A Student’s Guide to the Best College Food

Does the thought of cafeteria food make you shiver? While elementary and high school lunches may not have brought up the best memories, college campus meals can be a game changer. 😋

Plenty of schools have transformed their dining halls into culinary havens that serve the best college food, making absurdly high sticker prices worth it. From global dishes to classic comfort bites, our guide takes you on a delicious adventure to the best college food in the country. 🍽️ 

1. University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMASS)

UMASS prioritizes fresh, locally sourced ingredients to bring flavorful eats that satisfy even the most discerning taste buds. No wonder The Princeton Review named them the top school with the best college food for the seventh year in a row. 🏆

The UMASS experience involves eating food from a wide range of guilt-free choices — campus cafes, dining halls, and food trucks, or even having it delivered to your doorstep when sick. All first-year students default to the Unlimited 250 Plan, but you can drop by any of their dining commons to enjoy the all-you-care-to-eat program. 😋

2. James Madison University (JMU)

A stomach that has traveled the world will love JMU. You’ll get a taste of tandoori chicken, hibachi bowls, and all kinds of pasta without ever leaving campus. With a simple swipe of the JACard, you’ll unlock fresh, high-quality meals prepared by talented chefs. 🫶🏻

If you’re craving well-known favorites, JMU Dining also offers popular brands like Chick-fil-A, Subway, and Dunkin’ Donuts. Plus, the D-Hall and E-Hall’s themed dinners offer a culinary adventure, from a nostalgic 90s feast to island-inspired jerk chicken and pineapple. 🍍

3. Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL)

Are you craving both a spicy Bibimbap and a hearty Arrabiata? WUSTL’s global cuisine selection seeks to satisfy an adventurous foodie like you. The blog, The Monthly Dish, keeps you updated about all things dining-related on campus, like the Spring Food Truck Series, where the histories of local food trucks are unearthed (and you even get to know which will be visiting the campus). 🚚

The school also partners with local businesses to support the St. Louis community. Last fall alone, it brought over 18 different food trucks to campus, including a significant representation of minority-owned and women-owned businesses.

You’ll have plenty of meal plans to choose from, and the most expensive one even gets you an unlimited coffee club card and a complimentary birthday celebration cake. 🎂

4. St. John Fisher University (SJF)

To make the most of the many food choices available, SJF students can opt for the Ultimate Meal Plan. This includes 350 swipes for meals at any dining location, $100 in dining dollars for flexible snack and beverage purchases, and five guest passes to share the deliciousness with friends. 

This dedication to student satisfaction is further reflected in how student feedback is constantly considered when creating menus. It’s no wonder SJF was awarded the prestigious Chartwells President’s Circle Award for Account of the Year. 

To keep things exciting, the university constantly creates new seasonal menus and throws epic-themed events like Turkey Burger Time, Halloween Bashes, and Mardi Gras Celebrations. 🎃 

5. St. Norbert College (SNC)

SNC offers four meal plans called ‘Knight All-Access’ options that act like cash on their student ID, allowing them to have a good meal at Phil’s, Ed’s Café, Ruth’s Marketplace, or Dale’s Sports Lounge. The college also partnered with Grubhub, so that orders over $18 can be delivered free straight to your dorm room. 💸

But the school is also committed to reducing food waste. Meticulous menu planning, creative use of leftovers, and composting vegetable scraps for its student-run garden, which supplies the campus with fresh produce, completes its efforts for sustainability. 🌱

6. Virginia Tech (VT)

There’s no such thing as a dull bite at VT. Students can indulge in fresh, healthy dishes found at vibrant campus dining centers and roaming food trucks. 🛻 Meal plans here come with Flex swipes (which are prepaid meals), so students don’t have to worry about paying with cash. 

