Since my November column focusing on Carolina Dining’s inconsistent food, from day to day and even meal to meal in Russell House and other dining locations on campus, I have noticed that the food has changed for the better, and become more consistent. My friends and I experience significantly fewer letdowns. The food seems to be a lot fresher, and the service has been much more pleasant.
After being approached a month or so ago by a Carolina Dining supervisor, and discussing my column with him, I decided I would give the food and service a chance at redemption. The supervisor ensured me that they took my column seriously and would strive to make students happy with the service they provide.
Would I say the food and service has reached its potential? Absolutely not. I am not trying to be harsh, but I will not “go easy” and avoid the truth. The truth is, as with any other service, Carolina Dining is not flawless, nor does anyone expect it to be. It will always have flaws, but there is always room for improvement, and the goal should be to make fewer mistakes, learn from them and then avoid repeating them.
And with that said, I can vouch that they have made valiant efforts to better provide for the Gamecocks. I have found shorter lines, especially on the second floor of Russell, which probably has a lot to do with Carolina Dining employees creating more organization by directing customer traffic. I have spent less time waiting behind students who want a chicken sandwich that isn’t ready yet, when all I want are some chicken strips that are sitting untouched. On a regular basis I have received food that does not taste like it has been sitting out all day.
I hope I am not speaking too soon, and I hope when you get your pepperoni pizza from Pizza Hut it is not dry or burnt and that your breadsticks are soft and taste like actual breadsticks. If not, I still stand by the advice I gave back in November: If the food is not satisfactory, if it’s not what you want, take it back. You are paying for that food, you are the customer and you deserve to get what you want. Change does not happen if we decide to settle. Change happens when you take a stand, and it seems to me that Carolina Dining is trying to make a change so someone is doing something right.
It’s good to know that the food service is not afraid to listen — that it can take a step back to reevaluate, realize its flaws and then make an honest attempt to change. For that I commend Carolina Dining, and hopefully it will continue to live up to its slogan, “making every day a better day.”