The Swinging Bridge

Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: Erin Schubert Asian Chicken Salad

The Union Café has really stepped it up. From introducing a smoothie bar with real fruit to making salads that have actual, green lettuce, the changes are apparent. The café's menu, in the process of upgrading, has avoided the common mistake of adding quantity and sacrificing quality.

The new Director of Dining Services, Mark Wirtz, explains to The Swinging Bridge that last year, the union was primarily a deli. "This year," he says, "we have quadrupled the number of food offerings."

Students are taking notice of the menu improvement as well. Wirtz tells our staff that "seven seniors so far have changed their meals plans to 'A la Carte' just so they can eat at the union."

Part of the motivation behind the Union Café's menu upgrade is to try to step up to the level of off-campus competitors such as Panera Bread and Starbucks, which draw many students for meals because of their variety.

Warren Nast, a Manager at the Café, revealed the improvement in the details of the food. For example, the bread used to make the new sandwiches is baked fresh every morning and delivered from a bakery in Philadelphia that also delivers to places like the Hotel Hershey.

With all the hype, The Swinging Bridge staff wanted to see for ourselves if the food was all it was cracked up to be.

So, we were given the opportunity to taste-test the new items prepared by Executive Chef Percell Green and Sous Chef Gill Lewis.

Below we have rated our favorite options, some of which caught us completely off guard. Don't head off campus before you try some of these new Union delicacies.

Our Ratings

Best Foods:
1. Chicken Cheese steak Sandwich
2. Vegetarian Grinder
3. Char Broiled Portobello Sandwich
4. Chicken Chipotle
5. Asian Chicken Salad

Best Drinks:
1. Raspberry Smoothie
2. Hazelnut Cappuccino
3. Strawberry Smoothie
4. Chai Tea Latte
5. Strawberry Cappuccino

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