The Loop Pizza Grill

Food is alright (think typical American cuisine). Service is really hit or miss — there have been times where I’ve waited less than five minutes for my food and there have been times where I’ve waited at least 30 minutes. Sometimes the food is really bland and sometimes it’s flavored pretty well. Wish this place were more consistent.

Great place to grab a bite on the Duke campus! My brother raved about the Cajun chicken Alfredo and I was really skeptical about getting it but did anyways. IT WAS AMAZING! The pasta was delicious and the Alfredo sauce was the perfect amount of creamy without being too overwhelming and the chicken was tender. On top of that, it comes with an amazing breadstick that’s so soft and goes perfectly with the pasta! I definitely recommend getting this!
I also got the caprese pesto pizza. That was also pretty good. The 8″ was the perfect size for me and my mom. I personally don’t like s ton of marinara sauce on my pizza so I liked how they had the option of pesto pizzas.

grilled chicken sandwich and great American cheese burger are good. You should go there early because there are always so many people!

Mac and cheese bites! You definitely want to try these if you like mac and cheese. They look like tator tots, but are actually pockets of mac and cheese. I ordered these one time during the summer and the cashier was like, «Dang! Now I know you’re a Duke student and not a visitor!» aka knowing to order mac and cheesw bites means you’re «in the know,» haha?
My go-​to meal items are the pesto chicken ciabatta, the Asian chicken salad, and a personal pizza. Not the cheapest option for food on campus, but you should feel full and satisfied.

Pro: Fast service, conveniently located in the center of West Campus of Duke Uni.
Con: Mediocre soups and pizzas, somewhat overpriced
Bottom Line: If you are craving pizza and find yourself at Duke this is your go to. However like most Duke food it’s overpriced and food quality can vary between acceptable and bad.
I ate at the loop a few times during my stay at Duke University and all in all I was not very impressed with the food that they served. Although it never took me longer than 5 mins to receive my food, I would rather have waited longer for something of higher quality. The pizza is acceptable but a little overpriced as a 14-​inch pizza will cost you a little over $ 18. The one-​time I got a loop burger it was somewhat dry. However my biggest beef was with the French-​onion soup which you would expect to be good since it’s even circled on the menu under the soup section.
The soup was very one-​dimensional and tasted more like salted broth then the heavenly ambrosia I have come to associate with French-​onion soup. Also there was only a single tiny piece of floating bread in stark contrast to the crispy islands of dough that I’m usually accustomed to. The biggest transgression, however, was the cheese which tasted old and felt like a rubbery mass as it slithered down my throat. I would rather have eaten at the nearby Panda Express then have to consume that salt water again.

I’ve eaten here once and the food was good. I had the mac bites and it was savory and not just standard and bland like Au Bön next door. However this place is EXTREMELY overpriced, I would steer away if I had too. It is price pointed at a standalone restaurant where you receive service, but you don’t.
Foor is really delicious and tends to have more flavor than other Duke eateries but the price is inflated. Wouldn’t recommend but once a year if that.

I’m amazed that I haven’t left a review for this place earlier. When I was a student at Duke, I used to eat at the Loop 3 – 4 times a week. I’ve pretty much had everything on their menu at least once throughout my four years at undergrad here. My personal favorites are still the Loop Burger (just a classically amazing burger), the Crispy Chicken Salad (probably the most unhealthy salad on the menu but those chicken tender bites mmm), and the Tomato Bisque soup (just creamy tomato deliciousness). The milkshakes here are amazing as well — strawberry’s my personal favorite but they are all really good. Other items I would recommend: Walnut Gorgonzola Salad, Mushroom Swiss Burger, and Cajun Fish Wrap.
Prices are reasonable and the staff are friendly. I love their new space in the BC that was formally occupied by the Dillo (RIP!). It’s much swankier and modern looking though it does lack the convenience of its former spot on the BC walkway (still currently under construction).

