Along with a new semester, 2007 also brought more places to eat on campus. Two new establishments opened their doors and one more is set to open in the coming week. By now everyone’s grown tired of eating and overpaying for pizza, burgers and other food from the Chartwell’s cafeteria, so the real question is: Are these new places worth your money?
Coyote Jack’sWith the demise of Wackadoos, the most anticipated of the new arrivals is Coyote Jack’s. What was once a school-spirited hangout is now a bland, corporate den. With all the Greek life paraphernalia absent, you may as well be eating somewhere else on Glades Road.
Two other noticeable changes are the absence of table service and free refills. That’s right folks, your complimentary to-go cup is not bottomless. You have to pay full price to quench your thirst.
Being students on a budget, my companion and I decided to split a Three-Cheese Flatbread Pizza ($4.29) and 22 oz. soda ($1.69), which we had to order at the counter. While placing our order we selected a Tex-Mex themed placard (Mexican blanket, John Wayne, cactus, etc.) so our food could find its way to our table. The flatbread pizza could have used some inflation; the halved cherry tomatoes were too much weight for a slice to hold its own.
The rest of the menu could have potential. Appetizers include spinach dip ($5.99) and fried mushrooms ($4.99). There are also soups, salads and sides, a few chicken sandwiches, lots of burgers (Nacho Burger anyone?), wings, flatbread pizzas, wraps and desserts. Contrary to rumors heard last semester, Coyote Jack’s is serving alcohol (beer and wine) to those over 21.
Overall, as a central hub for clubs and students, Jack’s had big shoes to fill and has a lot of room to grow.
Einstein Bros BagelsAnother exciting addition to campus dining, which is evident from the Starbucks-esque line around the shop, is Einstein Bros Bagels. The menu is a lot more limited than the off-campus locations; the delicious frozen coffee drinks are a no-show. A bagel and shmear ($2.12) is cheaper on campus than at other stores, making it a great choice for students on a budget – but not on the run since you may have to wait at least five minutes for it. Regardless, soda and coffee refills are on the house, making studying at Einstein’s a bonus despite the crowd.
The HubRounding out the culinary newcomers is The Hub, a kosher cafí© opening in the new Hillel wing. The Hub will feature prepared kosher lunches such as sandwiches, wraps and salads in addition to light snacks like chips and fruit. They will even carry kosher chocolate and candy for those with a sweet tooth.
Like Coyote Jack’s and Einstein Bros., the omnipresent Chartwell’s will run The Hub, although Hillel Operations Manager Robert Tanen assured that a kosher rabbi would be on hand. The Hub’s opening has been delayed due to problems with the fire department, but keep watch for its big day in the coming weeks.
