Mirror Lake Eatery — Restaurant in Columbus

This location on campus has a few accessible features to it, but while visiting the inside, I noticed some areas that could be upgraded to make it even more accessible. A few things I had noticed upon entering is there are two separate entrances, one with a handicap button and one without, and either way you enter, the doors are made of wood and seem to be fairly heavy for someone in a wheelchair. With the entrance that has the handicap button on the outside, the button seems to be a decent size to press for someone, but the door tends to only stay open for 3-5 seconds. This seems to be a short timeframe, in my opinion, as it may take longer for frequent users of the handicap button to get through the doors. I did not see a handicap button inside the doors, while leaving the establishment. There are no ramps or stairs which does make the area a bit more accessible, and along with this there is a variety of seating inside (booths, tables, comfortable chairs, etc.) and at all different heights as well. This makes things a bit easier for anyone with a disability and gives a wide selection of choices for all people who eat there. However, I noticed there are lots of tables in the side rooms that are within 3 feet or less of each other, and with chairs not pushed in, this creates barriers for any wheelchair users or blind individuals. I will say, most of the countertops are at a great height for reaching and grabbing everything you may need (cups, ordering off the iPad at the front, and sauces), but if you are placing a to-go order, the shelves that the food is placed on for those orders tend to become too high to reach for your food whenever it is ready. Also, they do have screens located up above behind the counter that shows when your food is being prepared and when it is ready which is helpful for any deaf or HOH individuals to follow along with when needed. Overall, this location does a good job at keeping some factors in mind for individuals with a disability, but there could always be upgrades and changes to make the establishment even more comfortable for those...

There's a nice, rustic feel to this place. One good thing about it is the choice you have in seating. Couch, booth, chair, there's even a standing counter/table area! My only complaint about the physical area were the glass barriers, that afford little to no privacy. Now, on to the food: the chicken fingers were average. In my opinion, deep fried foods should go light on the breading. The french fries are a bright spot, ranking somewhere between Rally's/Checker's and Five Guys. The mirror lake sauce, I can only describe as a well-meaning attempt to emulate Cane's sauce. Mirror Lake's, the pride of Ohio State's sauce, was overly tart and acidic. After suffering through a couple bites with it, I switched back to the tried and true BBQ sauce. Ambient lighting and friendly staff lead me to believe that a second trip is in...

Be aware that your only menu option here will be chicken tenders and fries. That being said, the chicken and fries usually taste pretty good, so if that's what you're in the mood for, Mirror Lake Eatery is a good option on campus. They offer a wide selection of sauces, and the Mirror Lake sauce is an admirable imitation of Cane's Sauce that is worth trying. Expectedly high campus food price, so if you're not on a dining plan, make the walk to High Street for Cane's instead. They serve decent enough milkshakes, but it's a far cry from the glory days of Mirror Lake Creamery's delicious ice cream selection. Either way, it's cool to see this location open again after being closed for a...