debating what meal plan to get, was wondering if the food is good or would I be inclined to go out somewhere instead
The food is good (best food is in the southwest neighborhood, so if this is important to you, request to live there).
I always recommend getting the smallest plan permitted in the dorms. I think it’s the standard plan. You can always add money/points to the plan during the year. The food is fine for what it is. Both of my kids got bored with it, and had points/I Bucks leftover at the end of the year. They used it the next semester after they moved off-campus.