Photo Above: Buckley Dining Hall at the University of Conn., courtesy of Stephanie Swiatek.
A trip to the dining hall almost always proves to be quite the learning experience. As a freshman here at UConn, I’ve slowly been figuring out what the do’s and don’ts of each cafeteria are. I realized quickly the most important lesson to learn is which meals are nutritious and delicious and which meals will lead my sugar level to skyrocket through the roof. Of course, there is also always the constant internal debate of whether I can afford to splurge on a yummy chocolate ice cream cone. Either way, UConn’s dining halls offer the student body an enormous variety of choices. The more I learn about each one, the more I understand how to make the most out of my meal plan. The intention of this article is to help you, the reader, understand what UConn Dining Services can do for you!
First, each dining hall has its strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to know what makes each one unique!
At….
Buckley- This dining hall is small so it is a great place to go if you want to grab a meal and study! The occasional stir-fry bar is also super delicious.
Putnam- This dining hall caters to you. Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m.- 7:15 a.m. you can grab a quesadilla or Panini ready to order. If that isn’t your style, this dining hall also has a fantastic salad bar.
Northwest Marketplace- As a college student, you’ll feel spoiled when you enjoy a restaurant- quality meal in the “Sun Room” at this dining hall.
North- This is the place to go if you would use the word “indecisive” to describe yourself. There is something for everyone at this dining hall!
McMahon- Check out this dining halls late night cuisine! Its central location on campus is perfect for those late night cravings. The grill items made-to-order is also awesome. Here, you can get burgers, wings, grinders, and much more.
Towers- Towers is infamous for its themed dinners. Whether it is Quesadilla Night on Mondays or Pasta Bar on Wednesdays, Towers remains a favorite amongst UConn students.
South Marketplace- What’s not to love about this campus favorite! Aside from having an incredibly diverse selection, this dining hall also has a “Sundae Bar” for Sunday’s dinnertime and New England- style clam chowder every Friday!
Whitney- Most of the food is organic- enough said!
Have a smart phone? Use it!
Did you know UConn has a “Mobile Menu” app for your smart phone? Using this application is the quickest way to find out what’s for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at your closest dining hall and helps you to avoid the meatloaf that you despise.
Who would be able to resist “Make Your Own Cookie or Cupcake Day” or “Country Fair Day”!
Each month, UConn’s dining services plan out unique theme dinners in an effort to make mealtime enjoyable and fun. Check out the calendar at http://www.dining.uconn.edu/resident_dining_special.html .
The Low-Down on Flex Passes and Points
Flex passes act as your golden ticket when you want to bring friends or visitors into the dining halls. You can easily swipe them in. You can also use flex passes to get meals at any of the “Grab-N-Go” markets on campus, such as “Millie and Maude’s” in South Marketplace (buffalo chicken wraps!)
Most importantly, remember to use UConn Dining Service’s website to answer any questions you might have- http://www.dining.uconn.edu/index.php.
Bon Appétit!