MiddBlog

At one point in my dreams, Middlebury was a culinary academy. No really, it’s important to get a handle on where and what to eat on campus. Overall, Midd has some excellent choices:

Proctor – As Middlebury most recently renovated dining hall, it also is the greatest in capacity. It’s a bit too slick like Starbucks, but nevertheless this is a first class dining hall. Proctor specializes in its Panini presses. Just remember, use the provided spray always. If Proctor ever puts out a waffle-maker for brunch, use even more spray. That alone will save you lots of embarrassment. Proctor salad bar is back in fashion, offering the most salad options of the dining halls. If you hear students lament the loss of the grandma curtains and hanging plants, just know that the old Proctor could have been a old-folks home in the most charming of ways. If you’re looking for stereotypes, look for Midd’s crunchy granola students to return to dining here but add in the whole host of gourmet students and a handful of former Atwater-goers. The Terrace (notice the capital T) is expansive and now comes complete with tables, chairs, and patio umbrellas. Yes, Middlebury blue patio umbrellas. Take that. And speaking of slick, Woodstove lounge is just classy enough to bring your box of cubans along. Hours: 7Am-2PM, 4PM-8PM. Early birds dine here.

Ross - It will take just three weeks to do a major space upgrade for Ross, upping the capacity considerably. This will eliminate the “pit” in favor of vast rows of tables and chairs. Although dining services has heard plenty about the food line problem, no real solution has been announced. So feel out the ebbs and flows in this high traffic dining hall. If at all possible, go off hours. Ross specializes in Pizza and Mongolian Grille items as well as Sunday brunch omelettes. You’ll probably get more meat and fried food here than other places. If you snag backside outdoor seating in good weather, good for you. Let’s hope Fireplace lounge stays enclosed so that you have a slight shot at having a quiet meal there. Ross will be the only dining hall with hot breakfast so if you need that before class (before 9:30AM, actually), then come here. Stereotyped sports kids (read: jocks) eat here. Hours: 7AM-2PM, 5PM-8PM.

Atwater - Even Atwater is getting a bit of a renovation with the installation of acoustic dampening to help stop you from yelling during lunchtime language tables which will occur here now. Cold breakfast will be served here in the morning until 9:30AM. Then dinners Tues-Sun will be on a as-needed basis because this is the “special events” space. So expect a few more big catered events to take place here at night than before.

The Grille – This is upstairs in McCullough. You pay your own way here. Beware, it’s easy to blow late-night cash here and that’s what makes it a successful business. Sometime in your Middlebury career, most everyone tries a Dr. Feelgood and a Love Me Tender. There are some hidden gems on the menu as well. The lunch/dinner specials are always popular for a pretty good deal. Grille hours change regularly but usually expect it to be open for lunch (gets busy with staff/admin) and weekend late nights until 2AM.

The Juice Bar – This is downstairs in McCullough. You pay your own way here. Want smoothies, espresso coffees, torani drinks, alcoholic beverages? Juice Bar was originally designed as Middlebury’s “bar.” 51 Main does a better job with the alcohol environment nowadays but the Juice Bar goes on strong with the connection to MCAB Pub Nights and small concerts on the stage.

Wilson Cafe - This could be your lifesaver when the Library is just too much to handle. Take a sharp right going into the Library and you’ll find it there. It sometimes has some odd hours but it has a perfect snack/coffee for your study needs. Profs, peer writing tutors, and other academics like to meet here.

The Gamut Room – A lot of people forget this exists in the basement of Gifford Hall. But the student-run space can be a great alternative on a weekday night. Cheap food, homey atmosphere, and some creative murals, performances, etc. It’s a worth a visit to determine if it’s your scene. Yes, it’s pay your own way here too but you’d be surprised how much cheaper it is than the Grille.

51 Main - Located downtown, this is a popular late-night option with music and everything. But it now is open during the day with scrumptious crepes. You pay your own way here but stuff is reasonable if you make it a “night out.” Totally fine for under 21 as well — that’s what makes it great. Many students go for drinks and the particularly good dessert options. Check out their new website!

Dolci – This is a student organization that runs a professional restaurant-style dinner each week on Fridays. This will take place in Redfield Proctor (upstairs) and once a month at 51 Main. This is quite popular so be sure to be on the lookout for how they distribute tickets each week. Free and delicious. Yes, it’s okay to bring a date here.

Snowbowl Lodge – I don’t know too many folks that rely on the snowbowl food when going skiing but when you’re up there waiting for a bus back to campus, sometimes a hot chocolate really is worth it.

FIC – This is dining services headquarters near BiHall with the large catering kitchens but no students will eat here anymore. Look for the former dining spaces to be repurposed.

Rehearsals – Now defunct. Used to be in the lower lobby of the Center for the Arts. They took the sign down and reassigned the staff to other dining locations.

Middkid.com has got you covered for local restaurants off-campus.

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