Bucknell University - Campus Dining

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Dorm food is notorious for being unhealthy and awful-tasting. However, Bucknell Dining Services does an excellent job of providing students with a wide range of food. Both the Caf and the Bison are crowded during mealtime, and they’re definitely the most popular places to eat on campus. Freshmen typically eat in the Caf because they are required to purchase an unlimited meal plan, meaning they can eat in the Caf as often as they want without having to pay when they swipe in; they are required to use dining dollars at Bison, which isn't convenient since the unlimited plan does not include a lot of dining dollars. Upperclassmen prefer eating at the Bison because they generally purchase dining dollars, which is a lot cheaper than the unlimited meal plan.

There’s so much different food to choose from at the Caf—there’s pasta and pizza; homestyle cooking; the Grill, which has any fried food you could possibly imagine; Smart Market, which has salads, fruit, and vegetarian dishes; the salad bar; Pacific Rim, stir-fry, egg rolls; the deli; and an egg bar, where you can have the cafeteria workers prepare your eggs any way you like. After their meal is over, many students hang around to people watch and talk with their friends. The Bison has pre-made food that you can pick up, or you can order something. Wraps, burgers, and quesadillas are all very popular. Generally, eating at the Bison goes faster than eating at the Caf. You can also get take-out if you need to get to the library, have a meeting, or just want to head back to your room. What’s nice about the Bison is it is open until 11 p.m., and when students have varying schedules from day-to-day, it’s nice to know that you can eat earlier or later than usual, and the food will still be fresh.

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Students Speak Out

asdfgh321 says: Bucknell University 2012 Engineering

The food is pretty good. All... The food is pretty good. All freshmen are required to buy an unlimited meal plan at the Caf, but the Bison, where upperclassmen eat, has a la cart options and good wraps. All students living on campus have to get some sort of meal plan. 12345 Campus Dining: February 26, 2009 Report

BucDD says: Bucknell University 2012 Education

The dining halls aren't too bad,... The dining halls aren't too bad, but they do get old sometimes. The 7th Street Café and the Bison are other alternatives to Caf food. 12345 Campus Dining: February 26, 2009 Report

BucMM says: Bucknell University 2011 Psychology

The main dining hall is the Caf,... The main dining hall is the Caf, and it has pretty good variety. After freshman year, most people eat in the Bison because it's cheaper. Both places have good food, but the Bison has much fewer options. After freshman year, most people choose not to be on the Caf meal plan, so eating there is more expensive. 12345 Campus Dining: February 24, 2009 Report

BucJP says: Bucknell University 2011 Business

The food in the Bostwick Cafeteria... The food in the Bostwick Cafeteria is some of the best I have ever had at a college campus. At the Caf, there are unlimited servings with many choices ranging from a freshly cooked stir fry bar, an egg bar, and a hot meal station. The Bison is a smaller setting that offers more of a limited range of choices for food. Usually freshmen eat at the Caf, and upperclassmen eat at the Bison. 12345 Campus Dining: February 24, 2009 Report

BucEC says: Bucknell University 2011 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities

You get tired of eating the same... You get tired of eating the same things, but they try to mix it up. The Caf offers the most variety, but it's also the most expensive. But the Bison is nice if you're looking for something quick to eat on the way to class. 12345 Campus Dining: February 23, 2009 Report

Did You Know?

Every month the Caf has a giant birthday cake to celebrate that month’s birthdays, and a couple times a year the Caf will have a theme night, which range from Carnival night to Hawaiian night. There’s also always special food to celebrate all of the different holidays throughout the year. Parents can send their child a gift basket for a variety of occasions from birthdays to sick days. All of the food in the baskets is prepared by Dining Services.

Dining dollars are held in a debit card-like account—a convenient no-cash way of buying meals and snacks. Dining dollars can be used at any campus dining location.

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