Battle of the Boston Dining Halls

One evening, while walking back to my dorm with a delightfully full stomach, I wondered: does my school have the best dining hall for vegetarians in all of Boston? If not, which one does? It struck me. This was an important question that must be answered! Therefore, I did some research and digested (punny) the information to create the first ever *cue fanfare *…. Battle of the Boston Dining Halls! Using the same schools that compete in the Bean pot Tournament (Boston University, Boston College, Northeastern University, and Harvard University) I’ve created an in-depth look into the vegetarianism of the Boston area dining halls. The schools are judged on the breadth and quality of their dining options and by a closer look at one dining hall’s menu chosen at random. Let the Battle begin, and may the odds be ever in your school’s favor/flavor!

Boston University Dining Services 

Number of Dining Halls: 3

Other dining options: 35

Special Programs: Sargent Choice, Make a Difference Monday

Awards: One of the Dining Halls, Marciano Commons, is the only 4-star certified university dining room in the country

Opening its’ doors to students in August 2012, Marciano Commons is the newest of Boston University's dining halls. They pay special attention to the non-meat eaters by having one meal station that always serves vegan options, supplemented by other vegetarian and vegan options. Boston University has two special programs that cater to a vegetarian lifestyle: Sargent Choice and Make a Difference Monday. The Sargent Choice program is a collaboration between BU’s dining services and the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. The program creates nutritionally balanced meals and designates them with a special symbol so students can easily identify the options. The Sargent Choice, students can sign up for a Vegetarian Nutrition course to learn about the vegetarian lifestyle. Every Monday in the dining halls, BU hosts Make a Difference Monday which features sustainable dining options including local produce and healthier options. One of the draws of Make a Difference Monday is that it offers more vegetarian and vegan options. 

So how does Marciano Commons, a BU dining hall look? On its Dinner menu on March 19, 2013, Marciano Commons had 25 items marked vegetarian or vegan out of its 40 options. This makes the dining hall 62.5% vegetarian friendly. What are your options?

Rice Noodle Stir Fry

Lo Mein Noodles

Black Bean and Corn Salad

Mushroom and Barley Ragout

Sauteed Zucchini and Yellow Squash

Black Eyed Peas and Corn

Naan Bread

Arugula Salad

Corn & Tomato Salad

Creamy Tomato Soup

Potato Chips

Tomato, Basil, Fresh Mozerella Pizza

Cheese Pizza

Garden Salad

Veggie Burger

Grilled Cheese

French Fries

Create your own ice cream sandwhich

German chocolate bar

Pumpkin pie

Scratch chocolate chip cookie 

Northeastern University Dining Services 

Numbers of Dining Halls: 4

Other Dining Options: 16

Special Programs: You First

Awards: UI Green Metric University Ranking, Princeton Review’s 2013 Green Rating, 2011 Green Business Award, Three Star “Certified Green Restaurant”

Per student request, Northeastern University has begun an initiative to increase vegetarian and vegan options on campus for the student population. On their website they claim “Its not just tofu and veggie burgers anymore,” which is a joy for any vegetarian to hear. In fact, NU dining is dedicated to giving the students what they really want, as seen through their feedback system called You First. Levine Marketplace is one of NU’s dining halls that has amped up their veg offerings. On March 19, 2013 Levine Marketplace had 26 vegetarian options out of the 53 items on the menu, making it 49% vegetarian friendly. Below are the vegetarian options for that day.

Curried Rice and Lentil Soup

Dijon Roasted Potato Salad

Zucchini Ribbon Salad

Penne with Sundried Tomato Pesto

Cucumber and Onion Salad

Cauliflower au Gratin

Herbed Quinoa

Baked Potato

Cheese Pizza – Without Gluten

Roasted Zucchini

Jasmine Rice

Egg Salad Fresh Cut Potato Chips

Sliced Provolone Cheese

Swiss Cheese

Whole Wheat Bread

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Peas and Mushrooms

Red Roasted Potatoes

Garden Burger

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Spinach Ricotta Calzone

Cheese Pizza

Penne Pasta

Hard Fried Eggs

Egg Omelets

Egg & Cheese Omelets

Harvard University Dining Services

Number of Dining Halls: 15

Non-Dining other dining options:

