Southwestern University
- Campus Dining

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Southwestern only offers two on-campus dining choices: the Commons (a traditional cafeteria) and the Cove (more like a snack bar/coffeehouse). Both are located in the McCombs Campus center, and both are catered by Sodexho, a big, corporate-type company. The Cove is really different from the Commons. The Cove is supposed to be a “cool hangout spot,” or at least that’s what the administration wants it to be. They serve really fatty foods, like “Buccaneer Burgers” and “Admiral Wraps.” They also sell pints of ice cream, Starbucks coffee, chips, and pre-made sandwiches. Everything in the Cove is pretty tasty, but it’s about as healthy as fast food. The Cove itself is a cozy place and a hot study spot. There are sofas, booths, several wall-mounted TVs, shuffleboard, and two pool tables—which are all put to good use by the student body. The Cove is mostly frequented by first-years and sophomores who still live on campus.

Lots of guests to the campus are blown away at how fresh and tasty the food is in the Commons. Of course, that doesn’t stop Southwestern students from making fun of it. In all honesty, the food in the Commons is on the high end of the scale when it comes to college dorm food. The chocolate chip cookies are a big favorite among students, and it’s common for people to fill entire styrofoam takeout containers with 20 cookies! The food in the Commons is good enough that after eating it for months, you don’t get incredibly tired of it. However, it is bland enough that one trip to Chipotle will make you realize what you’re missing. SU gains points for having really, really friendly lunch ladies, but it loses points for only having two on-campus options.

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Campus Dining at Southwestern University

laurie333

Sociology '14

4.2

A-

Fresh and Local Options

Overall quality of food: B

Price of food: C

Availability of fresh and local ingredients from school garden: A+

Personally, I think SU students are too critical of the commons food. It isn't the best, but I think students are too accustomed to home-cooked meals our restaurants. It's difficult to mass produce food that can sit out for a few hours on a buffet.

The best (and most overlooked) part is that the salad bar is full of food from our campus garden! What could be more local, sustainable, and healthy than fruit and vegetables that were grown across the street from the dining hall.

Mar 17, 2012

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Campus Dining at Southwestern University

ferrell2

Political Science and Government '13

3.5

B

Commons & Cove

The Commons is the cafeteria on campus. The food becomes very repetitive at times, and leads most people to go off campus to eat. However, it is what one would expect of cafeteria food.

The Cove is the grill on campus. The food at the Cove is actually very good, and it's open until 1am. However, students can't use their meal plans there, and it can become expensive.

Aug 30, 2011

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Campus Dining at Southwestern University

blaqkpupil

Psychology '13

3.5

B

It Gets Old

For the most part the meals and variety of food options at Southwestern are good for the first couple of weeks. However after a month or two of the same salad, sandwich, pizza bar it gets old. The main and spotlight lines include dishes which can be customizable to your taste. Our school does however include many local and organic vegetables and fruit selections in every meal. Brunch is definitely always the best meal on the weekends. Friday dinner - Saturday dinner are the worstl

May 16, 2011

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