Most dining hall plans will get you a one-way ticket to run of the mill cafeteria food. What is labeled as a "fresh deli sandwich" has probably been sitting there for at least five hours. Each hall has a quaint "café" sort of name to make it feel like you're having lunch with a friend in the city instead of taking a break from 14 hours of studying. But here at Virginia Tech, we came to play. Here is a run-down of our nine on-campus dining halls that are 100 percent satisfaction guaranteed.
Squires Student Center
Not only is every freshman lecture class held in this building, but the mecca that is Au Bon Pain is also housed here. You can get a freshly made breakfast sandwich (which you will undoubtedly wait 25 minutes for, but still), tantalizing salads such as Waldorf and Side Garden and every type of baked good known to man. Also, if you haven't had the English Toffee cookie, we will never be friends.
Also in Squires is Burger 37, Virginia Tech's very own burger joint. While it might take you 15 minutes just to figure out how the menu is organized, the burgers and milkshakes do not disappoint. You can choose from pre-determined burgers or, if you're feeling risky, you can make your own. And if you know what’s good for you, get the sweet potato fries with Old Bay mayo. You read that right. Old Bay mayo.
Owens Food Court
Labeled as the "classic freshman dining hall," Owens is Virginia Tech’s hidden gem. The food ranges from freshly made sandwiches, organically grown veggies, meat and potatoes, spaghetti, Asian food, various desserts, a salad bar and my personal favorite: the freaking quesadillas. If you assume these quesadillas are the kind you could make at home in your microwave, you are severely mistaken. Friends, the Owens quesadilla is a special kind of magic, especially if you order one with a side of the life-changing Chipotle Ranch.
Hokie Grill
As someone who moved to Virginia from the North, I had never experienced the pleasure of having Chik-fil-A until I came to Tech. I can safely say my world changed for the better after having their sandwich and fries. And the Chik-fil-A sauce? Get outta town. It's the stuff of dreams. In Hokie Grill, one can also find Pizza Hut, Blue Ridge Barbecue and Dunkin' Donuts, which is where you will find me every time a new seasonal donut is up for grabs. And don't even get me started on the Big N' Toasted.
Vet Med Café
While I have never been in here myself, I have heard nothing but wonderful things. With a lounge-y atmosphere and menu items ranging from fish tacos to Thai peanut chicken, the Vet Med Café appears to be unstoppable. And they have Peet's Coffee and Teas, the end-all for white girls and engineering students alike.
West End Market
While there are no chain restaurants in West End, the food does not disappoint. You can get pasta with garlic bread seemingly baked by the Lord himself, fresh salads, lobster and steak (and now you're like, what? I know), various desserts, burgers and fries and wraps. What I mean to say is, if you go to West End, you can get a Spicy Asian Chicken Wrap. Or multiple. You should probably get multiple. The Spicy Asian Chicken Wrap is 75% of the reason why I go to Virginia Tech.
D2
The fee to get in is a little expensive, but once you’re there, you’ll feel like you could stay all night. Am I talking about a nightclub? Nope, just the never-ending buffet that is Dietrick’s main dining hall. Here, you can get pizza, Asian food, cookies and snacks, all types of salads, endless brunch (ENDLESS BRUNCH!) if you go on Sundays… the list never ends. Because once you’ve paid to get in you can get as many plates as you want. Of everything. And then you’ll probably go home and lay on your bed in a food coma for about four hours. But it was worth it.
Deet’s Place
Also in Dietrick Hall is Virginia Tech’s own little coffee shop/creamery. You can purchase sandwiches, pastries, coffee and tea, as well as ice cream and milkshakes. If you enjoy giving yourself heart palpitations, you can order a Berserker, which is a milkshake with two espresso shots. And if you are ever remotely sad, go buy pumpkin ice cream. Nothing is wrong in the world when you’re eating Deet’s pumpkin ice cream.
DX
Because Dietrick needed to have another place where you can buy food, there is also the option of DX. Open 'til 2 in the morning, DX is often inhabited by intoxicated lowerclassmen and architecture students alike. There’s a little bit of everything here: mac and cheese, sandwiches, soft drinks, pizza, subs, sushi and they’ve even branched out culturally this year to make Bento Boxes. But if you are someone who enjoys the finer things in life, it will do you good to get yourself an order of Corn Dog Nuggets. You’ll know why as soon as you’ve eaten one.
Turner Place
To say I’ve saved the best for last would be an understatement. Tech’s newest dining hall is nothing short of everything you’ve ever dreamed of. Look to your left and find Bruegger’s Bagels. Look to your right and find Peet’s Coffee, gelato, crepes, freshly made salads, Hibachi grill, and HI, QDOBA IS ON OUR DINING PLAN. QUESO. Go downstairs and find Atomic Pizza, Jamba Juice, and Firehouse Grill where you can get chicken and waffles every Friday morning. I’ve been at Tech going on three years now, and it’s safe to say most of that time has probably been spent in Turner. Because chips and queso. And bagels with pumpkin cream cheese. And spicy crab rolls. And the best hits of the 2000s playlist you could ever ask for.
Shout out to you, Virginia Tech dining halls, for having the best campus food in the nation and for making my stomach so happy every day.
