The movie shown at freshman orientation covers the most essential information for life at Boston University: ID cards, activities on campus and the exact recipe for the West Campus burger, which amounts to a grilled cheese sandwich with a meat patty and barbeque sauce in the middle.
Each of the university’s dining halls has its own distinct character, from the updated diner look of West Campus and Warren Towers to the old-fashioned hotel style of Myles Standish Hall.
“Look around you,” School of Management sophomore Dana Mulvaney said, gesturing at the wood paneling and golden chandeliers leftover from the time in the early 1900s when Myles was a hotel. “Myles is just charming.”
The food varies from location to location, but not as drastically as the decor.
“West and Warren have basically the same food, but West has grapes and more desserts,” Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences freshman Marla Wolfe said. “It’s pretty good all around.”
In addition to the West Campus burger, Myles dining hall now has its own exclusive dish: the Myles cake.
“The Myles cake is sort of like a larger latke, only more pancake-y,” College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Leah Denman said referring to the potato pancakes. “When they have them, the cakes are really good. The staff could do a better job of letting us know when they will [serve] the cakes.”
While the food on average is considered good, many students said they tend to eat the same things time after time.
“We hit the sandwich bar pretty hard most of the time,” College of Communication freshman Alex Boyd said.
CAS freshman Jessica Wilkinson agreed.
“It can be hit or miss with the entrees, so I stick to sandwiches,” she said.
Students said consistency can be an issue with food quality.
“About two times a week the entrees will be good, but otherwise they’re pretty iffy,” Wilkinson said.
With the meals receiving mixed reviews, the staff gets high marks, especially in Warren Towers.
“Elvia makes my morning,” COM freshman Emma Breault said of a dining hall staff member. “She always says hello and asks how I am.”
While Campus Dining Services rules prevented the staff from answering questions, they were very helpful with recommending foods to try.
Dining Services was unavailable for comment.
