Arianna Dunkley

All First-Years are placed on the Ivy Unlimited Dining Plan, meaning you have unlimited entry to the main dining hall. Known by its nickname, FoCo, the 1953 Commons is the biggest eating hall on campus and a student favorite. After swiping through, you're welcomed into an exciting buffet-style experience with a constantly rotating menu. There are many of alternatives for breakfast, lunch, and supper. Enjoy a leisurely dinner with friends or a fast snack on the run for as long as you like. Every day, a new menu item is added to ensure there is always something to sample. FoCo offers everything from ethnic cuisines to basic comfort dishes. To ensure that everyone can enjoy a great meal, FoCo has specialized stations for kosher, vegan, and gluten-free alternatives. This is especially helpful for people with special dietary concerns.

My favorite breakfast option is the omelettes, my favorite lunch option is the Chipotle Steak Melts, and my favorite dinner option is the General Tso's Chicken with broccoli. On days when I am used to all the options or not particularly fond of the menu, I will make my own salad from the salad bar and vegan section, make a sandwich from the sandwich station (which is AMAZING), or I will grab a bowl of Alfredo pasta. As I just commenced my first year at Dartmouth, the Ivy Unlimited Plan offered me 5 guest passes and $250 in Dining Dollars (otherwise known as DBA). Additionally, you can take a meal to-go from '53 Commons during its operation hours or use a meal equivalence at any of our participating cafés during those hours.

One of my person favorite places to dine on campus is Collis Café (commonly referenced as solely "Collis"). Their breakfast options include a variety of bagels that can be served with fresh eggs cooked to order (whether you prefer them to be fried, scrambled, or in omelette form). Usually, I will order a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel right before going to my first class. If you want to get a bagel, the station opens early and ends right at 10:30am. 

During lunch, Collis offers stir-fry, choices ranging from chicken, steak, tofu, vegetables, eggs, and a variety of different sauces and seasonings. Additionally, there is a lunch special that is always changing to keep things interesting. 

For dinnertime, the pasta station remains consistent, offering students the option of white pasta or grain pasta, the choice of a meat, alfredo, pesto, or marinara sauce, a garlic bread, and vegetables. Occasionally, the dinner specials will feature Korean Bulgogi bowls or burrito bowls. The smoothie and sushi stations are available all day, perfect for a quick, nutritious snack. 

The Courtyard Cafe, housed at the Hopkins Center for the Arts, is the place to go when you're in the mood for something hot and grilled. It's the ideal location for a quick dinner before or after a lesson or performance. The Cafe offers a wide range of delectable dishes, such as salads, sandwiches, quesadillas, and burgers. There is something to sate your appetite, regardless of whether you're in the mood for a substantial dinner or something lighter.

My favorite part of "The Hop" is the Salad Station, where I'll grab a Chicken Caesar Salad to-go. On days when I feel like eating something heavier, I will opt for a burger at the grill station. There is a range of snacks, drinks, fruit, and dessert - the cheesecake and strawberries are my favorite "treats",

To make the most of your dining experience, don't restrict yourself to one dining hall. Some of the options, including the ones at FoCo, can get tiring extremely fast if you aren't creative with your food. Each location offers a variety of specialties that you are bound to like, so try them all! If you have dietary restrictions, FoCo is the best dining hall to moderate your preferences. 

Whether you're a first-time guest, a prospective student, or a regular Dartmouth attendee, these dining hall features will make your time on campus more enjoyable. Bon appetit!