Berk is just one of the four dining halls here at UMass and it is by far considered one of the best. It is an award-winning dining hall and is packed full with students every single day, ready to chow down on some great food. Although it’s already awesome, there are always ways to make dining hall food just a little bit better. Here are some tips and tricks to make the best dining hall experience possible!
1. Ask for a bowl from the Pho station for cereal
The tiny cereal bowls provided are hardly enough to satisfy anyone, especially not when you’re starving for breakfast. Asking for a bowl is easy and they always say yes, so don’t be afraid to! You’ll be able to fill it up with cereal, milk, and even a cut up banana if you want as well.
2. Cut up grilled chicken and bring veggies to the quesadilla station
Get some chicken from the grilled station and cut it up on a plate before heading to get a quesadilla. They usually only offer cheese, but if you give them the chicken they’ll be happy to put it in. You can also add any veggies you’d want from the salad bar— I recommend red and green peppers!
3. When getting a sandwich use the oven and not the press
Although the press does make delicious sandwiches, it takes significantly longer than the oven. The oven will toast your sandwich to perfection and cut your waiting time in half! This can be especially helpful when the sandwich station is really crowded.
4. Make your own milkshake
Get vanilla soft serve, a tiny bit of milk, and the ice cream toppings of your choice to make a killer milkshake! My personal favorite is vanilla ice cream, milk, and crushed Oreos. Put all of your ingredients into a glass cup and blend with a spoon until satisfied.
5. Put strawberries into your yogurt
When they have a strawberry salad as a specialty salad ask for some strawberries, take them to the yogurt station and pile them on top for a healthy snack! Add some granola from the cereal station or walnuts and you’re set.
6. Make the perfect shrimp or chicken pasta
Ask for shrimp at the sushi station or get chicken from the grilled section and bring them to the Pasta Pronto station to put into your own customized pasta dish. I promise you it will be amazing, especially with added veggies and sauce to top it all off.
7. Make ice cream sandwiches
If Berk is serving chocolate chip cookies (always a good night), ask for two and put soft serve ice cream on one before using both to make a cookie sandwich! The greatest dessert and sweet treat you can make yourself.
8. Beat the Late Night crowd
Late Night is usually always crowded. If you want to beat the line, head to Berk before 9, which is when they lock the doors and nobody is allowed back in until 9:30. If you’re inside before 9, you can snag a table, chat with your friends for a little, and then be one of the first people in line for some delicious late night food.
Happy eating, Collegiettes!