With admissions to Delhi University taking place in June and July, when humidity levels are uncomfortably high, thousands of students and parents visiting the North Campus struggle to find decent places to eat and rest.
Now that most are done with mission admission, it is time to look at some of the food joints which are eager to serve visitors but are often missed due to lack of knowledge.
“Our canteens are always open during admission time and people usually don’t know this so they end up leaving the college as soon as they have finished their work and hunt for food elsewhere. This is because our college has its canteen far away from the administrative block and it just doesn’t occur to anyone to ask about it,” said Tanya, a student volunteer at Hindu College where the canteen does not see any rush but serves decent food.
Once classes start, the students’ loyalty to their canteen becomes so firm that they rarely go to another college canteen. Therefore, admission time is also the best time to check out the competition.
“I love mince cutlets in St. Stephen’s College and mutton dosas at Delhi School of Economics and I also love rajma chawal in Ramjas canteen,” said Parul, a former student who had come for her brother’s admission.
There are also the new eating places where loyalties have not set in as yet. The university canteen at the Arts Faculty is run by the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation and serves the same food at the same prices that one might get in any of the other IRCTC outlets. So, this is the best place for those not feeling adventurous.
If fast-food and a quiet corner is what is needed, students are probably best served at chain outlets. Here large portions of ice-cream and over-priced rajma chawal can be had in a comfortable atmosphere.
Street food possibilities on the campus are endless. “Walk the streets and c holay kulchas , momos, steaming bowls of noodles, and endless variety of chaat can be found and you can eat it anyway you want. For example, the kulcha need not be eaten in a plate. Ask the vendor to make it into rolls for you. The Maggi always tastes better here, maybe it’s the water they use or something,” said Pragya, a student volunteer who has not fallen sick eating street-food yet.
