Courtesy of Kevin Lieue ’26
If you’ve ever walked into Crozier-Williams late at night, chances are you’ve passed by Oasis and seen it buzzing with students. For many at Connecticut College, Oasis has become more than just a dining station; it’s a hangout, a study break spot, and, most importantly, a place to get some of the best food on campus.
A Commitment to Flavorful Dining
Oasis meals are prepared with fresh and organic ingredients that highlight the amazing flavor and aftertaste of each dish. The culinary team at Oasis designs food that is hearty, warm, and satisfying with each bite. Students often remark that Oasis has much better-tasting food than Harris Dining Hall, especially at night when everyone is vibing and chilling with their classmates.
Diverse Menu Options
Oasis has a variety of dining options for students, ranging from burgers and fries to penne pasta and California rolls. Students can find comfort food such as chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, and mac and cheese. For students seeking healthier or global options, Oasis offers salad bowls, sushi, fruit cups, and other rotating specials displayed on the wall near the register. This variety ensures that students never get bored with Oasis.
A Welcoming Atmosphere
Beyond its culinary offerings, Oasis provides a welcoming environment for students to relax and socialize. The space is designed to be a gathering place where students can connect over shared meals, fostering a sense of community within the campus. The booths in Oasis are the best seats in the room to relax, hang out with friends, and eat the amazing food that Oasis has to offer.
Contributing to Convenience
Set to come out this fall, students can also enjoy convenient dining by downloading the mobile app that will let them preorder their food at any time. Once you order the food, the order will be placed, and the food will wait for you inside an Apex Locker, where you can pick it up whenever you want. Students can also enjoy a free meal swipe at Oasis if they didn’t go to Harris for dinner. With that meal swipe, they can get a burger, flatbread, fries or chips, and a drink for free. This swipe plan is limited to 5 swipes per week.
Comparing Dining Halls
There are 3 main dining halls on campus: Harris Refectory, Jane Addams, and Oasis at Crozier-Williams. Unlike Harris and JA, Oasis closes at 1 am every day of the week, making it a designated hangout for nocturnal students. In my personal experience, the food at Oasis is healthier and more flavorful than anything at Harris. Some upperclassmen have stated that JA, before Oasis was opened, was the “better” dining hall, saying that “It was just better. There are a lot of problems with Oasis right now, so hopefully they get those fixed.”
Student Experiences
When asking around about opinions of Oasis, students brought up their most purchased meals: chicken tenders and burgers. Students say that the chicken tenders are well prepared, cooked to a good quality, and that the buffalo chicken is at the perfect spiciness. The burgers, they described, were also delicious. One quote from a student said, “The burger is lowkey better than the stuff at Harris.” They further said, “Since they’re grilled fresh and made to order, they’re better than the Harris ones.” The chicken tenders seem to get more love from the student body. “The chicken tenders are great. They just hit man, especially late at night. They’re sensational.”
Personal Experience
After a few visits to Oasis, I can safely say that it’s my favorite dining experience I’ve had as a freshman. The burgers and chicken tenders are my go-to bites; however, the basil chicken pesto flatbread is also to die for. The soda machine is broken, however, and you can only select a few options for drinks. The seating in Oasis is great. All I can say is that when you’re there, try to bring a few friends to sit in the booths. Located inside Crozier-Williams, enjoy a well-prepared meal that will hit the spot every time.
