You need to free your mind…

Many on campus are divided about which dining hall is their favorite, but you will not find many people who say John Jay. In a world full of Faculty House Snobs and Ferris-cels, I will proudly share that I love eating at John Jay. When I tell this opinion to people, many are shocked and disgusted, but just hear me out.

First of all, the location is perfect. You probably pass by John Jay multiple times everyday. Whenever I get out of my morning class in Hamilton, I love to take a pleasant one minute walk to John Jay, where I know I will have a delicious brunch. I think that some of the other dining halls are too far away for me to justify going there, as the food is not always better on the other side. Last year, I loved going to Grace Dodge. Since they changed the menu, the walk is not worth it for me.

Next, the hours. John Jay has very reasonable hours, making it reliable and convenient. Of course, I am very sad on Fridays and Saturdays when they are closed, but that makes my Sunday John Jay brunch something to look forward to. I appreciate that they don’t open until 9:30 am, as nobody needs to be eating earlier than that. Columbia has so many dining options that are only available for lunch, which can be frustrating at times.

Onto the ambiance. Eating at John Jay feels like the Columbia experience I was promised. I love the large, decorated windows and the beautiful wood paneling. On sunny days, there is a soft glow throughout the seating area. The wooden seats may be a little sticky sometimes, but they remind me of the generations of great Columbia minds that came before me. That is something nobody could ever say about Ferris. It is the only dining hall that still has actual plates and silverware, which I think is crazy! I like eating with a non-plastic fork and off of something that I don’t need to throw away. It feels very warm and welcoming, sometimes because the dining hall is just very warm. Many criticize the giant ACs that will blow you away on your way to get a dessert, but I prefer to see these as a refreshing reminder to live life in the moment. You are also constantly surprised by whatever music is playing, such as hearing Casual by Chappell Roan at 11 am on a Wednesday. Many of my greatest conversations and moments of friendship have taken place within John Jay Dining Hall. Sometimes I would finish eating and chit-chatting, only to realize I had been occupying the dining hall for 2+ hours. John Jay does get very busy around dinner time, but I think there is a thrill that it gives you when trying to claim a seat for you and a friend. Ferris also has a seating problem, and overall Ferris is set up so atrociously that the lines are always anxiety-inducing. While you might have a hard time finding a seat in John Jay, the food lines are never as long as Ferris’s. I am somewhat impatient, and I feel disrespected if I wait 10 minutes in line for something that turns out to be icky.

Most importantly, we should talk about the food. I love John Jay for its variety. I don’t like to eat the same thing everyday, and I feel like they are always trying something new. While not everything will be a hit, they have consistently good stations such as the pasta and salad line. Everyone can agree that John Jay’s salad line is better than Ferris’s. I like being able to portion my greens by myself. They have way more dressings and toppings, and I appreciate again that they switch it up. This allows me to create a new and fun dinner concoction every evening. There are so many more ways to customize your plate in John Jay. Some might call it slop, but I call it a feast. To me, everything in Ferris begins to taste the same. Although I think Chef Mike’s can hit the spot, I cannot eat a sandwich every day (and I am still upset that they took away the soup). I am vegan, and I feel like the vegan station at John Jay is more consistently delicious. Recently, they have been using these Fable Mushrooms as a meat substitute, and they are SO GOOD! Ferris just gives giant, dry chunks of tofu. While sometimes Ferris has something that hits the spot, it feels like gambling every time I swipe in, as half the time it will be dry and somewhat inedible. You can call John Jay mid, and that may be true, but at least it is honest and reliably mid.

John Jay also has perks that no other dining hall has. True John Jay fans like myself will notice that it has the delicious soft ice, perfect to munch on. It also has a great cereal bar, which is consistently stocked with milk alternatives (unlike Ferris). Many say that Ferris is the best for breakfast, but it is the same thing everyday, and only seems good if you’re really into omelets. I think their breakfast is underrated, as John Jay will always have a better variety of breakfast items. I also appreciate that you can get a bagel at John Jay in the afternoon or evening, while Ferris always runs out. People say Ferris has great desserts, but John Jay literally has a fro-yo machine and different kinds of ice cream (plus toppings). They have also been experimenting with vegan desserts this year, and some of them have been so yummy! It also has a dedicated gluten free and halal station. Finally, they don’t run out of the coffee syrups, which Ferris can’t seem to do.

One of my friends said that Ferris is for people whose parents would always have them eat out, while John Jay is for those who can appreciate a home-cooked meal. I trust somebody a little more when they suggest that we should go to John Jay for our rendezvous. If you are still skeptical, go to John Jay at around 10 am this Sunday. You are sure to have a quaint and delicious time.

Header via Bwog Archives