Science, writing, language, DS, So, Hu, classes, scheduling, scheduling, scheduling, scheduling. You’ve been asking upperclassmen for advice, reading this blog for tips, getting emails from your dean. You’ve been using your Blue Book so much that it isn’t even blue anymore. It has accumulated coffee stains, oil blots, and multicolored post-its. And after all that, you still can’t decide between Arabic or French, 120 or 230, Kagan or Bloom.
Well, I’m here to say this: chill. It’s ok. You’ve still got a week and a half of shopping period to decide. In fact, last year I didn’t even open my Blue Book until after I got to Yale. I wasn’t worried about classes or scheduling or even moving in. Instead, I was worried about something that to me was far, far more important — FOOD. It seems that in the hustle and bustle of getting ready for college, we often forget about one of the most dramatic changes college life implies, a change in our dining habits. College life is crazy, hectic, and unpredictable. It’s not something you want to face with an unsatisfied stomach.
So with this in mind, here is a brief guide to everything that is food at Yale after the jump.
1. Dining Halls
You’ve probably heard all about the horrors of dining hall food — cold, stale, inedible and the same every day. But the truth is, Yale food actually isn’t that bad. Yes, sometimes they get it way wrong (I’m embarrassed to be from Cincinnati whenever they serve that horrendous “Cincinnati” chili), but in general the food is warm and decently appetizing, and the menu changes everyday. And if worst comes to worst, there’s always salad and cereal.
Menus for all the dining halls are updated daily at http://www.yale.edu/dining/.
2. Eating Out
No matter how good the dining hall food is, sooner or later you’ll get sick of it. So when you have the time (and money), try to eat out as often as you can. And don’t limit yourself to the places on Broadway. The restaurants in New Haven are all fabulous and delicious. Most the restaurants are within a couple blocks south of Old Campus, but there are a few behind Pierson as well. High-end restaurants like Ibiza will cost over $30 for a three-course meal, but believe me, after two or three months of dining hall food, it’ll be well worth it.
3. Fast Food
One of the great tragedies of life in New Haven is that THERE IS NO CHIPOTLE NEARBY! Yes, my fellow burrito-loving friends, no Chipotle. But if you are willing to walk more than twenty minutes (which believe me, will not happen), there’s McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Sonic, Taco Bell, KFC, etc. All we really have are a dodgy Popeye’s and a couple Subways. Of course, you can always resort to the burrito carts littered about campus, but honestly, they’re no substitute for the pure deliciousness of a Chipotle burrito. While this disappointing truth has probably saved numerous young Yalies from the Freshman Fifteen, places like A1 and Yorkside are here to ensure at least a Freshman Ten.
4. Sushi Palace
I love this place so much that it deserves its own bullet point. $20 (or less) for all-you-can-eat scrumptious sushi, sashimi, tempura and even dessert. Enough said. While it does require a drive to Hamden, it’s well worth it, even if you have to bribe an upperclassmen to borrow his car. But one warning: sushi-eating contests, while they may sound like a good idea, are not advised. Fifty rolls of rice and raw seafood do not sit well in your stomach.
5. Late Night Snacks
I would be a hypocrite if I told you to avoid these (as I go for one just about every night), but truthfully, this is probably the main cause of the Freshmen Fifteen. But if a MATH230 problem set or an ENGL120 essay is keeping you up late and you absolutely need that nourishment, you’ve got plenty of places to choose from. A1, Yorkside, and Ivy Noodle (all near Broadway) are probably the most popular, and Durfee’s has plenty of overpriced food and drinks. But if you want something a bit tastier, GHeav (Gourmet Heaven next to A1) has groceries, warm food, and fantastic subs. Both are open 24/7. Of course, you can’t go through a year of Yale without trying the Wenzel from Alpha Delta.
6. Groceries
Last, but certainly not least, groceries. Durfee’s, while close and convenient, is ridiculously overpriced and understocked. So if you have time after class or on the weekend, head to Shaw’s, the closest supermarket. It’s about a fifteen minute walk west of Old Campus (along Broadway, past the Courtyard), so carrying groceries back can be a bit of a pain. My advice: have your parents take you there when they visit. That way, they pay for everything, and you can stock up on all the cereal, pop-tarts, cookies, and Ramen you need for the semester.