Bri Nitsberg | Student Life

When Franklin Delano Roosevelt took office in 1933 in the midst of a watershed moment in American history, he aimed to make as much change as possible in his first 100 days, as the first 100 days would set the tone and standard for the four years to follow (though it ended up being much longer). Starting college is a watershed moment of its own, and your first month can set the tone for your next four years. While others may give advice on how to study efficiently or make friends, I can help with something equally (if not more) important in your first 30 days: finding the best food on campus. 

With 16 dining locations and hundreds of choices presented to you each day, there’s no shortage of options for eating on campus. Yet, most students end up finding something they like the first week and sticking with it the entire year. Your first 30 days will be key in establishing useful habits, so here are some new things to try you might otherwise have missed.

Apple Fritter from LaJoy’s Coffee

Easily flying under the radar of ArtSci freshman reluctant to adventure to the East End of campus, Parkside Café houses LaJoy’s Café, known for beautiful outdoor seating during the warmer months, coffee drinks, and breakfast pastries. More obscure, however, is the monstrous apple fritter served in a large to-go box due to its size. Filled with delicious apples and cinnamon, the doughnut is an absolute standout and worth trying. Just be prepared to eat it in three sittings or risk falling asleep during your afternoon class.

Buffalo Chicken Wrap from the DUC

The DUC truly offers a glut of options, with food from multiple continents and customization options at almost every station. The humble buffalo chicken wrap, however, remains a testament to the adage that simple is best. A flour tortilla, tomatoes, lettuce, onion, and pickle, paired with pieces of fried chicken complemented with buffalo sauce and ranch. With the buffalo chicken wrap, you know exactly what you are getting. And sometimes that consistency is all you need to make it through a long day.

Bread Pudding Muffin from Corner 17

It is unsurprising that Corner 17’s arrival on campus heavily spotlighted the staples which keep it a fixture on the Loop. But the recent addition of the bread pudding muffin to the lesser-known pastry selection is a must-have for those craving something sweet before an early class or a reward for making it through a three-hour lab. The dessert consists of syrup-soaked, cinnamon-coated bread in the shape of a muffin. The key is to heat it up using the microwave nearby, which caramelizes the sugar and elevates the dish to one of the best desserts on campus.

Brisket Plate from Beast Craft BBQ

On a campus filled with historic monuments and beautiful architecture, I am personally most impressed each time I walk by Beast Craft BBQ on the East End. There is something surreal about having a fully functioning barbecue restaurant on a college campus, aided by the fact that the food is just really good. The brisket plate, specifically, is your ticket to classic barbecue fare. Several strips of sliced brisket, two additional sides (the macaroni and cheese is a must-try) and a spread of sauces to douse the meat in. In other words, if you thought that an on-campus barbecue restaurant was too good to be true, you would be wrong.

Despite the overwhelming number of options for each meal, the normal menu will inevitably feel tired over the course of a year. Here are a few wildcards to spice things up.

The Whole Pizza from the Bears’ Den

The pizza slices at the South 40 dining hall, while not bad by any means, have a glaring issue: they often aren’t fresh. However, there exists a cursed technique to get around this obstacle if you are eating with a few friends or want leftovers: directly order a whole pizza. This request will not always be granted, but if it is, you can get a full, freshly fired pie with (occasionally) customizable toppings. It’s like a cheat code for a normally-mundane dining staple. 

Food Trucks On the South 40

You can depend on a few things in college; classes will always start at the same time, and if the sun is shining, there will be a selection of food trucks on the 40 each Thursday evening. These provide not only an option that is consistently delicious, but adds some much needed variety to your rotation (not to mention they still accept meal points). And, while there are a few regulars that pop around once a month, there is a steady supply of new food trucks to keep things fresh.