With the new dining company Sodexo, Washington University’s Dining Services’ gluten-free options have been updated this year.

Washington University has introduced 5 new local restaurants to campus, while also changing pre-existing dining locations such as the Danforth University Center (DUC) and Bear’s Den (BD) dining halls.

While food probably isn’t your priority right now, as a rising sophomore, I find myself looking back on my first year wishing I knew more about WashU food and dorm cooking last fall.

It has been over a month since the week of hectic red move-in carts, kaleidoscopic residential college shirts, and proud convocation chants for the Class of 2026.

WashU has a shortage of dining staff. We need to treat the staff they have with kindness and understanding.

As Dining Services faces supply chain issues and staffing shortages, some students are struggling to find food options on campus.

No matter how many booths are blocked off by blue tape, the people who make BD what it is are still there.

While all dining areas except for the law cafe are open and running, many have reduced hours and have altered processes to fit social distancing guidelines.

The idea of a Philly cheesesteak sandwich made outside the city of Philadelphia just doesn’t sit right with them. I admit, I was skeptical of the Bear’s Den Philly when I first got it. That skepticism faded away two bites in.

Located just around the corner from the City Museum, Hiro Asian Kitchen provides a combination of Asian fusion offerings with a cool ambience, decorative cloud-like lights, a modern stone wall by the bar and private oak wood seating sections.