The addition of D2, a comprehensive all-you-care-to-eat haven, and Turner Place, a jampacked food court, has also contributed to elevating the dining experience on campus. VT’s West End Market isn’t also your average cafeteria since everything is made fresh to order. Plus, there’s a dessert station piled high with treats and refreshing smoothies to cool you down. 🧉 

7. Bowdoin College (BC)

BC offers a range of flexible meal plans for different eating habits, including the all-inclusive 21-meal plan, the 10-meal alternative, and declining balance plans. In addition to vegan and vegetarian dishes, extensive salad bars, and nut-free and gluten-free selections, all menu items are labeled for allergens. A registered dietitian is also on staff to provide personalized support. 🥩

Established in 2005, the Bowdoin Organic Garden serves as a central resource for the College’s sustainability mission and dining program, growing fresh produce and flowers while fostering a sense of community through volunteer opportunities and educational workshops. 🧑‍🌾

8. Hendrix College (HC)

Dining at Hendrix treats you to themed lunches, holiday meals, and events with live music to add a touch of fun to your college routine. The HC Cafeteria staff even goes the extra mile to surprise students with birthday serenades and cakes! And if you need to refuel after an intense late-night study session or back-to-back classes, the Hendrix dining halls stay open late to keep you going, no matter your schedule. 🕐

In addition to a selection of healthy, low-fat, vegetarian, vegan, and allergy-friendly options, a registered dietitian is available to address dietary concerns and offer personalized nutritional advice. 

Their efforts toward sustainability in the kitchen, such as reducing waste and promoting recycling, earned them the Loyal E. Horton Dining Award from the National Association of College and University Food Services.

9. University of San Diego (USD)

There’s almost always a guarantee that the juicy burger you’re about to eat in USD is made from cows lovingly raised on a nearby farm. This is because they partner with nearby local producers to supply fresh, high-quality ingredients for their dining halls. 🐄

But their dining plans also stand out because they’re tax-exempt, unlike most campus options. Let’s say a typical meal on-site costs $8. With a regular plan, an additional 8 percent sales tax can be expected which brings the total to $8.64. It might seem small, but ordering meals over a semester will result in a pretty hefty bill. 

Most plans even include free guest meals, but their availability and frequency depend on your selected meal plan. 🥣

10. Cornell University (CU)

The stereotypical image of college food isn’t pretty—limp lettuce, questionable mystery meat, and soggy ramen noodles. But at Cornell, high-quality ingredients are transformed into diverse and delicious dishes. Students can also directly provide feedback on menus, knowing their input is valued and can influence future offerings. 😊

Financially conscious students will also appreciate tax-free purchases and flexible meal plans, while online ordering and off-campus grocery partnerships are provided for convenience.

We can say that fun is at the center of Cornell’s dining scene thanks to themed events and activities, like era-based dishes and sushi-making classes. There’s also a unique Mystery Shopper program where students can evaluate their experiences anonymously to give the service crew an idea about the service’s strengths and weaknesses. ❓

11. University of Dayton (UD)

Forget the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. UD Dining offers Standard, Flexible, Neighborhood, and Co-Op options for students, depending on their unique lifestyle and budget. The convenient online bakery at UD offers different treats for all types of occasions is one of the reasons why the school has the best college food. 🥮

Since 2009, the University of Dayton has also taken a proactive approach to sustainability. Its dining halls use an on-campus composter to turn waste into nutrient-rich soil. This campus service also benefits the local community, as local farms and producers are tapped for fresh, high-quality ingredients. Some local partners include Moss Creek Farms, Young’s Jersey Dairy, and Bella Sorella Pizza Dough.

12. Muhlenberg College (MC)

MC Dining makes meals memorable with themed dinners like Pasta Mondays and Stir-fry Wednesdays. You can also try cooking classes or dine at pop-up restaurants for new flavors. 🍝

They use fresh, local ingredients in seasonal menus labeled with nutrition icons for healthy choices. One unique program is Simple Servings, an allergen-free station catering to common allergies and gluten-free diets.

Muhlenberg’s dining philosophy emphasizes inclusivity, with a registered dietitian offering nutritional guidance and special menus for gluten-free, vegan, and healthy options. 🧑‍⚕️

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Remember, the best college food is the one you enjoy, matches your preferences, and keeps you energized throughout the day. With a happy stomach, you’re sure to conquer every academic challenge that comes your way. Bon appétit! 😋

Best College Food in the US: Frequently Asked Questions