When you think of Valentine’s Day, your mind tends to go to candlelit dinners, overpriced menus and elaborate grand gestures. It’s a holiday that’s nearly impossible to ignore, marked by pink and red decorations, stuffed teddy bears and heart-shaped everything. But on campus, love looks a little different. In honor of Cupid’s Day, CatAppetite is celebrating the places that know us best: Villanova dining centers. These are places where familiar meals, unique playlists and guaranteed seats at your usual table are always waiting. It is a kind of love that goes unnoticed, but if we’re being honest, these are the relationships that truly sustain us.
Dougherty Hall: The Reliable Valentine
It would only make sense to start with our tried-and-true Dougherty Hall, better known as “Pit.” If Dougherty Hall were your Valentine, it would be the dependable one. Not flashy or one to show you off to all their friends, but there when you need them most. Pit doesn’t promise over-the-top expressions of love, but it does ensure consistency, which is a precious gift on overwhelming days. You know the layout, you know the routine and you know there will always be an option waiting. From the comforting array of soups served daily to the newly added Red Lantern station and the Home Kitchen, where you can construct your own breakfast, Pit offers reliability and safety. In fact, Pit is the kind of Valentine who never has you double-texting or questioning where you stand, which is a love language in itself.
Donahue Market: The Love You Outgrew
Naturally, it is only fair to address Pit’s number one competitor, Donahue Market. Also referred to as “Spit,” Donahue is the relationship many students fall into early on. It was exciting at first: the ice cream machine plus the extensive toppings bar, the familiar aroma of Choolah drifting across South Campus and of course, Spitfire Cantina, the make-your-own-bowl station that feels like Villanova’s very own Chipotle. It was all you knew. It was your entire world. However, as you grew older and the distance between Main and South campus started to cause a rift, you realized that “Spit” might not be the one to settle down with. You still appreciate them for what your relationship was, and sometimes you stop by out of habit or nostalgia, but they are no longer your go-to. Donahue Market may not be your Valentine this February, but they will always be your freshman year’s first love.
Café Nova: The Romantic Valentine
Finally, something I can get behind. Affectionately nicknamed as “Cova,” Café Nova is the Valentine that plans the date before you even think to ask. There is something for practically everyone, making them the kind of Valentine that can do it all. From salads, wraps and acai bowls to pizzas and even Pope Leo’s Chicago Style Hot Dog, Cova delivers variety without sacrificing charm. Whether you are in the mood for something light or something indulgent, Cova adapts, making it an easy choice no matter the day or schedule. Now, Cova is not without its faults. We have all ordered meals that have taken longer than expected. But like any relationship built on intention, some things are worth the wait.
Second Storey Deli: The High Commitment Valentine
St Mary’s very own SecondStorey Deli is the one you genuinely like but cannot commit to without mentally preparing yourself first. The extensive options are endless, and unlike Cova, it can be a tad overwhelming. Every visit turns into an internal debate as you scan the menu, reconsider your instincts and wonder if you are about to make the wrong choice. You would think the very first step of simply choosing what kind of bread you want for your sandwich would be easy, until you realize there are nine options before you even get to the toppings. Second Storey is not a casual Valentine. It requires deliberation and patience. However, in return, you are guaranteed a meal and a love worth your while.
A Love Letter to Villanova Dining Centers
At the end of the day, love on campus doesn’t always look like roses and fancy reservations. It’s seen in the way our dining halls feed us on our best days and on our most exhausting ones. They are all reminders that sometimes the simplest forms of care are the ones that matter most. Some Valentines just get you, and some require a mental warm-up, but Villanova’s dining halls somehow manage to cover every relationship dynamic. Happy dining.
