I've heard many complaints about the college cafeteria and I've certainly made a few myself. "This pizza tastes like cardboard," I remember saying to my friends on multiple occasions. One of my friends swears to never eat in the cafeteria again because she found a hair in her chicken nugget. "There are no options besides potatoes," I heard another student say.

All in all though, I think Chartwells, the company that Carroll uses for its dining services, does a pretty fair job. My favorite on-campus meals served in Carroll's main dining room are Tater Tot casserole, baby back ribs, (doesn't that sound fancy and so un-college-like?) baked fish, and corn bread.

This is why I still eat at the college cafeteria eight years after graduation. It also helps that the meals are one price for all-you-can-eat.

Another reason is that the staff is very friendly. I know every one of them by name, and most of them know every student by name. There's Jim; he works in Wild Greens. Gert and Sally usually work the cash register and warmly greet people who enter. There's Kari who makes the sandwiches, Tuna, Nicki, Linda, and Chef Mo, who helps me with portion control and managing my diabetes.

I usually eat in the main dining room on Wednesdays and Fridays. At lunch, I sit with Shanna, Becky, and Ally, three Carroll students. I don't like eating alone. It's one of my personal pet peeves.

So, the next time you are craving a stir-fry, an omelette, or a piece of cheesecake, I encourage you give the main dining room a try. Be thankful that you have food to eat. Many college students don't. That's why I still love going to my college cafeteria after college.