Pitt dining hall named best in nation. Do students agree?

The University of Pittsburgh was recently recognized for having the best dining hall food in the country — but do students agree?

The National Association of College and University Food Services awarded The Eatery, Pitt’s largest dining facility, the Loyal E. Horton grand prize, naming it the best residential dining facility in the country.

The Eatery beat out dining facilities at the University of Alabama, The University of Miami, Carleton University and more. Pitt’s dining service is operated by the national food-service provider Chartwells Higher Education.

“We are thrilled to win the Grand Prize for Residential Dining Facility of the Year,” Chartwells higher ed resident district manager Steve Schurr said in a press release.

The National Association of College and University Food Services does not judge dining halls through visits to university facilities, according to their awards criteria.

Judging is based on written submissions from the universities entering the Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards.

Ruby Beckwith, a Pitt junior, was shocked that The Eatery received the award, especially because of the universities listed as runner-ups.

“Obviously some of these people haven’t eaten there,” she said.

Junior Jillian Gatland said she assumed the ranking was based on The Eatery’s upgrades - not its food quality.

“Number one in terms of what?” Gatland said. “They’re probably just enamored with the new facilities.”

The Eatery is a 52,0000-square-foot facility with “10 distinct dining concepts and one market, each a tribute to Pittsburgh’s cultural diversity.”

The university poured $28 million into the dining hall, some of which was spent on renovations completed last year.

Many of the renovations were suggested by students, according to the university.

“The students are vital in determining the menu and special events,” The Eatery said in an online essay. “We frequently ask them about items they would like to see returned, events they enjoyed, those they could live without, and how we could improve.”

Pitt senior Adrienne Cahillane said she was also surprised that the Eatery received such high praise.

Despite upgrades to the building and number of food stations, Cahillane said the dining hall remains a hot topic amongst students for its disappointing options.

“When I was a freshman we got greasy pizza and chicken with pink in the middle,” Cahillane said. “The quality of the food has pretty much remained the same.”

Beckwith is disappointed she’ll have to continue using the dining hall because of her position as a resident assistant.

“I definitely want to cook my own food,” Beckwith said.

Social media posts last year suggested that students became sick after eating undercooked food at The Eatery prompted campus officials to ask the Allegheny County Health Department to investigate the claims.

Pitt officials said at the time that they had not received any reports directly from students or others. An expedited inspection found conditions, including food temperatures, normal, officials said.

“They had multiple food issues,” Beckwith said.

Gatland expressed a desire for better food, not facilities.

“I’m not expecting gourmet food,” Gatland said. “I honestly just wish that the food was better.”