Pay Attention to Special Events
Frank and Coop like to occasionally spice up their selection. Here is where being aware matters. Starting with every Tuesday and Thursday, Frank berries; I’m talking blueberries, raspberries, blackberries (I know, unheard of on college campuses). Beyond fruit, Frank likes to experiment, and this is where one needs to be open to trying new things. From smores pizza to ethnic dishes like tikka masala, these are days I leave Frank fully satisfied! Coop also has special days, featuring classic quesadillas and tacos, which you can’t miss.Â
Beyond the dining hall itself, one MUST head to the Kalamata Pita food truck on a crisp fall day. I could not ask for more from those pitas – they are nothing short of life-changing. Additionally, Campo often hosts “Taco Tuesday” events at Coop. Yes, it competes with Coop tacos, but please go to Campo Tacos; it’s so good. Lastly, be on the lookout for food truck events. Colgate often sponsors athletic events with food trucks (often free), and also near the end of the year. Make sure to take advantage of every opportunity we get to eat “special foods.
Be Your Own ChefÂ
The best thing about a dining hall is that there are always basics: rice, protein, salad, pasta, and various toppings. Get creative. Nine times out of ten, I grab a scoop of rice, some soy sauce, a hamburger patty, and top it off with some sesame seeds, edamame, sweet potato, and chives. 10/10 frank meal right there. Do not be afraid to take your dinner in your hands and see what yummy creations you can make!
Switch it up
The biggest no-no in dining halls is to find a meal and only eat that meal. Freshman year, I fell in love with Frank pizza, and since then, I have never had another slice. Burnout is not your friend. Get pizza one day, but a rice bowl the next, then a chicken sandwich, pasta, and so on. Switching it up beats burnout and overall allows one to have a well-balanced diet. We need pizza and pasta days, but also protein and veggies to fuel ourselves.Â
Use Sauces and Spices
All I can say is that a little soy sauce can go a longggg way. Do not subject yourself to plain rice or plain chicken; you are setting yourself up for failure. Grab the spices, experiment, grab the sauce, get creative, it is the key to an enjoyable meal. If the dining hall selection doesn’t cut it, don’t be afraid to bring in the sauces and spices that are key to your perfect meal.Â
Take Advantage of Non-Dining Hall Options
Lastly, I advise not being afraid to step out of the dining hall. I had a friend here who, in two years, entered Chobani twice. Please don’t be that friend. You miss out on the tomato pesto chicken, the wraps, the overnight oats, the yogurt creations; you miss out on good food. Take advantage of Chobani, Donnie’s, and the Coop deli; this is the key to avoiding the dining hall burnout. Also, Hamilton sits a 20-minute walk away (5-minute drive); don’t let it go unvisited. Royal Indian Grill, Hamilton Eatery, Hamilton Whole Foods, Friends and Pho, and so on, await your presence, and as a frequent visitor, I say it’s always worth the visit.Â
College is about taking advantage of what is in front of you. Sure, I can easily say the dining hall food sucks, but what does that mindset do for anyone? Lift your head up, become aware of the food opportunities you have at Colgate, and take advantage of them. A positive mindset will grant you a better college experience, food-wise and in all aspects of college and life. Now go eat!