The Cafeteria-Style Restaurant With Some Of The Best College Food In Oregon

Barnhart Dining at the University of Oregon offers a surprisingly good and affordable dining experience open to the public.

Maybe you graduated college many years ago, or maybe you never went at all. Either way, have you ever thought about dining at a university dining hall? Many schools don't allow people who aren't students or faculty to dine in their dining halls, but the University of Oregon does. All campus restaurants are open to students, faculty members, staff, and the public. Now, you might be thinking, why would I want to eat at a college dining hall, anyway? Aren't they awful? Well, some are, but many aren't. The food at Barnhart Dining at the University of Oregon is quite good, and it's a good deal, too. Read on to learn more about this cafeteria-style restaurant in Oregon that's worth a trip the next time you're in Eugene.

The University of Oregon in Eugene is huge! In fact, it's the second-largest educational institution in the state. Around 24,000 students are enrolled at any given time.

The largest school in the state, if you were wondering, is Oregon State University in Corvallis. Around 33,000 students attend that school.

Because of this school's vast size, there are a number of dining options on campus. These dining halls serve the nearly 5,000 students who live on campus. Plus, staff and faculty eat in the dining halls as well, and you can, too.

At the University of Oregon, most of the dining options are quite good. Barnhart Dining, in the Barnhart Residence Hall, is large, spacious, and cafeteria-style. There are quite a few options to choose from.

The staff at this dining hall makes sure everything is fresh and cooked perfectly. You can order an existing meal item like a grilled salmon sandwich, a grilled cheese sandwich, a cheesesteak, a crispy chicken wrap, or a rice bowl, or you can alter any of the above to make it your own.

The burgers here are excellent. Barnhart Dining offers both real beef and Beyond beef, and you can choose whatever toppings you like to go on it.

Dinner entrées include flat iron steak, grilled salmon, Hawaiian chicken, and pasta bowls.

Pasta bowls like this one come with your choice of spaghetti or fettuccine with your choice of pesto, marinara, or alfredo sauce. A vegan pasta primavera is also offered.

The salad bar is another place where you can use your creativity to make the perfect salad for you. There are also a few signature salads you can order if you're not feeling very inspired.

Be sure to save room for dessert! You can make your own fancy ice cream creation.

One thing that Barnhart Dining is well-known for that is not pictured here is its weekend all-you-can-eat brunch. If you're in the area on Saturday or Sunday mornings or early afternoon, it's not to be missed.

You're going to love Barnhart Dining. This breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner option is a bit out of the ordinary, sure, but sometimes you have to think outside the box. Try something different! Head on over to this dining hall at the University of Oregon and you're sure to be surprisingly impressed with your meal. Enjoy!

Looking for more unique dining experiences in Oregon? Check these out: 14 Unique Restaurants In Oregon That Will Give You An Unforgettable Dining Experience

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories