Desperately seeking more food choices
Amanda Lee
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Opinion
Here at Concord, there are a number of things that may perturb students: those dreaded visits to the financial aid office, the lack of parking, University Point. But nothing irks me more than my daily visits to Subway.
Everyday around noon-ish I find myself on the ground floor of the Student Center with one question on my mind: What to eat today? As I scan my whopping three options the same feelings of disappointment begin to set in. I had my wrap fix from South of Sicily on Monday, ate subs for Tuesday and Thursday, nothing destroys my stomach more than a trip to Grille Works, and the cafe is completely out of the question. So what's a girl to eat?
I don't know about the rest of you, but I faintly re-call taking various Aramark surveys throughout my years at Concord. Questions concerning the quality of the food, how often I frequent the establishments, and more importantly, the prices. Every time these surveys find their way to my inbox I hastily complete them thinking that my answers might make a difference.
I've often wondered what comes from taking these surveys. Especially since most of the questions concern their prices and how they're looking for better ways to improve their services. What I've recently noticed has not been higher quality food or lower prices, but the exact opposite. Last Thursday I was feeling feisty, so I decided to indulge myself with the special of the day at South of Sicily: pasta. But regardless of how much I was anticipating it, nothing killed my pasta buzz faster than having to shell out nearly nine bucks for it. Although incredibly tasty, I was baffled that I actually just paid that much for a school meal. And to think that that was the "deal" of the day! Come on, Aramark, we're college students, cut us some slack.
But it's not only the insanely high prices that get me but it's the lack of variety. After four years here, I'm incredibly burnt out on Subway. If anyone suggests it in a non-Concord setting I immediately veto it. After my four years with the Aramark Subway, I'm unsure of whether I'll ever be able to step foot in an actual Subway. And Grille Works is no longer an option if I want to keep my gallbladder after the age of 30. So that leaves me with South of Sicily. Which I single handily attribute to my gaining and retaining of the freshmen fifteen. But you must admit, those chicken wraps are quite tasty.
But getting back to my point, where does the information from those Aramark surveys go? I have yet to see much change here and often wonder if those surveys are purely for corporate use and not for actual change. If Aramark actually cares about the opinions of Concord students why hasn't anything changed except for rising prices and the lack of pizza (c'mon, some of you must remember the pizza and breadsticks next to Grille Works)?
I know that one day after my years at Concord are long behind me, I'll think back on all of the time and money that I've spent at Subway and smile. Although I complain daily about the lack of variety and the high prices, I know that one day I'll long for a chicken wrap and will go to all means to attain one. But more importantly though, I'll long for the time I spent with my friends and Sigma sisters in those rickety booths.
Everyday around noon-ish I find myself on the ground floor of the Student Center with one question on my mind: What to eat today? As I scan my whopping three options the same feelings of disappointment begin to set in. I had my wrap fix from South of Sicily on Monday, ate subs for Tuesday and Thursday, nothing destroys my stomach more than a trip to Grille Works, and the cafe is completely out of the question. So what's a girl to eat?
I don't know about the rest of you, but I faintly re-call taking various Aramark surveys throughout my years at Concord. Questions concerning the quality of the food, how often I frequent the establishments, and more importantly, the prices. Every time these surveys find their way to my inbox I hastily complete them thinking that my answers might make a difference.
I've often wondered what comes from taking these surveys. Especially since most of the questions concern their prices and how they're looking for better ways to improve their services. What I've recently noticed has not been higher quality food or lower prices, but the exact opposite. Last Thursday I was feeling feisty, so I decided to indulge myself with the special of the day at South of Sicily: pasta. But regardless of how much I was anticipating it, nothing killed my pasta buzz faster than having to shell out nearly nine bucks for it. Although incredibly tasty, I was baffled that I actually just paid that much for a school meal. And to think that that was the "deal" of the day! Come on, Aramark, we're college students, cut us some slack.
But it's not only the insanely high prices that get me but it's the lack of variety. After four years here, I'm incredibly burnt out on Subway. If anyone suggests it in a non-Concord setting I immediately veto it. After my four years with the Aramark Subway, I'm unsure of whether I'll ever be able to step foot in an actual Subway. And Grille Works is no longer an option if I want to keep my gallbladder after the age of 30. So that leaves me with South of Sicily. Which I single handily attribute to my gaining and retaining of the freshmen fifteen. But you must admit, those chicken wraps are quite tasty.
But getting back to my point, where does the information from those Aramark surveys go? I have yet to see much change here and often wonder if those surveys are purely for corporate use and not for actual change. If Aramark actually cares about the opinions of Concord students why hasn't anything changed except for rising prices and the lack of pizza (c'mon, some of you must remember the pizza and breadsticks next to Grille Works)?
I know that one day after my years at Concord are long behind me, I'll think back on all of the time and money that I've spent at Subway and smile. Although I complain daily about the lack of variety and the high prices, I know that one day I'll long for a chicken wrap and will go to all means to attain one. But more importantly though, I'll long for the time I spent with my friends and Sigma sisters in those rickety booths.
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