7 Simple Dining Hall Hacks to Revolutionize Your Dining Experience

Our all-you-care-to-eat residential dining locations – International Village, Levine Marketplace, and Stetson West Eatery – are a great place to find just about any type of cuisine you are looking for. While our rotating menus allow for different flavors at each meal, if there is a specific taste you are looking for sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands. Below are seven simple dining hall hacks that will change the way you eat in the dining halls.

1) Breakfast Parfait
Let's start with the first, and most important, meal of the day. Yogurt is a great way to start your day but you can easily upgrade it by layering in some sliced fresh fruit, granola, or cereal. Using a clear beverage glass will also allow you to marvel at the beautiful layers you create in your breakfast masterpiece.

2) Thai-Style Peanut Sauce
You waited for your grilled chicken from the grill so why not make the most of it? Combine peanut butter and soy sauce with a splash of sriracha for a spicy Thai-style peanut sauce that you can dip your chicken strips into. And, honestly, you'll probably want to dip everything you eat into this sauce once you find your perfect ratio of ingredients.

3) Chicken & Waffles
Are Levine Marketplace and International Village serving chicken tenders? You don't have to wait until Sunday to have this brunch staple when all you have to do is make your own Belgian waffle, split it in half, and top with the chicken tenders. From this point, you could go with the classic maple syrup, spice it up with a little honey mustard or sriracha, or go crazy with strawberries and chocolate sauce from the waffle and ice cream bars.

4) Ice Cream Sandwich
Speaking of the ice cream bar, that soft serve machine may be the dining hall hack MVP (at least according to Kevin Durant). Just grab two of your favorite cookies from the bakery, toss them in the microwave for 15 seconds, and then drop a dollop of soft serve in the middle. The warm cookies will slowly melt the ice cream into a mess of cookie goodness.

5) Caramel Apples
Looking for a quick mid-day snack in Stetson West? When the caramel sauce is available at the ice cream bar, microwave a bowl of the sauce and drizzle it over apple slices. You can thank us later.

6) Pasta – with Everything
Step up your pasta game by using your imagination. Pasta is a blank canvas for creativity so grab a plate at dinner and let your mind run wild. Whether you add spinach from the salad bar with sautéed mushrooms from the grill – or maple syrup and chocolate chips Buddy the Elf-style – your possibilities are endless.

7) Soft Serve + Soda Fountain = Ice Cream Floats
This classic ice cream parlor favorite is a simple combination that provides a ton of flavor for how little work you have to do. Root beer floats, Coke floats, and even Fanta floats (creamsicle!) are a great way to reward yourself after a long day of classes.

Let us know your own favorite hacks in the comments or show us a photo on Twitter or Instagram!