For many college students, eating three square meals a day can be difficult, but campus dining halls provide students with the chance to fuel their bodies. For Seattle Pacific University students, this is Gwinn Commons. With a diverse menu that changes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, there is naturally a debate on which dishes are the best.
First-year psychology major Keegan Haag described his go-to meal.
“I’ve always enjoyed the burgers that Gwinn serves. They’re a classic sort of comfort food thing, and I’ve yet to have a bad one,” Haag said.
With a selection that ranges from ground beef, ground turkey and even a veggie burger made with beans, Haag believes it is hard to go wrong with this staple. There is also a condiments bar where students can choose to add lettuce, tomatoes, pickles or onions.
In addition to burgers, SPU serves a variety of other American items that many students look forward to, including third-year computer science major Kainoa Aqui.
“My favorite food has to be the chicken nuggets. I like them because they’re nice and crispy, and not dry. Some of the condiments I usually have with it are barbecue sauce and ketchup,” Aqui said.
First-year psychology major Jacqueline Badillo recalls a favorable dish which she has been on the lookout for ever since she had it the first time.
“A dish that I particularly loved was the rice bowl with shrimp, the sauce they added to the bowl improved the flavor even more,” Badillo said.
Fourth-year political science and sociology double major Taylor-Rose Moananu expresses her personal favorite selection, which can work as a main or a supplement to a hardy meal.
“Usually I like to get Gwinn’s soup. Gwinn’s soup is really good. I feel like you can never really go wrong with that,” Moananu said.
The dining hall often offers broccoli and cheddar soup, turkey chili and the occasional tomato and basil soup — an excellent complement to Gwinn’s grilled cheese sandwiches.
“There was this one time they made a Kale and Chorizo soup, it was so good. But every time we go back to Gwinn, I’ve never seen it. It just disappeared,” Moananu said. “Maybe they were trying to make something up on the spot and put something together. It’s what I wish they’d bring back.”
Monanu went on to mention a noteworthy improvement to the popular food choice: mac-and-cheese.
“I’m gonna be completely honest, I think they’ve really stepped up their game, ‘cause they started putting this sort of crust on top of the macaroni and cheese, which makes it crispier and more cheesy,” Moananu said.
Needless to say, Gwinn has some delicious options for students if they are found on the right day. Not everything is perfect, but students have found savory and sweet choices that fill their food desires and their stomachs. With the chefs always working to whip up a new recipe, it is challenging to consider a single dish the best.
“There’s a good variety and always something delicious for every day of the week,” Haag said.
