For many of us, the relationship we have/had with the dining commons on campus is somewhat like a love-hate one. At the time, we were so bored of the same stuff all the time and sometimes there were some… strange menu items, but sometimes it was just amazing! Usually second, third, and fourth years move out into Isla Vista and start cooking for themselves, but these are some reasons to miss the dining commons.
1. No need to wash dishes!
Living in IV is all about minimizing the number of dishes and utensils. I never realized it before, but washing pots, pans, plates, cups, bowls and just about anything is way more time consuming than you actually think it is. So, if you still have the dining commons, appreciate it your clean dishes!
2. No need to go buy groceries!
As nice as it is going grocery shopping, it can actually be pretty stressful when you have to work under a budget and go get this and that for that special dish you’re making. When you eat in the dining commons, all that stress and work is taken care of. The only thing you have to think about is what you feel like eating!
3. You don’t need to make time to cook your meal!
From warming up the pan to waiting for the water to boil for your pasta, it all takes a lot of time! In the dining commons, you can just show up and eat your food! And you don’t have to worry about drying out your food or burning it (because someone does it for you!).
4. There is always soup!
I don’t know about you but I love soup, especially chicken noodle soup. Soup is perfect for nighttime and it’s so nice for warming up the stomach when you’re sick. Soup usually takes a long time to make (unless you cook it out of a can) and having it already made and ready to eat at the dining commons is just so nice.
5. There are always yummy deserts!
Whether it’s chocolate chip cookies, pies, cakes, or brownies, the dining commons always has some sweets in store! This really got me thinking about the ice cream bar at Ortega…
6. All those different cereals!
I always buy cereal but I can never finish the whole box before it goes stale or I run out of milk. But at the dining commons, you can eat whichever one you’re feeling that day without having to worry about not finishing the box or milk expiring.
7. Late night snacks.
Thanks to late night, you can go to the dining commons after dinner hours to snack and eat until you’re content. Whether it’s burgers, cereal, fries, or desserts, they almost always have it so you don’t have to worry about not getting full!
8. You don’t have to go all the way home to get something to eat.
Being able to get a buffet style lunch on campus is really nice because you don’t have to go all the way home to cook something which is time consuming. Plus, now Ortega has take out lunch so you can still grab your favourite foods even if you’re in a rush!
If you miss the dining commons, don’t want to pay for the meal and don’t make a lot of money, the Associated Students Food Bank has a program where you fill out an online form and tell them why you could use the meal and you can get a free meal ticket to eat in the dining commons! It’s super nice and free so why not try?! Writing about this is making me hungry…