I’m personally a fan of BC’s dining hall food, but even I know it can get repetitive. My favorite way to switch it up is by indulging in BC’s various international options. I’ll admit, I was hesitant to try some of the more “foreign” options for fear of diverging from my usual lunch and dinner routines, but the international offerings have come to be some of my all-time favorite meals. I encourage you to leave your comfort zone of mac and cheese Mondays and New England Classic sandwiches and try some of the delectable international options below.
1. Tikki Masala
Photo by Morgan Pagliocco
The chicken tikki masala bowl in Mac is life changing. This bowl of rice and flavorful chicken (which you can substitute for veggies or tofu) topped with tomatoes, cucumbers, crispy onions, mint, cilantro, and a sauce of your choosing is a must for anyone who needs to make a departure from the salad bar or grilled chicken.
#Spoontip: If you’re obsessed with cilantro like I am, try the cilantro aioli on top. Otherwise, go for the tamarind or tomato chutney.
2. Stir Fry
Photo by Morgan Pagliocco
An option at several of BC’s dining halls, the stir fry station is a great way to mix up your dinner. The best part is that it’s all custom made; you pick out the veggies, hand them to a chef, and they add the meat and sauce and cook it up in front of you. How’s that for service?
3. Chinese Food
Photo by Megan Belanger
Getting Chinese food, especially at Lower, always means a long line. But I assure you, it is worth the wait. I will admit that I ended up spending $17 in order to get dumplings, General Gau’s Chicken, and rice, but it was a solid alternative to spending real, non-dining dollars money on greasy Chinese takeout.
#Spoontip: check out this article to learn how to make an easy Chinese meal on your own so your delivery guy will stop judging you – we’ve all been there.
4. Mexican/Spanish Food
Photo courtesy of Boston College Dining Services
Multiple dining halls, including Stuart and Lower, have weekly Mexican specials including quesadillas, burritos, Mexican bowls, and nachos. There’s a reason the line is always out the door: all of the meal options come with rice and beans, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole and are totally delicious. After the Chipotle norovirus drama, I’m sure BC students can agree that it’s nice to have some good, clean Mexican food within walking distance. If you’re really lucky, you might even get to experience the tapas station in Stuart with some really delicious options.
Tikki Masala Tuesdays are now my favorite day of the week. Take a step outside of your food comfort zone and go for one of these international options – I can guarantee Stir-Fry Saturdays or Mexican Mondays will become a staple for you too.