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Allendale Today
By the People, for the People
GVSU Students Rate Campus Dining Options in 2024 Review
The Lanthorn columnists highlight popular spots, standout dishes, and areas for improvement across Grand Valley State University's diverse dining landscape.
Published on Feb. 16, 2026
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Grand Valley State University students have a wide range of dining options on campus, from homestyle meals to international cuisine, as recently reviewed by The Lanthorn columnists Gabrielle Ray and Jace Perroud. The review covers student favorites like Blue Bistro, Zoca, Panda Express, and more, while also noting areas for potential improvement such as limited hours and questions about ingredient freshness.
Why it matters
This review provides valuable insights into the student experience of campus dining at GVSU, highlighting the importance of convenience, consistency, and quality in meeting the diverse needs and preferences of the university community. It also sheds light on the challenges faced by campus dining operations in balancing popularity, accessibility, and dietary accommodations.
The details
The review covers several key dining locations on the GVSU campus. At Blue Connection, Blue Bistro stands out for its entree meals and popular dishes like the stingin' honey chicken sandwich and Laker bowl, though the cheeseburgers receive mixed reviews. Zoca, offering Americanized Mexican cuisine, is a campus favorite for its convenience and ability to use meal swipes. Feta provides Mediterranean options, with the chicken shawarma pita wrap receiving high praise. Savory Stack, a build-your-own sub shop, is ideal for students on the go. In Kirkhof Center, Qdoba is popular but often crowded, while Ciao's Italian pasta receives mixed reviews on ingredient freshness. On North Campus, The Dish offers a wide selection, including dietary restriction options, though a recent change to late-night options has been met with some disappointment. Fresh Food Company has better food quality but reduced hours that make it less accessible.
- The review covers the 2024 academic year at Grand Valley State University.
The players
Gabrielle Ray
A columnist for The Lanthorn who emphasizes the value of signing up for a meal plan after initially forgoing it during her freshman year.
Jace Perroud
A columnist for The Lanthorn with three years of experience evaluating campus dining, who highlights the importance of convenience and consistency.
The Lanthorn
The student newspaper at Grand Valley State University that published the campus dining review.
What they’re saying
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)
The takeaway
This review showcases the diverse dining options available to GVSU students, highlighting the importance of balancing quality, convenience, and accessibility in campus dining operations. It provides valuable insights for the university to consider as they work to continuously improve the student dining experience.
