Rollins

First Look: A Reimagined Dave’s Boathouse

July 11, 2022

By Stephanie Rizzo ’09

Students enjoy a meal at Dave's Boathouse
Photo by Scott Cook.

Dave’s Boathouse, Rollins’ beloved nautical-themed restaurant, is shifting to a new globally inspired menu that prioritizes freshness. Get a sneak peek of what’s in store for your taste buds.

A longtime Tars favorite, Dave’s Boathouse is one of Rollins’ coziest gathering places. With last year’s opening of the Fox Lodge Grill—which is now serving up grilled favorites like fresh fish sandwiches and veggie quesadillas—Rollins Dining Services is revamping the menu at Dave’s, which will include internationally inspired dishes that are still big on comfort and flavor.

“We saw an opportunity to reimagine Dave’s as an exciting new concept while staying true to the spirit of everything people love about it,” says Carolina Ossa, marketing manager in Rollins Dining Services.

The result? A reimagined fast-casual eatery that emphasizes flavor and freshness. On September 22, Dave’s will debut a new menu (prices subject to change) that combines all the mouth-watering options Tars crave with faster service and more diverse dining options—including a full Kosher and Halal menu, rotating selections of international-inspired favorites, and select items that cater to folks with different dietary needs. Beloved dishes like the Angry Bird and Dave’s Burger will still be available in the Fox Lodge Grill in Lakeside Neighborhood in their original form, but modified versions will be available at Dave’s featuring Kosher-approved vegan dairy and Halal meats. And keeping with its gastropub roots, the establishment will serve beer and wine to Tars 21 and up.

Ready to see what’s on the menu? We’re taking you inside the reimagined Dave’s Boathouse for a glimpse of what awaits.

Photos by Scott Cook.

Eat Around the Globe

Dave’s new menu is packed with international flair, featuring a rotating bevy of dishes inspired by international comfort foods to make you feel at home no matter where you hail from. Think crispy falafel platters served with tomato-cucumber salad, Mediterranean pickles, fried eggplant, baba ghanoush, and vegan tzatziki sauce. Or the Bahn mi sandwich, piled high with carrots, cucumbers, pickled jalapenos, and the protein of your choice, finished with a smoky chipotle aioli.

These are just a few examples of what diners can expect from the new menu, which will change often to prioritize seasonal ingredients and spotlight dishes from around the globe. And everything Dave’s serves has the added benefit of being both Kosher and Halal certified, offering all students more inclusive options when it comes to dining on campus.

Students dine outside on the Dave's Boathouse patio
Photo by Scott Cook.

Soak Up the Sun

There’s no better way to enjoy fresh eats than in the fresh air on America’s most beautiful campus, where the average temp is 72 degrees. Whether you’re soaking up some vitamin D between classes or meeting up with friends to catch up after a long day, the Dave’s Boathouse patio—which overlooks glistening Lake Virginia—is the perfect location to dine alfresco.

Photos by Scott Cook.

Sweet Treats Galore

A refreshing smoothie from Dave’s will transport you straight to the tropics. Choose from strawberry banana, orange and mango, or classic pina colada. And don’t forget about dessert! Indulge in a warm chocolate chip cookie with a gooey lava core. Take your taste buds to the next level by adding a scoop of sorbet for a decadent treat.

A student holds a tray of sushi
Photo by Scott Cook.

Roll with It

Hand-rolled sushi has been a staple at Dave’s for the past few years, and it remains a favorite menu item. Tars can chow down on made-to-order rolls featuring the freshest ingredients like spicy tuna, fresh fish, and even vegetarian and vegan rolls. In order to ensure peak freshness, the sushi specials rotate based on seasonally available ingredients, so check back often to see what’s on offer.

Students hang out in Dave's Boathouse while enjoying fresh fare.
Photo by Scott Cook.

Hearty Hangs

No matter what you’re craving, Dave’s is still one of the best places on campus to gather with friends and colleagues for everything from group study sessions to catching up on the latest episode of Euphoria. Students can use both their Dining Dollars and TarBUCS to purchase meals at Dave’s, making it a breeze to buy a round of appetizers for the table.

Starting September 22, Dave’s Boathouse will be open for continual dining for lunch and dinner Sunday to Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please note that the restaurant is closed on Saturday.

Chef putting a pepperoni pizza into an oven.

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