Rating the Dining Halls: And the Winner is ...

College campus dining facilities have always been a topic of concern throughout the country, and coming to Bloomsburg University I had no idea what to expect. Now that I’m a sophomore and consider myself an experienced veteran in the campus-dining category, I would like to share some of my thoughts and reveal the overall best campus dining hall.

I looked at the five, major eating places on campus: The Italian Kitchen, Husky Lounge, Scranton Commons, Roongos and Monty’s. Let us begin with the Italian Kitchen by saying the name speaks for itself. From pizza to strombolis to any type of wrap your heart desires, this place does it all. Living in Elwell hall my freshman year gave me a good look into the “IK” experience because the restaurant is right across the street. The pizza is thin, crispy and tasty. The wraps and stromboli’s are made well, but the number one concern my fellow students and I have with the kitchen is the incredible wait time during busy hours. Lunch and dinner time should be when the most employees are on duty, but it is almost the complete opposite. Expect to wait at least 20 minutes before they call out your name.

Next up is the Husky Lounge or simply “KU.” KU stands for Kehr Union where the Husky Lounge is located. Here, you can get pastas, sandwiches, burgers, chicken, you name it. The lines are relatively short and the service is acceptable (compared to IK at least). Kehr Union is located more toward the center of campus where it is more accessible to on-campus and off-campus residents. So far, KU easily topples over IK.

What’s next? Let’s see … Roongos. I have to admit though, I’ve only been to Roongos twice in my Bloomsburg career and both times had good, almost great experiences. It’s very accessible, located in the Student Services Center, maintained well and the food is superb. But there is one major downside: the concept of using all flex to pay for your meal. At every other facility on campus, you are able to use your “meal” and whatever is left over is flexed. Due to the limited flex on your card, I am sorry that Roongos has to go to waste like that. It was a valiant effort.

Monty’s, on the other hand is at the absolute top of my list right now. Located on upper campus, it easily has the best food on campus while maintaining a great environment for whoever walks through the door. They house a huge wide-screen television to keep busy while eating the food, and a widely talked about view of the entire campus and mountains behind it. The lines are usually short and the service is quick. So far it seems that I haven’t said anything bad about it and that’s because there isn’t anything bad to say. I have to put Monty’s in first place right now.

Last but certainly not least is the Scranton Commons located in the center of campus. It is by far the biggest dining facility on campus and rightfully so. As you walk through the doors, you are greeted by employees that swipe your card in which you are charged one, count it, one meal and that’s it. The catch is that there is no catch. After that, you will begin your journey around the building picking things up here, maybe a little of this or a little of that. Did I mention it is an all=you-can-eat buffet with virtually unlimited choices. The food is wonderful and it houses enough seats and tables for almost everyone on campus. The lines are rarely long and the service is speedy. You can stuff your face for hours if you want and finish off with ice cream, brownies or cookies in the desert section. I feel bad for Monty’s because they put up such a good fight, but there is truly is no competition with the reigning champ. That is why my pick for best overall campus dining facility has to be the Scranton Commons! Good luck next year to all the other competitors.