Radford University dining. Some people love it. Most people... well, aren't as enthusiastic. The reality is we all have to eat in order to survive, but most of us are too broke to eat off campus, so we learn to embrace what we have.
By the end of the year, most of us have already experimented with each dining option at least once, and most of us have figured out by now which of them we like, and which of them we don't. Some places are clearly more popular than others.
Here are all of the places to eat on campus, ranked from the worst to the best.
11. Pinkberry
Come on Radford. If you're going to provide frozen yogurt, why couldn't it have at least been Sweet Frog? I'll give credit where credit is due, though, Pinkberry's milkshakes aren't bad.
10. Dalton To Go
Every so often Dalton To Go will provide something really nice like hushpuppies or spaghetti, but for the most part, it's never been all that appetizing to me. But it also stays open an hour later than every other option in Dalton Hall, so it definitely has its upsides.
9. Wild Greens
Okay, every so often I'll desperately crave this place, and I don't even know why. But my taste bud's response to their wraps is inconsistent. When it's bad, it's bad. But when it's good, it's divine.
8. Hissho Sushi
I actually like the taste of Wild Greens better than Hissho Sushi. But, the fact that they always come in clutch by staying open until 2 a.m. on weekends gives them bonus points.
7. Dalton Kitchen
Good old Dalton. Every college has at least one all you can eat cafeteria. And for Highlanders, that's Dalton. Radford students definitely have a love/hate relationship with Dalton. It's all you can eat, but it often upsets our stomachs. They don't have as many options as we'd like, but it's so cheap. I like Dalton; it's part of the Radford experience. But until they switch up the options more often, they're going to stay relatively low on my list.
6. Chick-Fil-A
Chick-fil-a has the same problem Dalton has. There's just not that much variety to it. But the options that it does provide are really good. Delicious milkshakes, sandwiches, nuggets, fries, dipping sauces - they're all good. The food is always fresh, there just need to be more things offered. But it's definitely one of the healthier options on campus.
5. Wendy's
I have Wendy's back home, and I rarely ever went there. But after my first year at Radford, I realized how good it was. They offer many different things to eat, and it's all pretty good. I've always appreciated how Wendy's never freezes their meat. The fries are salted to near perfection. And some moments, a frosty will always hit the spot.
4. Papa Johns
I used to be a Pizza Hut guy. But Pizza Hut isn't a Coke restaurant. How sad. Because Papa Johns is the only chain on campus, I've learned to absolutely love it. Every pizza is well made, and their wings and breadsticks are also good.
3. Muse Lunch
Very good quality food, for the same price as Dalton. I love Muse Lunch, and I wish I ate there more often. They have a good variety, and it's definitely more nutritious than Dalton.
2. Muse Dinner
It costs a lot of money for a reason. It's delicious. Bread sticks with oil really work as an effective appetizer. Every option on the menu is high quality. And those deserts are something you'd never expect from college dining. I'd eat Muse Dinner more often if it weren't so expensive.
1. Au Bon Pain
Ask my friends and they'll tell you. I love Au Bon Pain. Taste, incredible. Variety, check. Healthy, yes. There's not a single item from ABP that I didn't enjoy. It truly is the gold standard of Radford dining.