Campus dining options can cause anxiety for incoming students. In the rankings for “Best Campus Food” from a 2008 Princeton Review, food from campuses across the country was rated by students, and the Princeton Review uses the students’ surveys to create a best college food rating. LSU is neither on the “Best Campus Food” list nor the “Is it Food?” list, but students seem to be satisfied with the food. LSU freshmen who live on campus are required to buy meal plans their first year. Eric Johnson, kinesiology freshman, said he likes the Pentagon Dining Hall food better than the new 459 Commons dining hall because it is greasier. “I don’t know what they are going to serve, but if it’s a good day, I get excited,” Johnson said. But Noam Platt, architecture freshman, said he leaves the Pentagon nauseated each day. “It feels like I have eaten something I shouldn’t,” Platt said. The Pentagon Dining Hall will be remodeled in the future to resemble the newest dining hall, 459 Commons, said David Heidke, director of Dining Services. Heidke said the 459 Commons is the model dining hall for the University. Dining Services wanted to create a menu with fresher products. Kendra Brumfield, international studies sophomore, said she chose to buy a meal plan her second year. “I like that they have other places you can go,” Brumfield said regarding the different choices within 459 Commons. Brumfield said she does not think the food is better than other halls such as Pentagon, but the new building is a nicer environment to eat in. Devon Wade, psychology sophomore, said he likes the upbeat environment at 459 Commons because it is more of a college style. Wade said he cannot get exactly what he wants to eat, but he likes the food served. The decision of what food is served on the menu in the dining halls is the dining department’s decision, Heidke said. The dining halls have six members on their management staff, which includes an executive chef and a registered dietician. The staff changes the menu based on student feedback and menu popularity, Heidke said. Heidke said when he talks to students about the food in the dining halls, he always asks, “What is something that is not there?” Christina Portier, animal sciences freshman, said she was afraid of how the food would taste when she started college. “My brother said college food was not meant to taste good,” Portier said. “I was pleased to find out the food was good.” She said 459 Commons has more variety than the Pentagon and the food tastes better than Highland Dining Hall’s. Heidke said students pay about $8 a meal.
—-Contact Joy Lukachick at [email protected]