Hawthorn Market and Café, the Fredricksen Court ISU Dining establishment that myself and my girlfriend frequent, has been virtually nothing but a hassle for us since its re-opening this fall. The night of this writing, we ordered two meals online there to be picked up 20 to 30 minutes later. When we arrived at roughly the time the WebFood dining system implied would be on time, I walk in to pick it up and am told that it has been pitched due to it being unclaimed for more than twenty minutes. While they would be happy to remake it, they are out of half the items I originally ordered, and I would have to choose from other options.

As a senior in college who has bought into Iowa State’s meal plans for three years, I have had enough of putting up with the inconvenience; the ridiculous charge of $9 per meal, every meal, whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinner; and finally, the apathy of the employees when one of their frequent order errors takes place.

Let me start with the $9 per meal charge. If you use some of that critical thinking that nearly every professor at our acclaimed institution tries to instill into you while you are here, $9 per meal is $27 per day, assuming you eat three meals per day. For that price, you could go out to eat three times per day for the entire semester and pay the same or less as a meal plan and receive better service, better food and a better atmosphere.

When I have discussed this topic with friends and classmates, I have heard that ISU Dining’s position rests something like this: While the price is rather high, the service you get (such as cleaning up after you, preparing all the food, the friendly staff) is included in that; in effect, it is the price of the food plus a convenience charge. Also, the location of the dining centers is much more practical than driving to Duff or otherwise to dine at other locations.

Well, here’s my position. If you go to a restaurant (let’s pick on La Fuente, my personal favorite), they still make the food for you. They still pick up after you. If a mistake is made, they are sincerely apologetic and will go two extra miles to fix it for you and make it up to you, usually with some kind of gift such as a gift card or a discounted bill. Restaurants: 1. ISU Dining: 0.

As for the location aspect, it is a more compelling argument. For the buffet-style dining centers, such as Seasons and UDCC, that are more near the dorms and where cars are not as accessible, it holds up better. However, I have waited at Hawthorn for often up to an hour. By the time I drive to a restaurant, receive my food and pay, and drive home, it will be roughly the same time. Restaurants: 2. ISU Dining: 0.

My point in all this is that just because you attend Iowa State does not mean you have to buy into the subpar service, often low-quality food and crowded, unwelcoming atmospheres of ISU Dining just because it appears to be the “most convenient.” It’s your money, and it’s your college experience. If you’re going to spend thousands of dollars on food, at least get the most bang possible for your buck.