In an environment dominated by meals which sometimes feel like a game of roulette, the new O’Dowd Dragon Cart is a welcome addition to the lunch scene. The pop-up serves Asian food 2-3 times per week behind the library, with large crowds lined up for dishes such as orange chicken, bulgogi beef, and egg fried rice. Many O’Dowd students have found delicious success with the Dragon Cart’s meats compared to other options on campus.

Sweet and sour chicken is a staple of American Chinese food, and consequently it proved a hit in the Dragon Cart’s first week. Neptune Miller ’27 eloquently described, “The rich combination of the sweet sour Asian blend is like a symphony in my mouth. Between the crispy, breaded exterior and the succulent interior, this chicken is the best meal I’ve had at O’Dowd” when asked about his meal of chicken and fried rice. This extremely strong praise reflects the overall buzz that has surrounded the Dragon Cart’s conception, with a noticeable quality increase, especially regarding the proteins. As Neptune candidly stated, “The chicken is not raw.”

Similarly, Luke Whitten ’27 offered high praises for the Dragon Cart’s chicken dishes, asserting that he “was expecting it to just be like the cafeteria food but worse, but the chicken and rice was surprisingly good.” He also commented on how the new food spot decreases traffic to the cafeteria, Dragon Lair, and Dragon Bar, and adds a nice variety to lunchtime’s sometimes monotonous routine. He purchased sticky sesame chicken and lo mein, with a spicy sriracha mayonnaise and sweet sauce contrasting to form wonderful flavors.

In the pursuit of journalistic integrity, I went to buy lunch myself. I received Mongolian beef and egg fried rice. The flavor was exceptional, with the tender steak and lemongrass sauce beautifully mixing. The rice, which is often clumpy or overcooked, had a very nice texture as well. I felt no fear of accidentally discovering a raw piece, and it is evident that the Epicurean staff feels passionate about making the Dragon Cart as delicious as possible.

I look forward to eating from the Dragon Cart more in the future, and the O’Dowd community is very lucky to have another delicious and nutritious option to choose from at lunch! Great food, shorter lines, and a celebration of O’Dowd’s culture–what’s not to love?