When I first moved to St. Louis, I was skeptical about what Chancellor Martin had to say about how good the food scene is. However, after we started going to his favorite restaurants, I had to admit I was wrong. In fact, that’s part of the reason of why we started Good Eats!
One thing in particular I have come to admire about the restaurants in St. Louis, is the variety of options. Whether it’s vegan tacos on South Grand, Indian food on Delmar or burgers in Clayton, there’s something for every palate, diet and budget. And that variety exists right here on the WashU Danforth campus too!
I shared previously about the Chancellor and I enjoying LaJoy’s Café and Beast Craft BBQ, two offerings at Parkside Café on the East End of campus. This time I wanted us to explore some more on-campus options from Lopata Hall and the Law Café in Anheuser-Busch Hall.
Stanley’s Sushi and Tea House in Lopata Hall offers a selection of sushi rolls, poke bowls, boba tea and salads. This dining location is tucked away just off the Lopata Hall Gallery, an open area on the first floor of the building. I was really excited for this one because sushi is my favorite food! The Chancellor ordered his usual (he’s a regular here): the Spicy Tuna Roll and the Spicy California Roll. I ordered a Spicy Tuna roll along with the Aloha Roll.
The Spicy California Roll is made with spicy surimi, avocado and cucumber, then topped with spicy mayo and sesame seeds. The mayo is the perfect level of heat for someone who likes a little kick but isn’t looking for something too spicy. The surimi pairs nicely with the avocado and the whole thing works together with pleasantly sticky sushi rice and salty nori.
The Spicy Tuna Roll is a similar option, with tuna, avocado and cucumber, and topped with chili sauce and sesame seeds. This was also an excellent roll with a little more heat and a more robust taste than the California Roll, but still well balanced to make for a craveable meal.
The Aloha Roll was something unique to me! I have tried many kinds of sushi, but this was the first roll I’ve had with mango in it. It also has tuna, avocado and jalapeño rolled into it. The roll was delicious and something unexpected!
With reasonable prices for all rolls, Stanley’s Sushi is an excellent option for students, staff or visitors who are looking to get the most flavor for their dollar while dining on campus. Chancellor Martin and I both enjoyed the sushi, and I thought their rolls were very yummy even compared to more expensive sushi I’ve tried.
Collins Farms is located in the WashU Law building on the west end of campus and serves up salads, pitas, coffee and desserts. You can find it just inside from the Crowder Courtyard, which makes it a great spot for a study break and also means it’s a pretty popular lunch-time option. We tried their Cobb Salad and their Buffalo Chicken Salad.
The Buffalo Chicken Salad is a bed of romaine with buffalo chicken, carrots, celery, corn, green onions and blue cheese. As for dressing, there’s ranch and hot sauce. This salad packs some punch and is pleasantly spicy, but the heat is subdued by the ranch dressing. The fresh taste of the vegetables and crispness of the romaine contrast with the sharpness of the blue cheese.
The Cobb Salad has some overlap in ingredients but provides a much different flavor experience. In this salad, romaine is paired with halved boiled eggs, blue cheese, avocado, bacon and tomatoes, all topped with ranch dressing. The crispy bacon contrasts against the soft cheese and avocado for a unique taste that works well.
Chancellor Martin and I agreed that both were excellent salads with a lot of great flavor and a variety of fresh and tasty ingredients. I don’t mind some spice, and I liked the Buffalo Chicken Salad, while Chancellor Martin enjoyed the bacon in the Cobb Salad.
These salads were fresh and made for filling meals with an array of flavors that work well alone and in combination. In all, Collins Farms is a mouthwatering and healthy way to dine on campus.
I know now that St. Louis has a lot to offer in terms of food, and I am pleased by the variety of food available right here on campus. Stop by and visit either of these locations next time you’re looking for something to eat on campus. You can order in person or download GrubHub to order ahead from your phone.