When the Tiger Den re-opened for fall classes, very few studentsand faculty members were prepared for the surprise that awaitedthem. Jaws dropped throughout the week as people began to realizethat the on-campus Taco Bell Express was nowhere to be seen.According to Tiger Dining officials, the Taco Bell chose to leavecampus last May because the franchise's "requests" did not go alongwith the cafeteria's renovation budget.
Now, finding a bite to eat on campus has officially become amore expensive and mind-numbing venture. Everyone is stuck thinkinginside the bun. The one food place at this school that studentscould both afford and enjoy has shut its window forever. And, itsclosing could have an impact as a big as Bayside High losing TheMax.
No longer will the loose change in your pocket buy you a decentlunch. Pocket change is now only good for a cup of ice along withmaybe half of a donut.
The U of M is stuck with Subway and Chick-fil-A as the only twobrand name restaurant chains on university grounds. The UC defectChick-fil-A has moved to the Tiger Den where the famous chickenrestaurant is apparently trying something that has never been donebefore by any restaurant on campus. The Chick-fil-A has opted notto serve food, and instead just hang a tarp on one of itswindows.
Letting Taco Bell go is just the latest addition to the list ofconfusing changes to Tiger Dining. It was not too long ago we wereintroduced to the Tiger BBQ Nachos. For some reason, our campusdining management think this is AutoZone Park. What is next, funnelcakes and pronto pups? I can't wait for the day when they turn oneside of the Tiger Den into bluff seating.
But seriously, one hates to think the recent turn of events wereat all influenced by outside sources. Those tomato pickingprotesters may have had more power than we were originally lead tobelieve. The boycotters were very dedicated. Even during such greatdebates as the recent war in Iraq, the anti-Taco Bell protestingcontinued in front of the Tiger Den. It was all supposed to helpthe little people who were getting paid very little money to pickTaco Bell's little tomatoes. But, the only thing that theprotestors were ever successful in doing was wasting paper byhanding out those annoying flyers.
So, one year after the chicken quesadilla was added to itslimited menu, the on-campus Taco Bell Express is just a memory.Many students were hoping that this was the year that the gordita'samigo, the chalupa, would finally be given a chance to shine withits own spot on the menu. Instead, the campus has been introducedto a new set of choices at a new Mexican cafe known as Casa Solanoin the UC International Marketplace. Maybe it is me, but it doesnot feel right saying, "Yo quiero Casa Solano." Now go toclass...and GO TIGERS!
