Many things are worth complaining about within UMass Amherst: parking services, class selection, the lack of space at the Rec, etc. However, one aspect I will never complain about in my time here is the food. We are so fortunate to be able to have such good quality food at our disposal from 7 a.m. until midnight, seven days a week. Four dining halls and other retail locations make for many options that my friends at other schools could only dream about. One of my favorite and best aspects is Grab n’ Go, a part of each dining hall that has quick and easy options to take back to your room or on the go (as the name implies) if you are in a rush. From chicken to pasta to sandwiches and more, I consider myself a Grab n’ Go aficionado, so I’ve decided to rank them. Feel free to disagree, but after two years on campus, this is my personal opinion.
- Hampshire
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This one is solely based on availability. Hamp Grab n’ Go is a reliable spot to grab a quick breakfast when you are on the go. The menu almost always includes breakfast sandwiches, bagels, oatmeal, a variety of cereals, and yogurts. It also is located in the same area as Starbucks, which makes for a great coffee and breakfast combo. There is almost no change day-to-day, which can get pretty boring after a while. Unfortunately, Hamp’s hours are only from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., so they only have the breakfast option. This is where it fails in comparison to the others, as there is such limited access to it throughout the day. All other Grab n’ Go’s feature lunch, with two of them having both breakfast and lunch. It is a consistent place for a quick breakfast but nothing exciting.
- Worcester
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This one might be controversial, but it is mostly a personal choice. I don’t spend a lot of time in the Worcester area, especially this year, so I don’t have much to go off of here. However, you will never catch me saying a bad word about it other than the fact the line can go extremely crazy. During my freshman year, I spent a lot of time at Worcester Grab n’ Go, and their General Tso’s chicken was my favorite meal between my classes. I had a hard time meeting up with friends in the middle of the day, so Grab n’ Go was where I would go if I had to eat alone. There is plenty of seating by it right below Worcester Commons, and the Worcester Cafe also has great coffee. It is open for breakfast and dinner with consistent yet rotating options throughout the week, such as chicken, mac and cheese, and tater tots. Though I haven’t been there enough to rank it higher, I think it is a solid choice in terms of Grab n’ Go options for comfort food.
- Berkshire
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It wasn’t until this year I discovered the magic of Berk Grab n’ Go. I was in James Hall my freshman year, much closer to Hamp than Berk, so I never journeyed over during the day to discover what they had unless it was late at night. Living right across from Berk this year, I have become a Grab n’ Go regular on certain days when they have my favorite things. When the menu hits, it HITS (Chicken Parm Sandwich, anyone?). It is rare I go down the stairs and am disappointed with my options. Berk has a great drink and side selection, and also my favorite chicken Caesar wrap alongside other yummy sandwiches when nothing else will do. It consists of a lot of comfort food as well as healthier options. It is more customizable, and you can get the most out of your meal here compared to the previous two. There is a lack of seating, and sometimes the hot entree is not something I really want, so that’s why Berk is a close second to the top spot.
Elizabeth Tait - Franklin
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I will take no criticism at this time. Frank Grab n’ Go is superior. There are no cons if you can get there at the right time and beat the line. Although it is only open for lunch, it is open for five hours during the middle of the day and near Isenberg, making it a great stop between my classes. They have many options, from a bunch of hot entrees as well as soups, salads, sandwiches, chips, and desserts to fulfill whatever you are hungry for. There is outside seating as well as some limited inside, but most times, I take it to go anyway. The workers are always friendly, and the options change all the time but in a good way. I love their chicken sandwich and American chop suey days, and sometimes they even have s’mores bars. I know I will always find something for me here. The only con is the line can get super long, but if you are able to time it right between class times, you shouldn’t have a problem. Compared to the other locations, I will go out of my way to go here, which says a lot.
This ranking can change from day to day, but overall this is how overall I feel about all the Grab n’ Go options. Based on location and hours, seating, and of course, the food options, I feel as though this is the right ranking for me. This ranking could most definitely change next year, as I am moving off campus and will be closer to Worcester than Berk or Hamp. I am excited to come back and reevaluate this ranking in a year.
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