A variety of foods are often offered at The Mane Dish such as pizza, homestyle foods, burgers, salads and international foods, to name a few. Schools across the nation were ranked based on average meal plan cost and student reviews, and the university was favored for the new Student Union along with meal variety, food quality and costs.
The Lion's Roar/Elizabeth Brown
Recently, students from across the nation took part in reviews of the quality and cost of on-college-campus dining options. Of the nearly 1,700 schools that were assessed, the university was ranked the best in the state and in the Top 100 in the nation.
Niche.com, a ranking and review site for schools across the United States, conducted surveys. The ranking was factored on average meal plan cost and student reviews.
According to a recent press release, the university in particular was favored for its addition of the new Student Union, meal variety, food quality and costs.
The university was ranked No. 77 at the National level and given the 2016 Best College Food in Louisiana title.
Food Service Director Martin Balisteri is proud of the hard work that was done and continues to be done to make this recognition a possibility.
“It’s an honor to be ranked number one in the state,” said Balisteri. “It comes down to good partnership between Aramark and the university. We work together to provide a quality dining experience for our students. As a business partner, we try to align our goals with the goals of the university, and by doing that, it helps us to achieve results like this.”
Cashier Marilyn Griffin also feels that the recognition is a positive thing.
“I think we are doing good,” said Griffin.
Many students, including sophomore communication major Bruce Javery, feel that the ranking is well deserved.
“Personally, I feel it’s really amazing,” said Javery. “The food here is superb. There are different foods, very complex and everyone, myself included, really enjoys it.”
Being a smaller school, senior mathematics major Krista England felt surprised about the ranking, but was glad students’ voices have been heard and considered.
“The best in the state, I could see that, but as far as nationally ranked, I’m surprised,” said England. “We really are doing good with what we have. They’ve tried and considered what students wanted.”