We’ve all been there: sitting in class, stomach growling, and all you can think about is food. The moment the class ends, you dash to the dining hall, only to face a long line and no empty tables. Frustrating, right?
That’s often what happens to me at Braiden Hall, where I believe the food is the best on campus. Living away from Braiden might actually make me like it more because I don’t get tired of the menu.
One day, my friend and I decided to grab lunch at Braiden. We arrived around 11:30 a.m. and were lucky enough to find an empty table. We settled into the middle seats and left our backpacks on the chairs next to the wall.
Braiden has a fantastic selection of food. The RAMwich is a standout, and the desserts—there’s always pie or cake. Plus, I love the quesadillas and grilled cheese they serve.
Its location is perfect, right next to the main classroom buildings, but that also means it gets crowded fast. The throngs of people can make the experience less enjoyable, even if the food is great.
Even though I dislike how busy it gets, I genuinely enjoy the atmosphere at Braiden. There’s always good music playing, creating a cozy vibe. In contrast, The Foundry feels too big and impersonal, while Ram’s Horn doesn’t offer much besides the Mongolian Grill.
As for solutions to the rush at Braiden, maybe we should just eat there less often. I try to go on the earlier side of lunch, usually about once a week.
Back to that lunch with my friend: We were savouring our food and discussing weekend plans when someone asked if a seat was open. I was mid-bite of dessert, so my friend responded. The new guy sat down with his back to me, and I couldn’t help but laugh at how awkward the situation got when he glanced at my phone on the table and handed it back to me like he was caught in a trap.
My friend and I cleared our dishes after finishing our meal. We found the incident amusing, though it was clear the new guy didn’t want to join us. He just had no choice with the crowded hall.
In the end, I can see why Braiden is popular—it’s the best dining hall on campus. So, if it’s not your favorite, consider changing your lunch spot to help lighten the crowd.
