College is full of a million and one things to worry about — classes, clubs, maintaining friendships, studying, relationships, and so much more. One thing that should come as a comfort and not an inconvenience is the meals you eat at school. While many of us are used to home-cooked food, restaurants, or our favorite fast food chain from our hometowns, college comes with a new territory we have to explore: the dining halls! UConn is lucky enough to have eight different dining options for students to choose from that specialize in a variety of different meals. I ranked the dining halls under three categories: quality of food, variety of options, and the aesthetic of the dining hall itself. Without further ado, let’s begin!
8. Buckley
Coming in last is Buckley Dining Hall. While this dining hall is great if you are a Shippee or Buckley resident, it’s pretty far from the rest of campus as it sits right next to Storrs Center. Buckley is pretty average with its food selection, serving the staples like eggs and pancakes in the morning, pizza at lunch, and pasta for dinner. The variety isn’t amazing, but if you catch the dining hall on a good day you could be surprised with something new, like shrimp scampi or churros. It’s also closed on weekends, which is a major downside. As far as visual appeal goes, Buckley has windows that border its perimeter, giving an open, light feel to the dining hall. Overall, this is a good option for a residential student in the area or if you have a class close by.
Quality of Food: 5/10
Variety of Options: 5/10
Aesthetic/Visual Appeal: 5/10
7. North
Home to what some might call the “jungle”, North is hit or miss when it comes to food. It’s on the bigger side because of the number of students it has to accommodate and offers a good variety when it comes to different meals. North even has themed nights like the occasional taco night, omelet station, or sundae bar, so those are important to look out for on Dining Paws. It also has classics like hamburgers and hot dogs all the time for those who like to stick to a routine. North is often open until 10:00 pm for those who want a late night bite. The building itself contains lots of space and large windows but is not the most visually appealing dining location you can find on campus. For those who need a quick meal near the science buildings, this is the one for you.
Quality of Food: 6/10
Variety of Food: 6/10
Aesthetic/Visual Appeal: 4/10
6. Towers
I am currently a Towers resident, and the dining hall provides ups and downs when it comes to a good meal. Some days, you’re set up with success. Towers often has an omelet bar for breakfast and themed nights like pasta bar, mac and cheese station, and stir fry Tuesdays being my favorite. The variety here is not amazing, but Towers always has staples like french fries, pizza, and grilled chicken. The dining hall itself is pretty big since it’s a staple for Towers residents and those who live in Husky Village. Towers also has the perk of a grab-and-go station with sandwiches, salads, drinks, and snacks during the late afternoon into nighttime. One of the downsides of Towers is that it’s very far away for those who don’t live there— the stairs up can be a killer. Besides this, it’s a great option on the occasion.
Quality of Food: 6.5/10
Variety: 6/10
Aesthetic/Visual Appeal: 5/10
5. South
Located in what I would call the prettiest part of campus, South is known for its comfort food and Soop Doop wishing you an awesome day. South is great because it has both the casual, comfort food we all know and love and a rotating international station that brings in yummy surprises. South is steady and consistent— you always know that you’ll get a good meal here. It’s not the prettiest dining hall but sits in a beautiful area of campus. It is also amazing if you are a South resident since the dining hall is located inside the residential area.
Quality of Food: 6/5.10
Variety: 6/10
Aesthetic/Visual Appeal: 6/10
4. Northwest
Northwest Dining Hall sits right next to North and looks straight out to Gampel Pavillion. While it’s not my favorite, Northwest has never failed me when it comes to a good meal. Northwest always has some sort of comfort food, like chicken tenders, fried shrimp, stir fry, or pasta that is good for a quick lunch after class. It’s a huge dining hall with lots of space for meals spent with a large group of friends. It also has a corner window section that brings in bright light to elevate your mood. The dining hall provides for a good amount of variety, so there’s something for everyone here. Check out Northwest if you haven’t already— you won’t be disappointed!
Quality of Food: 7/10
Variety: 7/10
Aesthetic/Visual Appeal: 6/10
3. Putnam
The beginning of the top three is Putnam! Putnam is one of the newer dining halls on campus and has some very cool perks to it. Putnam includes two floors and is one of the more spacious places to eat on campus. Though it is located far from the main campus, its food is consistently good and includes cool options like a smoothie bar and build-your-own grain bowl. The dining hall is also very pretty— it has a cool modern design with hanging light fixtures that make the space warm and inviting. If you are in the area and need a quick meal, Putnam is worth stopping by!
Quality of Food: 7/10
Variety: 7/10
Aesthetic/Visual Appeal: 8/10
2. McMahon
Coming in second is the legendary McMahon. It seems like everyone on campus either loves McMahon or thinks it’s incredibly overrated. I think it’s an amazing place to enjoy an awesome meal. McMahon is known for its oven brick pizza that is delicious, along with its international cuisine that is served to you. It also has a wide ice cream selection and salad bar, along with lots of options for sodas, teas, and juices. It’s open for late night, so be prepared for long lines and lots of people on a school night. McMahon is also located very close to the main campus, so if you have a class at McHugh, the ITE building, or are studying at Homer Babbidge, you are not far from a quick, delicious bite.
Quality of Food: 9/10
Variety: 7/10
Aesthetic/Visual Appeal: 7/10
1. Whitney
All hail Whitney Dining Hall! While this definitely is not everyone’s favorite, I believe it’s the best dining hall UConn has on campus. Whitney itself is gorgeous, and it feels like you’ve just stepped into the set for a food network cooking show. It has a homey kitchen-like feel that brings me back to memories from my own kitchen. It is well-lit and bright with windows that look out to lots of trees.
Along with the amazing appearance, the food accommodates vegan and vegetarian lifestyles but also has options for meat lovers, too. While Whitney lacks in variety, the food choices are always intriguing and flavorful, making the limited options worth it. Whitney also has a juice bar, salad bar, and cafe area of seating with cozy chairs and dimmer lighting for eating and studying at the same time. On top of it all, the student-curated playlist brings a chill, happy vibe to the dining hall! What’s not to love? Though it’s located in East Campus, which can be far for some, the trip is worth it if you are looking to try something new.
Quality of Food: 10/10
Variety: 6/10
Aesthetic/Visual Appeal: 10/10
Conclusion
After exploring every dining hall at UConn, it’s clear to see that some are better than others, but there is something for anyone to appreciate. Our dining halls offer versatile options at every location, and with a little bit of planning, creativity, and looking at the menus ahead of time, you can ensure that every meal you eat at UConn is one you enjoy.