Food can be a deciding factor when deciding on the college that’s right for you. By choosing Clemson, incoming freshmen are in for a wide variety of dining options, ranging from all-encompassing southern hospitality to classic chain restaurants.
Although sit-down eateries define the culinary scene at Clemson, dining halls remain the regular basis for freshmen due to their convenient, on-campus nature.
First, the Dish at McAlister, commonly referred to as ‘Core,’ has a nice variety to choose from, including pizza, a hamburger buffet, a fruit and yogurt selection, a salad bar and a dessert station deemed The Confectionary. Between breakfast, lunch and dinner, the other stations tend to alter what they serve, frequently hosting themed occasions to display appreciation for cultures and holidays.
Community Hub, the dining hall located in Douthit Hills, has a great menu for a post-workout refuel with its strong protein choices.
Schilletter Dining Hall, located behind Hendrix Student Center, is similar to McAlister, although it typically alternates days to distribute particular items. Some foods are reserved for only one dining hall at a time. For example, freshmen can always depend on Schilletter to provide chicken tenders on Tuesdays, an event fondly known as “Tendy Tuesday.”
However, meal swipes can only get you so far. Paw Points — spending money students can purchase for a meal plan — allow students financial access to on-campus drinks and fast food.
In the same building as McAlister, students can enjoy restaurants such as Raising Cane’s, Starbucks, Which Wich and Stripes Grill (including the newly renovated boba and smoothie machine the Grill offers).
Douthit Hills includes Starbucks, Freshens and La Madeleine, which are each open at different times of the day to provide alternative eating possibilities. Freshens even allows students to use meal swipes instead of Paw Points before 11 a.m., making it a great stop for a breakfast sandwich and smoothie after an early class or workout.
Hendrix Student Center is home to one of Clemson’s two Chick-fil-a locations, along with a Panda Express in the same food court. Einstein Bros. Bagels lingers on the floor above these two restaurants and mainly stays open for a breakfast rush. The recently-opened Halal Shack, which provides Mediterranean cuisine, is located in the same building as Schilletter. The second Chick-fil-a can be found at Fernow.
There is another Starbucks located inside Cooper Library, and a Blenz Bowls in the Watt Innovation Center right behind the library. Blenz is my personal favorite healthy snack. The “Tiger Bowl” specifically comes with a coconut cream and açaí base, paired with diverse choices of toppings.
Although on-campus dining is the most convenient option to get students through their long days, off-campus restaurants are one of the best parts of Clemson.
The downtown cafés are delectable, specifically The Shepherd Hotel’s Delish Sisters and All In Coffee with their wholesome offerings for breakfast and lunch. The “Coconutty Chia and Oat Pudding” from Delish Sisters and All In’s famous cinnamon rolls speak for themselves.
Other local restaurants that are a bit further from campus, such as Mac’s Drive In and The Smokin’ Pig, embody a welcoming southern feel that visitors may be looking for from South Carolina, giving students an opportunity to witness the South’s tasty recipes.
First-year students will soon realize that food is more than just nourishment at Clemson University — it’s a part of the Southern experience. Whether in the dining hall or downtown, all plates at Clemson are a piece of your story.
