New restaurants set to open at food courts

Dorm food -- a term that strikes fear into the hearts of incoming college freshman. \nDespite its notoriously bad reputation, probably stemming from less-than-pleasing elementary cafeteria lunches of mystery meat and soggy vegetables, many students agree dorm food at IU isn't all that horrific.\nA new Grecian Delight food service will be available in Foster Quad's Gresham food court, taking the place of the current Pacific Rim, which features Asian food. Grecian Delight will offer Greek and Mediterranean dishes.\nThere will also be a Mexican restaurant addition to the Wright Food Court adding to the variety of food choices there as well.\nThose in charge of dining at IU make it a point to modify the menu a couple of times a year because they realize that no matter how much students may like something, they will inevitably get tired of it, said Graham Shepfer, director of dining services.\n"We are always looking to make changes in individual menu items," said Shepfer. "Just for something new."\nCurrently, there are 15 areas on campus where students may spend their meal points. Collins and Read Centers, Eigenmann Hall, Foster, McNutt, Wright and Willkie Quads are all residence halls where some type of food is sold.\nAccording to data from Residential Programs and Services, the Wright Food Court is consistently the most popular dining area, taking in the majority of patrons and food sales each week. This is probably because of its convenient location in the central part of campus, said Shepfer.\n"Wright has a good variety, and it's convenient because you pass it everyday," sophomore Julie Barger said.\nFollowing Wright closely in popularity is the Gresham Food Court at Foster.\n"Even though it is kind of out of the way for my friends and me, we like to go to Foster when we can because we enjoy Taco John's," said freshman Christy Waninski.\nConvenience stores located in Willkie, McNutt, Eigenmann and Wright also take in a large portion of sales each week, according to RPS data.\nThe stores carry several items, such as brand name foods, cleaning and personal hygiene products, and other amenities, like batteries and chapstick. Everything at the C-stores can be purchased with meal points as well.\nThe C-stores seem to be busiest after long breaks from school, when students want to stock up on food to keep in their rooms, said Shepfer. \n"You can use your extra meal points at the C-stores to buy groceries, and you can buy things other than food, like toothpaste," freshman Jenna Babcock said.\nIn addition to the customary dining opportunities, every month RPS holds special dining events. These events feature fun and different food items like fajitas, gyros, organic food and do-it-yourself pasta combinations. They are held at Read, Wright and McNutt and cost six meal points.\nThe next event, "My Big Fat Greek Gyro Tour," will give students the opportunity to try beef, lamb or chicken gyro sandwiches with traditional Greek sides. The tour will be held March 23 through March 25. For more information on upcoming events, visit www.rps.indiana.edu/specdinevents.html. \n-- Contact staff writer Michelle Manchir at mmanchir@indiana.edu.