The NIU dining halls provide a wide variety of foods for students to eat. Almost every residence hall has a cafeteria in it, all with their own unique qualities. Some dining halls have better food than others, but overall the experience is very similar at each.
GILBERT EAST SIDE CAFE
On the first floor of Gilbert Residence Hall, there is a little cafe, but the big cafeteria in Gilbert isn’t currently open. Having the big cafeteria open would help ease the logjam that can form around the entrance and the elevator doors. Gilbert offers a variety of foods such as breakfast sandwiches, beef and cheddar sandwiches, hot dogs and meatball subs along with other meals.
Gilbert is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and is closed on the weekends. These restricted hours are somewhat of an inconvenience for Gilbert residents. However, one positive aspect of Gilbert’s location on campus is that it is near Lincoln Highway, which has a plethora of fast-food restaurants within walking distance.
NEPTUNE DINING HALL
Neptune Dining Hall is in the center of campus, making it convenient for students to walk there from their classes. Neptune has items such as self-serve chicken tenders, pizza and a salad bar. Neptune is open from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. and then 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, on weekends, Neptune is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
PATTERSON DINING HALL
Patterson Dining Hall is convenient for students who live in Grant Towers, which doesn’t have a dining hall. Patterson offers unique, brick oven pizzas including spaghetti pizza and mac and cheese pizza, along with traditional options like cheese and sausage. Patterson Dining Hall is open the latest, as it is open from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the weekends.
Patterson has a great variety in their hot food section and there is an area where you can get sandwiches. Patterson also has a pasta station where there is an option to add some vegetables in with your pasta before you get your sauce and breadstick.
STEVENSON RETAIL DINING CENTER
When it comes to Stevenson’s dining hall, people talk about Stevenson’s appearance. The big difference between Stevenson compared to the other dining halls is that it is designed to resemble a food court, which makes it interesting to eat at. Stevenson has different stations such as a pizza station and a sandwich station. However, Stevenson’s dining hall is further away than the other dining halls, depending on what residence hall you live in.
Stevenson is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. On the weekends, it is open from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday but is closed on Sunday.
Results from last week’s poll: Which NIU building is the best to take classes at or study?
Barsema Hall – 25%
DuSable Hall – 11%
Swen Parson Hall – 4%
Founders Memorial Library – 37%
Holmes Student Center – 13%
Other – 10%