When telling a fellow Northeastern student that you are living in the Sheraton dorms, it is usually met with a sense of pity. Whether from their own personal experience or that of a close friend, everyone seems to know about the dreaded long walk and inevitable feeling of isolation that come with living a mile or more off campus. However, the start of the 2025 school year brought something new to the building: a fully functioning dining hall. Whether this is the saving grace Sheraton residents have been waiting for is still up for debate, as many remain curious about its true effectiveness in improving the residence hall’s living quality.
Campus Roots, which opened in late August, marked the start of a new era for residents of 60 Belvidere St., Northeastern student housing that was previously the south tower of the Sheraton Hotel. No longer must we rely on Outtakes or a 15-minute trek to Stetson East, known as “Steast.” This new, fully operable dining hall absolutely has the potential to rival the other campus eateries.
To start the day, breakfast is something Campus Roots has down to an art. Options include the classic customizable omelette bar, freshly made pancakes with a variety of add-ins and all the staple breakfast meat choices. Of course, it is not breakfast without a visit to the reliable coffee station, and with plenty of options included, this new dining hall offers an undoubtedly much-needed addition to any long morning. The only difference from Stetson East or International Village (IV)? None of the morning chaos and crowded rush of a typical dining hall.
When 4 p.m. rolls around, the star of Campus Roots comes out: the dinner menu. The variety of fully stocked options rivals that of IV or Stetson East. A trusty protein rotation consisting of chicken, burgers or a pasta option, a comprehensive self-serve salad bar and a wide selection of sides are just a few of the possibilities offered on different nights.
After consistently eating at 60 Belvidere St. for two months, I have been satisfied with fully cooked, high-quality meals that Northeastern does not always provide. What makes Campus Roots shine, however, is the atmosphere. With a modernized space designed for the building’s 800 student residents, its open floor plan offers breathing room and free tables that the other two dining halls lack. On some breakfast trips, I have encountered fewer than 10 fellow students dining, something unheard of in IV or Steast. It is a breath of fresh air compared to the chaos and overcrowding that Northeastern seems to specialize in.
That said, Campus Roots is not perfect. The biggest issue? The hours it provides meals.
Its hours are as follows:
Monday-Thursday: 8-10 a.m., 4-8 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4-8 p.m.
The biggest challenge is the six-hour break in the middle of the day, which means no lunch is served on school days. For students with afternoon classes or midday schedule gaps, this leaves few options other than a late breakfast, an early dinner or the inevitable trek to another dining hall. Closure on Fridays and Saturdays is another negative, as classes (and life) still continue on these days. A few-day-old chicken caesar wrap from The Market at 39 Dalton, a grocery-style store located right next to the closed dining hall, is often the only convenient choice for those looking for lunch without spending $15 or more off campus.
Adjusting to the unusual eating schedule has its drawbacks. For the typical Northeastern student involved in a variety of late-night clubs or activities, relying on a 4 p.m. dinner and knowing they will not return to 60 Belvidere St. until after 8 p.m. can pose a challenge. While Steast and IV remain open until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 9 p.m. on weekends, Campus Roots’ early closing time is a detriment to students, leaving them without a late-night dining option that many busy students crave.
Despite its limitations, Campus Roots is a clear example of Northeastern listening to student feedback. For years, residents have expressed complaints about isolation with no accessible dining options, especially for first-year students required to have a meal plan. The addition of this dining space has strengthened the sense of community and convenience among the 800 residents. It is common to form connections with classmates you had no idea lived in your building, often giving you a buddy to walk to classes with.
The unconventional experience of living in a hotel room for the school year has been transformed into a more traditional dorm experience with the extra perks of a dining hall. While many hope that Campus Roots succeeds and eventually expands its hours, for now, all residents of 60 Belvidere St. agree that this is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.
Prospective student residents should no longer let the off-campus location of 60 Belvidere St. deter them. Between Campus Roots, the bonds formed between residents and, as a bonus, the extremely friendly dining hall staff (something that Steast and IV sometimes lack), there are plenty of positives that make living here a desirable choice.
No longer will Sheraton slander be accepted, as living in a building with dozens of food options right downstairs is absolutely a redeeming quality. All negatives aside, at the end of the day, having a dining hall within steps of your dorm beats the alternative of no convenient choices every single time.