Lisa Nielson, SAGES Professor and recipient of 2014 Carl F. Wittke Award for Undergraduate Teaching

I had a lot of fun, and it was educational to compare food options between the two places. I’ve heard a lot of stories about the quality of food, but given the options, it was not bad. (We never had so many choices when I was a student.)

It’s tough to cook flavorful food on that scale, so the staff does a pretty good job, in my estimation. They are also very nice and helpful—I chatted a bit with one or two of them. That being said, some of the grains were undercooked, which I suspect is an attempt to keep everything from getting too mushy. Lots of good vegetarian options, though not many vegan, kosher or halal, though there were at least some options available.

Fribley Marché Food Item: Mediterranean Garbanzo bean salad
A light, if a little bland, chick pea salad seasoned with oil, onions and some greens.
Rating: 3/5

Fribley Food Item: Balsamic bow tie pasta
As advertised, tastes like pasta mixed with balsamic vinegar and light oil. Not flashy, just simple, if bland.
Rating: 3/5

Fribley Food Item: Zucchini salad
A salad with green and yellow squash, flavored like the other salads with a little oil, vinegar and onion.
Rating: 3/5

Fribley Food Item: Stir fry with vegetables, tomato and pineapple sauce.
Not my favorite, but I don’t like pineapple mixed with other flavors. It was a bit spicy, which counteracted the sweetness of the pineapple. The rice was undercooked.
Rating: 2/5

Leutner Dining Hall Food Item: Vegetarian chili
Really good! Just spicy enough and hearty for chilly weather, simple recipe.
Rating: 4/5

Leutner Food Item: Unidentified rice mixture
Flavored with what tastes like rice vinegar, onions and perhaps soy sauce. I suspect it is to compliment a stir-fry or to add to chili. The rice was a bit undercooked, but not bad.
Rating: 3/5

Leutner Food Item: Millet salad
Light and flavorful, but the grains were not cooked all the way. They were cooked enough to add some texture, however.
Rating: 3/5

Leutner Food Item: Quinoa and cranberry salad
Good, uncomplicated salad and nice to know there are alternative grains being used for vegetarian and vegan students. The cranberries were a little overwhelming and could be reduced or chopped finer, as they overpowered the natural flavors of the grains and seasoning. I think this, with the millet salad and the vegetarian chili, were my favorites.
Rating: 4/5

Final verdict: Leutner
Leutner wins out with a score of 3.5/5, versus Fribley’s score of 2.75/5. Undercooked rice was an overall issue between Leutner and Fribley. Leutner included more flavorful options when compared to Fribley’s more bland options.