Hidden gems around Fanshawe College’s London campuses

Exterior of BarBURRITO and Hadis Shawarma on Oxford Street in London, Ontario. CREDIT: BEN HARRIETHA
BarBURRITO and Hadis Shawarma, located across the street from Fanshawe’s 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd. campus.

Fanshawe’s three London campuses are located in three very distinct locations. The London Campus, located on Oxford St., is close to the Argyle area and has easy access to many of the bus routes across the city. Meanwhile, the London Downtown Campus is obviously located downtown, giving it a bustling energy, and the London South Campus is right across from White Oaks Mall. Each of these campuses have their own unique spots that I think are worth checking out, whether you’re just starting at Fanshawe or finishing up your last year.

The Take Out Fish & Chips — London Campus

This fish and chip stand is located right on the intersection of Fanshawe College Blvd. and Oxford St. Its name really describes what it is, a take-out only fish and chips shop. The food here is fantastic, with big portions of fried fish and loads of fries. You can get cod, haddock, and halibut, but they also offer shrimp and chicken. The prices are not too expensive for fish and chips as well, with a one-piece cod meal coming in at just under $12. The only negative here is that they’re only open for a short time, so make sure to be quick!

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BarBURRITO/Hadis Shawarma — London Campus

This combo storefront houses two distinct yet similar types of food; burritos and shawarma. Bar- BURRITO is Canadian made, founded in Toronto in 2005. The restaurant offers many types of burritos from chicken, to beef, and fish, along with quesadillas and tacos. It’s well priced for the size of the burritos, with a chicken burrito coming in at $9.29.

Hadis is the other store in the building, offering a quick and tasty bite of the popular middle eastern street food. Shawarma is the store’s main dish, which is meat that’s been shaved off a big spit, served on a pita with hummus and veggies. Hadis offers more than just shawarma as well, with donair, gyros, and even burgers being on the menu.

The Covent Garden Market — London Downtown Campus

Okay, this one is not as much of a “hidden gem” so to speak, but it is worth checking out some of the stores in here if you haven’t. There are some restaurants here that are to die for, with some highlights being Seoul Seafood Shoppe, which has stellar Korean food and fish and chips. The Piping Kettle Soup Co. is great for some solid soup and sandwiches, while International Bakery is perfect for some delicious baked goods. There’s also a wide selection of grocers located within the market for fresh vegetables and meats, along with a few stores selling clothing, accessories and more. Definitely worth checking out in between classes!

Heroes Comics — London Downtown Campus

If you’re a fan of comics at all, Heroes Comics is worth a look. This two-floor store is located at 186 Dundas St., just down the road from London Downtown Campus. Obviously the store sells comic books, but they also sell toys, statues, trading cards, manga, anything you could think of that screams “nerd.” With an impressive vintage collection on top of that, it’s always worth popping in every so often to check the stock changes. There’s a reason they call themselves “The Greatest Comic Store Ever.”

Plato’s Closet — London South Campus

If you’re looking for a more curated thrift experience, Plato’s Closet is the place to go. The store, located steps away from Fanshawe’s London South Campus, only takes pieces that are in good quality, giving you cash for your well-loved clothes. Anything is on the table to sell, from shirts, to shoes, to accessories. With a constantly shifting stock, apparel for anyone and any season is available at 70 per cent off regular retail prices.

168 Sushi — London South Campus

168 Sushi is a restaurant for the special occasions in life. It’s an allyou- can eat east Asian restaurant where you order off a tablet. They offer many different types of sushi, along with stir fry, noodles and ribs. Once you order, there’s a robot server that will bring you your food, which is a unique experience to say the least. The restaurant itself has a relaxed ambience and decor that gives it an upscale feeling. While the price definitely means this isn’t going to be a spot to go all the time, it’s a nice treat for a special someone or a group of friends once in a while.

These are just a small selection of the unique spots around Fanshawe’s London campuses. These spots are ones I think are worth checking out if you’re looking for good food or some interesting buys while in between classes. There’s always more to find however, get out there and find some hidden gems of your own.