Working for the dining services on Western Washington University's campus over the past two years has been a good source of income and knowledge when it comes to the best places the eat on campus. There have been many locations that I have worked and haven’t worked, but I have collected a list of tips and hacks for all of you trying to find something delicious to eat without breaking the bank.
1. The Rock's Edge in the Recreation Center.
If you enjoy smoothies and/or coffee, then this is a good place to go. They have a set list of smoothies for you to choose from, but what people don’t realize is that you can customize your own. Switching out fruit is free. I make a delicious smoothie that tastes like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which might sounds gross, but it’s delicious! You order the peanut butter protein but add strawberries and blueberries instead of chocolate. If you’re also looking for a healthier base, you can switch water out for any item, which, with all the fruits blended, is a wonderfully fruity smoothie that isn’t calorie loaded!
2. Buchanan Towers Station.
The BT Station is definitely a walk from campus, so you never really find yourself there (except if you live in BT, of course) and, like myself, a lot of people don’t know that there is a sandwich-making station. In a way, it's like a mini-Zoe’s Bagels. One hack I have for this location is to add cream cheese onto your sandwiches. You replace regular cheese with one of their different flavored cream cheese options and it’s a flavor blast in your mouth. (My personal favorite is the pesto.) They also offer gluten-free options!
3. Panda Express.
A simple tip I have for this location is if you aren’t starving but want a taste of something and don’t want to pay, ask for a sample. Employees at Panda are required to give out samples, which is perfect if you just want a quick bite. To be honest, I’m sure you could get away with sampling almost everything if the line wasn't out the door.
4. Any campus market.
Something that I believe is super underrated is the soup on campus. The soup is cheap, comes with a roll and is actually filling, unlike some -- and there’s always a vegetarian option! You can get a smaller or bigger size, and if you’re like me and love bread, the cheesy bread rolls aren’t that expensive and go great with the soup.
5. Topio's Pizza.
Yes, there is a pizza place on campus, and it's in the Atrium at Artzen Hall. They also have awesome deals. You can buy two slices of cheese pizza and a drink for $5, which is a pretty good deal since their pizza slices are decently sized and taste amazing.
6. Atrium Starbucks.
Live on campus and can't go to the store to buy milk? Go to Starbucks and ask for venti milk with no ice at Starbucks! It will last you a little bit and is cheaper than buying any other milk on campus.
7. Zoe’s Bagels.
Do you love sandwiches and bagels but can't eat gluten? Like BT, Zoe’s offers gluten-free options for their sandwiches, which are a little bit pricier but will help keep your digestive system on track. And, unlike BT, it's right in the middle of campus, making it easy to access from either end.
8. Game days.
When you go to Western varsity sports games, there is an area where you can swipe your Western card. When you do this, you get coupons for things such as a free slices of pizza, free smoothies, free coffee, and more. Take advantage of these! They’re free and everyone loves free things, right?
It doesn't matter how long you've gone to Western; it's never too late to take advantage of these nifty hacks.
