Now that I’m approaching the end of my first semester at TCU, I feel as if I am well-versed enough on the dining options to rank them as someone who can’t cook in her dorm.
Disclaimer: All of the dining options at TCU have good food and are solid options. These are just my opinions!
11. Union Grounds: I have never had food from here, but the coffee is always good. It’s usually a shorter line to get coffee than in the library or Neeley, making it my go-to option for coffee before class. However, I can’t rank it high since I have not had food here.
10. Bookstore Starbucks: I went back and forth on including this one since it doesn’t take meal swipes, campus cash, or Frogbucks. However, this is a popular study and meeting spot, so it had to be included. I love Starbucks, especially its egg bites. This is a great dining option but is low on the list since I can’t use any of my dining money.
9. Magnolias: Personally, I have yet to eat at Magnolia’s, but my friends that I surveyed for this article had nothing but good things to say about it. It is a good option for healthy and allergen-friendly food on campus. It is one that I need to try soon!
8. O’Briens: An underrated dining spot. I enjoy O’Briens, especially their breakfast, and it is always quick service. They don’t have as many options for meal swipes as other restaurants. Part of the first-year dining plan is places that allow for meal swipes since that’s what we have the most, so I had to leave it lower on the list.
7. Press: Press is a grab-and-go option located in KFC. They have sushi, sandwiches, and other to-go options. I’ve gotten sushi a few times from Press, and it’s really okay for college sushi. The standout of Press is their coffee, though. Like Union Grounds, Press is quicker to get coffee from than Starbucks.
6. Market Square, aka the BLUU: The epitome of an essential freshman dining hall experience. Usually, there’s no long line here unless it’s Tuesday when the dining hall serves stir-fry. Overall, the BLUU has decent food, depending on the day, but there are better and more popular options on campus.
5. Bistro Burnett: Located in the library, Bistro Burnett has great customizable sandwiches. I love the various sandwiches here, but the line is often too long for this to be a good lunch option.
4. Chick-fil-A: Usually a 30-minute wait for a reason. You can always go right with Chick-fil-A; it always tastes good, especially after a tough test. The only downsides with the campus Chick-fil-A are the meals not being a meal swipe (what’s up with that Chick-fil-A?), the wait, and whenever they run out of everything by 9 pm. Overall, it’s a consistently good choice on campus.
3. Caliente: If you’re not going here on Sundays for pasta night, where are you going? Caliente has a good variety of Mexican food options, and my favorite part is that many of their meal items (burrito bowls, pasta, quesadillas, etc.) are on meal swipes, making it a great option. I love one of their quesadillas for a late-night study session, and they are quick.
2. Kinder Cafe (Neeley): I love Neeley. Their sandwiches and flatbreads are so good, and there is usually only a short wait. The only reason that Neeley is not first is because my go-to sandwich, the chicken pesto sandwich, is not on meal swipes.
1. Shake Smart: I love Shake Smart so much. I would eat here for every single meal if I could. The variety is 10/10, and I always feel great after eating here. Even though the line can get long, if you don’t go right after class, it only takes me 10-15 minutes to get my food. This is my favorite dining spot on campus.
I hope this list helps you when you’re deciding where to eat on campus!