Dining hall student special.

Prof.Badass

Is anyone else sick of the poor quality meat in the dining hall? Like i can understand having poor quality meat because of costs, but sometimes this stuff is actually inedible. I had the stew a few weeks back and you could actually injure yourself trying to chew some of the pieces i got :eek:! I ended up leaving most of the meat behind (a false economy if ever there was one).


I left school thinking a mac donalds burger was as low-quality meat. well dining hall, you've proved me wrong.

godtabh

I've been eating up in the Hamltion alot lately and I think its grand

LiamD

Sausage and chips in the ham today - sausages tiny and burned, chips were fine for what they were. Was pretty disappointed with the sausages tbh, it's funny how they can do them fine in the Buttery but go disastrously wrong in the ham. Maybe they could organise a training day for ham cooking staff at the buttery?

...doesn't the Ham Café still get shipments of food from the buttery?

mathew

Myth wrote: »

...doesn't the Ham Café still get shipments of food from the buttery?

It does for meals, but im pretty sure they do their own deep fat frying for sausages, chips and onion rings....

Scarinae

When I was in second year (two years ago) I absolutely HATED the Hamilton cafe, I used to get dragged in my friends. It might be different now, but the staff were rude, the chips were always overdone or underdone, and the place was filthy. The knives and forks always looked smeared and dirty, ugh. On top of all this, there used to be rude signs all over the place telling people not to bring in their own food. I mean, I can understand why you're not supposed to bring in your own food, but they could have just written 'Please note that only food purchased on the premises may be eaten in the Hamilton Cafe'. Instead there were narky signs saying that people were rude and inconsiderate, and that it was not their job to clean up other people's picnics

Anyway, I'm afraid I don't know much about Dining Hall food, but I'm always wary of a 'special' from any menu as chances are it is leftovers reheated from the previous day, put into a stew so that nobody will notice. I don't know if this actually happens, but it would not surprise me

Brian

McCabe's deli all the way.

mathew

Fishie wrote: »

When I was in second year (two years ago) I absolutely HATED the Hamilton cafe, I used to get dragged in my friends. It might be different now, but the staff were rude, the chips were always overdone or underdone, and the place was filthy. The knives and forks always looked smeared and dirty, ugh. On top of all this, there used to be rude signs all over the place telling people not to bring in their own food. I mean, I can understand why you're not supposed to bring in your own food, but they could have just written 'Please note that only food purchased on the premises may be eaten in the Hamilton Cafe'. Instead there were narky signs saying that people were rude and inconsiderate, and that it was not their job to clean up other people's picnics

Anyway, I'm afraid I don't know much about Dining Hall food, but I'm always wary of a 'special' from any menu as chances are it is leftovers reheated from the previous day, put into a stew so that nobody will notice. I don't know if this actually happens, but it would not surprise me

Ham Cafe is still the same.. Smells of grease and just isnt in general... I avoid it...

SaintHubbins

I was in the buttery today for lunch after a couple of months of avoiding it and I opted for the student special of deep fried plaice, which came with a choice of cubed turnips or potatoes. Not both, you understand, as is customary in western civilization. I had the turnips and then vowed never to eat food on campus in trinity again apart from the occasional cheap sanbo and tea in JCR. I mean in a recession would it kill them to throw a couple of spuds on a plate rather than trying to make another couple of quid for an extra portion of veg. Jammy bastards in there. ****hole!

tolosenc

Head up to M&S on Grafton Street. Got a very decent lunch for €3.65 today!

snappieT

I must say how surprised that the catering service is such a shambles.

In my eyes, it would make a lot of sense for college to open up the spaces to tender, and have external operators come in. If their prices were too high or the food was muck, the students simply wouldn't go, no profit would be made, and we would have a new operator the following year.

Right next to lecture theatres, in the centre of town, and surrounded by 15,000 students, it's a perfect business opportunity.

Students would get better food and better value.
College would get revenue generated from leasing space.
Operator would make a profit they hadn't made before.

I presume this is the way Java City and the Science Gallery Café operate. If it works for coffee, why not for food.

godtabh

snappieT wrote: »

I must say how surprised that the catering service is such a shambles.

In my eyes, it would make a lot of sense for college to open up the spaces to tender, and have external operators come in. If their prices were too high or the food was muck, the students simply wouldn't go, no profit would be made, and we would have a new operator the following year.

Right next to lecture theatres, in the centre of town, and surrounded by 15,000 students, it's a perfect business opportunity.

Students would get better food and better value.
College would get revenue generated from leasing space.
Operator would make a profit they hadn't made before.

I presume this is the way Java City and the Science Gallery Café operate. If it works for coffee, why not for food.

