Students sit at a new table at Marketplace on Neil. Credit: Michael Goulet | Campus Photo Editor
Menu changes, more delivery robots and new food options are among several changes Ohio State Dining Services will bring to multiple locations across campus this semester.
Dining Services made several expansions to multiple locations over the summer, bringing in new partners, more choices and renovated spaces. With over 30 locations across campus, students have the opportunity to find a new favorite menu item.
“[The decision was] definitely to appeal to students and to offer students a variety of menu items,” Debbie Wakefield, the marketing specialist for student life, said. “And, to offer students what students want to eat and to really switch things up.”
New menus
Blenz, an acai bowl and smoothie group, and Hellenic Greek Kitchen were added to Sloopy’s Diner over the summer, per prior Lantern reporting. Sloopy’s Diner remains open serving some fan-favorites, but the two new restaurants are designed to provide more variety.
“There’s always change,” Wakefield said. “[There’s] a lot of additions coming on.” Blenz also replaced the coffee shop that was in Marketplace on Neil. However, students are still able to get coffee and breakfast sandwiches just across the street at Hamilton Café, located in Hamilton Hall, Wakefield said.
Lighter additions
Boba tea drinks will also be located at more locations, notably Courtside Café, Hamilton Café and Postle Café, according to the Office of Student Life website.
Der Dutchman baked goods will be at locations across campus as well, and new chicken wing options at Traditions at Morrill.
“We wanted to bring a local, popular option to campus,” Wakefield said about Der Dutchman arriving on the campus menus. “You would need a car to go to Amish Country to bring those delish donuts and pastries.”
Expanded service range
Some locations have changed hours of operation, with the largest shift coming from Traditions locations. Kennedy and Morrill will no longer be closed from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., which was originally used as a transition period between lunch and dinner offerings.
Rover delivery will also expand, bringing 30 new robots to the front lines of food delivery across campus.
“That’s been part of the plan all along is to expand and to be able to get more areas and to be able to meet student needs,” University spokesperson Dave Isaacs said.
Food trucks will be stationed at the north clocktower on Saturday away football games, with Pitabilities from noon to 4 p.m., and Kubido 4 to 8 p.m.
Marketplace on Neil, McPherson Café and Connecting Grounds got new, modern and comfortable furniture, Wakefield said. The seating layouts changed to optimize the dining spaces, as well as outlets being added in Marketplace on Neil.
