Students Call for More Dining Options

Finding alternative ways to feed yourself as you grow tired of dining halls and ramen packets is a rite of passage that almost every college student goes through. 

Unfortunately, the options around the MSU campus do not currently help to provide a solution. Many students on campus here at MSU rely on a meal plan, but where can they go when they inevitably get tired of the same food served week after week? There is a surprising lack of places to eat within close distance to campus, and the options that we do have — while very good — are limited in variety. 

There’s no debate that we do have some incredible food right near campus and by no means do I intend to put down any of the places we’ve got around already. For instance, a Pickle Barrel or Jimmy Johns sandwich, or a Granny’s donut have made me happier than any person ever has. 

However, other nearby places like Storm Castle Cafe, Bridger Brewing and Freshies are expensive, and Taco Montes is only open five hours a day. After conversations with MSU students, it was clear they would also like to see a greater variety in the culinary options nearby. 

Health and human performance major junior Ella Kropf said that when she’s getting food around campus, her first choice isn’t even a typical restaurant or sandwich shop. “I know it’s a grocery store, but Town and Country [is where I go.] I really like how they have the salads and sandwiches for low prices.” While it’s great that students can rely on Town and Country, when the first option around campus is a grocery store, that speaks to a lack of affordable dining options.

Junior civil engineering student Tyler Ray talked  about what the dining experience is like for students on campus. “I definitely get tired of dining hall food. More food places really close would be really helpful because [students] won’t have to drive.” Without access to places further in town, many students on campus have to rely on the surrounding area for food.

This is difficult for students without cars, like freshman mechanical engineering student Calvin Winstead. He can’t drive to town and is limited when he is looking for some variety. “I do really want to see more options within walkable distance from campus,” he said.

MSU also seems to be lacking a bit compared to what other universities have around them. Junior business major Logan Liebert said, “I toured some schools a few years ago and I was really pleased to see a bunch of different restaurants nearby.” The same just isn’t the case for MSU, and Liebert also agreed with the consensus of there being limited dining options near campus. “It’d be nice if we had more variety, especially as a freshman when you’re not living off-campus yet,” Liebert said.

Seeing as they’ve been on campus the longest, it was interesting to see what MSU seniors would like to see as options. “Probably like a bitchin’ burrito place, or a place where you can get a bowl of chili and a big ol’ cinnamon roll,” senior Cole Walters-Schaler said.

Senior business student Henrik Ernst also had suggestions for options he’d like to see around campus. “A gyro, or Mediterranean food option, some more food trucks right near campus. Honestly any of the food options that are downtown, it’d be great to see some closer to campus”.

The demand is clear: students of MSU feel strongly that there should be more variety and accessibility of the food around our campus. The more variety we can include near our campus will make our students happier and the university more appealing to anyone touring. It’s a win-win for both MSU and students, proving yet again that more food options result in more happiness.