Special Programs: Food Literacy Project

Awards:

Dining Services at Harvard are very different from other schools in Boston. Instead of a few central dining halls and supplementary eateries, Harvard’s dining plan is based on a system of houses. There are 15 dining halls each associated with a specific house (or dorm complex). You may eat at other houses, but there are interhouse restrictions. Harvard believes in the well-being and nourishment of their students and encourages it through special programs like the Food Literacy Project. The goal of the Food Literacy Project is to educate students on how to make informed food decisions. The FLP hosts specials events on campus in order to fulfill their mission. Harvard dining services has an extensive list of vegetarian offerings with 46 out of 58 items on the Menu for March 26, 2013 marked as vegetarian, making Harvard 95% vegetarian friendly. Even if you don’t find something you want to eat on the menu, the Harvard Dining Services website claims that “And, while we have a vast number of offerings each day, we also have an ‘if you don't see it, ask’ policy. You are welcome to whatever is in our kitchen, even it's not on that day's menu.” So what are you options?

Butternut squash soup

Portobello Lentil Pattie with Tomato Basil Salsa

Sticky Rice

Sautéed Collard Greens

Stir Fry Vegetables

Cherry Pie

Irish Mint Frozen Yogurt

Vanilla Frozen Yogurt

Baguette

Spicy Black Beans

Applesauce

Corn Niblets

Edamame Beans

Feta Cheese

HUDS Salad Mix

Hard Cooked Eggs

Peeled Baby Carrots

Red Pepper Hummus

Sliced Cucumbers

Sliced Yellow Peaches

Spinach Salad Base

Suntan Pepper Strips

Tofu

Tomato Wedges

Boca Burger for Grill

Cage-free eggs to order

Cage-free egg whites

Frankfurter rolls

Garden burger

Grilled burrito

Grilled cheese sandwich

Hamburger rolls

Vegan chicken grill patty

Vegan dog

Brown rice

BBQ Korean Tofu

Chopped scallions

Kimchee

Korean Pickled Cucumber

Leaf Lettuce

Broccoli Cole Slaw with Wasabi Dressing

Cucumber Onion Salad

Barilla Plus Multigrain Spaghetti

Wild Rice

Garlic and Fennel Sauce

Red Spaghetti Sauce 

Boston College Dining Services 

Number of Dining Halls: 3

Non-Dining other dining options: 10

Special Programs:

Awards: 2011 Mass. Rest. Assc. Food Service Operator of the Year, 2012 Parents&Colleges.com Ranked #2 in Best Eats, 2006 Ivy Awards, 2004 Silver Plate Award, 2004 Leader in Innovation - Nation's Restaurant News 

Boston College's Dining Services mottos is "Food, Attitude, Customer Service and Teamwork, which shows the student-centric philosophy that goes into their dining plans. BC is very aware of vegetarians on campus. They cater to vegetarians on campus and are even adding new vegetarian options to the spring cycle. One dining hall with great vegetarian options is Lyons Hall. Located on the Quad, Lyons Hall, has a great location for student looking to both grab a quick meal or sit down and enjoy one with friends. It's dinner menu on March 26, 2013 included 11 vegetarian options out of the 31 items, making it 35% vegetarian friendly. Below are the options. 

Vegetarian Entrée Value Meal

Vegan Lentil Stew

Vegan White Bean Escarole Soup

Mediterranean Hummus Sandwich

Tuscan Veggie Sandwich

Vegetable Quinoa Bake

Baked Potato

Basmati Rice

Garlic Spinach

Sticky Rice

Yellow Summer Squash 

....and the winner is....

Harvard's superior level of commitment to nourishing and supporting its students transcends the classroom. This includes making sure the vegetarians at the school are just as satisfied as the remainder of the student body. Harvard's dining services provide a menu rich with vegetarian options. These options go past the typical veggie burger and tofu with meals such as vegan hot dogs and portobello patties. Even if vegetarians don't want what is on the menu, they are free to ask for other alternatives. Harvard's flexibility, range of choice, amount of choices, and commitment to their students welfare is what makes it the winner of THE BATTLE OF THE BOSTON DINING HALLS!!! 

What is the vegetarian experience at your school like?