Campus grub: Fine dining for residents

By Esther Lee–

It’s the end of the semester, and you still have too many meal points on your Cardinal Card. You are sick of Wendy’s, Subway and Papa John’s. You have also exhausted out of the options of Chinese food and at Chick-fil-A. And McAlister’s seems just too far. What else is there? Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Damon’s Grill!

Damon’s can be found on the second floor of the Student Activities Center. With its big sign, it’s pretty hard to miss. Once you enter, you’re greeted by the view of the entire restaurant. Compared to the other food options and dining services on campus, Damon’s is one of those few places that separate itself from the rest of the campus.

The atmosphere is very laid back. There are plenty of TVs to support the Louisville Cardinals, and a bar counter for those who prefer sitting on high seats. For the quieter and more relaxed alternative to the busy and loud SAC multipurpose room, Damon’s is the way to go. It is a great place to head to when you have more than just 30 minutes to grab a lunch and go. When you have a friend who needs to be caught up with, Damon’s provides the welcoming vibe that doesn’t rush you out the door.

The food at Damon’s meets expectations. There’s nothing particularly special about the food, but it doesn’t disappoint very often either. The menu uses puns such as “Starting Line Up” for the appetizers which include Sliders and Spinach Artichoke Dip. “Overtime” for desserts which include red velvet and carrot cake, and “On the Side Line” for, like the name implies, side dishes, such as fries and mashed potatoes.

When I go to Damon’s, I usually get the turkey burger with fries, but I ventured into the chicken tenders for once. Both main dishes did not let me down and were a filling and hearty lunch. The items are slightly more expensive than the counterpart fast food chains downstairs, ranging from roughly $7 to $11 per dish. But for the price you pay, you get a decent amount. And with all those extra meal points that on-campus students have, why not indulge in something that’s slightly pricey? All in all, there are plenty of options that anyone could enjoy.

The staff are friendly, and the service is good. The entire restaurant is well kept. Also, throughout the year, Damon’s holds special dinner events, such as their Valentine’s Day Love Birds Dinner. Damon’s transformed itself into a fine dining restaurant.

So next time you want to sit down and slowly enjoy a meal, keep Damon’s Grill in the back of your mind. Although it’s not a life-changing experience, it is definitely worth checking out.

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Photo by Val Servino/The Louisville Cardinal