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Various
fast-food chains are available for students
to dine at in the University Student Union.
Trent Loomis/Online Forty-Niner
In
just one week the Nugget will be exploding
with students as they numb the pain of a
new semester with a cold beer. Trent Loomis/Online
Forty-Niner
Campus
food tickles tastebuds, assaults arteries
By
Trent Loomis
Online Forty-Niner
As
we embark on yet another year of scholastic
lockdown and campus life consumes our week,
we all face the inevitable question: where
do I eat today? Luckily, Cal State Long
Beach has always presented a wide variety
of choices when it comes time to spike our
blood-sugar levels and this year is no exception.
Basically,
all of the choices remain the same, whether
it is down on lower campus, or up where
the majority of students spend their time.
From the fast-food chains that have infiltrated
the school zone like El Pollo Loco, Taco
Bell, Carl's Jr., Panda Express and Subway
to the CSULB originals such as, Le Bakery,
The Nugget, Café Beach and The Outpost,
we students will face a myriad of choices
this fall.
Let
us start with the lower campus and the option
that is available. Notice that I say "option."
The only place to quench your thirst, or
answer that growling stomach is The Outpost
located next to the SPAA building.
The
Outpost provides Online combinations ranging
from burritos to turkey burgers and can
give you that quick-fix of sugar with assorted
candy bars and sodas. The main drawback
is the lack of healthy food. There are pre-made
salads, but they are the same kind of ready-made
salads that McDonalds has. On a personal
note, they don't have blue cheese dressing
which is a salad deterrent for this writer.
Now
if you aren't stuck in lower-campus purgatory,
there are a plethora of options starting
with the Student Union. The Union is home
to the majority of food chains on campus
such as Subway, Robeks, Coffee Bean &
Tea Leaf, El Pollo Loco and Carl's Jr. El
Pollo Loco is probably the healthiest one
of the bunch but that's also like saying
that Mary Kate is the skinniest Olsen twin.
Carl's Jr. comes out on top simply because
Jared has turned me forever against Subway
and because they honor regular Carl's Jr.
promotions such as the Laker bobble-head
deal.
As
the students head up the escalators from
the Union, they are pumped into the heart
of CSULB's fine dining, the University Dining
Plaza. The Dining Plaza simply offers the
most choices and the best food on campus
starting with the Nugget. After major renovations
two semesters ago, the Nugget was transformed
into a first-class bar and grill where students
can grab a quick beer and a burger while
watching the baseball playoffs or any other
sports themed show between classes. More
importantly, the Nugget gives the students
the feel of being off-campus.
Just
outside of the Nugget, Culinary Wraps might
just be the tastiest place to eat at CSULB.
You name it, they wrap it up. The caesar
salad with chicken wrap is the reigning
champion, but there are plenty of salads
and creations to choose from.
On
the inside of the Dining Plaza, Panda Express
and their orange chicken will make you forget
about that kung-pao chicken grandma used
to make. As for Taco Bell, all I need to
say is that it is just like it is off of
campus—simply divine.
Other
options include the health conscience Boars
Head Deli, Cafe Beach, Trends and Le Bakery.
In one quick glance, the food ranges from
fresh deli sandwiches to pastas and salads.
Now
if you're stuck in upper-upper campus, then
there's only one option and that is the
Beach Hut. Located right next to the library,
the Beach Hut is more of a pit-stop dining
experience. One could get hot dogs, chips,
drinks, bananas and of course, vegetable
chili. If you are a fan of chili and you
can't wait until next may for the chili
cook-off, then I would recommend that you
do yourself a favor and indulge in the spicy,
vegetarian goodness at the Beach Hut.
All
in all, CSULB has plenty to offer spanning
the culinary spectrum. The best food is
found in the University Dining Plaza and
I don't know what better way to spend an
afternoon at school than to eat a cheeseburger
and wash it down with an ice-cold Hefewiezen.
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