When it comes to eating on campus, the number of dining options can be daunting. Whether you’re a freshman navigating college for the first time, or a senior who’s had Jimmy John’s for lunch a few too many times, dining in the campus residence halls is an appetizing and often convenient option. Use this guide to find some legendary tried and true favorites on campus.
DUX Bistro in LLC (Meerah Powell/Emerald)
Location: Living Learning Center-North
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Price range: 1-5 points or $1.50-$5.95
What’s there: A build-your-own sandwich bar, salad bar and quick service café. The DUX Bistro is where you can get everything from sandwiches to espresso drinks.
Recommended dish: The chicken Caesar salad at the salad bar. At only three points for a half-salad, you get fresh lettuce, your choice of Italian or teriyaki chicken, croutons and Caesar dressing that’s to die for.
Location: Hamilton Hall
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.- 2 a.m.
Price Range: 1-4 points or $1.75-$5.95
What’s there: Soup, sandwiches, smoothies and espresso drinks. Common Grounds is one of the best places to grab coffee before an 8 a.m. class, or for post-party, weekend fourth meal at 2 a.m.
Recommended dish: The legendary artichoke dip. For three points, you get warm artichoke dip with a side of sourdough bread, perfect for a late-night study break.
Big Mouth Burrito
Location: Hamilton Hall
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Price range: 1-5 points or $1.90-$6.75
What’s there: Tacos, burritos, quesadillas and just about everything that goes with chips and salsa.
Recommended dish: Specialty nachos. For five points, you get an entire meal of build-your-own nachos piled high with delicious nacho cheese and a fountain drink.
Fire N’ Spice
Location: Hamilton Hall
Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Price range: 2-6 points
What’s there: A Mongolian grill stir-fry bar. Customize your dish with your choice of protein, vegetables, sauce, and rice or noodles, then watch as your creation is grilled before your eyes.
Recommended dish: Pad thai chicken stir-fry bowl. For 5 points, you get lo mein noodles, your choice of veggies and chicken grilled fresh to order and topped with spicy Pad Thai sauce.
Gastro Grill
Location: Hamilton Hall
Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m daily
Price range: 2-4 points or $3.75-$7.75
What’s there: All-American diner-style food with everything from scrambled eggs to hamburgers and french fries.
Recommended dish: The fish and chip basket comes with deep-fried fish fillets and some of the best french fries you’ll ever eat for 3 points.
Carson Dining
Location: Carson Hall
Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Price range: 5-6 points or $9.25 to $10.95
What’s there: All-you-can-eat buffet with different items daily.
Recommended Dish: Late-night quesadillas, made with pepper jack cheese and grilled to perfection, are the perfect study break snack. Add Tapatio for maximum flavor.
Fresh Marketcafé in Global Scholars Hall (Meerah Powell/Emerald)
Location: Global Scholars Hall
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Price range: 1-5 points or $1.75-$5.95
What’s there: A quick-service café, sushi bar, pasta bar and deli-style case filled with everything from chicken strips to egg white sandwiches.
Recommended dish: Killer mac n’ Cheese at the pasta bar. Made fresh to order, add pesto to spice up the perfect cheesy comfort food.
Barnhart Dining
Location: Barnhart Hall
Hours: Lunch: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday; Dinner: 5 p.m.-8 p.m., daily; Brunch: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
Price Range: 1-6 points or $1.75-$10.95
What’s there: All-you-can-eat, buffet-style dining, quick-service café, grill and salad bar.
Recommended dish: All-you-can-eat Barnhart brunch. Despite its off-campus location, it’s worth the trek. For five points, you get access to an all-you-can-eat buffet — complete with eggs, waffles, french toast, pastries and more.
For students living off-campus and seeking a dining plan, check out the Ducks Dine On program.
**Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the Emerald’s “Back to the Books” edition, which is currently available in locations throughout Eugene.**
Follow Shelby Chapman on Twitter @ShelbyEm15