SERVICE WINNER: Bear Line FINALIST: FINALIST:

Bear CLAW Meyer Library

Alpha Chi Omega Alpha Sigma Alpha

BEST FRATERNITY WINNER: Delta Chi FINALIST: FINALIST:

Delta Sigma Phi Theta Chi

BEST PLACE TO BUY SCHOOL SUPPLIES

BEST COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION

WINNER: Amazon

WINNER: Harmony House

FINALIST: FINALIST:

MSU Bookstore Walmart

BEST PLACE TO BUY MSU APPAREL WINNER: MSU Bookstore FINALIST: FINALIST:

Rally House Target

Convoy of Hope Humane Society of Southwest Missouri

BEST CAMPUS OR STUDENT MINISTRY WINNER: Ekklesia FINALIST: FINALIST:

Hill City Salt Co. The Vine

BEST PLACE TO SELL TEXTBOOKS

BEST PLACE TO WORSHIP

WINNER: MSU Bookstore

WINNER: Ekklesia

FINALIST: FINALIST:

Facebook Marketplace Text Bucks

FINALIST: FINALIST:

Hill City Salt Co. The Vine

BEST PLACE TO BUY TEXTBOOKS

BEST STUDENT ORGANIZATION

WINNER: MSU Bookstore

WINNER: MSU Pride Bands

FINALIST: FINALIST:

Amazon Chegg

The Standard Student Activities Council

AMENITIES

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BEST OF MSU | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | 17

APARTMENT •

FREE INTERNET + CABLE

•

FULLY-FURNISHED

•

PRIVATE BATHROOMS*

•

PRIVATE PATIOS

•

LAMINATE HARDWOOD

•

FLOORS

COMMUNITY •

SECURITY PATROL

•

PET-FRIENDLY

•

STUDY LOUNGE

•

FIRE PIT

•

ACROSS THE STREET FROM MSU

•

2-MINUTE DRIVE TO DOWNTOWN

•

AWARD-WINNING ON-SITE MANAGEMENT

1, 2, 3 & 4 BEDROOM OPTIONS

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BEST UNIVERSITY SPORTS TEAM WINNER: Women’s basketball FINALIST: FINALIST:

Ice Hockey Men’s soccer

BEST CLUB SPORTS TEAM WINNER: Ice Hockey FINALIST: FINALIST:

Women’s basketball Women’s volleyball

BEST INTRAMURAL SPORT WINNER: Ultimate Frisbee FINALIST: FINALIST:

Flag football Sand volleyball

BEST PARK WINNER: Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park FINALIST: FINALIST:

Phelps Grove Park Sequiota Park

BEST BIKE TRAIL WINNER: Lone Pine Trails FINALIST: FINALIST:

Frisco Highline Trail South Creek Greenway

BEST BIKE SHOP WINNER: A&B Cycle FINALIST: FINALIST:

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Howler Bike Co. Sunshine Bike Shop

Ekklesia

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Your progressive inclusive (voted #1) campus ministry Free Sunday Night Dinners Progressive Worship interfaith exploration stressbusters Annual retreats

BEST PLACE TO WATCH A GAME WINNER: Great Southern Bank Arena FINALIST: FINALIST:

Hammons Field Plaster Stadium

BEST PLACE TO WORK OUT

IG: @EKKLESIA.MSU

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE...

WINNER: Foster Recreation Center FINALIST: FINALIST:

Planet Fitness Rage Fitness

BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSE WINNER: Deer Lake FINALIST: FINALIST:

Betty Allison Junior Golf Course at Oscar Blom Rivercut Golf Course

BEST MINI-GOLF COURSE WINNER: Fun Acre FINALIST: FINALIST:

BigShots Golf Getaway Golf

EXPO

20 24

HOSTED BY

Meet with local property managers about nearby off-campus living options in time for the fall semester!

Wed. Mar. 6th, 2024 10am—2pm North Lawn of the PSU

20 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | BEST OF MSU

DID YOU HEAR? WE HAVE PODCASTS! LISTEN TO RECAPS OF NOTE-WORTHY NEWS, ALL THINGS CINEMA, AND SPORTS. LISTEN TO OUR SHOWS ON SPOTIFY AND SOUNDCLOUD!

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BEST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT GROUP WINNER: TLC Properties FINALIST: FINALIST:

Bryan Properties MoState Properties

BEST ON-CAMPUS HOUSING AMENITIES WINNER: Blair-Shannon House FINALIST: FINALIST:

Hammons House Monroe Apartments

BEST AMENITIES IN OFF-CAMPUS COMPLEX WINNER: Bear Village FINALIST: FINALIST:

Aspen Heights The 505

BEST OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING COMPLEX WINNER: Bear Village FINALIST: FINALIST:

Aspen Heights The Q’ube

BEST MSU RESIDENCE HALL WINNER: Blair-Shannon House FINALIST: FINALIST:

Hammons House Monroe Apartments

BEST PET-FRIENDLY HOUSING COMPLEX WINNER: Bear Village FINALIST: FINALIST:

Aspen Heights Kensington Park Apartments

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O WATCH T E C A L P T S VOTED BE CONCERT & E M A G A

THANK YOU MSU STUDENTS! BE SURE TO STAY UP TO DATE ON UPCOMING EVENTS

SCAN THIS QR CODE AND SIGN UP FOR THE BEAR BLAST TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MSU ATHLETICS EVENTS

SCAN THIS QR CODE FOR UPDATES ABOUT UPCOMING EVENTS AND CONCERTS

417.836.7678 | greatsouthernbankarena.com omb ticket windows inside great southern bank arena E greatsouthernbankarena Q @greatsouthernbankarena

@greatsouthernbankarena

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