So, you have made the great decision to attend the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Suddenly you are moving out of your home, away from all of her friends, and completely reliant on yourself for your day-to-day needs. You are buying toothpaste and trash bags and getting excited about coupons and surprise sales on fruit.
Congrats, you are officially an adult. Although it may sometimes feel like someone has made a horrible decision to entrust you with this great responsibility, I can promise that somehow you will make them proud.
It all starts with a small but necessary question, what are you going to eat? Luckily you have chosen a university that has many options for you to choose from. No matter where on campus you there are sure to be something to eat nearby.
From dining halls like Wag to on-campus restaurants such as Chick-fil-A we have an array of options to cure those post lecture munchies. I’m going to review these choices today in hopes to help you navigate the eats and not eats of campus dining. I will be including a 1-10 rating with 1 meaning avoid at all costs, and 10 meaning eat there every day.
Dining Hall Choices:
Wagner Hall (WAG) 7/10:
Our first stop on this culinary tour of campus is my personal favorite of the dining hall choices, Wagner Hall affectionately known as WAG. With all of the different stations and different options at the different stations for students to choose from. Cereal bar, waffles, toast, salad bar, sandwich station, pizza, veggie bowls, the grill, and the homemade section that switches up their menu every night for a more personal touch Wag is a good starting point for any new or veteran students who are looking for a consistent breakfast, lunch, or dinner option.
Dub’s Café 6/10:
On the opposite end of campus, we Dub’s Café. Also serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Dub’s has a bi-weekly theme set up for their menu to keep things fresh. They have a great Greek week theme that serves some really good gyros. It’s a good go-to when you’re at the top of campus.
On-Campus Restaurants:
Subway 3.5/10:
If you’re around Fisher and are looking for a quick bite of soggy lettuce and bread that is more depressed than you, stop on into the subway next to the mailroom. Although the smell of processed meat and plastic cheese may seem enticing I can guarantee the puny sandwich that comes across that counter and out of the forever salty workers’ hand, will do nothing but make you wish you had taken the extra 15 steps to chick-fil-a.
Panda Express 2/10:
There are only 2 reasons anyone should willingly eat Panda express
- You are only getting egg roll/ spring roll
- You want food poising so you can a test or work
While this seems to be the only place in the Fisher Union with workers who won’t spit in your food, it doesn’t make up for the 4-day old noodles or the so-called “chicken.”
Chick-fil-a 8/10:
The almost only safely edible food in Fisher Union, Chick-Fil-A. The food is good I honestly have nothing bad to say on that end. The salads aren’t soggy, and the sandwiches are crispy and juicy. However, it is the only Chick-fil-a on earth where it is not their pleasure to serve you. After you get bullied by the workers for asking for extra pickles and spicy chicken, at least you will have a good filling meal. Â
Starbucks 8/10:
The food is disappointing as all Starbucks food is, but the drinks are good, and the baristas are super nice and willing to help you recreate that Tik Tok drink.
Einstein Bagels 10/10:
I love EB! On early mornings when I have to wake up at 740 to get across campus to a 9 am class, the only thing that gets me out of bed is the thought of a bacon, egg, avocado sandwich on a hashbrown bagel with tomatoes and spicy mayo paired with a smoothie, iced coffee, or cold black tea. The staff is busy but very nice and they make your food FAT they do not cheap out on how much they pile on. The place to hit for breakfast.
Dunkin Donuts 6/10:
I use to go to Dunkin Donuts, and then I tried I EB, now I don’t go to Dunkin. They have good coffee and donuts but are slow as molasses and skimp on all of the food. My favorite drink is an iced latte with almond milk, coconut flavor, caramel flavor, and mocha drizzle it tastes like a girl scout cookie.
Mooyah 9/10:
Mooyah has the best burgers, fries, and milkshakes on campus. Even better than cook-out, you can’t change my mind. As much as this writer adores cook-out, Mooyah’s infinite number of topping choices paired with the potato bun and the sweet potato fries blows cook-out out of the water!!! Their chicken sandwiched and vegan burgers also slap.
No matter where you are on campus, you have a lot of amazing options for what to eat. I encourage all of you reading this to venture out onto campus and explore your options. You may be pleasantly surprised.