Find your favorite dining hall
“Fine dining” and “college campus” are typically diametrically opposed statements.
But CU thankfully offers a variety of eats to suit even the pickiest of palettes. The dining halls are scattered across campus, with each offering its own specialty to set it apart from the pack.
And even though the nightly main course is consistent in every hall – if Kittredge is serving chicken cosmos, so will every other hall – there’s still enough to spice up every meal. And if nothing on the menu tickles your fancy, there’s always cereal. Always.
Avoid eating right at 6 p.m., though. You’ll be in for quite a wait, typically.
Kittredge: Located in the Kittredge Commons, this hall isn’t much to look at. The hardwood floors are a bit drab, the tables understated – which can make for a pretty bleak aesthetic during the dreary winter season.
But there’s always the salad bar, with fresh and crispy lettuce, veggies and fruits, along with a few other assorted goodies. Plus, you’ll find grilled burgers and hot dogs on some days for lunch; a top-notch pasta bar on occasion; and some tasty tacos on other nights.
Darley Commons: The line is a bit more awkward than it needs to be, and there isn’t much in the way of unique fare. And it’s only convenient if you live in Williams Village.
But there is a specialty station that typically serves up some pretty killer custom-made dishes.
Plus, it can’t hurt to maybe take a bus ride from central campus and visit some of your pals out in the towers.
Farrand: Farrand is one of the better finds on campus, with a more modern atmosphere, TVs and tons of variety.
Every single day you’ll find pizza, burgers and a sandwich bar. And – get this – it all tastes really good. Even the main courses usually taste a little better in Farrand. Perhaps the chefs just have that special touch.
Libby: The line can get pretty gnarly here, too. But the food. Oh man, the food.
There’s a specialty chef’s station that’ll knock your socks off. In the past, they’ve served everything from custom quesadillas to chicken wraps. Delish.
Sewall: Come for the killer sandwiches. Stay because you can actually get some studying done while you eat.
Sewall is small – and that means it’s quiet, too. It’s a great place to do some last-minute reading or studying while you munch. And the roast beef sandwich or chicken or gyro pita are unlike anything else on campus.
Piazano’s: For all the vegan, hippie-types – it is Boulder, after all – there’s Piazano’s.
Don’t plan on sitting down, as this one’s a grab-and-go for when you’re booking it to class. But they only use organic ingredients here – no pesticides or hormones to be found.
In addition to tasty pesto-chicken personal pizzas, you’ll find pasta, sandwiches, salads and some other vegetarian and vegan eats.
Perfect if you’re in a hurry or just feel like sitting outside in the grass.
