The Commons on the Green

900 16th St S, Birmingham
(205) 996-6569

Recent Reviews

Phaedra

I finally had the chance to eat at The Commons on the Green on Monday. I chose Monday specifically, because I do not have a meal plan that gives me meal swipes, and I knew that The Commons does Mindful Mondays where students can get in for only $5. I went with a couple of my friends before class so we could dine during breakfast hours since that was our favorite time during our freshman year. The Commons is very spacious and boasts of UAB pride with the amount of green and Blazer spirit you can find inside. It is conveniently located almost in the middle of campus, so it's easily accessible from all sides and not too much of a walk. It was heavily packed when I went, and as a result it was difficult to find seating for myself and my friends. I went to their Entree area and got eggs, pancakes, bacon (not pictured because it was finished beforehand) and potatoes. I love breakfast in general and am not too picky, so I enjoyed it for the most part-- the eggs were a little bland and cold though. The people who served my for were also in good spirits and made me feel welcomed. Additionally, one of my friends who dined with me is vegetarian and found that The Commons accommodated her fairly well. The place was clean and tidy (and also all-you-can-eat), so I will definitely be coming back!

Khya J.

This was my first time visiting the Commons on the Green and I had a pretty good experience. I met up with my classmate Amber to try out the cafe since I was unfamiliar with the place. I had a custom sandwich made and overall the food was very good. We had to pay $12 to eat since we didn't have a meal plan, but I think it was a pretty reasonable price for everything you could get. The staff was very nice and patient with me while preparing my food. The cafe was very spacious and the tall windows allowed for a very open view of the green.

Courtney O.

Because I commute, this was my first visit to the Commons. Being that the Commons mostly caters to students I expected the price to be cheaper than it was, however after finding out about it's buffet style design, the pricing seemed somewhat fair. I did have some trouble with parking, but once there the building itself felt spacious with many seating options available (I believe this could help with COVID-19 precautions though it did not specifically state as such). The staff was friendly and they offered assistance which I always find to be important, it made me feel more comfortable as a first time visitor. Though it had a variety of options, I chose to go with pizza which I found to be just okay. It's not something I would return for, but I can see how many students would choose the Commons out of convenience. If I do decide to go again, I would definitely explore more of the food options made available. For now, I would give it a 3/5

Alondria M.

I dined at the UAB Commons on the Green on a weekday during lunchtime. This was my first time visiting the establishment and overall I think it is a decent place for students to get an affordable meal on campus. There was a line, but it moved fast so there wasn't a long wait time. I do not have a meal plan and my total rung up to around $12 which is not bad considering I typically spend more at Panera Bread and Chick fil a. I enjoyed the music that was playing in the background. It was mainly top 40 pop hits. The food was buffet style so there were plenty of options to choose from including vegan, vegetarian, gluten and dairy free choices. Social distancing was definitely not practiced, but the cleaning crew did a fine job constantly cleaning each table after patrons left. The plates provided are reusable and thoroughly washed limiting the amount of disposal waste produced. As for my meal I selected the pepperoni pizza and a side salad. The pizza was lukewarm and slightly bland. I've had better frozen pizza and the salad was standard to that of any buffet. I would prefer a better salad mix. In the future maybe they can include a micro greens and spinach mix. I also wasn't enthused by the dressing options. Overall it was a decent visit. I like that this option is available for students who need it.

Makayla B.

The UAB Commons went under heavy COVID protections at the time of COVID, offering great protection to students, faculty, and all who dined at the hall. Since then, there has been a bit of change to their operations, but their care for patrons continues in their operations. The staff was friendly and helpful, and there are several options that accommodate various dietary lifestyles! The food itself is of decent quality, but I have never had anything exceedingly spectacular. The fried chicken I had was in need of some seasoning as it just tasted like flour. I think the one food I really enjoys was the fries, definitely see myself going back for more and tasting some other options!

Gabby H.

I enjoyed the commons because it was very spacious. The environment was very friendly and the employees were very nice. They had a variety of food options for students to choose from. I loved the broccoli and garlic pizza that they provided. I also loved the salad bar with various dressings. I like that you are able to go back for more food because as a student we sometimes do not get to eat enough meals through out the day. As you get done eating you are able to just place your plates, silverware, and cups on an assembly that goes straight to the kitchen. I would recommend the commons to any student who goes to UAB.

Tu Minh H.

The Common on the Green was my preferred location for lunchtime gatherings with friends, and occasionally for dinner as well. Due to its proximity to our classrooms, this cafeteria serves as an ideal location for us to relax and socialize, whether we are dealing with stress or simply engaging in casual conversation after school. The cuisine offered at the establishment was varied, but I really like the glazed honey-grilled chicken as my main course. It was accompanied by broccoli and stir-fried mushrooms. In addition, I typically prepare waffles with assorted fruits as a communal meal, while one of my acquaintances assumes responsibility for the salad. All items are now in a freshly prepared state and ready to be served.

