Ohio State University - Campus DiningCollege Prowler2.69

Campus Dining:

C+

(explain this grade)

Comparable Schools'
Campus Dining Grades:

Quick Stats

Freshman Meal Plan Requirement

Yes

Average Meal Plan Cost

$1,020–$1,600 per quarter

Student Favorites

  • Fresh Express
  • Marketplace
  • Mirror Lake Café

24-Hour Dining

  • None

Special Options

  • OSU students can use their BuckID cards at some popular local restaurants and dining options. Visit buckid.osu.edu to see a complete list of merchants.

College Prowler Take

Opinions vary regarding the food in the commons, but most are negative. Many students feel they are being ripped off when it comes to how much money they spend for their food. Mirror Lake is undoubtedly the most sought-after place to use your meal plan. Buckeye Express is also a student favorite, but fast food wears on you after a few months. 

Compared to what some universities offer their students, you may get disappointed in Ohio's options, though the school has been adding new options and additional locations to some of its top choices. Mirror Lake is good, but you simply can’t eat subs every day for every meal. The lines stretch outside the door at the beginning of the year, too, though they do eventually get shorter. You and your friends will also find yourselves coming up with totally unoriginal nicknames for Buckeye Express, as well. The one redeeming part of OSU’s dining halls is that the staff is very nice.

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Students Speak Out

Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:

Anonymous says:

The food here is pretty good. The...

The food here is pretty good. The commons, Mirror Lake Café, Oxley’s By the Numbers, and Buckeye Express all take meal plans.

Campus Dining
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Anonymous says:

Dining hall food isn’t...

Dining hall food isn’t terrible—you just have to be discriminating in what you choose. Avoid the meat!

Campus Dining
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h34tfan says:

Ohio State University 2010

Business

Good Choices

A

Plenty of places on and off campus to eat with great food.

Campus Dining: March 16, 2010
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dramachick25 says:

Social Sciences

The food has gotten much better...

The food has gotten much better over the years. If you live on South, Marketplace is really the place to be. Located right below the athletes' dorm (of course), Marketplace has an Asian section, deli, pizzeria, salad and soup bar, and grocery store. I also love Mirror Lake, Oxley's, Burritos Noches, and of course, Buck-Yuck (aka, Buckeye Express).

Campus Dining: July 18, 2009
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BuckeyeGirl says:

Ohio State University 2012

Communication and Journalism

Live by one rule: If you have to...

Live by one rule: If you have to ask what it is, don't get it.

Campus Dining: April 27, 2009
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Dining Halls

Boss Dogs
Grilled options
Baker Commons
Monday–Friday 9:30 AM–3:30 PM

Buckeye Express
Salad bar, deli, grab ‘n go
Baker Hall East
Monday–Friday 7 AM–10 PM

Burrito Noches Café
Mexican
North Commons
Monday–Friday 11 AM–2 AM, Saturday–Sunday 2 PM–2 AM

Courtside Cafe
Breakfast menu, pizza, salads
RPAC
Courtside Cafe: Monday–Friday 10 AM–10 PM

East/West
Pasta and stir fry,
The MarketPlace
Monday–Friday 10 AM–10 PM, Saturday–Sunday 11 AM–8 PM

Grab and Go
Salads, sandwiches, and sushi
The MarketPlace
Monday–Friday 10 AM–10 PM, Saturday–Sunday 11 AM–8 PM

Juice 2
Juices, smoothies, Seattle’s Best coffee drinks, and vitamin supplements
RPAC
Monday–Friday 6 AM–1 AM, Saturday 8 AM–12 AM, Sunday 10 AM–12 AM

Kennedy Commons
All-you-can-eat buffet
251 W. 12th Ave.
Monday–Friday 11 AM–2:30 PM, 4:30 PM–8 PM; Saturday 10 AM–2:30 PM, 4 PM–6:30 PM; Sunday 10 AM–2:30 PM, 4 PM–7:30 PM

Mirror Lake Café
Breakfast, pizza, smoothies, and subs
1760 Neil Ave.
Monday–Friday 7 AM–2 AM, Saturday–Sunday 2:30 PM–2 AM

Morrill Commons - Fresh Express
Breakfast items, deli, entrees, salads, sandwiches, and wraps
Morrill Tower
Monday–Friday 7 AM–10 PM, Saturday–Sunday 10 AM–2 PM, 4 PM–7 PM

North Commons - Fresh Express
Breakfast items, deli, entrees, salads, sandwiches, and wraps
North Commons
Monday–Friday 7 AM–10 PM

Oxley’s By the Numbers
Pizza, salad, and sandwiches
2035 Millikin Rd.
Monday–Thursday 7 AM–7:30 PM, Friday 7 AM–5 PM

Oxley's Restaurant at the Fawcett Center
Entrees, pastas, salads, and soups Fawcett Center
The Fawcett Center
Monday–Friday 7 AM–2 PM

Soup Spot and Fresh Greens
Sandwiches and soups
The MarketPlace
Monday–Friday 10 AM–10 PM, Saturday–Sunday 11 AM–8 AM

Sprouts Café
Vegan and vegetarian
Kennedy Commons
Monday–Friday 11 AM–2:30 PM, 4:30 PM–8 PM; Saturday 10 AM–2:30 PM, 4:30 PM–6:30 PM; Sunday 10 AM–2:30 PM, 4:30 PM–7:30 PM

Stone Hearth
Baked focaccia, baked casseroles, breadsticks
The MarketPlace
Monday–Friday 10 AM–10 PM, Saturday–Sunday 11 AM–8 PM

StreetSweets
Coffee and espresso drinks, pastries, and smoothies
The MarketPlace
Monday–Saturday 7 AM–2 AM, Sunday 10 AM–2 AM

The Campus Grind
Breakfast menu, salads, sandwiches, Starbucks coffee drinks, sushi
Vet Med
Monday–Friday 7:30 AM–2 PM

The Campus Grind
Breakfast menu, salads, sandwiches, Starbucks coffee drinks, sushi
Drinko Hall
Monday–Friday 8 AM–2:30 PM

The Campus Grind
Breakfast menu, salads, sandwiches, Starbucks coffee drinks, sushi
McPherson Lab
Monday–Thursday 7:30 AM–5:30 PM, Friday 7:30 AM–4:30 PM

The Deli
Panini and wraps
The MarketPlace
Monday–Friday 10 AM–10 PM, Saturday–Sunday 11 AM–8 PM

The PAD
Breakfast items, pizza, sandwiches, sushi, and wings
The Drake Union
Monday–Friday 8 AM–1 AM, Saturday–Sunday 4 PM–1 AM

The ViewPoint Bistro
Appetizers, breakfast, entrees, salads, and sandwiches
The Drake Union
Monday–Friday 11 AM–2 PM, 5:30 PM–7:30 PM

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