Allegheny College
- Campus Dining

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There are two dining halls on campus: Brooks and McKinley's. The most popular dish at McKinley's is the stir-fry, where you can get chicken, steak, or tofu and pick your own vegetables to sauté on the spot. Brooks Dining Hall is an all-you-can-eat buffet with three kinds of pizza, a salad bar, a pasta option, an open grille (for burgers and hot dogs), and a selected entrée. Students generally think the food is decent but monotonous. Vegans and vegetarians only have about three or four options for any meal. At McKinley's, students pay in what is called “Munch Money"; at Brooks, students swipe their cards to use "one meal" and eat as much as they want. There are several different meal plans, but they all split money between the two dining halls. The major problem with the meal plan is that students are required to have one as long as they’re living on campus. With Allegheny's recent implementation of a four-year residency requirement, students wanting to save money by self-preparing food simply can't do it.

In recent years, the dining services department has made a greater effort to buy locally. Sustainability movements have definitely affected the food providers, and vegetables and herbs are planted around campus. Some students just walk to a campus garden, pick some basil, and use it in their own cooking in the dorm kitchens. In 2009, two environmental science students planted apple trees on campus for students to pick from on their way to class. For those who aren't into making their own food, students can buy anything from a milkshake to a macchiato at the student-run coffee shop Grounds for Change; however, they have to pay in cash or shop money. At the library, the Wrecking Ball Café sells salads, sandwiches, and lots of coffee for students who don't want to leave during a study session to grab a bite.  

Allegheny Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Campus Dining at Allegheny College

ElainaMerc

'13

English

4.6

A

Food

Parkhurst Dining supplies the food on campus in both the cafeteria and food court options. Students complain about the food, but mostly about the monotony of it.

Feb 06, 2012

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Campus Dining at Allegheny College

rachelgiesel

'15

Creative Writing

3.8

B+

Good and Bad

McKinley's is GREAT to eat at because of all the choices and delicious food. However, it's ridiculously overpriced. Brooks is good as you can eat however much you want, but sometimes the food is not so good.

Jan 09, 2012

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Campus Dining at Allegheny College

kimea

'11

History

3.1

B-

Could Be Better

Two major dining places: McKinley's and Brooks Hall (buffet style). Can be really stingy sometimes with amounts and for the prices you pay at McKinley's that's not really okay. However, if students didn't steal things then the school wouldn't need to continue to raise prices. Brooks is OK. Not like home cooking, but everyone needs to eat...if it comes down to it, you could always just make a sandwich or have cereal. Allegheny switched companies in 2008, all supposed to be tied with "going green". Student-run cafe Grounds For Change (GFC) is awesome. Any drink you want (add caffeine to anything), late hours. Pricing...upperclassmen should purchase one of the smaller meal plans and purchase Munch money to compensate for over pricing.

Dec 19, 2011

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