<p>D. is a first year student and I have eaten at Val on three occasions. The dining hall itself is quite nice. As an earlier poster described, rather than one central dining room, there are several different eating areas and there seems to be no shortage of places to sit. </p>
<p>Having sampled dining hall food at every college visited while college shopping for two different kids, Val gets favorable marks from me. There is probably less choice than at a larger institution with multiple dining options, but the food quality seems quite good. </p>
<p>If you are into healthy eating, Val seems to make it quite easy. That said, I’m sure there is monotony to eating three meals a day/seven days a week anywhere, and no doubt there is repetition among the entree items. My D. has mentioned what she considers “weird” food themes, i.e., Midwest Night with Tater Tot casserole. </p>
<p>For what it’s worth, her older sister attends a Top 20 university with far more dining options, but also many more limits about how much you can eat. She loved Val when she had lunch there, particularly the salad bar with all its protein options and the “do it yourself” deli sandwiches with Boar’s Head meats.</p>