Let me start off by saying that I truly love Dana Dining Hall. Many people across St. Lawrence’s campus complain about bland food, and a lack of options and seating in Dana, but they’re missing out.
There are always fresh, healthy options at Dana such as an organic salad bar, fresh fruit to munch on and hot vegetables to eat. Dana also only repeats foods that are loved by students, such as Chicken Parm Night, Taco Tuesday or Stir-Fry Night.
If you’re tired of the food, try new options or combine foods you like and you’ll be surprised with new flavors; after all, the food you eat goes to the same place. Who knew butternut squash soup over rice is delicious, or that balsamic vinegar goes well with pasta sauce, or that eggs, quinoa, and broccoli all taste great together in a salad? Try blending unusual foods and get creative with what you eat!
Dana cooks comfort food. Recipes are taken from over 160 years of student recommendations and suggestions. Some student recipes are even incorporated into Dana’s regular menu, such as my personal favorite, Stacy’s sausage rigatoni.
Want your recipe at Dana? All you have to do is get in touch with a manager and give them a recipe.
Dana has seen significant improvements this semester. New additions to Dana this year include a spice rack, a wider variety of hot sauces, improved tea options, easy-to-access grilled chicken/hamburgers, better gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options, online surveys (accessible through the online menu or the QR codes on tables) about new recipes, more southern-style dishes, and ingredient lists for every food item. Not to mention Napkin Notes, where feedback is read every night by managers and oftentimes incorporated into the menu.
Some of the improvements can be attributed to the new Vice President and Dean of Student Life, Hagi Bradley. When Bradley first ate at Dana, even he thought the food was bland. He immediately incorporated a spice rack and more hot sauce varieties into Dana. Hagi is also responsible for some of the delicious new southern-style dishes at Dana this year, such as the fish-fry, jambalaya, and cajun shrimp.
If you feel like Dana has lackluster seating options, that might just be purposeful. Cramped tables create a community atmosphere and encourage student interaction. If you find yourself stuck without a table, I recommend you ask to join one and make some new friends!
Still not satisfied with Dana? Drive down the road and try Clarkson – their food is far worse.
I’ll leave you with a few of my favorite Dana hacks to spice up your Dana plate that are almost always available to make!
1. Breakfast: MYO French Toast – Place eggs (however you like them) between slices of lightly toasted bread. Top with cinnamon and maple syrup.
2. Lunch: Chicken (or tofu) Parm Bagels – toast a bagel, top with piece of grilled chicken (tofu), cover in marinara sauce, top with cheese (at salad bar). Microwave for one minute to get cheese melted.
3. Mexican Bowl! Throw some rice, corn, chicken, tofu, peppers, onions, beans, chickpeas, lettuce, in a bowl. Top with salsa, hot sauce and cheese. Microwave for one minute to get cheese melted.
4. Milkshakes – fill a cup 2/3 full of ice cream, fill the rest with milk, stir to combine, top with sprinkles. Enjoy!
If you see me around Dana, feel free to ask me about some of my other favorite Dana creations!