Whip out that ID card. Your days of fancy restaurants and home-cooked meals are long gone.

Welcome to the world of college dining.

"I feel that the dining commons are hit or miss most of the time," Daniel Bisutti (freshman-meteorology) said. "Occasionally, they will have something really good, but some days I find myself leaving with the feeling that I have been let down."

All hope is not lost, however. Intermingled in these traditional cafeterias are more than a dozen options for variation from the routine.

For those looking to eat healthy, Penn State has it covered. The same goes for those looking for a retro eatery, a pizza shop, sushi or ice cream.

As a freshman, your choices certainly aren't limited to East Halls, your most likely place of residence, although chances are you'll go there the most.

East Halls has Findlay Dining Commons, the average buffet-style dining commons, as well as the '50s-themed "Roxy's." Freshman favorite "Fresh Express" offers students health-conscious options ranging from wraps to daily specialty salads.

A stroll down Bigler Road will land you at Pollock Dining Commons.

"The food at Pollock took some time getting used to," said summer LEAP participant Ayla Baughman (freshman-health and human development). "It definitely has its good days and its bad days."

Pollock has an option for Italian lovers, "RigaTony's," which offers pasta, pizza and antipasto salads.

Located just a few feet from Beaver Hall, the South Halls area has seven dining options in Redifer Commons for the indecisive student. It is complete with a city-style grill, Mongolian stir-fry, sub shop, Italian restaurant and create-your-own-salad bar.

The less-frequented Warnock Dining Commons in North Halls serves up the traditional buffet as well as the "Blue Spoon," a breakfast grill, which also features wraps, grilled sandwiches and online hoagie orders.

For many, the darling of on-campus dining is West Halls, where Waring Dining Commons offers a vast selection of all-you-can-eat delicacies.

One self-proclaimed fanatic Matt Hayes (junior-supply chain and information systems).

"Favorite commons? West," he said. "Hands down. Because of the cookies."

Next door, "The West Wing" prepares made-to-order sandwiches, wraps and a la carte dining.

Centre Dining Commons has McElwain and Simmons, which are famous for their weekend brunches.

When they're not too busy whipping up Ramen noodles with water fresh from the bathroom sink, students can make the trek across the quad to dine in one of Penn State's on-campus dining options.