Good food, great pizza, especially BBQ Chicken. Lots of different options — great for Duke students.

The space is cramped and waits are eternal. Nevertheless, for American food this joint is indispensable and the wholesomeness I of their food is made more salient by the McDonald’s next door. So why the 3 stars? I think even a restaurant run by static cacti can concoct a burger quicker than 15 minutes.

My sausage and goat cheese pizza was surprisingly good for an on-​campus food establishment. I also got a strawberry milkshake for just $ 3, and it was huge and really good. There’s lots of comfy seating available.

Top notch American eatery/​Pizza place. It has an dark brick pub feel, which I love and the burgers … awesome. They even have some solid veggie options

The Loop is also one of the better options to choose from on campus. They have a variety of things so everyone should be able to find something. The staff is friendly. Since adding the bar and delivery they are a little more busy but both additions were positive ones. They’re pretty packed around lunch and dinner time since there are fewer options on campus now. I typically rotate between their burgers, chicken Alfredo pasta, and grilled white fish/​salmon. This is one of the few places on campus you will find seafood. It isn’t the best but it gets the job done. Over the last year, however, my friends and I have noticed the grilled salmon getting smaller and smaller. They used to give you a nice portion but now a days I might order two pieces to get a full serving. The burgers and pasta are great though.

3.5 for solid American food, especially popular for their burgers and milkshakes.
Recently relocated to the lower level of Bryan Center, the Loop is a sit down restaurant where you order at the cash register and receive a buzzer that goes off when your food is ready so you can come to the ordering counter and pick it up.
The reason I feel the food is at the 3.5 range is that outside of the signature dishes of burgers, pizza, milkshakes (oreo is great), cookies and occasionally a salad (goat cheese salad is my personal favorite) the dishes offered tend to be misses. And as you can tell, it is not exactly the most healthy of foods.
Prices tend to be on the slightly high side; salads and burgers are about $ 8.
On the plus side, they now offer a delivery option.
There are a variety of seating options, ranging from tables with wicker chairs to booths to the furthest level down serving as a bar/​lounge; sometimes there are live guitar performances there which are always fun to listen to, usually on Thursdays late at night.

Loop is back… with a vengeance! Just kidding, but they did kick out Dillo which was well-​loved by many students. The new Loop is very spacious, taking all three floors that Dillo once had. I like that they added lighting, and now I can see the stairs I’m walking down. The food is the same although they added a few new items. The way they line us up is kind of awkward, though. The line is right in front of the door, and the people waiting around for to-​go makes the front very crowded. Although that layout is not different from the old Loop, why do I feel dissatisfied? I’m sure to get used to it, so it’s not a big worry. I’ll be back at least three times a week.

I am finally reviewing this restaurant a year after I graduated from Duke. I have been here a ton of times, so I am basing my judgement on my experience as a whole the past 5 years.
The Loop is somewhat of a powerhouse at Duke, as it is now taking over what was once known as the beloved Armadillo Grill. Its high prices and relatively standard food will be running most of the Bryan Center, with the exception of its new nemesis, Au Bön Pain.
But in all seriousness, my main beef with the Loop is its high prices. It’s on a college campus, for pete’s sake — it should have college prices. The hamburgers are $ 10 and come with lackluster sides (aside from the broccoli, I mean, who messes up steamed broccoli?). The steak fries are usually too lightly fried and are soggy and cold. There is nothing special about their burgers.
I ordered the chicken tenders the other day and they tasted fine, but considering how much it costs, it was not enough food on my plate. I do like the ambiance because it is a nice place to sit and do work or talk with friends, especially because the Great Hall is not a great place to do those things. I am sad to see them take over the armadillo grill though.

The Loop is one of my favorite campus spots for lunch or dinner. Love their salads (especially the walnut gorgonzola!), soup (both chili and tomato bisque are yummy), and burgers. It’s often crowded at meal time, but sitting outside is nice if the weather is good.

