Best Of 2011: Campus Dining

It was once said (by none other than our BFF B.F.), "Hunger is the best pickle." It was also he who said, "Time is money." We're choosing to interpret this as, "Hey, things change, but basically we like to eat and spend money (but mostly eat). Pickles are tasty."

With 2011 drawing to a close, we decided to reflect on the year's best food-related openings, WTF moments and generally awesome occurrences around campus. How many were there? A lot. So many, in fact, that we must warn you before you begin reading: we had to make a list of lists. Please excuse this trite homage to Inception, and focus instead on the following drool-worthy remembrances:

New Noms On The Block

Food Trucks, Fancified-- With the entrance of intellects-turned-health nuts Chez Yasmine and locavore-centric Pure Fare, we can only speculate what 2012 will mean for the future of our favorite mobile meals (Reservations required? Black-tie optional? Real silverware? JK, ha ha, not a chance).

Inside Jobs-- If you were lucky enough to live in the quad this year, you got to experience its revamped dining hall (made newsworthy only by the collective sigh of every upperclassman with memories of McClelland's soggy Sunday brunch). This year also saw the opening of Schaye Café inside the School of Social Policy and Practice's Caster Buildling-- and thus a reason to actually go inside.

Other-- In what may have been the biggest blow to Gia since the bomb threat (discussed later in this post), Sweetgreen opened, stealing the spotlight and at least 50% of all lin-dins. And adding to the wildly contagious brunch craze, Sabrina's set up shop at 34th and Powelton, prompting thousands (millions?) of muploads of stuffed french toast. Seriously, guys, we've seen enough.

Things That Made Us Go WTF

Uncommonly Common-- This was a big year for Commons. First, this sausage (?)-cum-turd, then this arguably inedible, half-fermented apple? At least they keep us on our toes? So many questions.

One Of These Things Is Not Like The Others-- Remember that one time a dragonfly got tossed into Metro's salad? Yeah, we'd prefer not to, either. Also, this cookie that was temporarily nailed to KCECH's bulletin board will be a constant reminder that, HEY FRESHMEN-- you have even more meals to waste next semester, so give them to us.

For Real Or For Fake?-- This year also left us wondering if maybe, after all, the joke's on us. First, this allegedly fake bomb threat at Gia had us up in arms (ha, ha) about our salads. The very next day, a tipster noticed that Greek Lady offers a shot of white wine for 50 cents--whether or not there's a maximum order limit is YTBD (2012, you hold so much potential).

Generally Awesome Occurrences

Introduction of the 50-Piece-McNugget-- While not specific to Penn's campus, this ongoing promo single-handedly put McD's on the radar for places to be seen past 3 a.m. (other contenders include FroGro and Under The Button).

1920 NOMmons (pictured above)-- Sure, renaming PennMed was kind of a big deal, but this? This was monumental. To whoever pulled off renaming the dining hall we most love-to-hate: you get our NOMination for all the sexy points.

We R #1-- Of every food-related story we did this year (and there were a lot), 2011's top piece of campus dining news has to be, without question, that one time Capogiro was ranked, oh, it's nothing really, well, okay, I guess we can tell you-- #1 IN THE FREAKING WORLD. By National Geographic, no less, so it can't be chalked up to pretentious self-promotion (we wish). Luv u, gelato bb. Luv u.