Written by Shayna Starr
If you don’t come in expecting much, your taste buds and Northwestern campus food will get along just fine. The dining halls do have specific menus and occasional themed nights, like “Mexican Fiesta” and "Thanksgiving," but the food gets old pretty quickly, especially when you eat at the same place for 13 meals a week. At every meal, there is the standard pasta, pizza, cereal, and salad bar that allows students to get creative when the main entrée just isn’t cutting it. Most dining halls have made-to-order wraps, burgers, and panini sandwiches. Allison Hall has a themed cuisine that changes each day (like stir-fry or tacos); Foster-Walker is known for its omelet bar and burritos; and Willard lets you order your food on kiosks, similar to a real restaurant. In 2011, Northwestern changed its meal policy, requiring freshmen to be, at least, on the 13-meal-per-week plan. Unfortunately, this limits eating options at other places on campus that are not specified dining halls, like Norris, Fran’s Café, or Lisa’s Café. But after freshman year, many students switch to block plans, allotting students more “points” that can be used for any food on campus, at any time.
Select dining halls also offer convenience stores (“C-Stores”), which are similar to a mini-grocery store. Here, you will find little snacks, toiletries, and on-the-go meals for when you don’t have time to sit in a dining hall or want to stock up on treats for your looming all-nighter. The University Library and Kresge Hall have cafés that are great for study breaks or a snack in between classes, and Tech has a secret Einstein Bros. Bagels and Tech Express. While the quality of food may not be the best, you will never go hungry. College students love to eat, just be watchful of the desserts. They always look good but are almost never worth the calories.