ampus craves new cafeteria food options

Greasy,” “expensive,” “limited,” and “useless” were words commonly used by students to describe the cafeteria food at Palo Alto College.

The main issue is the food itself. Terry Wolf, a sophomore Engineering major, attends Palo Alto College as well as San Antonio College. He claims that the food at PAC compared to SAC is like night and day.

“[PAC‘s food] is bearable, but at SAC they have a number of different restaurants (Subway, Starbucks) with different types of food. The quality is better . . . they have really good food over there,” said Wolf.

Some students say that PAC’s food is overpriced. Sarah Apodaca, a sophomore Elementary Education major, said the food is “yummy” but expensive.

“If gas prices were lower, I’d go (eat) somewhere else!” Apodaca said.

A large salad at PAC costs $4.25 and $2.95 for a small. A grilled or fried chicken sandwich costs $2.95. A hamburger costs $2.15 or $2.45 with cheese, and $2.95 with bacon, as opposed to a cheeseburger at McDonald’s, which is $1.

“I’d rather drive to McDonald’s to get a burger because it’s so expensive here!” said Koll Moczygemba, a sophomore Business major.

Food and beverages are not the only things students are charged for. Students who don’t buy food or drinks in the cafeteria must pay 5 cents per napkin. Napkins are included with meals purchased in the cafeteria.

Sue Valle, food manager, said the “napkin charge” was necessary because students were being extremely wasteful with napkins, spoons, ketchup, and other condiments. If students have a spill, Valle gives them a towel for cleanup.

Some students believe there could be a wider selection of food in the cafeteria. Christopher M. Adams, a sophomore Music major, brings a lunch to school. He does so because it costs less, and in his opinion, tastes better. It also has to do with the variety of food.

“They have a good selection of drinks, but they just don’t have it on the food,” said Adams. What kind of food would students like to have in the cafeteria? “They should have Chinese food, or a Starbucks. Also a variety of breakfast bars,” said Mallorie DeHoyos, a sophomore Literature major.

Moczygemba would not ask for anything special. His only concern is the prices.

“What they have here is fine. I just wish it was cheaper,” said Moczygemba.

There are other options that students may take if they choose not to eat the food in the cafeteria. Besides bringing their own lunch, there is a Church’s Chicken, Sonic, Jack in the Box, and a Subway close to campus, and a Dairy Queen, KFC and Mama Margie’s, where tacos are sold for less then a $1, on Zarzamora, west of Interstate 35.

Some students may object to the cafeteria’s food selection and prices, but they cannot complain about its hygiene.

PAC’s cafeteria has received a total of five consecutive scores of 100 on their health inspections. In March 2006, the cafeteria won WOAI’s Blue Plate Award for their tidy kitchen. The Blue Plate Award is proudly displayed above the coffee machine in the cafeteria.