This is not related, but the food they had during orientation was terrible. So prior to moving in, I was dreading the DC food. However, I am pleasantly surprised to like the food here..quite a lot!
Nothing compares to home food because 1) it's home food, 2), it's authentic (insert ethnicity here) food, but for what I consider a giant cafeteria, this DC is pretty darn good.
**Continue reading if you want to know more, if not, you might want to stop here because I have A LOT to say.**
Breakfast always has oatmeal, cereal, omelets, donuts, muffins, make-your-own waffles, fruits, toast, bagels, etc. Bacon, sausages, pancakes (blueberry, banana, chocolate chip, buttermilk, honey nut), waffle squares, french toast, crepes, egg o'muffins, etc. alternate on the menu. I loved everything.
I notice that they try incorporate Vietnamese cuisine - they have "Sizzling Saigon Crepes" aka banh xeo - this is not the slightest bit authentic, but hey, they have shrimps and bean sprouts and pork, and if I get a good plate, a crispy shell. So, good enough for me. They occasionally serve chicken spring rolls with spot-on peanut sauce and banh mi thit. Again, not too authentic, but they hit it pretty close for these two.
Pastas are usually a hit or miss, depends on your taste. They have something called a Burrito Loco, which is their version of Chipotle burritos - your choice of beef or pork, beans, and dressings made into a burrito. Yum!
You can never go wrong with their pizzas. Almost always flavorful with a crispy crust. Their crazy bread (breadsticks) is also pretty good, which is responsible for the long lines at Saucy. Burgers, fries, and grilled cheese are also a safe choice.
I am not a fan of the Mongolian Wok make-your-own noodles, but all of my friends are. However, the already-made meals served here are quite decent - Teriyaki chicken is always flavorful but on the salty side, curry is good, etc.
The salad bar is quite dreamy if you like salads, which unfortunately, I don't. I like my leafy greens cooked, and the DC doesn't always offer that. However, they have decent broccoli and spinach, and I love their baked squash and zucchini. The Blue Onion occasionally serves a yummy Vegetables on Rice platter (eggplants, tomatoes, greens on white or brown rice).
I don't know why the person below said to avoid the Theme Nights..those are the best nights ever! Who cares about the crowds and long lines when the food is especially tasty! Farm-to-College had: good flat-iron steak, juicy roasted chicken, special tomato-sauce fettuccine, special grape pizza, and lots more special entrees. Comfort Foods themes had: heavenly St. Louis ribs, pretty good buttermilk fried chicken, good mashed potatoes, so-so meatloaf, so-so clam chowder, and a delicious and moist vanilla-chocolate candy cake and a strawberry shortcake. Winterfest had: a not-so-good tough steak, yummy ravioli, not as good as other themed meals.
Onto baked goods/desserts - I absolutely love the hot fruit cobbler they serve for brunch. I love their lemon bars even though I typically do not like lemon. The 7-layers bars is scrumdiddlyumptious. Other things I love are their pies (apple, pumpkin, key lime, assorted fruits), and cookies! Also notable, they have bananas flambe and cherries jubilee on certain Make-Your-Own-Sundae Nights..nothing beats hot yummy fruit on a your ice cold ice cream. I didn't name all the desserts, but I pretty much love all of their desserts...gotta watch out for the Freshman 15!
Last but not least, I have got to rave about their fruit varieties! Most people complain about their fruits, but hey, they always have, at the least, bananas, oranges, and 2-3 varieties of apples (Granny, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Pink Lady, rarely Gala, rarely Fuji). When in season, there are red and yellow plums, yellow nectarines, and very very rarely, white peaches. Different varieties of pears pop up now and then. They also frequently have cantaloupe, honey dew melon, and grapefruit. Occasional watermelon, and on more special days, strawberries.
Phew, what an essay. I should go write my actual essay now. read more