We love all foods because it’s essential for life, we all want to eat foods that taste pretty good; as students, we all know that some campus foods are disgusting and unhealthy,
But many universities are spending a lot of money and being innovative and developing healthy and tasty menus on their campuses.
Niche, a ranking and review site, completed its annual assessment of the best campus food at American universities today. They based 85% of the ranking on student surveys conducted by campus dining and 15% on the average meal plan cost. Bon appétit!
10. James Madison University
James Madison University has 28 on-campus dining locations, three of which the school has built in the last three years. New to the university is Bistro 1908, located in their Student Success Center. 1908 offers Italian and upscale American cuisine, which you can enjoy in the restaurant-style dining room or take to go.
James Madison University also recently built a cafe in their nationally-recognized University Recreation Center. It features a Starbucks, freshly tossed salads, handcrafted crepes, and global rice bowls that students can customize. The average meal plan will cost you $2 354.
9. California Baptist University
California Baptist University was ranked No. 2 among California universities for the best food quality. Their popular cafe, Foodology, is dedicated to providing a balance between nutritious and tasty options. Try their savoury breakfast options, or opt for their customizable açai bowls for a healthier morning fix.
Other options include their Mexican grill El Monte and all-you-can-eat Alumni Dining Commons. Kipp Dougherty, director of food services, commented on the university’s commitment to providing high quality and healthy food, saying, “From the hearts of our culinary team to the mouths of our campus community, you can taste the love in our food.” The average meal plan costs $4,760 per year.
8. University of Massachusetts – Amherst
The dining at UMass has won various awards, including best renovation from Food Management Magazine and No. 1 best food from The Princeton Review. It shows in their menus, which source local food year-round and employ a “small plate, big flavour” philosophy.
The University Club and Restaurant, known as The club, is open to both the public and campus community. The full-service restaurant offers a flat iron steak and truffle lobster mac & cheese, among other fine dining options. The average meal plan costs $2,978 a semester and is available to both on- and off-campus students.
7. Wesleyan University
In Middletown, Connecticut, Wesleyan University comes in at number seven on Niche’s list. The school’s dining management company, Bon Appétit, focuses on sustainability while offering farm to fork options for students. In addition, the university’s famous Usdan Cafe provides Mongolian stir-fry for lunch and customizable fajitas for dinner.
6. Washington University in St. Louis
The Missouri school has over 15 dining locations, cafes, grab-and-go stops, and coffee shops. Grounds for Change, an on-campus restaurant, sells coffee and espresso by Chronicle Coffee and is the campus’ only Local Eats program, which highlights the food of St. Louis’ finest artisans and restaurateurs.
The average meal plan costs between $5,024 and $5,844 a year.
5. Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College, a private liberal arts school in Maine, maybe small — but its dining makes up for its size. The university prides itself on delivering locally sourced food to its students. The various menu changes often, and trained professionals make all meals from scratch.
Magee’s Pub, an on-campus grill, is open two to three evenings a week during the academic year as a venue for all students. Bands, comedians, and DJs entertain while students enjoy the award-winning food.
Bowdoin’s meal plan is the priciest. However, students pay, on average, $7,000 a year.
4. Bates College
Bates College is a member of the Green Restaurant Association, a group that provides specifications for green purchasing and buys what they can from the Farm Fresh Initiative. The Maine school has won awards for campus food, community leadership, and special event catering. Plus, check out this lobster dinner available at the Commons dining hall.
3. The Culinary Institute of America
The New York school trains the talented future of fine dining, so it’s only natural they’d have some of the best food you’ve tasted on a college campus. The average meal plan runs $1,775 per semester.
The Egg, a famous student dining hall, includes a student-created pop-up restaurant. Each semester, a new group of students will open and manage a different concept in the Innovation Kitchen in The Egg, according to the Institute’s website.
2. Virginia Tech
“Don’t be skeptical about campus food,” Tech’s website states. We won’t be — at least, not at Virginia Tech. The University has ranked among the top five school meal plans on Spoon University, the Princeton Review, and Niche.
“Regarding Dining Services, the Niche poll is one we value greatly,” said Ted Faulkner, director of Dining Services. “It rates the quality of the food and the value for the price paid for those services. The state institution has a Japanese steakhouse and sushi bar, a New York-style deli, and Brazilian cuisine among its 30 plus dining options. The average meal plan will cost you $3,730 a year.
1. University of California — Los Angeles
UCLA excels in academics and athletics, and its dining options are no different. The university is nationally recognized for its high-quality cuisine, state-of-the-art facilities, and innovative services.
UCLA has 11 different cafes to choose from and offers nutritional education for students looking to eat healthier on campus. According to Business Insider, the average student ranking was 4.4 out of 5 for the variety, taste, and availability of dining options.
