If Kent has a favorite place, it just might be Ray's Place. Few joints are as versatile as the big two-story restaurant/bar. Ray's Up, as it's often called, has a couple of video games, a pool table, juke box, welcoming bar, and great view of the brick street, gazebo, railroad tracks and dam below that really says, "this is Kent." The lower level also boasts a couple of video games, and plenty of bar seating, as well as tables. 

Honestly-priced, well-prepared food (from burgers and wraps to spaghetti and steak dinners), and genuinely nice servers make Ray's Place a very popular place.

The big restaurant is near capacity at some point just about every day of the week, regardless of season. The crowd changes as the clock's hands turn - lunch and afternoon patrons give way to families, who usually leave as a younger college crowd bellies up to the bar.