Isn't it already run privately?

snappieT

kearnsr wrote: »

Isn't it already run privately?

Privately in the sense that there is a seperate "catering department" which is self-funding apart from (I assume) free space, equipment and energy.

tolosenc

At the start of last year pasta in the Buttery was €3 (I think), and it was two slices of garlic bread and to scoops of sauce. Now both have only one and the price is €4.10.

Pet

Fishie wrote: »

When I was in second year (two years ago) I absolutely HATED the Hamilton cafe, I used to get dragged in my friends. It might be different now, but the staff were rude, the chips were always overdone or underdone, and the place was filthy. The knives and forks always looked smeared and dirty, ugh. On top of all this, there used to be rude signs all over the place telling people not to bring in their own food. I mean, I can understand why you're not supposed to bring in your own food, but they could have just written 'Please note that only food purchased on the premises may be eaten in the Hamilton Cafe'. Instead there were narky signs saying that people were rude and inconsiderate, and that it was not their job to clean up other people's picnics

Anyway, I'm afraid I don't know much about Dining Hall food, but I'm always wary of a 'special' from any menu as chances are it is leftovers reheated from the previous day, put into a stew so that nobody will notice. I don't know if this actually happens, but it would not surprise me

It's still the same.

Aside from the food being inedibly execrable, aside from the sheer gall they have in their pricing strategies, aside from the general filth, my major problem is that the staff in there have a serious attitude problem. I mean, have they heard of the concept of "service"? One is made to feel like an inconvenience at all stages, in the Ham Cafe. Not to mention the time I was in there with classmates, trying to work on a presentation, and one of the staff kept letting the lid of one of those pedal-operated bins slam closed...

"So, I think weCLANKuld perhaCLANKcuss sudCLANKdult death syndCLANK, because it'CLANK"...you get the idea.

LiamD

I agree about the staff at the ham, incredibly rude and slow. I recently got a tea there at about 4.45 and when paying I was told I was lucky to be getting it at that time. I paid and went to the milk counter to find all the milk, sugar etc was gone. When I asked for some they refused, saying they were closed and when I asked for my money back the till drawer had disappeared. Any Science end students looking for tea please go to Donovans opposite the JCR. Tea is €1, which is cheaper than the ham and about three times the size. The lady there makes a good cup too!

I really wish the catering dept would get their act together with the ham. The buttery and ham have two totally different standards of customer service (the former being good, the latter being shíte). Anyone remember the old white haired lady in the ham caf? She was really pleasant, but haven't seen her in months.

godtabh

obl wrote: »

At the start of last year pasta in the Buttery was €3 (I think), and it was two slices of garlic bread and to scoops of sauce. Now both have only one and the price is €4.10.

I get the pasta most times. I always ask for more and get it

REPSOC1916

Is anyone else sick of the poor quality meat in the dining hall? Like i can understand having poor quality meat because of costs, but sometimes this stuff is actually inedible. I had the stew a few weeks back and you could actually injure yourself trying to chew some of the pieces i got ! I ended up leaving most of the meat behind (a false economy if ever there was one).


I left school thinking a mac donalds burger was as low-quality meat. well dining hall, you've proved me wrong.

Try surviving for three weeks at CTYI in DCU on their food. It's the definition of pure ****e. Hamilton's a greasy spoon but it isn't that bad. Cafe Crepe on Nassau Street is decent. JCR is good if you are stuck for money.

Jegger

vinylmesh wrote: »

.

I left school thinking a mac donalds burger was as low-quality meat. well dining hall, you've proved me wrong.

whats wrong with micky Ds? do be dissin 1 euro burgers, ya hear boy?

Brian

LiamD wrote: »

I agree about the staff at the ham, incredibly rude and slow. I recently got a tea there at about 4.45 and when paying I was told I was lucky to be getting it at that time. I paid and went to the milk counter to find all the milk, sugar etc was gone. When I asked for some they refused, saying they were closed and when I asked for my money back the till drawer had disappeared. Any Science end students looking for tea please go to Donovans opposite the JCR. Tea is €1, which is cheaper than the ham and about three times the size. The lady there makes a good cup too!

Seconded RE Donovan's. BLT roll is €3, tastes much better than the garbage you get in the JCR, and there's no 10-minute queue.

Degsy

Pet wrote: »

Not to mention the time I was in there with classmates, trying to work on a presentation, and one of the staff kept letting the lid of one of those pedal-operated bins slam closed...

Hey,here's some news.
Its an eating area that people work in,hence the level of noise you're whinging about.
It is not meant to be an area for you and your mates to work on presentations in silenec.
Did you even buy food when you were in there or were you just taking up space?

