About four years ago, I went to Rowan University's orientation. It was the first time I've stepped foot onto Rowan grounds. Looking back, I thought I was so cool going to orientation and missing school that day, but honestly, I probably looked ridiculously lost. I went on a gorgeous day. The sun was shining so bright, and the breeze felt amazing against my skin. I walked around the campus and instantly fell in love with it. Then, we went to the cafe, also formally known as the Marketplace. That was the first time I tried a Philly cheese steak, and I immediately fell in love with it. From that first bite, I knew I had to go to Rowan. Kinda silly right? But you know what they say, food is the way to the heart.

A month into my freshman year, I immediately saw the difference in the food from orientation. I started to dislike Sodexo, which was the Rowan food provider at the time. It wasn't just me; everyone disliked it. You could literally ask anyone on campus and they would say, "I hate it. The food sucks." Not only was the food bad, the workers were horrible, too. However, it was only the cafe that was bad. The best place to get food at all times was probably Profs (if you don't know what Profs mean, just click out, you're making me feel old!). They made the best Philly cheese steaks, chicken cheese steaks, fries, cheese fries, pancakes, etc. It was definitely the place to eat on campus. Other than that, they would also give you an excessive amount of food, which I personally didn't really mind. More food, more love, am I right?

Fast forward a few years, starting my junior year, Rowan changed their food provider. Yay! Gourmet Dining is the new provider, and it sounded so awesome online (but then again, what doesn't sound awesome online?). They had a rough start, due to the computer system. But you can definitely see the difference in the food. Vegetables were fresher, and the food just tasted better. But that happiness didn't last too long for me, and I'll tell you why. I actually found myself saying, "I miss Sodexo." Never thought those words would come out of my mouth...EVER.

Here are 10 reasons why I miss Sodexo as Rowan's food provider:

1. CHEESE FRIES from Profs!
I kid you not. They tasted just like the boardwalk cheese fries. But now, they don't even have wiz cheese for the cheese fries.
2. The HUGE and delicious cheese steaks and chicken cheese steaks.
Uh, YUM! The cheese steaks and chicken cheese steaks were the freakin' bomb. The portion is big enough for two people. (I always shared mine.) The meat was cooked perfectly most of the time. Now, the portions are so small that you can't share unless you want to starve.
3. The fact that we can get anything with our meal plans without having to pay extra money.
Did anyone notice that we can't get, like, half the meals that they offer?
4. Their chicken quesadillas were the bomb.
OMG, the quesadillas were the best things to get. Not only was the portion big, but it was always grilled to perfection.
5. The late-night take-out from the cafe. (You know, the stuffed shells and personal pizzas. We've all had it at least once.)
Uh, let's not start about the personal pizza. Can you say, BEST. MIDNIGHT. SNACK. EVER?
6. The portions were big enough for lunch AND dinner.
You could literally save half your sandwich for an early dinner all the time. Now, you have to spend more money just for food.
7. They never ran out of food! (Gourmet is always out of something at all times.)
Has anyone else noticed how they're always out of something as simple as cucumbers? Worst part is, they don't restock it until what it feels like a week later.
8. AMAZING WINGS.
Gourmet Dining had wings, too, but then their fryer broke...for a whole semester. Sodexo's wings were always perfectly crunchy, and who doesn't love wings?
9. Let's not get started on the mozzarella sticks...
My roomie always got mozzarella sticks, and I'd always steal hers. Even though it's such a simple dish, it's always so perfectly crunchy and cheesy. Now, it's nonexistent.
10. Lastly, they were ALWAYS stocked on their drink machines!
Don't even get me started about how their machine is ALWAYS down.

If you didn't get the chance to try Sodexo's food, well, I feel bad for you. I guess it's true what they say, you don't miss it 'til it's gone. I'm going to end this article here, before I turn this into a love story.