Let’s face it: waiting in the long lines for lunch at Rand can be a pain. Many students also have classes before and after lunch, so the time they have to eat is far more restricted than the other meals of the day. The Rand Dining Hall is one of the most popular places on campus for lunch, but it is far from the only one. Here are the Top 5 Alternative Lunch Spots, so you can spend your lunch break enjoying your food instead of waiting for it.
1. Kissam Munchie Mart
This Munchie Mart located in Kissam is a great place to stop for lunch, especially for those with classes in Wilson and Furman Halls. Open all day from 7:30 AM until midnight on weekdays, the Kissam Munchie Mart allows for much greater flexibility than the traditional dining halls that only open for certain meals. Moreover, unlike some Munchie Marts, Kissam’s offers a large dining space with plenty of tables to meet up with friends.
2. E. Bronson Ingram
For those who attempt to eat at Rand, but find upon arrival that the line is too long, EBI is a perfect alternative. Located near Alumni Lawn, getting here is only a brief walk from Rand. Beyond convenient location, EBI has a few distinct advantages. Unlike most of the other options on this list, Bronson offers a hot, freshly-prepared lunch; however, the lines tend to be shorter here than at Rand. This is also one of the few places on campus that offers an all-you-can-eat style buffet. Just keep in mind that EBI is open for lunch from 11:00 AM through 2:30 PM, so it might not be the best option for those who deviate significantly from a traditional meal schedule.
3. Rand Grab & Go
While the line for a Randwich may stretch out the door, there’s rarely a wait at the Grab & Go stationed near by. Located to the right after walking through the main entrance, the Rand Grab & Go is much faster than waiting for food in the main Rand cafeteria. It is also much better suited for those with nontraditional eating schedules as it is open nonstop on weekdays from 7:30 AM through 7:00 PM (except for Fridays when it closes at 4:00 PM).
4. Suzie’s Central Library – Food For Thought Café
Many first-year students are not even aware of this small café at connected to Central Library; however, it can be a great place to grab lunch or a midday pick-me-up. Open 8:00 AM to 7:00PM weekdays (except Fridays when it closes at 3PM), Suzie’s Food for Though Café offers a soothing contrast to the commotion of Rand. Its location attached to Central Library also makes this a prime lunch stop for those looking to do some studying before or after lunch.
5. Save Food from Commons the Night Before
This one takes a little bit of planning but can be a lifesaver. Some class schedules do not lend themselves well to stopping at any Dining Hall or Munchie Mart for lunch. Thanks to the way the meal plan is set up, an extra meal can be purchased the night before, thrown in the fridge (which most students already have in their dorms), and saved for the following day’s lunch. This option offers the most flexibility in meals as all the options from the Commons Cafeteria and Munchie Mart are available. Saving food from the night before is also the most accommodating to those with difficult schedules as they can eat those meals whenever they want.