The viral hype about JMU's newest dining location, D-Hall, is finally slowing down now that endless crowds are ending up there all day every day. After going there myself to see what all of the buzz was about, I honestly wasn't that impressed. Everyone made it seem like I would be walking into some earth-shattering heaven of gourmet meals. However, to me, it felt more like I was walking into a crowded mall food court. Although I felt that my initial expectations weren't reached, I just had to go back, and after a few visits, I've started noticing the pros and cons of D-Hall.

I also realized that no matter your experience, you'll definitely be back.

Since we've all heard such mind-blowing things about D-Hall so far, I'll start off by telling you the cons so you can lower your expectations a little. When the news was released that there would be a new all-you-can-eat section, I was ecstatic. I'm a girl who likes to eat. However, after visiting the second story of the building, where the buffet is located, I found that their food quality was the same as D-Hub's when it existed as a temporary all-you-can-eat hall. While I was never one to complain about the food there, I know that many other students found it to be mediocre.

Another thing that turned me off in the buffet is the lack of station identifications. The signs are small and hard to read. You have to get up close and personal to see what station you're at, and by that point, you just feel obligated to get whatever they're serving.

Another negative thing about the hall is how crowded it is. I went at 11:30 a.m. and it was crowded. I went again at 5 p.m. and it was just as crowded as it was earlier that day. The restaurants on the bottom floor usually have unnecessarily long lines, which I wouldn't recommend waiting in if you're in a hurry.

The last thing that initially frustrated me with D-Hall is how it showcases fewer options for using punches and more options for using dining dollars or cash. Of course, this situation could be considered a pro depending on what meal plan you ended up deciding to have. But, if you're someone like me who tries to save dining and use up punches, your options are limited to specific things at Market 64, Freshens and the all-you-can-eat section, while dining dollars are used for Steak 'n Shake, Qdoba (which totally should've been a Chipotle), Chick-fil-A, and the rest of Market 64.

As much as I've put D-Hall in a negative light, it's time to talk about all the positives, because it really is an exciting place to be. First, the amount of seating in the building is incredible. Both floors are full of tables to sit at, including a ton of outdoor seating. A perk of this is that if there's somebody that you just really don't want to run into, they can easily be avoided.

The hall also has such a big selection of things to choose from. No matter what kind of food you're feeling, they have something for you (which even includes vegan options). You get to choose from Qdoba, Chick-fil-A, Steak 'n Shake, Freshens, Market 64 and the buffet. Although I said that the quality of the all-you-can-eat food is similar to that of D-Hub, there is still an endless amount of stations. I'm talking produce, pizza, burgers, comfort foods, Mexican food, sandwiches, Thai food, desserts, and my personal favorite, corn dogs.

You also can't miss out on Steak 'n Shake's late-night opportunities. To those of us who remember "The Dog Pound" (RIP), D-Hall is your place to go for your midnight cravings. They're open from 11 a.m. to midnight, then their walk-up window is open from midnight to 2 a.m. every single day. So, the next time you're in Carrier at 1 a.m. cramming for an exam, remember that you can walk 5 minutes and get a delicious milkshake to wake you up and keep you grinding.

With all of this being said, you're bound to have a different experience every time you go. The first time you go, you may not like it (or you may love it). However, we all know that you're going to go again because of 1: how hyped up it is and 2: the endless amount of options that will provide you with a contrasting view of D-Hall than the previous time you've visited. My advice to you is to clear your palette of expectations. Don't expect to walk in and be amazed, but also don't expect to walk in and be disappointed. When you leave, you're going to feel like you need to be back, which is exactly why D-Hall is JMU's new dangerously addictive dining hall.