UMass Dining Halls: An Overview

Content

When discussing future blog posts to highlight student life, my love of food became the focal point of the conversation. I have written about food in most of my projects about my daily life. Although food is important for my survival, it has evolved into something greater than a basic necessity. In my opinion, food is the most important element of a culture, the ultimate builder of community, and it’s delicious.

As a result of this prevalent love for the culinary arts, I have been asked to play amateur food critic and provide my reviews of the four dining halls. I have spent a week visiting each dining hall for different meals and have compiled my thoughts. I should note that this is my opinion, and commenting on the dining halls may provoke bitter rivalries among the fans of each dining hall.

Hampshire:

Located in the center of Southwest, it is the closest to the CHCRC. I often find myself coming here simply because of its convenient proximity. This was the first dining hall I visited after I moved in, and it has not lost its stride. Dinner consisted of a Korean black bean and pork noodle dish, spicy tuna sushi, tangerine chicken, and tofu. However, I’d like to highlight the best part of this meal: the spicy tuna sushi.

What separates good restaurants from bad ones? The atmosphere? The service? The food? Although these are important, nothing tops the people. Think of your favorite restaurants—do you see constant turnover? Places that provide consistent, high-quality service tend to succeed with distinction. Hamp is the standard-bearer for this level of consistency and quality because of its staff. Every time I come in for lunch and order my spicy tuna roll, I see the same ladies serving up high-quality rolls. If I want a good piece of pizza, I see the same group of guys, including the famous “Pizza Joe.” This encapsulates why I love Hamp so much: they have a steady group of people who provide thousands of quality and consistent meals to students every day. Next time you go to Hamp, make sure to thank a dining hall employee for their hard work and dedication.

Worcester:

I have to be honest: I dread going to Worcester. It is always packed, and students love forming lines at every station. It is the poster child of UMass Dining, constantly featured in photos and home to most special events. Even the Boston Globe did a piece on UMass Dining at this dining hall. Worcester is the mainstream. Given that it's “cool” to stray from the mainstream, I tend to avoid it. Yet, when writing this piece, I was obliged to grab dinner here. 

Before I discuss my meal, I must mention an internationally famous pop star: Taylor Swift. She sells millions of records, grosses ridiculous amounts of money at each concert, and has loads of fans ready to battle for her. Personally, I do not understand the appeal. The songs of love and heartbreak do not speak to me, nor do I have an affinity for them. But when “Our Song” plays, I find myself tapping my foot along and singing that captivating tune.

For dinner, I had a Montreal chicken thigh, butternut squash, roasted vegetables, and pasta salad. It was like that Taylor Swift song: it’s not often that I seek out dinner like this, but I enjoyed it so much. Sometimes, I have to get over myself. There is a reason it's the busiest dining hall, with the most events, press coverage, and even its own Boston Globe article. It’s our Taylor.

Franklin:

Did you ever attend a pool party as a kid? After hours of horsing around and breathing competitions, I would build up a hunger that rivaled Joey Chestnut’s hunger for hot dogs. Fortunately, my friend's parents would always provide the one dish that all kids need to grow strong and tall. It wasn’t broccoli or any vegetable my mother forced me to eat, but a sandwich with chips and a juice box on a soggy paper plate. I have vivid memories of eating turkey and cheese sandwiches or cold hamburgers poolside, soaking wet and shivering as I inhaled whatever was on my plate. I would also pull the classic chip-inside-the-sandwich trick, which only enhanced the experience. I long for the innocence and joy these sandwiches represented.

Franklin reminds me of those pool parties. After a long and arduous 55-minute class, where I struggled to complete the day’s connections puzzle, I find myself with an insatiable hunger that can only be cured by a soggy turkey sandwich. This is where the Frank deli comes into play. Lunch consisted of the usual: turkey and Swiss on wheat with spinach, banana peppers, red onions, and pesto aioli, all pressed on that industrial-sized panini press. This was accompanied by fries and a soup to assuage my middle-aged sensibilities.

The first bite always takes me back. Although I am not covered in over-chlorinated water, which enhances the flavor of the sandwich, I still see myself poolside, enjoying the dog days of summer. I don’t know what it is about the Frank deli – it is almost unexplainable. I don't think it has any special or fancy ingredients that I could only find at an Erewhon. The fanciest thing you can put on your sandwich is an “aioli,” which is just a type of mayo. It is a simple and consistent deli, with the same faces, the same quality selection, and the same feeling that takes you back. No one is reinventing the wheel or creating dishes to be considered for the Michelin guide. Amidst the dizzying loop, you find students enjoying their meals in a peaceful and intimate setting, with the added bonus of a healthy scoop of ice cream at the end of their meal. It’s simple, familiar, and consistent food, served every day to thousands of hungry college students who may just be looking to go back to that poolside and enjoy a chlorine-soaked sandwich. All that’s missing is the juice box.

Berkshire:

A fun time will always be had at Berkshire. That is what I tell myself as I trek to the outskirts of Southwest to reach it. Although it is an arduous journey (a ten-minute walk) from Honors, I have made the long trek numerous times for late-night snacks or a relaxing lunch. Being the furthest away from classes, lunch at Berk during the weekdays is always calm and quiet—a welcome respite from the hurried atmospheres of other dining halls. It was on one of these weekdays that I had a simple lunch at Berk. Lunch consisted of cashew chicken, roasted cauliflower, garlic bread, broccoli, and chicken soup. Some may call this selection eclectic; I’d call it like it is. I have the ability to “travel” through different cuisines all in one place, so why not take the opportunity to do so?

After a filling and varied meal, I usually find my way to the dessert section, the most expansive of the four dining halls. As someone with a severe case of a sweet tooth, this makes that long journey worthwhile. I could choose from the dozens of different brownies served, maybe a parfait, cheesecake, cookies, cakes, or the four flavors of soft serve offered. I could also choose a piece of fruit, but what is life without those sweet moments? Berk provides an ample variety, with (at certain times) a relaxing atmosphere, and that little sweet treat to keep you going. Overall, it’s an incredible experience.

Ultimately, the dining halls are more than just a place to eat; they're a vibrant part of our campus life. Every bite tells a story, making each dining hall a delicious chapter in our college journey.