The Vanderbilt campus includes two “big box” dining centers and a number of smaller retail outlets, plus six c-stores. Here are the major venues:
Located in the new Commons complex, opened two years ago, the Commons Center is designed to encourage communal dining. Its array of dining concepts includes a salad bar with sizzle station, a chef's table, pizza from a specialty oven, a deli, wok, grill and vegetarian/vegan station.
The centerpiece of campus dining for decades because of its convenient location in the academic heart of Vanderbilt, Rand has been updated to feature an array of cuisines, from salads and international fare to deli favorites, Mexican items and specialty burgers.
The most recent addition to Vanderbilt's dining mix, Chef James Bistro (named for a famous campus culinarian), sits next to Rand and complements its choices with a mix of prepared entrees, soups, sides and various grab-and-go selections in a format reminiscent of a Whole Foods prepared foods operation..
Major retail outlets around campus include…
C.T. West, a cowboy-themed casual barbecue restaurant specializing in smoked ribs, pork and brisket, as well as burgers and chili.
Ro*Tiki, located in one of the Varsity Market c-stores, is a tropical themed QSR offering pizzas, sandwiches, soups and salads, all made to order from instructions entered by customers on a touch-screen remote ordering station.
The Pub at Overcup Oak is a sports pub themed casual dining restaurant with counter service that includes a stage and flat-screen TVs. The menu includes typoical pub fare such as paninis, salads, appetizers, sandwiches and burgers, as well as beer by the glass for those of age.
Grins is the only certified kosher restaurant in Nashville, serving vegetarian fare.
Nectar is a campus c-store offering natural, organic and gourmet products, including grab-and-go selections, snacks, frozen meals and specialty foods.