Last week, an esteemed food critic staying in Downtown Atlanta decided to venture to the Georgia State University dining halls. She went to Piedmont North for breakfast, then to Patton Hall for lunch, and finished the day at Piedmont Central for dinner and dessert. Below is her official review.
“While Georgia State University’s dining halls may not be lauded as the country’s greatest, their ambient atmospheres will surprise you. With bustling students and buffet-style setups, the dining halls are an experience that you just can’t get at an ordinary restaurant.
I began my morning at Piedmont North, where I was greeted by a receptionist and charged an affordable fee of $12. Once granted access, I scoped out each section and decided to indulge in the made-to-order pancake line. It was thrilling to watch the chefs pour the batter onto the sizzling grill, and my blueberry pancake was done in a timely manner. I chose a seat by the window, allowing me to admire the vast city view while sampling the food.
The pancake was golden brown and as big as my plate, and its warm, buttery taste was reminiscent of the mix that my grandmother used to buy. I chose to top it with maple syrup and fresh fruit. To drink, I selected orange juice from the freestyle machine after a stint of analysis paralysis. It tasted as if it were squeezed from one of the many oranges offered, not at all like an artificial syrup in a machine.
After some time, my hunger grew, and I journeyed to Patton Hall. The lunch fee was $14. The quaint, cafe-like atmosphere welcomed me in, and I set my belongings in an exclusive section near the front. Had I not been seated in the glass-windowed area, I would’ve been bombarded with ping pong balls.
Patton offered build-your-own sandwiches, so I crafted a massive hoagie and side salad, both of which were adequate. The bread was far too dry and stuck to the roof of my mouth. I was able to wash it down with an unnamed pink frozen beverage that spun by the drink machines. Consequently, I suffered from a brain freeze that followed me out the door.
As I was leaving, I heard a clatter. Behind me, a pipe had burst and fallen through the ceiling. Murky water began to spray everywhere, soaking the food. The dry sandwich bread benefited from the surplus of moisture, but it looks like Patton Hall will be shut down for the foreseeable future.
For dinner, I ate at Piedmont Central, which was at the heart of the residential buildings. It was $16, but be warned, it was not worth it. Chaos ensued straight away, with spilled soda and condiments lining the floor. Quesadilla lines looped around the poles, chicken soaked in a pool of mysterious grease, and seating was limited. The pizza was bland, the burgers tasted gray, and the vegetables were mushy.
After the savory items, I checked out the desserts. Unfortunately, the soft-serve machine was broken, and I chose to suppress my sweet tooth at the sight of the baked good selection.
Piedmont North resembled an elevated hotel breakfast, whereas Piedmont Central transported me back to my high school’s cafeteria. North’s ambience and across-the-board homemade quality have led me to deem it worthy of a Michelin Star. Be sure to stop by when visiting Atlanta!
