Q&A for the Class of '29

Q: What kind of food can you find in '53 Commons (lovingly known as FOCO)?

A: The Class of 1953 Commons is the largest dining hall on campus, offering a wide variety of options at 12 different, stand-alone concepts. There are homestyle options like fried chicken and lasagna, as well as student favorites like General Tso's chicken and taco bowls. There is a brick oven hearth that serves the best pizza in town! A grill serving all the traditional favorites, including burgers, chicken nuggets, and cheesesteaks. Plus, the Farmstand serves all the fixings to make a great salad every day. Our bakery is known for an endless supply of warm chocolate chip cookies. Students enjoy them on the way into the dining hall and then again on the way out.

Dartmouth Dining is mindful of all the different needs and likes of our customers. We offer a vegan and vegetarian entrée, along with sweet potatoes, a different grain, vegan pizza, a vegan burger, and vegan cookies at the Herbivore station for lunch and dinner every day.

Dining is also very proud of the meals served at the Pavilion, the only certified kosher kitchen in the state of New Hampshire. The Pavilion is a dairy-free kitchen serving lunch and dinner, Sunday night through Friday lunch each week.

We are also sensitive to those guests desiring to eat Halal. Our culinary team, led by Executive Chef Chris Kaschak, has incorporated menu selections daily that are certified Halal as well as identified items that adhere to the Halal expectations by their nature or preparation method. Look for the (H) symbol throughout our program.

Halal options, many made-to-order, range from grilled chicken and hamburgers prepared on dedicated equipment at the Grill, to pizza from the Hearth, and a variety of options at the Herbivore station. Haram ingredients are treated as allergens, and efforts are made to prevent cross-contamination.

We work closely with the Tucker Center to provide a variety of options that fit many tastes.

The A9 station is the newest concept in '53, which serves foods free from the Top 9 allergens, and certified GF. Nothing served at A9 contains any of the following: dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, or sesame.

You will also find a gluten-free pantry in '53 Commons that offers a huge variety of offerings, including bread, rolls, muffins, bagels, and flatbreads. Additionally, there is a nice selection of cookies, crackers, and other snacks. There is a toaster and microwave so that you can feel safe knowing that you can toast a bagel and not worry about cross-contact.

'53 Commons is also open for Late Night, offering nightly specials along with all of the favorite snack and munchie options, as well as sandwiches, salads, and some of your favorite beverages. You can take a break from studying or plan to spend time with friends during game night or movie night. There is always something going on in '53!

Q: What about other food options around campus?

A: Dining has other cafés strategically located across campus in the Collis Center, the Hopkins Center of the Arts, the Baker Library, Anonymous Hall, the 1982 ECSC Building, and the Irving Institute.

There is also the Collis Market located in the Collis Center, Dartmouth's on-campus convenience store, which offers a variety of snacks and beverages, as well as school supplies and health and beauty needs.