University of Rochester
- Campus Dining

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University of Rochester - Campus Dining - Campus Dining - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.08

Campus Dining

Quick Stats

Average Meal Plan Cost $4590 per year
Freshman Meal Plan Required? Yes
Student Favorites
  • Danforth
  • Douglass
  • The Meliora
  • The Pit
  • Pure Vida

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

The lack of variety and low quality of food are the top two complaints by students. Meliora, the sit-down style dining area is the best of the worst, but they have limited hours, and if you have class during the lunch hours, you’re pretty much out of luck. The Pit is convenient, but it’s the lowest rung on the ladder for food quality. They also changed around the meal plans recently and this, if anything, has made the whole situation worse. The prices also, for what you are getting, make you hand over your ID card at the cash register in disgust. A sandwich and a drink at the Club Express will run you about eight dollars. Many are angry that tuition must be so high, only to be given less-than-mediocre choices for food at high prices. As this happens to be the only half-decent food on campus, it also puts student meal plans at risk of being used up quickly. The cheapest place for food would be the Pit, but here on campus, you get what you pay for, and low prices will mean low quality food.

UR Dining still has far to travel in terms of decent food (and acceptable prices) on campus and satisfied students. The meal plan revamps only translate into confused freshmen, angry upperclassmen, and the same level and quality of food served.

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Rochester Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Campus Dining at University of Rochester

fermata125

Health Care '14

4.2
A-

Snobs will Disagree

Honestly, anybody complaining about the food here is either looking for something to complain about or is a snob who will settle for nothing less than perfection in all areas of their life. I've been here for two years, and sure the food isn't like your mother's home-cooked meals, but it definitely could be a lot worse. The meal plan(s) are what I'm dissatisfied with, but they're manageable if a bit confusing at first.

Douglass and Danforth do not have the worst food in the world, despite what snobs on this website will post. They do their best to cater to all dieting types, including vegan and vegetarian, and more often than not their variety is suitable. Only rarely do I walk into a dining hall on campus and find nothing that I'm interested in eating; each dining hall is bound to have SOMETHING you'll like at any given moment. The food is often very good, actually, though you'll definitely be looking forward to a home-cooked meal after a semester here. The quality is not the best, but you get used to it. And as far as complaints go, I haven't actually heard people complain about the food too much while on campus. Those who do whine about it are those whose exquisite tastes aren't being catered to, and only about 2-3 of my friends here fall into this category. Mostly everybody I meet is fine with the food, though they do sometimes bemoan the quality and the occasional lack of variety.

If you're considering U of R, PLEASE do not let these terrible reviews about the dining influence your decision. If you're a snob who's been brought up on nothing but luxurious meals and refuses to have anything but the best, you'll be disappointed. However, if you're an educated, normal, and understanding college student who's just looking to grab a quick lunch before your afternoon class, you'll do just fine here.

Apr 24, 2012

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Campus Dining at University of Rochester

mile92

Psychology '15

3.5
B

Good, but Need More Options

The food on campus is pretty good. People often complain about Danforth, but I feel like people would complain regardless of the quality or quantity of food. I wish that there was one more dining hall on campus. We currently have two dining halls, Danforth and Douglass. There is also the Pit, which is more cafeteria style dining. A great lunch spot is The Meliora. There is also a Starbucks and several other coffee places on campus.

Mar 18, 2012

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Campus Dining at University of Rochester

kconnell

Chemistry '14

1.9
C-

Is This Edible?

The food is often awful, making you question whether it's edible. The best place on campus is the mel and they're phenomenal but they're only open for lunch. Avoid Douglass at all costs, it is disgusting and the definition of is it edible? Danforth was redone, but there is no consistency, meaning there's no meal that is there all the time in case you don't like the specials, and often time the food is disgusting. The meal plan sucks too, unlimited limits you to Danforth and Douglass, and since Douglass sucks so much have fun at Danforth, (this is especially bad when Danforth has abad night) which makes Danforth really crowded. Try to do all declining so your options aren't limited.

Dec 02, 2011

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User rating for University of Rochester - Campus Dining is 3.5 out of 5 based on 24 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate campus dining on the following topics

Facts

24-Hour Dining None
Off-Campus Places to Use Flex Money Students can use Flex Dollars at several local places including the Distillery
Special Options There is a Kosher deli as part of Douglass Dining Center, and Uncle Dicky’s parks on the fraternity quad on the weekends, with popular cheese fries and other heart-healthy foods.
Did You Know? The saying, "There's no such thing as a free lunch," just doesn't hold at UR. Free pizza abounds in the beginning of the year, and at convocation you are treated to a gourmet buffet set up on the lawn, free of charge.

Dining Halls & Campus RestaurantsWhat's This?

Backstage Coffee House
Location: Eastman Dining Center
Food: Snacks, coffee
Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Connections
Location: Rush Rhees Library
Food: Sandwiches, beverages, snacks, fruit, bagels
Hours: Monday–Thursday 7 a.m.–10 p.m., Friday 7 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m.–10 p.m.

The Corner Store
Location: Douglass
Food: Snacks, drinks, grocery items
Hours: Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–1 a.m., Saturday–Sunday 12 p.m.–1 a.m.

Danforth Dining Center
Location: Susan B. Anthony
Food: All-buffet-style, all-you-can-eat, varying foods
Hours: Monday–Thursday 7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m., Friday 7:30 a.m.–8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.–2 p.m., 4:30 p.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday 10:45 a.m.–2 p.m., 4:30 p.m.–8 p.m.

Douglass Dining Center
Location: Douglass
Food: Wraps, quesadillas, “home-cooked” food, soups
Hours: Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Eastman Dining Center
Location: Eastman
Food: All buffet-style, all-you-can-eat, varying foods
Hours: Monday–Friday 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., 5 p.m.–7:30 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 11:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.

Hillside Café
Location: Susan B. Anthony
Food: Pizza, desserts, sandwiches, coffee drinks, smoothies
Hours: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., 8 p.m.–1 a.m.; Saturday 8 p.m.–1 a.m., Sunday 8 p.m.–2 a.m.

The Meliora
Location: Above Douglass Dining Center
Food: Sit-down with sandwiches, soup, entrees, desserts
Hours: Monday–Friday 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

The Orchestra Pit
Location: Eastman Dining Center
Food: Hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, fries
Hours: Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m., 8 p.m.–12 a.m.; Saturday–Sunday 8 p.m.–12 a.m.

Pure Vida
Location: Lobby of BME/Optics building
Hours: Monday–Thursday 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Friday 7 a.m.–2 p.m.

Southside Market
Location: Ground floor of Kiewiet Tower
Hours: Monday–Thursday 5 p.m.–11 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 5 p.m.–11 p.m.

Starbucks
Location: Third floor ofWilson Commons
Food: Coffee drinks, smoothies, desserts, bagels
Hours: Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–12:30 a.m., Saturday–Sunday 10 a.m.–12:30 a.m.

Wilson Commons C-3 Convenience Mart (The Pit)
Location: Wilson Commons
Food: Blimpie, Bene Pizzeria, Grille Works, convenience store
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–12 a.m., Saturday–Sunday 11 a.m.–12 a.m.

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Hometown
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Major
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