Dear Life Section,
I’ve grown tired of my Dining Hall’s meals, but I don’t have a lot of money to spend outside of my RDA for going out to restaurants. How do I spice up my food life on campus?
Sincerely,
Bored Diner
Dear Bored Diner,
The key to keeping your meals interesting is variation. While we can survive on 50-cent ramen packets every night, at some point we crave something different.
If you can’t afford to stockpile groceries in your dorm or apartment, no problem — there are plenty of ways to use your RDA for maximum variety.
Let’s start with the dining halls. As you know, they’re your main meal source if you live on campus. You probably go to the one closest to your dorm or classes but it’s often worth the extra walk to get something you actually want to eat. Dining halls have “Chef’s Selections” planned days in advance so check them out before deciding where to go. For instance, Northside is offering tofu or pork bulgogi with Thai vegetables on Oct. 4.
Each hall has different options for breakfast (if served), lunch and dinner. You can view the menus for each in advance on WSU’s dining website.
When I’m planning to go to a dining hall, I check the menus for Hillside, Northside and Southside. If something catches my eye — like Southside’s Asian options often do — I plan to eat there. But most of the time, I want something fancier than cafeteria food.
That’s where the various on-campus eateries come in. Many accept RDA as payment so it’s just like dining at the halls. Keep in mind, though, they don’t have the 40% discount so be careful with your dining dollars.
In the Compton Union Building, Freshëns smoothies and Carlita’s accept RDA. Their location makes them ideal for a quick snack or meal after class and a welcome change to your routine.
Freshëns Fresh Food Studio, located at the Chinook, also accepts RDA. It’s a great spot for a refreshing healthy meal, which can be hard to come by in college.
My personal favorite, Einstein Bros. Bagels, is perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner — they’re open from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the week, and from 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekends, making them an all-day option. Located below Global Scholars Hall, it’s a great place to mix up your meals.
Southside Market and The Market on Cougar Way both serve as mini grocery stores that accept RDA and offer a 10% discount. The Market on Cougar Way is better stocked so if you live on Southside and haven’t checked it out, I highly recommend doing so. They offer a huge selection of snacks, frozen meals and fresh produce for a choose-your-own food adventure.
Southside still has plenty to offer, though. I get a customized White Lotus drink from the barista stand each morning (get it with pomegranate, kiwi and orange— you’ll thank me later). After 4:30 p.m. every day, they serve Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe milkshakes. They’re a great treat for late-night studying.
Variety in what you eat is essential to feeling good. Take these tips and add some spice to your dining routine.
Sincerely,
The Life Section
