All Points North - The International House of Plattsburgh

The Campus Corner? I wonder if that means I'm going to be eating the same old tasteless campus food if I go in. But if it's off campus, it has to be much better.

Ding! Order's up. The Campus Corner buzzed with excitement. From youthful college students to our wise elders, everyone has a place here. The small restaurant's shape reminds me of a trapezoid of some sort. Friendly faces brightened the already fluorescent lighted restaurant. The walls cloud my spirit with its grayish blue pastel color that in no way reflects the energy felt here. Gray and white pictures of past customers surround the specials menu. People interact in the environment of the place as they read newspapers and talk to each other. More pictures are placed on the back wall of the restaurant but these particular ones are in color.

At times, I felt like I had stepped into the 50s. An old style counter top zigzagged around the restaurant making an island out of the cappuccino and juice machines that stood isolated in the middle. (Ohh I see a bunny.) A white, pink and green bunny stands high and proud over the juice machine. The Corner didn't delay with any more Easter decorations. A green plant decoration hangs loosely over the windows with colorful Easter eggs attached just waiting to be picked. Even more decorations gave the Corner a slight tropical feel with little plants on each of the wall counter tops.

I've had enough looking around. I sat down on the comfy burgundy stool that hovered under the counter top. The air felt warm and comfortable putting me more at place than I expected from the restaurant. There was an interesting hum coming from some machine in an unknown place. Classic oldies music plays in the background. “Na, na, na, na... na, na, na, na, hey, hey, hey... goodbye.” This was the perfect music for the vibe this spot was giving me. The sound of silverware clashing together rang through the restaurant. Customers share intimate conversations with each other. The waitresses ask their customers how their day was going and seem genuinely concerned about it.

The sweet, inviting smell of pancakes brought my senses to the meal now sitting in front of me. The Campus Corner has a big variety of food from breakfast and lunch making it what I called the IHOP of Plattsburgh. My nostrils were teased by the plate of pancakes, bacon, and eggs sitting right in front of me. The smell entices my cravings as I dig in. It was almost too much to take in the crisp, salty taste of the bacon. The swirling syrup on the pancakes was like a hypnotizing trance that just pulled me in. The pancakes were so soft and fluffy and the eggs were so moist and milky. Mmm that meal was good.

The kind, warm hearted smiles and attitudes of the customers and workers of the Campus Corner really put my spirit in a good place. The staff knew a few of the customers’ names and had pictures of them hanging on their walls like a proud grandmother of her child. The service was very friendly with cheap prices for each meal. My meal was $8.48 for the two pancakes, scrambled eggs, three or four strips of bacon, and two cups of small apple juice. The enthusiasm of the customers brought me to peace. The overall attitude of the Campus Corner is nothing like the traditional campus dining hall. APN gives this restaurant five stars.