Whether you’re an incoming first year trying the University of Connecticut’s eight dining halls for the first time, a returning student living in a new dorm or looking for somewhere fresh to eat, deciding where to dine on the UConn campus can be a tough task.
Here are 100 words on each UConn dining hall with some tips, tricks and advice on the highlights and drawbacks of each location across campus.
Connecticut Hall
Connecticut Hall is the newest dining hall at UConn, and the lines prove it. With the space still looking new and fresh a few years into operation, the queues at the majority of stations can get long quickly. Popular food options tend to run out even quicker. The convenient location near both Downtown Storrs and the center of campus only adds to the congestion. An earlier trip to Connecticut Hall tends to be slightly quieter and, for some, more enjoyable. The music playing throughout the space and large windows overlooking Mirror Lake help to make the space feel more peaceful.
Gelfenbien Commons
Also known as Towers, this dining hall shares its main flaw with the residence halls of the same name. Tucked in the corner of campus by Horsebarn Hill and the water towers, Towers is a bit removed from the rest of campus. Thus, this dining hall can be a trek to get to from the center of campus, especially during the winter. The food options, including kosher and halal offerings, help to make up for the distance. Action bars like the mac and cheese and stir fry bars are popular, with the outdoor patio being a nice bonus on sunny days.
McMahon
McMahon is unique for several reasons, most notably the fact that the majority of dishes are plated for you by chefs. Best known for offering international cuisine, McMahon is a popular lunch spot due to its location in the middle of campus and directly across from the Student Recreation Center, though lines tend not to get too long, thanks to the pre-plated options. McMahon also stands out for its brick pizza oven, producing what is widely considered the best pizza of any dining hall at UConn, and wider selection of ice cream flavors than most other dining halls.
North
People either love or hate North; there’s seemingly no in-between. Reality is likely somewhere in the middle, and the polarization more a product of overreaction than any actual food-related opinions. The truth is that the food here is just fine. The atmosphere is subpar and it’s mainly utilized by freshmen living in the nearby halls, but the food gets the job done. A safe haven for picky eaters, highlights include a weekly ice cream bar on Wednesday nights, a daily action bar and the consistent offering of dining hall staples like grilled cheese and pizza.
Northwest
North’s next-door neighbor, the four extra letters tacked on at the end of its name are accompanied by slight improvements across the board. The interior is a tad nicer, the food quality is a step up and it’s open until 10 p.m. five nights a week as one of two late-night locations on campus. Northwest can get busy, both with North critics flocking over for refuge and the late-night crowd funneling in as other dining halls close for the evening. Still, ample seating and strong quality of the food makes Northwest an adequate option at any time of day.
Putnam
Tucked behind Werth Tower, Putnam receives steady traffic from the surrounding nearby residence halls as well as the Hilltop Apartments. Characterized by the action bar downstairs that offers omelets in the morning and a rotating menu at dinner during the weekdays, options may include a teriyaki, grilled cheese or pasta bar on any given night. Putnam is the only UConn dining hall with multiple floors. The waits, especially for the action station, can get frustratingly long at night, but there is plenty of seating across the two floors to accommodate the crowd. The smoothie bar at breakfast is another highlight.
South
UConn’s other late-night option, South, has one of the widest selections of any dining hall, combining staples with three to four rotating options every night. Selections may include everything from a Belgian waffle bar to General Tso’s chicken. Located next to Connecticut Hall, South can get busy, but the waits are generally shorter than its newer counterpart. The lines usually move quickly as well, though seating can be hard to find. For early morning risers with an affinity for breakfast, South is also the first dining hall to open on the weekends. Soop Doop, a UConn legend, is another highlight.
Whitney
Whitney can be very hit or miss. Smaller than most dining halls, the space has the feel of a cafe. Some will swear by Whitney and its relaxed atmosphere, but others avoid it due to the lack of menu options. With the menu consisting occasionally of only one to two real options, the best practice with Whitney is to check the menu prior to visiting. That’s especially true with the closest nearby dining halls, Gelfenbien and Connecticut, being about a 10-minute walk away. The vibe may be the best on campus if you can find something you want to eat.