This will be my first time at GENCon. In the past I've always gone to Origins but their web signup was so far behind that I chose not to go there this year. At Origins in my third year i finally discovered the market a half a block from the convention center that offered awesome food at a great price for lunch.
Are there any good places to eat near the convention center?
Fogo de Chaco (brazillian steakhouse)
Fogo de Chao, technically. It's where my group has their traditional Wednesday night dinner. Great food, but very pricy.
As you noted, there's a number of other sit-down restaurants -- Hard Rock Cafe comes to mind, but there are several other sports-bar type places in that vicinity, as well...mostly, to the east of the convention center.
The Ram has made a priority of catering to GenCon attendees, with special deals, decorations, etc. It tends to be very busy in between slots, and in the late evening, but it's pretty good.
If you are mainly playing LFR, the food court in the mall is pretty accessible. If you are staring at the HQ desk, turn left and go out those doors. You then go past the escalators and into the "tube" walkway towards the Hyatt hotel (and then past it to the mall). Many people are usually walking that way. Between the food court and the restaurants along either Maryland Street or Capitol Ave you can have some good and quick eats. There is a good sushi/Japanese place toward the Crowne Plaza/Union Station we usually visit after L5R games. For the evenings there are many good bars and sports bars.
Man, I can't wait!
