Rising sun this, astrology that, let’s talk about the real defining characteristic of individuals on this campus: choice of dining hall. You may be wondering, “Cameron, what makes you think that you can draw broad conclusions about a person based on where they eat lunch?” And to that I say, because I can. Boston College students are wildly predictable (sorry guys, but we are), and their choice of dining hall is a direct reflection of their personality and overall presence on this campus. Below is my complete guide to reading into the soul of every person on the campus based on where they eat lunch.
Lower Live
Lower is for the traditionalists, but in a good way. To be blunt, I would equate Lower Live to the bread-and-butter of the BC dining scene. Those who choose Lower for their mid-day meal are the kids whose parents would pack them turkey sandwiches with a side of chips and a pickle for lunch everyday in elementary school. Searching for that feeling of nostalgia, the Lower Live lunch fans make a beeline for the North End Blend sandwich bar. Sometimes, if they’re feeling adventurous, they will substitute a turkey sub with lettuce and provolone for a chicken parm or steak and cheese presser. And like any good traditionalist, when their friends suggest another spot for lunch, Lower Live enthusiasts will begrudgingly make their voyage down the Million Dollar Stairs alone.
Carney’s Dining Room
If your free spirit calls you to Carney, or what is more commonly known as Mac, you embody the social media-influencer, trend-setter, iced-vanilla-latte motif. You tend to gravitate to what’s new and hot—so recently you’ve found yourself waiting in an insurmountable BC Fresh line just to get your hands on a smoothie and a custom-made salad. You pride yourself on staying current and you’re known within most social circles for having an elite Pinterest board and an inspirational VSCO presence. Although you’re on top of, and sometimes defining the latest trends, you never let that get in the way of staying true to yourself and what makes you happy.
Stuart Hall Dining Room
This goes without saying, but if you’re eating lunch at Stu then you’re most certainly a freshman. Not only are you a freshman, but you’re a homebody. Every morning, while on campus, you dream of the moment when you can finally return to your sweet little home: a quiet booth in Stu. To be frank, you’ve made 1 p.m. lunches with your besties from Keyes and Duchesne West in the Yellow Room a defining part of your personality. Although you spent all summer dreading living on Newton and having to eat at Stu, you know that Upper just isn’t the same.
The Rat
The Rat is the chaotic middle child of the BC Dining family. It’s the sibling that loses their keys, forgets their computer, and breaks their phone all in one day, twice. People that eat at the Rat are emotionally unflappable. They will chug a large iced coffee, eat six nigiri, and pick through a chocolate chip muffin all before 11 a.m. without thinking twice. People that choose to dine at the Rat don’t just go there for the wide variety of lunch options, they go for the unique sampling of BC’s social scene. Think about it—the Rat is probably one of the only places on campus that, on any given Tuesday, you can find athletes, artists, and accountants all in one room. Those who frequent the Rat come for the sushi, but stay for hours “getting work done.”
Eagles’ Nest
If you eat lunch at Eagles’, your mantra is “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” Ever since your Eagle for a Day brought you to Eagles’ on your campus visit and introduced you to the magic that is popcorn chicken and mac and cheese on a “salad bowl,” you haven’t looked back. You thrive on consistency and routine, which is why your friends know that you wouldn’t be caught having lunch anywhere else. Your commitment to Eagles’, despite its inconsistent (at best) operating schedule, is proof enough that you don’t succumb to the allure of short-term trends or the latest fad.
Hillside
If you prefer Hillside, you’re no stranger to romanticizing your life. Something about the hustle and bustle of Maloney Hall at 1:30 p.m. on a Tuesday makes you want to be the best version of yourself. Your deep emotional connection to Hillside stemmed from a love for melted cheese and buttered bread that was nurtured by your family’s George Foreman Grill. Now, the idea of going more than a few days without a New England Classic or caprese panini is enough to shatter your heart and upend your week. Since your Residential Dining Bucks are in a committed relationship with your panini and frip habit, you make the bold, but necessary, choice to skip Hillside coffee.
The Tully Family Cafe
If your favorite movie growing up was Mamma Mia!, or you recently went on a trip to Greece that was “life-changing,” then Tully is the place for you. Ever since Tully opened at the beginning of the semester, you haven’t been able to tear yourself away from the harissa chicken meatballs and the pita chip salad toppings. Who thought of putting pita chips on a salad? Genius! Those who seek out Tully are not only interested in what some may call “a poor man’s Cava,” but they also crave the peculiar aura of chaos, yet calm, that 245 Beacon seems to cultivate. Staring pensively out 245 Beacon’s floor-to-ceiling windows while enjoying an ample serving of roasted red hummus has become the highlight of your afternoon, and you’re dreading the day you run out of ResBucks.
So, next time you’re choosing a dining hall for lunch, be careful, because you’re making a major statement (in my humble, but very important, opinion). And, just in case you were wondering, you can find me in the Rat eating sushi every day for lunch.
Featured Graphic by Annie Corrigan/ Heights Editor
