(via flickriver.com)

The majestic Southside Diner is no mystery to the Kenyon campus. They are known for their zany decor, tasty burger, and their multitude of menus. However, we at The Thrill want to dazzle you with the elusive gems of Southside that may not be readily visible to the naked eye. Read on for a quick list of the secrets of Southside, complete with images.

1. Ask for an Etch-a-Sketch: A beautiful secret of Southside are the games! Your meal will never hit a snag or have an awkward pause if you have an Etch-a-Sketch. Just ask your waitress when you are being seated. You won’t be disappointed. Also Etch-a-Sketches are fantastic for plugging certain fantastic blogs.

Shameless Plug

2. Salad with a Side of Muffin: I am that annoying diner who goes out to a restaurant and actively wants a salad. At Southside they clearly believe that a salad is not enough because all salads come with a side of muffin. I am partial to the banana nut muffins, but the blueberry is also quite delicious. The combination is just weird enough to make complete and total sense. Embrace the pairing. It will blow your mind.

So many menus.

3. The Crane Game: It is easy to walk out the doors of Southside without glimpsing the toy crane machine. Don’t leave without giving it a try! Stuff your pockets with all of the quarters you can find and try your luck with the game. A certain Thrill editor that accompanied me to dinner won an adorable reindeer toy–and you could be next. Warning: the crane game can get frustrating…don’t punch the machine. It might get ugly.

I won? I really won?!!

4. The Peppermint Brownie Sundae: Any old diner can make you a regular brownie sundae, but only Southside knows how to add peppermint where it counts. The ice cream is pink and pepperminty, and the brownie is all fudge and chocolate with a hint of peppermint accent. This is topped with generous dollops of whipped cream that will make you feel like you are floating on a cloud. You really can’t go wrong.

So good you really should do two.