For many Notre Dame seniors, the last year on campus is all about ticking off a bucket list. Leah Kern, a senior RA in Farley Hall, is no exception. Her goal? To try every dorm restaurant on campus. Realizing her time was running out, she invited fellow residents in the Farley Hall GroupMe to join her in this late-night adventure. They quickly rallied, turning Leah’s personal quest into a group experience. Now, a mix of 12 to 20 residents joins her on snowy nights and during midterms to explore ND’s late-night offerings.
Leah and her friends take this culinary tour seriously. After each visit, they send out a Google Form to rate the food on a five-point scale. Key factors include food quality, pricing, hospitality, and, most importantly, wait time. “People get upset if they have to wait more than a couple of minutes,” Leah said, highlighting how crucial this factor has become.
Among their favorite spots is Café Far Far, known for its sweet treats, and KeoKitch, famous for its burgers and milkshakes. Leah, who used to be a vegetarian, is now a “choose-atarian” after tasting their offerings. She also mentioned where the team wasn’t impressed, such as O’Neill’s long wait for frozen pizza.
As they continued this food crawl, the experience turned out to be more than just tasting; it became about community. One memorable night at JFam and Dunne featured long wait times, but the group played pool and ping-pong, interacting with passersby and even getting to know Sergio, the student worker handling Dunne’s kitchen solo. It was a reminder that behind every dish are hard-working individuals trying to keep up the pace.
With just six dorm kitchens left to try before graduation, Leah’s journey has become a lesson in seizing the moment. College life can fly by, often overshadowed by assignments and routines. Leah’s experience shows that stepping outside, whether trudging through a snowstorm or sharing laughs with friends, is a vital part of the college experience.
These late-night adventures have led to unexpected moments of connection. “I’ve gained little moments with people,” Leah reflected. It’s these shared experiences that transform a simple food crawl into lasting memories and community.
In a world where college life often feels like a blur, Leah’s dorm food crawl reminds us all to embrace the journey together, step outside our comfort zones, and savor not just the food but the friendships that come with every adventure.
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