I've been thinking about applying to UC Santa Barbara and was wondering about the dining options on campus. I've heard mixed reviews about college dining halls and I'm a bit of a foodie. Can anyone share what UCSB's dining services are like? Are there any standout meals or dining facilities? How does the meal plan work, and are there good options for people with dietary restrictions? Any insights would be super helpful!
UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) has a fairly solid dining scene with a variety of cuisines and options to cater to the diverse tastes and dietary needs of their student body. The UCSB Dining Services operate six dining commons, each with a unique style and a varied menu which gets rotated often. UCSB emphasizes sustainable, locally sourced ingredients, and you'll find a range of options including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and halal.
Some of the dining halls have theme nights, such as Mediterranean or Sushi nights, and also special meals for holidays. For instance, Portola is known for its burgers while Ortega does well with Mexican fare. Plus, the dining halls try to accommodate food allergies and restrictions - there are usually gluten-free and dairy-free options, and most have a section dedicated to vegan dishes.
UCSB offers several meal plans, mainly differing by the number of meals per week (from 10 to 17 to unlimited), and also include some dining dollars for use at the various campus cafes and grab-and-go locations. The plan details, including costs and benefits, can be found on UCSB's Housing and Residence site.
Lastly, it's worth mentioning that one of the perks of being in Isla Vista is the access to a number of local restaurants, coffee shops, and grocery stores, enabling you to diversify your diet or maybe enjoy a meal out with friends from time to time.
Keep in mind, like anywhere, some days will be better than others, and it will depend on your personal preference. But by all accounts, UCSB has made a concerted effort to provide quality food services to its students.
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