For Pitt students who get tired of on-campus dining options, they don’t have to journey far — or dip into their cash — to try something new.

When students walk in The Eatery this fall, they can expect a different scene than last year’s take-out stations and styrofoam containers. New food and more conversation will be the new norm, according to a representative from Pitt’s dining contractor.

The University allocated 25% of each student's dining dollars to 27 off-campus dining locations around the Oakland area under its new meal plans at the start of last semester. The vendors include Fuel and Fuddle, CHiKN, The Porch at Schenley and many more.

Compass Group, Pitt’s new dining contractor, requires all first-year students living on-campus to have unlimited meal plans. Along with new meal plans, students shared their opinions on new food options, dining location changes and safety.

For the first time, Pitt students can get dessert from the Pittsburgh-based ice cream shop Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream on campus — and pay with Dining Dollars.

When I packed up my bags and headed off to college, I knew it was the end of home-cooked dinners and my all-access pass to the kitchen. No longer would I be able to grab a slice of peanut butter toast...