We all need to eat, and on campus there are a plethora of places to choose from to satisfy most of our cravings.
The beginning of the spring semester brought new developments for some of the food vendors on campus. Subway has a new computer-ordering system and breakfast menu. The renovated Candy Counter in the University Student Union (USU) is nearing completion. Quizno’s re-opened under new management and there is more on the way.
One of the changes that will be making its way onto campus is a new Outpost, located between to the Social Sciences and Public Affairs and Vivian Engineering buildings. According to Don Penrod, general manager and CEO of 49er Shops Inc., they are looking to start building a new Outpost this summer and hope to finish in about 10 months.
“It will be a short-order grill like the Outpost is now,” Penrod said. In addition, there will be a 1,500 square-foot convenience store. Indoor seating will hopefully accommodate up to 150 students, 100 of them being outdoor, Penrod said. The entire building will be about 8,800 square feet.
“That area of campus is really growing,” Penrod said, as a result of the new parking structure. And if the Recreation and Wellness Center is built, there will be even more growth to that area, he said.
“We don’t know what we’re going to do, but we will have alternative food service available to students,” Penrod said.
There is already one new Starbucks on campus, and by fall 2007 there will be another in the University Dining Plaza. Currently, the plan is to convert the existing bakery and Taco Bell Express into another Starbucks. The Taco Bell Express will move back to its previous location in the University Dining Plaza.
“We’d also like to refresh the common area,” Penrod said. These refreshments include new swamp coolers and making it more inviting for students.
In the USU, the food court is now open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, said Lisa Molina-Delaloza, assistant director of Communication Services. And some of the vendors, including Subway and Carl’s Jr., are extending their hours as well, Molina-Delaloza said.
Phase I of the new Candy Counter was also completed this week. Phase II includes candy dispensers with jelly beans and sour belts and a new Frito-Lay chip rack, said Iraida Venegas, Commercial Services coordinator.
“Students need somewhere to hang out and chill,” said Teresa Ruiz, communications coordinator for Associated Students Inc.
The newest feature for the Subway in the USU, the computerized-ordering system, helps Subway accommodate up to twice as many students as before – and get the job done fast, said Subway manager Ramon Soto.
“Hopefully by the time you pay and get your drink, your order will be done,” he said. There is also a new self-serve beverage station for Subway customers. “We want to give students better and faster service,” Soto said.