Cantab.

Considering it's only €5, I have to say the stir-fry in the Buttery deserves 10/10.

They even cook it up for you -- flames and all!

The Mexican Meatballs are very tasty! Although I'd rather not wonder about the quality of the meat...

I genearlly avoid anything stewy like the plague.

My favourite lunchtime Dining Hall dish is the chicken maryland (with a half tomato and a banana fritter) although I haven't seen one of those in years!

My evening-time Dining Hall favourite is steak.

My biggest gripe with the catering service is the fact that Commons costs an extortionate €23.70. That is a farce and an affront to proper participation in College life.

Degsy

Cantab. wrote: »

My biggest gripe with the catering service is the fact that Commons costs an extortionate €23.70. That is a farce and an affront to proper participation in College life.

Whats the grub like at commons?

godtabh

Cantab. wrote: »

My biggest gripe with the catering service is the fact that Commons costs an extortionate €23.70. That is a farce and an affront to proper participation in College life.

Eh how is it?

ApeXaviour

Degsy wrote: »

Whats the grub like at commons?

Not worth €23.70

I recall a few years ago it was €12. At the time I felt that was about right...

Borneo Fnctn

snappieT wrote: »

If their prices were too high or the food was muck, the students simply wouldn't go.

They definitely would.

godtabh

jackpalance wrote: »

They definitely would.

I wouldn't eat there if I thought the food was **** and over priced

Borneo Fnctn

kearnsr wrote: »

I wouldn't eat there if I thought the food was **** and over priced

Well I think the food in the Hamilton Cafe is ropey but they're doing alright.

TX123

as a student body we should be able to complain to someone about the standard of dining in the college. Can the SU do anything about it. They used to serve moderatley ok food and each day there was a different special but know its just lasagne and this disgusting meat stew where the meat is probably made from shoes left behind in the locker rooms. I dont mind paying a bit extra for better quality and a variety and im sure most people dont mind either.

oh and the most off puting thing is when your in early for lectures and you go to get a coffee all u can smell is garliccy chicken kiev which wud turn the stomach of a rat.

Cantab.

The Catering office need to seriously re-assess their pricing strategy.

It's a disgrace that nobody only scholars/fellows go.

Then again, maybe they don't want riff-raff students ruining the atmosphere (what little of it there's left).

Pet

Degsy wrote: »

Hey,here's some news.
Its an eating area that people work in,hence the level of noise you're whinging about.
It is not meant to be an area for you and your mates to work on presentations in silenec.
Did you even buy food when you were in there or were you just taking up space?

We didn't want or expect silence, just the absence of a constant slamming noise about 20cm from us. And yes, we all bought food and drinks.

Boston

Cantab. wrote: »

The Catering office need to seriously re-assess their pricing strategy.

It's a disgrace that nobody only scholars/fellows go.

Then again, maybe they don't want riff-raff students ruining the atmosphere (what little of it there's left).

Or maybe its a means to recoup the cost of providing free meals to scholars.

godtabh

Pet wrote: »

We didn't want or expect silence, just the absence of a constant slamming noise about 20cm from us. And yes, we all bought food and drinks.

You want to work pick an appropriate place. You wouldn’t go to Starbucks to work would you?

Cantab.

Boston wrote: »

Or maybe its a means to recoup the cost of providing free meals to scholars.

Well maybe if more students participated in College life, economies of scale would kick in.

I think €10 to €12 is a fair price for a mediocre quality dinner.

To put things in perspective: for €23 you could get an early bird in La Trocadero.

godtabh

Cantab. wrote: »

Well maybe if more students participated in College life, economies of scale would kick in.

Your idea of college life doesnt nesscaryly match what other people think college life is about so its unfair to blame people for not going to the Commons as the reason why its so expensive

Boston

Cantab. wrote: »

Well maybe if more students participated in College life, economies of scale would kick in.

I think €10 to €12 is a fair price for a mediocre quality dinner.

To put things in perspective: for €23 you could get an early bird in La Trocadero.

Which came first, the expensive mediocre food or the students unwillingness to pay for said expensive mediocre food?

Cantab.

kearnsr wrote: »

Your idea of college life doesnt nesscaryly match what other people think college life is about so its unfair to blame people for not going to the Commons as the reason why its so expensive

Why didn't you put Sligo Higher Institute of Technology number one on your CAO?

And yes, I do "blame people for not going to the Commons as the reason why its so expensive". They should be made go -- give everyone meal tickets at the beginning of each term.

Boston

I did, but the points where to high and I had to settle for trinity.

godtabh

Cantab. wrote: »

Why didn't you put Sligo Higher Institute of Technology number one on your CAO?

