Douglass Dining Hall, or “Douggie,” is on the first floor of Douglass Commons. Arguably the main dining hall, Douggie serves three meals on weekdays, but only brunch and dinner on weekends. The hall boasts a variety of food stations, including one allergen-free and one Kosher. Beware of the lengthy lines for omelets and pasta, and the dessert station, which can be dangerous for the sweet-toothed.
Douggie, with its casual vibe and central location, is an ideal meetup spot between classes or a place for a sit-down meal. The music ranges from top 40 to retro hits and EDM tracks. During peak hours it can be difficult to find a seat, but Douggie is perfect for those seeking something more substantial than a coffee shop.
Danforth, or “DFO,” (pronounced “deef-o”) is UR’s other dining hall. It’s located on the first floor of Susan B. Anthony hall, making it a convenient location for first-years who live there. Danforth does not serve breakfast, is closed on weekends, and has shorter operating times. This might work in DFO’s favor, as the limited hours can make it feel a bit more special than Douglass. While it lacks the allergen-free and Kosher stations, Danforth has a vegan station, a Halal station, and a salad bar. If you are interested in international foods, DFO will be a great choice (though don’t bet on authenticity).
Danforth has a casual atmosphere, but its red-and-white color scheme makes it a bit brighter. The music is toned-down compared to Dougie, but upbeat. DFO is less of a casual meetup spot and more of a destination where you might go to hang out with friends during dinner. If you are in a rush, you can avoid long lines at the salad station, which is the only one with short waits during rush hours.
Grab & Go, is perfect just to grab some food and head to class. It is convenient for first-years since you can grab a bit of everything with one swipe. Open for breakfast and lunch on weekdays, its options include soups, sandwiches, flatbreads, and salads plus bottled drinks, coffee, and tea. With the option to get two swipes a day, many find that Grab & Go is perfect for picking up extra food or drinks to stash away for late night snacking. However, there is only outdoor seating, and the lines are sometimes very crowded. The seating is wonderful towards the beginning and the end of the year, but useless during the blustery winter. But with Rush Rhees and Eastman Quad right around the corner, it is a great option for eating on the run.
The Pit is right next to Douglass on the lower level of Wilson Commons. The Pit has a variety of options and takes swipes after 8:00 p.m. Unlike a dining hall, it is not all-you-can-eat and might be suitable for students with smaller appetites. The Pit has more of a fast-food vibe, with stations serving burrito bowls, pizza, Chinese food (American style), and burgers, fries, and hot dogs.
Often considered part of The Pit is Rocky’s Sub Shop and Lounge, comparable to a combination of a Subway and a sports bar. They serve sub sandwiches made to order. Rocky’s also has a pool table, TVs, and board games, making it an ideal hangout spot after enjoying some Pit food. You’ll also find watch parties and trivia nights here.
While it’s not on the River Campus, the Medical Center dining area is the perfect “getaway” for those needing to mix up their meals. They take declining, and while the fare is similar to The Pit, there is a greater variety of options. This is perfect for students near the Hajim Quad or anyone who wants a break from campus meals without breaking the bank in College Town.
The Eastman Living Centre dining area is across the Eastman Theatre, making it convenient for students attending concerts. The ELC is a combination of The Pit and Hillside Market, with more to-go food packaged food, and snacks. The ELC accepts declining and swipes, but you can usually get more food with swipes compared to The Pit. While the ELC may be more cost-efficient, there are fewer options and the food can be greasy.
Correction (8/21/19): A paragraph describing California Rollin’ was removed as the establishment is no longer at the Simon Business School.
