A Bwogger explains why Ferris Dining Hall is not nearly as bad as people make it out to be.

I vividly remember sitting in my freshman year University Writing class with a “Ferris Forever” sticker on my laptop case. I knew that people didn’t constantly vouch for Ferris, but when someone in the class pointed at it and said, “Please tell me that’s ironic,” it really cemented in my mind that Ferris was the weak link for students. 

Now that I’m a little older, I’ve learned to be a part of the small majority that will vouch for this dining hall! So now I’ve curated a list of reasons why it really isn’t that bad.

• Stability: Ferris will always be very consistent, and that has given me a certain love for stability when it comes to food as a student. The menu rotates pretty often, with wraps, a KFC bowl, Chinese takeout, and fried chicken sandwiches coming to mind for items at the action station that return. Food options rotate in the main line, too, so it is unlikely you will walk into this dining hall not knowing what to expect.
• Grilled Cheese: This menu item needed to be separated from the other consistent items solely because everyone loves it. When I looked at my friends and asked them when I could get a grilled cheese sandwich at Ferris, they all looked at me, fully serious and in sync, said, “Wednesdays.” These are people who themselves would choose other dining halls over Ferris, but will always make sure to be there around 1 pm for the grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. It is a Ferris delicacy.
• Toaster: I swear the Ferris toaster works harder than others. It is extremely fast and toasts things perfectly. It is a small piece of this dining hall that I hold dear to my heart.
• Seating: The biggest gripe I have with other dining halls is the intense search I have to endure for a seat, especially if there are more than 3 people with me. Ferris, even if crowded, will always have a seat for you and your friends. It rarely feels that crowded for me, and maybe it’s the placebo effect of all the windows, but I have never been forced to leave due to the lack of seating availability.
• Desserts: The desserts at Ferris, along with the grilled cheese sandwiches, are also a part of it that I think most people love. The cookie butter beignets are a personal favorite of mine, but they always have fun cakes and pies that everyone indulges in.
• Temperature: It is always decently cold in Ferris. This is important to me.
• People Watching: The thousands of windows in this dining hall make it a fun place to go and observe people walking around or playing on the fields. My friends love to point out when they recognize someone below them outside.
• Breakfast: The breakfast here will also always be consistent. I know walking into this hall, there will be eggs, some kind of sausage, and some kind of potato. It’s a fun surprise to see which type of each they choose to make that day, and they’re all pretty good! I love stability!
• Yogurt: My friend swears the yogurt at Ferris is superior to any other yogurt at the dining halls, and that’s coming from someone who lived in John Jay and would indulge in their yogurt selection every day. That has to mean something.

I understand if you’re someone who loves variety, why you would not thoroughly enjoy this dining experience. However, there is something comforting about always having a consistent option, and that is Ferris dining. I will forever be grateful for their cookie butter beignets and grilled cheese sandwiches, and the way I can observe those outside in an easy-to-find seat. I love Ferris if no one else says they do. JJ’s may be deep, but I promise you, Ferris will always be stable! 

Image via Bwarchives