And yes, I do "blame people for not going to the Commons as the reason why its so expensive". They should be made go -- give everyone meal tickets at the beginning of each term.

I wouldn’t be able to experience the oddity that is Cantab. then would I

Thats the true Trinity experience

Fad

Im now of the opinion that people avoid commons to avoid pretentious people such *Blank*-tab.

Commons is for Scholars etc, why exactly do you want to go to it. Its bad food, at a big price. What makes you want to go so much. [Sweeping generalisation]Real student food is a pot noodle and a can of dutch[/swooping generalisation]

Cant you just make do with what everyone else eats and go to the Buttery or wherever else, instead of whinging about not being able to participate in a college tradition that you have not qualified for without paying........

Brian

kearnsr wrote: »

You want to work pick an appropriate place. You wouldn’t go to Starbucks to work would you?

I imagine that Pet has a low mindless-noise tolerance.


Something triggered by f**kers watching YouTube in the Mac lab.

Cantab.

Fad wrote: »

Im now of the opinion that people avoid commons to avoid pretentious people such *Blank*-tab.

Why don't we knock down Front Square and build a concrete superstructure while we're at it.

Fad wrote: »

Commons is for Scholars etc,

No it's not.

Fad wrote: »

why exactly do you want to go to it. Its bad food, at a big price. What makes you want to go so much.

It doesn't have to be that way. It will only get worse if it's allowed to deteriorate. There's no point in maintaining pretty buildings for the tourists to look at if there's nothing going on inside them. It's akin to those old western movie sets.

Fad wrote: »

[Sweeping generalisation]Real student food is a pot noodle and a can of dutch[/swooping generalisation]

Yawn. Sounds like civil engineering students on GAA night to me.

Fad wrote: »

Cant you just make do with what everyone else eats and go to the Buttery or wherever else, instead of whinging about not being able to participate in a college tradition that you have not qualified for without paying........

I do go to the Buttery, but I try to avoid the place. The cheap fitting are filthy after a couple of months and those green trays are as greasy as my grill after last night's steak. Plus, I don't like the "canteen" atmosphere. It's like having lunch in a multi-national company. Honestly, I'd prefer to go elsewhere; especially seeing as we're slap bang in the middle of the city.

By the way: you "qualify" for Commons once you matriculate and become a registered student.

godtabh

Cantab. wrote: »

Yawn. Sounds like civil engineering students on GAA night to me.

Sounds like jealousy to me

Running Bing

Pet wrote: »

We didn't want or expect silence, just the absence of a constant slamming noise about 20cm from us. And yes, we all bought food and drinks.

and was the person just standing there constantly banging at the bin in order to annoy you or was she actually doing here job and disposing of the mess left by others?

Jonathan

Fad wrote: »

[Sweeping generalisation]Real student food is a pot noodle and a can of dutch[/swooping generalisation]

From sweeping to swooping? :P

Fad

jmccrohan wrote: »

From sweeping to swooping? :P

When you're stuck with the same food, it pays to have a little variation in vocab, um yeah, that was intentional...........

I get that commons can be had by anyone, but now its really just for Schols and whatnot, and of course idiots who are willing to pay.

Cantab you sound as if you're only going to TCD because of the prestige and the character of the school, not the actual academic standards or anything.........................

Flashman

Yeah the food served in the dining hall is often terrible, but I'm willing to put up with it for the fact that there's no convenient alternative that will serve the same volume of chow for the cash. The buttery is actually quite good, but overpriced. Hamcaf smells, everything looks congealed, and the staff are rude (probably as a result of dealing with obnoxious students for years) as others have pointed out.

Cantab. wrote: »

Sounds like civil engineering students on GAA night to me.

This doesn't make any sense. If you're expecting terrifyingly malnourished scarecrows staggering around, try the arts block.

Jonathan

Cantab. wrote: »

Yawn. Sounds like civil engineering students on GAA night to me

Wut?

Prof.Badass

Fad wrote: »

Cantab you sound as if you're only going to TCD because of the prestige and the character of the school, not the actual academic standards or anything.........................

prestige, acedemic standings, ....

Am i the only one who picked trinity to avoid having to get 2 buses to college?

Jegger

vinylmesh wrote: »

prestige, acedemic standings, ....

Am i the only one who picked trinity to avoid having to get 2 buses to college?

should have walked...

PurpleFistMixer

vinylmesh wrote: »

prestige, acedemic standings, ....

Am i the only one who picked trinity to avoid having to get 2 buses to college?

That's why I'm not in Maynooth...

Walking to college would be sheer madness though.