2008 Woodie Awards
UC food is not just overpriced
Letters to the editor
Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: Opinion
I was excited when the new University Center re-opened on campus. I remembered reasonable prices several years ago at Casa de Ortega and Burger King. I was not expecting to be shocked by the prices, as well as the poor quality of food offered by Chartwells in this newly revamped building.
The first food items that I purchased were chicken tenders and fries from the Coyote Jack's Grill. For this and a soda I was set back several dollars more than I would have been at McDonald's for a comparable meal. The chicken tenders were cold and I felt sick for several days after eating them.
Chartwells could easily cop out of any responsibility by saying that it must have been a bug that I had, and they had no responsibility in the matter.
After this incident I started talking to my friends. Everyone I asked who had eaten in the new University Center indicated illness caused by the food (and I am not just talking from the prices). The food is of low quality and high cost and often isn't even warm. I want to give the new places a chance, but every time I do I get sick. I have tried Graham Street Café, Coyote Jack's Grill and Tomato Head Red (all of which the Chartwells dining Web site describes with wonderful nouns that makes their food sound amazing), and each time my food is either cold, I get sick or both. The cost of a cup to put water in is a quarter, and there are no free refills on fountain drinks (which as many are aware cost a company nearly nothing to provide)
The price gouging by this company is appalling, seeing as we are students that have had to deal with rising tuition and other expenses. The last thing a college student needs is to become ill from food they paid too much for in the first place.
Angela Ziobro
UW-Whitewater senior
The first food items that I purchased were chicken tenders and fries from the Coyote Jack's Grill. For this and a soda I was set back several dollars more than I would have been at McDonald's for a comparable meal. The chicken tenders were cold and I felt sick for several days after eating them.
Chartwells could easily cop out of any responsibility by saying that it must have been a bug that I had, and they had no responsibility in the matter.
After this incident I started talking to my friends. Everyone I asked who had eaten in the new University Center indicated illness caused by the food (and I am not just talking from the prices). The food is of low quality and high cost and often isn't even warm. I want to give the new places a chance, but every time I do I get sick. I have tried Graham Street Café, Coyote Jack's Grill and Tomato Head Red (all of which the Chartwells dining Web site describes with wonderful nouns that makes their food sound amazing), and each time my food is either cold, I get sick or both. The cost of a cup to put water in is a quarter, and there are no free refills on fountain drinks (which as many are aware cost a company nearly nothing to provide)
The price gouging by this company is appalling, seeing as we are students that have had to deal with rising tuition and other expenses. The last thing a college student needs is to become ill from food they paid too much for in the first place.
Angela Ziobro
UW-Whitewater senior
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
Colin Steinke
posted 2/20/08 @ 7:27 PM CST
Angie. I understand your qualms. It's not fun to get sick after eating any sort of food -- but look at your typical diet before you blame Chartwells as a whole. (Continued…)
Angela Ziobro
posted 2/20/08 @ 9:02 PM CST
Colin, it really is humorous to me that you ignore the aspects of my argument that you cannot argue against in defense of a food service that is providing sub-par food. (Continued…)
Chad Bergeron
posted 2/21/08 @ 5:41 PM CST
I had the pizza on the opening night at the UC and it was roughly 55% dough. Doughy pizza kicks ass but only in a 20/80 type of ratio. I've had Chartwells over the years and I don't mind it too much. (Continued…)
Chris Connar
posted 2/25/08 @ 3:58 AM CST
This banter really seems to be blown out of proportion. Simply put, Chartwells is under contract to provide dining services for the campus. That will not and cannot possibly change until the contract expires in 2011. (Continued…)
newfie
Dave Wilcox
posted 2/27/08 @ 8:03 PM CST
My only experience with Chartwell's has been in the UC since it re-opened, since I'm a new grad student and don't eat at the dining halls. I have had some pretty decent food, and looked at the prices in the UC as being about what I'd expect. (Continued…)
newfie
Dave Wilcox
posted 2/27/08 @ 8:07 PM CST
Apologies to Angela. I said she was accusing some chicken tenders for making her sick for a week, when in fact she suggests is was for "several days. (Continued…)
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