I hear a lot of Colorado Mesa University’s students say that the cafeteria food is awful. People say ‘we can do better,’ ‘there aren’t many options’ and ‘it’s the same thing every day.’

I’m a vegan, so my options are limited. But let me just say, I think the cafeteria food is awesome. There’s a vegan section that has new options every day. I don’t think I’ve actually had the exact same meal more than once. The salad food is fresh (the tomatoes could be a little less mushy, but we can’t have everything).

Students will complain often about how there isn’t enough variety in the caf. Shoot, when I hear this I think to myself, “what are you guys talking about, this place is like a five-star buffet.”

I live off campus, but still wanted to have a meal plan; the food is worth it. I swipe my friends in sometimes so they can experience the luxury of the CMU cafeteria. My friends also feel the caf food is superb. We actually get excited when it’s time to head to the cafeteria to stuff ourselves with endless vegan food.

The cafeteria impresses me with their variety of non-dairy milk and gluten-free cakes and pies. Most people don’t know about the secret stash of these items, because they’re kept under the front desk in a small mini fridge; you just have to ask.

Don’t even get me started on the tea selection. The cafeteria has 10 different teas to choose from. If you’re a tea lover like me, then this is a big deal. Not to mention the coffee selection. It’s not the best coffee I’ve ever had, but if you’re too good for caf coffee, Starbucks is right down the hall.

What about those infused waters? Talk about fancy. For people like me who can’t afford to buy cucumbers and lemons to cut them up to put into water, the caf has you covered. I sometimes go into the caf just to fill up my water bottle full of infused cucumber water. It’s refreshing.

I suppose if you aren’t a vegan or a health nut, then all these things don’t stand out to you. For those of you who eat dairy and meat products, what more could you ask for? Pizza, burgers, greasy French fries, sandwiches, pastas, the list just keeps going.

People think I’m crazy when I say the Sodexo food is great, but what can I say? The meals they have to offer are better than the meals I could make for myself. I don’t have time or money for that.

So for now, I’ll keep eating my caf salads, drinking my almond milk, fancy infused waters and spreading good vibes about the caf food because I am always satisfied with it.