“ This place is amazing! Various types of food for most of likes. Beautiful building! ”

“ Great food. Lots of variety. There are restaurants from every region and type. ”

“ Love all th restaurants but Farmstead is so good ”

“ Very impressive and modern building in Duke university ”

“ For a college dining hall that’s also open to the public, this is an amazing place. Anyone who complains about the food here hasn’t had the “pleasure” of dining in a typical college cafeteria setting. This dining hall is centrally located next to the University Store. There’s another dining hall on East Campus where the freshman live and perhaps that’s a more traditional cafeteria experience. Prices are reasonable at 10-12 for most dishes and students can order ahead for pickup. Lots of options to choose from: BBQ, steak & chops, sushi bar, ramen, dumplings & poke bowls, made to order pasta, pizza, burgers, Mediterranean, Indian, Asian rice bowls, various desserts and crepes at the Cafe, and a Panera in the basement. The top floor seems to be an experimental space and at the time of my visit, they were serving Philly cheesesteaks and Italian beef sandwiches. Next door there is a McDonald’s on campus under the University Store that’s open late with plenty of tables and desks for students to work. ”

“ The food here is delicious! When you walk in, it’s beautiful, clean, and smells like fresh restaurant food. We fell in love with, The Devil’s Crafthouse bar and restaurant. The staff there is magnificent! Melvin, Javonne, and James are very warm and welcoming. Melvin told us all about the sites to see in Durham. He also remembered my freshman daughter, and said hi to her months later, and asked how her parents were doing, and how she was adjusting. They are very genuine here, and we feel like this is the gem of this hall. The lighting is dim, and it feels ver cozy. The draft beer is delicious ( I recommend the mango Goldenrod beer), and they have shaved ice on a bar strip, to keep your drinks cold. The corn quesadillas are so fresh and sweet, I order them every visit! Their french fries are perfectly salted. They have a fish wrap with plantains, that is so fresh and unique! All of the salad ingredients are very fresh and tasty. They even had salad with a delicious fried egg on top! The food here is wonderful, as are the employees. On the other side, there is a restaurant that makes fresh crepes that are delightful too. The prices are very reasonable in both restaurants. We visit Duke 3 times per year now ( move in day, move out day, Family Weekend), and ae always make a point to have lunch at The Devil’s Crafthouse for the exquisite food, and stellar staff! We look forward to catching up with Melvin and J, and they always remember our names, and are happy to see us. They are this sociable with all of their customers, and I have observed them lighting up all of their guest’s days. This location is a treasure, and I am grateful for their splendid food, and spectacular staff. ”

“ Amazing selection of food and great quality food here. Cannot believe a university cafeteria / food court to be at this level. We were just visitors but stopped by to have lunch here. ”

“ The Brodhead Center at Duke University stands as a masterpiece of architectural reinvention, where collegiate Gothic grandeur meets contemporary innovation in a dialogue that enriches both. Like many great works of adaptive reuse, it succeeds not by subjugating one era to another, but by allowing each to shine in counterpoint. The original 1931 West Campus Union Building has been transformed through a remarkable renovation completed in 2016. The project's crowning achievement is its central glass atrium, which creates a soaring light-filled space that serves as the building's new heart while respecting the historic envelope. This modern insertion, praised by the Society for College and University Planning's jury as "stunning," demonstrates how contemporary architecture can enhance rather than diminish historic spaces. The building's Gothic bones remain proudly visible – multicolored Duke stone walls, pointed arches, and magnificent wooden trusses, now complemented by sleek glass curtain walls, wooden vertical fins, and modern lighting. This juxtaposition creates a rich architectural narrative, where students can trace the institution's evolution from its 1924 founding by James B. Duke to its current position as a forward-looking global university. The 112,000-square-foot facility serves as more than just a dining hall. Its sophisticated programming reflects contemporary understanding of how students learn and socialize. Multiple venues, including Sazon Latin American restaurant and various quick-service stations, serve up to 6,000 meals daily. The space flows seamlessly from dining areas to study nooks, from private meeting pods to communal lounges, all bathed in natural light filtering through the glass facade. The technical achievement is particularly noteworthy. The construction team, led by Skanska USA, executed a complex core demolition while preserving a 40-foot-wide strip of the original structure on three sides. The result required intricate utility relocations and basement excavation to accommodate modern systems while maintaining historical integrity. Sustainability weaves throughout the design, earning LEED Silver certification. The extensive glazing reduces artificial lighting needs, while the preservation of existing structures conserves embodied energy. Living plants and thoughtful integration with outdoor spaces further enhance environmental performance. Named for Duke's ninth president, Richard H. Brodhead, whose 2004-2017 tenure emphasized the intersection of academic excellence and community engagement, the center exemplifies how physical spaces can foster intellectual and social community. As William McCraw, Duke University Staff Architect, notes, it has become "a new social center of gravity for the student body." The project's success lies in its careful balance of preservation and innovation. The design team, led by Grimshaw Architects, created spaces that support both planned and spontaneous interactions while maintaining sight lines across the historic quad. Modern amenities like digital displays and teaching kitchens coexist with carved limestone elements and decorative gargoyles. The Brodhead Center demonstrates how institutional architecture can honor its past while embracing the future. It serves as both a destination and a connector within the campus fabric, fostering the kind of meaningful community interaction that defines the collegiate experience. In doing so, it offers lessons for other institutions seeking to modernize historic structures while preserving their essential character. This architectural achievement represents more than just a successful renovation, it embodies an understanding that great university spaces must evolve to serve changing needs while maintaining connections to their institutional heritage. The Richard H. Brodhead Center for Campus Life stands as testament to this principle, creating a vibrant community hub that will serve Duke University well into its next century. ”