East Main Street is where most of Kent's restaurants and bars are concentrated. The strip runs through downtown and into the area closest to campus, with a mix of independent spots serving burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and casual American food at prices calibrated to student budgets.
The density of options means you're unlikely to go hungry, and several spots have been around long enough to have built a real local following. Things are busier and more animated during the academic year; summer strips back the crowds considerably and some places reduce hours or close.
Walk the strip and see what's open — most of the worthwhile spots are within a few blocks of each other.