As many people know, West Chester is a Division Two college that is trying to make its way to Division One, but no one would know this by looking at the food accommodations West Chester provides. Not only are options sparse, but space is hard to come by. For example, Ram’s Head Food Court is supposed to be oriented around getting a meal to go, something quick and easy. However, going into Ram’s Head on most occasions takes at least thirty minutes, especially if you’re going during prime eating hours (so essentially any time after 11 a.m.). In addition to all of this, the only “restaurant” (besides the Starbucks that takes 20 minutes to get through) to eat at WCU is the Chick-Fil-A Express, located in Sykes, that literally only has two options… and don’t even think about asking for more than three dipping sauces because having four sauces is basically the end of the world there. Moreover, there is little room to wait in line in Ram’s Head due to the mass amount of students trying to get something to eat, and because of the horrible layout the eatery is set up in.
That being said, Ram’s Head is not the only food court in West Chester. There is also the infamous Lawrence Dining Hall where you can get anything from pizza to day old lettuce. Don’t get me wrong, Lawrence definitely is not the worst option at West Chester…unless you have to sit through any class that is over 50 minutes with no immediate access to the toilet (Lawrence does things to you, man). Not to mention, if you want any kind of poultry in West Chester you might as well as forget about it. Unless you want the mystery meat of the day from Lawrence, lunchmeat on a sandwich or the sausage from the very rare sausage pizza, then you’re pretty much out of luck.
Just outside of Lawrence you can find Larry’s Market, the best place to get expired Lunchables, and Einstein Bros. Bagels, where the food is delicious and the line is ridiculous (see a theme here?). Einstein’s is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., which doesn’t make a lot of sense because that’s about how long it takes to get your food.
Beyond Einstein’s and back into Sykes is where you find Java City; but don’t get your hopes up for any kind of special smoothie or even a chocolate chip cookie (possibly even the best chocolate chip cookie you’ll ever eat) because they most likely won’t have it that day.
Now, West Chester dining does have one “diamond in the rough” and that would be the Diner. The Diner food is usually pretty good, and it’s open until 1 a.m. making it a great pit stop after a night out; however, its main flaw is the horrible service. On a good day it takes at least twenty minutes to get what you’ve ordered, and it totally isn’t “service with a smile”. That's right, I’m calling out Diner Dan, the man who makes my diner excursions that much worse. The last thing I need when I’m walking into the diner at 12 a.m. after having a horrible night is an attitude from the man I’m simply ordering chocolate milk from.
One final problem at the university is that it is virtually impossible to find anywhere to eat after two a.m. in West Chester. Say I spend all night cramming in the library and come 3 o'clock in the morning I am absolutely starving. What can I do about it? Nothing. West Chester needs a 24/7 restaurant, food truck, or anything inbetween for students who spend late nights working to better their student career.
You see, WCU is good for a lot of things, but their food system is just seriously not one of them. If I said it once I’ll say it ten thousand times, there is no space, not enough food, and not enough options… it’s just flawed-- and don’t even get me started on the meal plan.
