El Bistro packed just weeks after grand opening

The atmosphere is warm and fun, with employees joking around and diners enjoying a freshly prepared waffle or sandwich. The unusually slow pace of El Bistro steadily picks up around lunchtime. Even after a few setbacks in construction and a late start, El Bistro, the latest addition to the dining facilities, is becoming one of the more popular places to eat on campus. \nAt least that is how students who live in the South Neighborhood feel. \n“It’s more convenient since I live in Forest,” senior Jorge Tirado said. “This is perfect for me since they serve breakfast and lunch. It depends on where you live.”\nSome students think people wanting to satisfy their curiosity of the new cuisine cause the long lines.\n“I think because it’s new people want to see what its like,” freshman Julie Ratterman said.\nAfter they have eaten there, many students think the high quality of food brings diners back to El Bistro.\n“I would say it is popular because the food is actually good quality,” freshman Will Peabody said. “It is not like you are lining up for low-grade cafeteria food.”\nThe most popular foods among students are the burritos, scrambled eggs, Italian subs and waffles.\n“It’s popular because it’s the only place in Read that has good food,” freshman Bob Good said. “And waffles.”\nMany students do not argue that El Bistro is a popular place. Some think that, because of its small size, the restaurant cannot hold its own against the larger dining facilities, like Wright, which has a wide variety of food.\n“It doesn’t have as many options,” freshman Kiersten Thompson said. “But it is still very good.”\nOthers think El Bistro just isn’t quick enough compared to the other dining halls.\n“Wright has a bit better selection and is faster,” Goode said. “El Bistro is really slow sometimes; I once waited half an hour for an omelet.”\nHowever, the unhurried speed does not stop the lines from forming.\n“It’s always packed,” Thompson said. “Normally the lines are out the door.”\nCompared with McDonalds, some feel that the cleanliness of El Bistro should be questioned.\n“McDonald’s was cleaner than what El Bistro has been,” said sophomore Briana Bertram, who had been to El Bistro several times since last interviewed. “The trash is always running over. Some of the employees lack hairnets and sometimes even gloves. At McDonald’s you didn’t see this. They were very neat, and always had a least one person cleaning and keeping up with the trash.”\nWhile cleanliness is an issue, many felt there was still no comparison between El Bistro and McDonald’s.\n“It’s better than McDonalds,” Tirado said. “It’s a lot more healthy, McDonalds got tiring after a month or so; it got old.”\nSome wonder if the El Bistro will have the same fate of McDonalds, to be replaced and abandoned when the novelty fades. Yet after being open for over three weeks, the facility is not showing any signs of slowing down.