The opening of the Bloomberg Student Center has introduced an intriguing array of dining options to campus. Recently, I stepped outside my usual choices of a chipotle veggie burger from Brody”s Daily Grind and a spirulina bowl from Neicy”s Fabulous Juice Bar to sample the offerings available at the new center. To ensure a fair evaluation, I selected items based solely on my mood and assessed them based on taste, quality, and value for money.
Each dish received a separate rating, along with an overall average rating for its vendor. I compared these meals to other campus dining choices rather than external restaurants. I highly encourage everyone to explore these options, as my ratings reflect personal preferences.
Koshary Corner Delights
The Koshary Corner, located in R. House, specializes in Egyptian comfort food with lentils, rice, and kebab dishes. I sampled the Protein Bowl, Smash Kebab Flatbread, and Béchamel Pasta. The Protein Bowl featured musakhan chicken, which is roasted with sumac and onion, served with rice, vegetables, and yogurt dressing. While hearty and filling, I found the chicken slightly tough and dry, and the dressing somewhat overpowering. I rated the Protein Bowl a 6.5 out of 10.
The Béchamel Pasta, layered with pasta, ground beef, warming spices, and béchamel, resembled an Egyptian lasagna. Although rich and filling, the repetitive flavors became tiresome halfway through. Priced at nine dollars, it provided good value since I couldn”t finish it all. I rated the Béchamel Pasta a 6 out of 10.
The highlight for me was the Smash Kebab Flatbread. The kebab was juicy and well-spiced, paired with soft, flavorful flatbread that burst with rich notes of paprika and cilantro. This dish ranks among the best I”ve had on campus, earning a perfect score of 10 out of 10, leading to an overall vendor rating of 7.5 out of 10.
Urban Kitchen Offers American Classics
Urban Kitchen, an extension of The Urban Oyster in Hampden, serves classic American dishes alongside unique offerings such as oyster mushroom fritters and smoked brisket bánh mì. I opted for the shrimp po” boy, which included fried shrimp, honey-cilantro slaw, and remoulade. The sandwich was enjoyable, but I felt the shrimp-to-breading ratio was off, leaving me wanting more shrimp. The shrimp itself was well-seasoned and juicy. However, the bread was disappointingly dry, prompting me to snack on the shrimp alone. The accompanying shoestring fries were crispy and well-seasoned. I rated the shrimp po” boy a 7 out of 10.
Chinese American Cuisine at Lucky Danger
Lucky Danger, led by award-winning chef Tim Ma, offers traditional Chinese American fare. I tried the veggie lo mein, featuring stir-fried noodles and mixed vegetables. The noodles were well-prepared, springy, and well-coated in sauce. However, the sauce was somewhat one-dimensional, primarily tasting like soy sauce with minimal depth. Some vegetables, like bok choy, were undercooked. The dish was sufficiently filling, but I would suggest exploring other options on the menu. I assigned a rating of 5 out of 10 to the veggie lo mein.
Connie”s Chicken and Waffles
Connie”s is well-known for its comforting fried chicken and waffles, and its latest stand has expanded to include fish, shrimp, and rice bowls. I ordered the Combo Meal featuring chicken and buttermilk waffles, along with Connie”s seasoned fries and orange juice. It is worth noting that the description in the Transact app is misleading, as it suggests the meal includes fries, but only adds a drink at an extra cost. The waffles were the standout, soft and subtly sweet, while the chicken tenders were dry and lacked flavor despite their crisp exterior. The meal felt unbalanced, with only two small tenders and one waffle. At eighteen dollars, it felt like a significant drain on dining funds, earning a disappointing rating of 4.5 out of 10.
Overall, the new dining options at the Bloomberg Student Center introduce much-needed variety to the Hopkins food scene. Each vendor contributes its unique history and character, connecting students to the vibrant culinary culture of Baltimore. While prices can be steep and quality may fluctuate, the availability of diverse, real food is a refreshing change from the typical cafeteria offerings.
