Whether you live in the dorms or not, there is no doubt that at some point as a student here at OSU, you've eaten at one of the dining halls on campus. And while some of the food tastes barely any different than the stuff you eat at home, there are some "restaurants" that barely pass as edible.
10. McNary Buffet
I will give it to them, sometimes their dinner food is decent, and they do make a pretty darn good stir fry, but the majority of the time, the meals don't look all that appetizing. The eggs tend to look a little runny and the meat a little fake. Skip this one if you can.
9. McNary Pizza
Hidden around the corner from the main eating area, this pizza isn't terrible. Although it is a little cardboard-y and greasy at times, it makes for a good, fast dinner when you're in a rush.
8. Calbaloo's
When you're in dire need of a hamburger, this place gets the job done. However, sometimes the buns can be a little soggy and the burgers come nowhere near anything you'll find at home-- I mean, it is still dorm food. But overall the food isn't terrible, and the fry and milkshake combo still tastes pretty amazing.
7. McNary Rainforest Cafe
This place is good for when you're having a major coffee craving and will literally drink anything. The lattes can get burnt sometimes and they may be a little generous on the syrup, but hey, the baristas are still human. The apple and caramel packs are delicious and they are one of the few places on campus which sells donuts. Donuts.
6. McNary Mediterranean Bowls
I have to hand it to them, the bowls here are actually pretty good. They offer a range of grains as a base (rice, quinoa, ancient grains), along with a long list of meats and veggies as add-ins. Good for when you want a not-so-expensive, light meal.
5. West Salad Bar/Dixon Rec Smoothies
These two are tied because they're both so light they barely count as real meals.
Of all the salad bar's on campus, West's is no doubt the best. The salad is always crisp and fresh, along with having probably the widest range of veggies and dressings to choose from. Plus they offer salads in three different sizes, so you can have one with whatever meal you feel.
Dixon's smoothies are the perfect post-workout snack or just a good afternoon pick-me-up. With a list of about 10 different smoothies, plus boosts like immunity and protein, Dixon's smoothies are the closest thing we have to a Jamba Juice on campus.
4. West Serrano
To satisfy a Chiptole/Qdoba craving without actually leaving campus, this place is perfect. Their quesadillas come with a wheat or white option (for when you want to try to be a little healthier), and they offer a whole range of bowl- and burrito-filler options-- including quinoa.
3. Arnold Teriyaki and Sushi
The Asian food at Arnold is probably the best on campus (sorry, Ring of Fire). I'm not sure if it's because Arnold is the ILLC's dining hall or what, but their sushi always tastes fresh and the teriyaki bowls are filling and are just really, really good. They also offer a range of teriyaki meat options, so you're not just stuck with chicken each time. As a bonus, the sushi is sold in all the little shops around campus, so I mean, it has a good reputation.
2. West Sandwich Bar
Though a sandwich bar may seem a little bland to be this high on the list, West's options take the cake. They offer about 6 different types of breads, as well as a long list of cheeses and meats. After you've opted to get your sandwich toasted or not, you can pick, Subway-style, what sauces and veggies you'd like in your sandwich. This place tastes good anytime of the day.
1. Bing's
With Starbucks-level quality coffees and hands-down the best calzones and breakfast sandwiches on campus (or that I've ever had?), Bing's is without a doubt the best place to get food on campus. Along with their main food options, they also offer other classic cafe foods like cakes and croissants. Always and forever, Bing's rocks.
