The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of Spoon University.
American University’s flagship campus eatery gets a makeover for 2024!
The wait is over.
After eight months of planning and construction, Terrace Dining Room (commonly referred to as TDR by students and staff alike) is finally welcoming students back into its newly renovated space. The result: a food hall infinitely more sleek and stylish than before.
University administrators called the project a “complete transformation”. And it was, visually speaking; the upgraded decor is radiant. TDR’s pendulum chandeliers look like they were plucked from the lobby of a boutique hotel.
How is the food? In short: not much has changed.
All the food stations are the same except for a new Kosher section. Fan favorites like omelets, waffles and soft serve remain. Wait times have not improved.
Anyone expecting a major overhaul of the menu will be disappointed. The real change involves the space itself, not the food served inside it.
First impressions
Before renovations, the dining room often felt noisy and crowded. TDR’s new atmosphere is decidedly more serene.
The space is inviting and reminiscent of a hotel’s all-you-can-eat breakfast space. An abundance of comfortable upholstery means finding a seat is no longer stressful. We especially love the new section of booths. It’s a peaceful place to linger and relax.
What’s cooking?
Bowl Life now serves delectable fried rice. It is a dish worth celebrating.
There’s usually a line in front of the rice woks, but it’s well worth the wait. For some protein, diners have a choice between diced chicken and fried tofu. A vibrant array of veggies–bell peppers, broccoli and edamame–are tossed with sweet teriyaki sauce and brown rice. The only issue is that sometimes, the directions for where exactly to order are quite confusing.
This is one of the tastiest menu items TDR currently has to offer.
The most surprising new change (a good one for sure!) is the improvement of the pizza. Even before the renovations began, the pizza section was always the most popular, with slices getting snatched up in a matter of seconds. The crust tastes surprisingly fresh and fluffy, and it had the perfect ratio of sauce-to-cheese. Not to mention, it wasn’t too oily, which is always a good thing when it comes to dining hall food.
On the other hand, probably the biggest disappointment is the disappearance of the pasta bar. Before, it used to be one of the most frequented parts of TDR alongside the pizza section, with 5-10 minute wait times being the norm on busy days. It was customizable; each person could pick between two pasta shapes, had their choice of red, white, or no sauce, and could choose toppings from an array of veggies and meats. This has now been combined with the pizza section; now completely self-serve, students only have the option of penne and choosing between white and red sauce, alongside a prepared pasta dish. While the concept of self-serve pasta is great, in this case, students are getting less value and choice than what used to exist.
Dazzling Dining
It’s crucial for TRD to make a good impression.
This venue usually hosts the first campus dining experiences for freshmen and their families. Welcome to AU! it says. Nothing cures first-day nerves like a good meal.
It’s also commonplace to spot visiting lecturers trying the food, standing out from the crowd in their ties and sport coats. Just don’t expect any celebrity sightings. The most high-profile guests in past years (Obama, Trudeau and Raskin) have opted to dine elsewhere.
Imperfections persist. It can still be difficult to find a fork at lunchtime. Soda fountains still run out of soda on busy days, and the multi-flavor ice cream station got replaced by a soft-serve machine. But even so, it stacks up to a more appealing menu than those offered at other colleges.
When a school has just one dining hall meant to serve 14,000 students, it needs to deliver multifarious food in a respectable setting. With its opulent new interior, TDR accomplishes just that.