Foodtopia: Why Foodies Flock to Rollins

why foodies flock to Rollins

A trio of review and rankings organizations recently ranked Rollins’ dining offerings as some of the best in the country. Here are 11 reasons Rollins continues to deserve a seat at the table.

No. 1 college in Florida. Most Engaged Campus of the Year. Top 10 for Study Abroad. These are just a few of the recent accolades Rollins has earned. Add to that “Best Food” and it really drives home the meaning of our liberal arts education that’s not only educating our students’ minds but is equally committed to nurturing their overall health and wellness. College Consensus, The Daily Meal, and PETA all agree that Rollins is offering some of the most innovative and diverse dining options you’ll find on any campus in the country. Here’s a closer look at why the experts agree that Rollins is the perfect place for hungry and healthconscious students to head.

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Our food is Instagram-worthy (#nofilter). From mile-high handcrafted grass-fed burgers to fresh sushi rolls to bountiful protein plates, the food at Rollins is almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

Dining with a killer view just means walking over to The Marketplace, the main campus dining center overlooking picturesque Lake Virginia that just got a major makeover this past fall. Check out what we’re serving up at the new dedicated food stations—which include everything from vegetarian delectables to a state-of-the-art wood-burning pizza oven—at 2 rollins.college/dining-hall.

There’s no shortage of options.

With six oncampus locations, 15 off-campus restaurant partners, Starbucks coffee, and Einstein’s bagels, there’s something to sate every mood and taste. Grab an acai bowl at the Bookmark Cafe inside the Olin Library, a smoothie at the Bush Cafe, or made-to-order sushi at Dave’s Boathouse.

We have an organic on-campus student-run garden. As part of an independent study project aimed at educating students about health and larger issues of how food is produced, transported, sold, and cooked, Andrew Lesmes ’15—along with the help of academic advisors and volunteers—turned a 968-square-foot patch of earth into an on-campus microfarm. This self-sustaining effort provides produce to local restaurants like Hamilton’s Kitchen at The Alfond Inn and Sodexo, operators of the College’s dining hall.

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We have our very own pub. Dave’s Boathouse, a quick-casual nautical-themed eatery outfitted with darkwood booths and high-top seating, serves specialty beverages along with bar-style food you actually want to eat. Favorites include grass-fed burgers, veggie Beyond burgers, cage-free chicken wings, and healthy bowls overflowing with kale, farro, and white beans.

7

Our vegan dining options consistently receive an A+ rating. PETA recently surveyed thousands of colleges and universities across the country about how well they’re keeping up with the demand for vegan options. At Rollins, vegan dining goes way beyond tofu to include creative combinations like vegan jambalaya, lentil shepherd’s pie, and kimchi rice-paper wraps.

Six

We have our own fast-casual Mexican cafe. Students get their Tex-Mex fix at the Cornell Cafe— lovingly referred to as Tarpotle—where choices include made-to-order burritos on fresh-pressed tortillas, wrapless bowls, and homemade tortilla chips and guacamole. The newest addition? Chicken tortilla soup with your choice of toppings. Fun fact: The guacamole is made fresh every day to the tune of 9,000 pounds of avocado per semester.

We are a Fair Trade campus. In fact, Rollins became the first designated Fair Trade campus in Florida in 2013. Rollins is committed to purchasing environmentally sustainable products that don’t come from sweatshops or child labor and actively educates students about the sustainability issues involved in global commerce. All seafood on Rollins’ campus is certified sustainable. 8

A slew of international dishes like Thai green curry, arroz con gandules, and chicken tikka masala are regular rotations at The Marketplace’s dedicated international station, which offers tasty vegetarian options as well. T E N

You can take a cooking class with the head chef. Personalized attention at Rollins is at the core of our mission, extending from the classroom to the community and even to the kitchen. Students with dietary restrictions can learn recipes and get tips from the executive chef and meet with the on-campus dietician to address any food concerns. 9

Our global emphasis extends to our dining choices across campus. Top-notch cuisine isn’t confined to campus. Select restaurants on Park Avenue and around Winter Park participate in various meal plans or offer discounts to Rollins students. Comfort food? Burgers and shakes at BurgerFi. Greek craving? Falafel at local favorite Power House Cafe. Date night? Cafe de France.

Join us as we visit all the exciting dining options on campus—from the new main dining hall to our very own nautical-themed pub—and see where you can use your R-Card to grab grub on Park Avenue: rollins.college/dining.