As far as Duke eateries go, The Loop offers a wide array of options perfectly suitable for different moods. It’s not the type of restaurant I would actively seek out in the real world, but at Duke it’s one of the hubs of campus life and clearly among the better options. You can’t ask for a better place to catch up with friends than a booth at The Loop (especially if there’s a basket of steak fries involved). The Loop is pretty much Duke’s diner (and like any stereotypical diner the staff is very friendly).
My favorite entrée here are the pizzas. Crispy crust, good combinations (from BBQ chicken to Mediterranean). I typically pick a healthier option like their Teriyaki Chicken sandwich. While the flavor of the chicken itself is not spectacular, the challah bread its served on and the grilled pineapple that tops it elevates this sandwich over similar healthy options across campus.
Insider’s tip (because you can tell I come here often): you can actually swap breads! Whole wheat is good. If you’re craving a crunchy bread, order any sandwich on ciabatta. The Loop is also flexible with sides.
Duke students: you can actually call and do take-​out. Take advantage of it, especially if you’re time pressed and still want to eat a tasty hot meal.
Be aware (especially if you’re eating with a group) that some foods take longer than others. Soups and salads are done almost immediately, whereas grilled options and pizzas take the most time to make.

The Loop is one of the rare places that I’m not sick of yet. It does a good job of providing enough delicious variety such that you’re not limited when you go. All of the options are pretty trustworthy — the burgers (apple smoked bacon loop favorite is great, as is the portabella one), the pizzas (tomato bisque, smoked artichoke & bacon, and spicy barbecue are three of my favorites), the cajun chicken wrap + soup special, the chicken tender platters, and the pesto chicken special (ahhh what is it called? it’s not on the main menu; it’s on a sort of crusty bread thing … oh well) are all EXCELLENT choices. I heartily recommend any of those.
I really like the onion rings and mozzarella sticks sides, but you have to pay a little bit more. Their seasoned chips and fries are really good as is. :)
The lava cake is awesome, as are the shakes.
If you’re ordering a medium or large pizza, you can get it split half and half. So I usually get a medium/​large pizza to share with a friend and get like … half artichoke & bacon and half spicy barbecue, so we get variety and pay less. :D
As a always-​rushed student, one good option is to call ahead of time (if you’re studying in Perkins, for example) and order your food. By the time you walk over, it’ll be ready! Yay: D

Oh I miss the Loop! I used to eat here all the time when I was a student at Duke. The pizzas are really good, my favorite was one with artichoke and bacon, I tried the combination at another pizza place and it was not the same at all. The pizzas and salads were my favorite, the burgers were ok. It is a great alternative to cafeteria food and fast food on campus.

«Tasty burger/​pizza option on Duke campus»
Not feeling like a quick McDs or Subways sandwich? Want a place to sit outside on Duke’s campus and chat/​people-​watch over lunch? Situated inside the West Union Bldg on campus is this gem (enter from the «Plaza» side connecting to the Bryan Center).
I’ve typically only gotten the burgers, but I hear the pizza is good. The burgers are BIG and quite tasty– like what you might get at a steakhouse. I love the «Loop ‘n’ Blue» with blue cheese, but you can also get it with cheddar, sauteed mushrooms, etc. As for sides, you can go healthy (broccoli), unhealthy (fries), or nonstandard (sweet potato fries– yum!). They also have other sandwich options including a pretty good fish, and their milkshakes are delightful.
You order at a counter, and they buzz you when the food is ready. There are some comfortable booths and lots of regular tables– the tables can be really crowded when classes are in session but are fine at nonstandard times. There’s also some decent seating outside (see picture).
Price is appropriate for the quantity– the Loop’n’Blue is just over $ 7 with fries, and that’ll pretty much fill me up (I eat a lot). And it’s all made fresh– takes about 10 – 15 minutes to get your food, which is about right for having it done «from scratch».