One of the outstanding features of the University of Connecticut’s main campus is the number of dining halls we have. There are not one, not two, but eight dining halls in Storrs. During my first semester, every meal felt like an adventure, as I went to new dining halls for the first time and tried various foods. Over time, I eventually gravitated towards certain dining halls more, either for their proximity to my dorms and classes or for their great food, or both. Below I’ll say a quick word or two about the dining halls, covering what I like, and dislike about each one.
Putnam
Putnam’s floor plan is superb, as it manages to feel quite open and fits hundreds of people at a time. The fact it has two floors is a unique feature for Putnam. The variety of seating options available is nice. The food is decent, as I’ve never had anything bad there, and at worst, the food can be bland. To me, Putnam is the most “mid” dining hall out there.
Towers (Gelfenbien)
I’ll admit, Towers is probably my favorite place to eat here at UConn. Even though I have a dining hall two minutes away from me in Putnam, I’m certain I’ve been to Towers more this semester, despite the fact it’s a whole 20 minutes away from me. I have very rarely had any bad meals at towers; everything I’ve eaten there has been banging. I’ve never had omelets or stir fry at the bars in towers, but from what I’ve heard the omelets are great.
South
If they changed out the tables, I’d be willing to put South on par with Towers. While it doesn’t have the hit-rate of Towers for me, I know they will serve good food at South every time I enter. Soop Doop is also a beacon of joy that makes every visit to South memorable for me.
McMahon
The one thing that ticks me off about McMahon is that the food is first served on plates then handed out to people. It makes McMahon look like they’re a high-end restaurant when the food doesn’t really reflect that. I’ll admit, McMahon’s design is cool; I love the dimmed lighting and the abundance of booth seating.
North
North is kind of over-hated; It’s not good but it’s not bad either. North’s appearance is quite dull, as the tables aren’t set out in a unique way and there’s a feeling of sterility all around the food bars like I’m in a hospital. Its saving grace is serving half-decent food, at least during the two times I’ve been there. It’s also the only dining hall where people can write down feedback, which North desperately needs to be honest.
Northwest
Northwest looks better in my eyes because its closest neighbor is North. That being said, I’ll have fond memories of North because I’d go there for late night with friends from Formula SAE. The food is hit-or-miss and there aren’t too many options, but I do have a soft spot for Northwest’s design, with how all the seating areas are designated by low walls.
Whitney
Whitney’s vibes are great; it’s a small, cozy little place tucked into a corner of campus. And when you’re full, you can just head into the café nearby and get some work done – what a great setup! My only qualms are the limited food options and the difficulty in finding seats during busy hours.
Connecticut
The newest addition to this cohort, Connecticut/New South certainly holds its place among one of the better dining halls on campus. It’s incredibly spacious and there are a number of bars available, although people mostly swarm to the world feast bar in my experience. The food is mostly hit-or-miss, and that fact is not helped by long lines that can form. The vibes are immaculate though; they even play music. Plus, the white and grey color scheme stands out.