Kyla S.

The Commons on the Green has always been one of my favorite places to eat on campus. Not only is their a variety of different foods, but also there is a diversity of many foods. I have been going to the Commons since I was a freshman and I will be a senior this year. After going for many semesters I would say that the Commons is definitely a great place to not only meet new people, but also to get a nutritious meal. Having a place like this on campus really helped me throughout my UAB years, as sometimes having access to a nutritious meal was not always an option as a college student. So having something like this that is not far from where I live was an added bonus of being a UAB student.

Arya T.

I went to UAB's Commons on the Green! I have been going here since freshman year and have always loved their wraps, burgers, salad, and chicken. And of their desserts (can't forget about dessert!) I love their brownies, cookies, and chocolate cake! I got a salad with ranch dressing, black olives, cheddar cheese, croutons, and the colored tortilla strips (I think that's what they're called). I also got a wrap with turkey, pepperoni, ranch, lettuce, tomato, and cheddar cheese. This is what I usually get when I go to the commons. And I always dine in, since take-out requires us paying extra for a to-go box. The workers there are always so nice and welcoming too. I believe all the plates and bowls are glass and the utensils are metal, so no plastic is used. And regarding COVID-19 restrictions, because there are not as many cases now, the Commons has removed their social distancing guidelines. I always like the ambience of the Commons because I usually run into people I know and there are so many places to sit. There's always an empty table somwhere. The seats outside are very nice too. Overall, I really like going to the Commons.

Ariel K.

I've been a student at UAB for the past 3 1/2 years and have never stepped inside of the Commons. I was told by a friend that she loved going their as a freshman a few years ago, so I met up with her to see if this would be my new go-to for lunch. The pricing is what surprised me the most, especially since I felt like the options available for me--due to dietary restrictions--were few and far between and I ended up not getting a lot. Other than that, the areas were clean for the most part, which is important with the amount of foot traffic in the area and being in a "post"-COVID world. Like I assumed, the food was okay, nothing to rave about. The service was also alright, I've been treated better and I've been treated worse at other places. This place is definitely more for those who live on campus and need three quick meals a day.

Emma L.

I ate at UAB Commons on the Green, and I enjoyed my experience. I did not see any COVID precautions while in there, but I also didn't feel unsafe at all. The pizza at the Commons tastes great and is a good, quick way to get a meal in, and the drink options are great too. The workers are very kind and seem very happy to do their jobs! The amount of seating options is also very nice. There are lots of options for anyone who wants to sit and eat. Overall, I had a very good time eating here!

Jalicia S.

I dined at the commons this evening as an off campus student I rarely dine at the commons but I made an exception today. During my dining experience the staff were very friendly when I first arrived. There was music playing but not too loud to be a distraction which was nice. I got fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and greens. I like the buffet style of the commons as it gives me the opportunity to try different things as I had rotisserie chicken as well. I was disappointed though that they ran out of ice cream. I would also suggest that they make an announcement that they close in 30 min because we were rushed out but no one informed us that it had got to closing time til they were actually closed. Overall it was an ok experience, I enjoyed my collard greens but the rest of my food was ok.

Ashley C.

The commons on the greens is a place I haven't eaten at for about 2 years now since I've been a student. This is understandable since I commute to campus now but recently I decided to eat there 2 days with my sister. I would say that the pricing wasn't what I expected but of course inflation. What I do like about eating here is that you have several options to choose from with what you want to eat. I got the pizza and fries with a side of salad from the salad bar. I also like the sitting areas there is a lot of space for you to move around. My so and I chose to sit at the window area. The staff is always bringing out fresh food or refilling areas that may need restock.

Amber B.

The Commons on the Green , this was my second time visiting the café.I enjoyed my meal with fellow classmates Juan and Kyha. To eat at the Commons for those who do not have a meal plan is around $12. I had a cheese pizza, salad, and penne pasta with tomato sauce. Overall the food was good and it's an option for those that are on campus full time or in between classes. The options available to consumers vary and has something for everyone which I enjoyed. The staff made sure each station was clean and plenty of food to be served. I enjoyed the open concept and plenty of seats available and able to see the Green.

Noor E.

The commons at UAB is very mediocre, its hours are not inclusive to those who fast Ramadan I realized which is something that is concerning considering the muslim population at UAB. I went to the commons on Thursday and it was fried chicken day, my food was not bad. I got fried chicken, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and cornbread. The cornbread was dry and crumbly but was edible. My chicken was good, not dry and crispy on the outside but my friend's chicken was unedible, so it was quite inconsistent. The mac and cheese was dry and you could tell it had been sitting out there for a while. Overall the experience was not bad but only because I did not expect much either.

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