As any Friars Club tour guide will tell you, Providence College offers quite the array of spectacular dining options for its students. Have you ever been sitting in your dorm room stuck deciding which of the whole five dining options you should partake in? To help make a informed decision, here are comprehensive reviews of all of PC’s fine eating establishments.
Raymond Dining Hall
New York is to America as Raymond is to Providence — the quintessential culinary capital. Its plethora of daily options will overwhelm you as you first walk in, before you pick one of the same four things that you eat every day there. Sample a fine selection of main course options: Chicken (well done), hamburgers (well done), loin of pork (well done), hot dogs (I don’t know how, but well done). Enjoy reiterations of your old favorites as last night’s leftovers are offered the next day in a slightly different format. But the house specialty of this eating establishment is without rival; the weekly Thursday special of chicken nuggets and curly fries is so exquisite, students will wait in a 20-minute line for a mere five pieces of this chicken sent from heaven.
Alumni Dining Hall
Alumni fills the thirst that not even Raymond can fulfill. While Raymond caters to the student’s basal urges, Alumni satisfies that more refined desire in all of us. This hall features five tantalizing counters that you can guarantee will almost never all be open at the same time. The cuisine spans all cultures and palates. Up for a taste of the exotic Far East? Try some slightly suspicious sushi that has been sitting in the fridge for an unspecified amount of time. In the mood for going south of the border? Perhaps sample the Baja grill, a more disappointing yet equally expensive version of Chipotle. The enticing “Take Three” options with tantalize you, leaving you hungry for more (But seriously, I’m still starved).
Sandella’s Flatbreads
Tucked away where no one could possibly find it, Sandella’s Flatbreads is a solid alternative to the usual fare at Raymond or Alumni. They elevate the humble flatbread to accomplish more than anyone could possibly think possible! Flatbread, flatbread pizza, flatbread panini, flatbread breakfast, sandwiches, flatbread burritos! Only thing missing is flatbread napkins for all the flatbread grease.
The Ruane Café
The intoxicating smell of Starbucks Dark Roast drifts down the hall, ovens toasting sesame seed bagels beep. You hear the chatter of 50 students waiting for a freaking caramel macchiato. No, it’s not a Starbucks; it’s the Ruane Café. They “proudly serve Starbucks coffee” to fuel zombie-like civ students on their way to class. You go up to the counter and are baffled. The drinks have the same name as at Starbucks. They use the same cups. The prices are the same. However, deep in your heart and palate, you know that it isn’t. At the very least, the Ruane Café makes civ seminar just a little bit more tolerable.
Flo’s to Go
This unsung hero of the Providence College food scene deserves nothing but praise. The student that has class straight from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. need not starve him or herself until dinner any longer. This take-out station located on the periphery of Ray offers a wide array of nutritive takeaway lunches for the busy student. Enjoy a hot cup of minestrone soup that is completely impractical to travel with or eat in class, or perhaps a salad whose container is far too small to allow you to toss it with dressing. The sandwiches and wraps are a delight to the senses sure to draw dirty looks from your professor as you chew audibly during his lecture.
