Hungry? No Cash? No Problem.

In the past three weeks of school, especially with being involved in the professional media writing track at East Stroudsburg University, two of the most talked about subjects are parking and cheap food. Unfortunately, God himself would not be able to find you a good parking space at 10 a.m., but I can at least lend a helping hand towards off-campus food that is nearby and student-friendly, or in other words, fairly cheap. 

There are some nearby gems for those who commute and are tired of paying $6 for a buffet you don't exactly want to take full advantage of, and don't want to lose that coveted parking space. Although those Union wraps will never get old for me, this year they seem to have shrunk in size. And no, I don't want to make it the same size it was for years before for an extra dollar. Here is a list of restaurants that are within walk-able distance:

• Island Delights, 31 Crystal St., offers “a taste of the islands.” Jamaican patties in beef, chicken or veggie are only $2. For $5 you can choose two patties and a can of soda. They also offer a variety of platters includes jerk chicken and tropical shakes.
• Tony's Restaurant and Pizzeria, 57 Crystal St., East Stroudsburg, $2 pizza slices and a huge Italian menu, however they only accept cash.  You can check out their menu at http://www.tonyspizzapa.com/pizza.html.
• Golden Star Chinese, 5 and 7 Crystal St., East Stroudsburg, has a large menu with loads of good deals. My favorite, Crab Rangoon, an oriental pastry, is only $3.95 and comes with eight pieces.
• Itchiban Restaurant in the Pocono Plaza (K-mart Shopping Center), East Stroudsburg, is within possible walking distance but might take a few extra minutes. Itchiban serves Chinese and Japanese cuisine. They offer 30 different Chinese lunch specials served with fried or white rice from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday ranging from $5.25 to $6.25. If you prefer Japanese food, Itchiban also offers a sushi lunch special for $8.25 that includes two rolls of your choice and soup or salad, or you may choose three rolls for $11.25.

There is also a good selection of restaurants located on Main Street in downtown Stroudsburg just over the Veteran's Memorial Bridge, not quite within walking distance but about a three minute drive or so.

• Marita's Cantina located on Main Street in Stroudsburg offers 30 cent wings and $1.50 tacos all day on Sundays, 30 cent wings from 8 to 11 p.m. on Wednesdays, and $1 tacos from 4 to 11 p.m. on Thursdays.
• Siamsa Irish Pub, also located over the bridge at 636 Main St., Stroudsburg, offers daily lunch specials from their regular menu in a lunch portion for $8.95.
• Pizza Hut, 1135 North Ninth St., Stroudsburg, is not within walking distance. It is located about 10 minutes away in Stroudsburg across from the Stroud Mall on Route 611. For a limited time the buffet is $6.  

If you are 21 and have night classes there is always the endless array of wing nights that take place almost every night of the week on Main Street in Stroudsburg. You may be able to walk to these bars; however it is about a five minute drive from the ESU campus.

• Jock & Jill's and Grace O'Malley's, 700 Main St., Stroudsburg, 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. every Monday night with 30 cent wings and $5 domestic pitchers, www.JockNJills.com.
• Flood's, 732 Main St., Stroudsburg, 30 cent wings from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. every Tuesday with $2 domestic drafts.
• Ciro's Italian Bistro, 728 Main St., Stroudsburg, 35 cent wings all night every Monday with $1 Miller Light drafts.
• Siamsa Irish Pub also offers a happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. daily with free food and drink specials. The specials and free food change from day to day. You can view the menu at http://www.siamsairishpub.com/menu.htm.