Photos by: Raphael Fernandez
While Moody Towers Dining Hall and Cougar Woods Dining Commons are staple and reliable places to eat on campus, there are definitely other great options that aren’t the dining hall.
The Den
- Ranking: 8/10
- Price Range: Low-Medium Priced
Depending on what items, the Den can be a fairly cheap night out. While most people go there to drink, the food is awesome. The fries are thinly cut and have just the right amount of salt. The buffalo wings are pretty spicy, but the flavor makes up for the smaller portion size, which starts at five wings.
The Den’s vibe definitely isn’t for everyone, but going at a non-peak time is worth it even for those that may not enjoy a typical bar atmosphere. The food is great but a bit pricier for a casual meal, as my bill came out to around $17 before the tip the last time I went.
Overall, though, the food is worth trying. There are deals every day of the week, with Mondays from 5-9 P.M. having $1 tacos and Sundays boasting $2 breakfast tacos. Using the deals can definitely lower the cost of a meal there.
Domoishi
- Ranking: 6/10
- Price Range: Medium priced
While most people know Domoishi for boba, the menu holds food items like ramen, poke bowls and wings. The establishment newly added a sushi menu as well.
While I’ve only tried the ramen, I’d say it’s a fairly solid option since it’s within walking distance. The prices are fairly mid-range as the ramen is $9 before add-ons, but the poke bowls can get fairly expensive, starting at $14. Overall, Domoishi is a good on-campus option.
McAlister’s
- Ranking: 7/10
- Price Range: Low
McAlister’s can be forgotten as it’s not in the student center with many of the other dining options, but it’s definitely one of the best fast food options on campus. The atmosphere is great for studying if it’s not busy, and the mac and cheese is my personal favorite.
It can also be a healthier option as it mostly has sandwiches and salads. The prices are a bit higher than the other fast food places like Chick-fil-A, but still not too high with a meal averaging about $11-13. With it being closer to the edge of campus, it can also be a nice vibe to get away from the busyness of the student centers.
The Flying Dumpling
- Rating: 8/10
- Price Range: Low-Medium
The Flying Dumpling is in the same shopping center as the Den and is a great option for fresh, good Asian-inspired food. The prices are fairly medium range, as an entree can cost from $11-14. The pork bao is around $4-5, which makes it a nice snack. However, the food is made to order, so it’s definitely not something to grab between classes.
The Nook
- Rating: 9/10
- Price Range: Low-Medium
While the recent renovation of the Nook has been controversial and a sensitive topic for many, thankfully the breakfast food remained the same. It can be a bit on the pricier side with my favorite item, a sausage and cheese croissant, costing $6.
However, it’s worth trying the food. The sausage and cheese croissant in particular is huge and could be shared between two people, so trying the breakfast is a must. Not to mention, the upstairs has a fully developed menu including nachos, fries, sandwiches and more.
There are always options in the student centers that will soon be in the RAD center as well. No one can miss out on using a meal exchange at Panda Express or Mondos. All in all, while the food options on campus can feel limited at times, each place has its specialties that can be a much-needed change from the dining hall.
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