Best Of 2011: Campus Dining
It was once said (by none other than our BFF B.F.), “Hunger is the best pickle.” It was also he who said, “Time is money.” We’re choosing to interpret this as, “Hey, things change, but basically we like to eat and spend money (but mostly eat). Pickles are tasty.”
With 2011 drawing to a close, we decided to reflect on the year’s best food-related openings, WTF moments and generally awesome occurrences around campus. How many were there? A lot. So many, in fact, that we must warn you before you begin reading: we had to make a list of lists. Please excuse this trite homage to Inception, and focus instead on the following drool-worthy remembrances:
New Noms On The Block
Food Trucks, Fancified– With the entrance of intellects-turned-health nuts Chez Yasmine and locavore-centric Pure Fare, we can only speculate what 2012 will mean for the future of our favorite mobile meals (Reservations required? Black-tie optional? Real silverware? JK, ha ha, not a chance).
Inside Jobs– If you were lucky enough to live in the quad this year, you got to experience its revamped dining hall (made newsworthy only by the collective sigh of every upperclassman with memories of McClelland’s soggy Sunday brunch). This year also saw the opening of Schaye Café inside the School of Social Policy and Practice’s Caster Buildling– and thus a reason to actually go inside.
Other– In what may have been the biggest blow to Gia since the bomb threat (discussed later in this post), Sweetgreen opened, stealing the spotlight and at least 50% of all lin-dins. And adding to the wildly contagious brunch craze, Sabrina’s set up shop at 34th and Powelton, prompting thousands (millions?) of muploads of stuffed french toast. Seriously, guys, we’ve seen enough.
Things That Made Us Go WTF
Uncommonly Common– This was a big year for Commons. First, this sausage (?)-cum-turd, then this arguably inedible, half-fermented apple? At least they keep us on our toes? So many questions.
One Of These Things Is Not Like The Others– Remember that one time a dragonfly got tossed into Metro’s salad? Yeah, we’d prefer not to, either. Also, this cookie that was temporarily nailed to KCECH’s bulletin board will be a constant reminder that, HEY FRESHMEN– you have even more meals to waste next semester, so give them to us.
For Real Or For Fake?– This year also left us wondering if maybe, after all, the joke’s on us. First, this allegedly fake bomb threat at Gia had us up in arms (ha, ha) about our salads. The very next day, a tipster noticed that Greek Lady offers a shot of white wine for 50 cents–whether or not there’s a maximum order limit is YTBD (2012, you hold so much potential).
Generally Awesome Occurrences
Introduction of the 50-Piece-McNugget– While not specific to Penn’s campus, this ongoing promo single-handedly put McD’s on the radar for places to be seen past 3 a.m. (other contenders include FroGro and Under The Button).
1920 NOMmons (pictured above)– Sure, renaming PennMed was kind of a big deal, but this? This was monumental. To whoever pulled off renaming the dining hall we most love-to-hate: you get our NOMination for all the sexy points.
We R #1– Of every food-related story we did this year (and there were a lot), 2011′s top piece of campus dining news has to be, without question, that one time Capogiro was ranked, oh, it’s nothing really, well, okay, I guess we can tell you– #1 IN THE FREAKING WORLD. By National Geographic, no less, so it can’t be chalked up to pretentious self-promotion (we wish). Luv u, gelato bb. Luv u.
Tags: Features, 1920 nommons, 2k11, best of 2011, capogiro, food, lil' nugget, mcnuggets, nom, we are fat, year in review
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By Uma L on December 28, 2011 at 4:33 pm
Am not surprised at all. CY is becoming the darling of so many people on campus. The food is so tasty, fresh and delicious. The quality of the ingredients is unique for a food truck. I knew it since the soft opening. Getting better and better (exponentially). Try a Swedish Salmon with a berry salad ($10 with a bottle of water and a fruit) and see. The atmosphere is so friendly, the music so cool (from French, to Spanish, to Rai, to Arabic), the FB page is unique with hundreds of pictures. This is not your regular food truck. Did I say “divine” for the food?
Am so sorry, CY means Chez Yasmine
This is by far the best food truck in U City and in the city. Salmon with caviar? Yes and it was awesome. Couscous? It was one of the best I ever had, loaded with flavors and vegetables.. San Pelegrino, Honest Tea and Perrier? Yes off course. “Intellects-turned-health nuts”? Yes, we want more like Chez Yasmine who is changing the food truck scene in West Philly.
When taste matters. “How many advanced degrees does it take to start a food cart? For Penn’s newest truck, Chez Yasmine, it evidently took three” That was Under the Button Michael Arnstein’s article”. How many food trucks similar to this one at Penn? The answer is ZERO. This is a unique truck with a restaurant-like menu. That was in November 2011. Have been there several times, and each time the food was perfect, delish and so fresh. Am not a professional “yelp reviewer”, and I didn’t write 30000 reviews, but who cares. Am a food truck junkie and love street food. Every dish in this truck has a story, and when you add all stories together, this truck becomes a unique place to eat with a unique philosophy and message. The sexy and charismatic smiling man with a French accent behind the window was so friendly and so engaging. I loved their packaging (expensive) and the complimentary bottle of water and fruit. Waited less than 5 minutes for my order. The grilled cheese was cooked to “perfection” and the carrot soup was tasty and smooth. The couscous, Oh Lord, Good Lord, the flavors, the texture and the spices. I had the couscous for dinner. Where can you find in this city such a couscous for less than $7.00? A large portion, and to my surprise, it was cheaper than Casablanca, the Middle Eastern truck across the street. The banh Mi tasted delicious. The Swedish salmon was incredible. The bread was excellent. I really can’t say enough good things about a place (a food truck) that serves tasty food. It was delish. Welcome to the new flavor of Penn. No sodas, but honest tea, Perrier Spring Water, San Pellegrino. Try it and stick with it..
Yummy, they do rock my day almost every day. Well done Chez Yasmine and (screw Yelp).
Monika, thank you for mentioning Chez Yasmine. CY has been opened for 5 months now and doing well serving the Penn community. Indeed, as described properly by Cecille, every single as a story, and all the stories describe our message and philosophy. We created an interactive FB page, where we take a picture of all our new customer. Those customers become friends and interact together, making comments about the food and bringing constructive criticisms. We listening to customers and make all the changes. We created new sandwiches (The Wharton for example) to honor our students/faculties friends from Wharton and to thank them for their loyalty. We always try to use the best ingredients available, while keeping the prices unchanged. We aways offer a complementary bottle of H2O and a fruit. CY FB page represents 54 different nationalities and so far all of them love our food. We invite “Guest’ to appear on location promoting the food but also discussing different topics. Those guests, who are part of our community appear on location and interact with the customers: Allen Whong (MD, Division of Gastro, Penn) for example appeared between procedures to promote our food. Josie Burri (Wistar Institute) appeared to promote Le Josie (open face Swedish salmon sandwich) and the Wistar. Gretchen Britton (Ph.D) appeared to promote. the Quinoa Salad called the Gretchen. Next to appear: Nicolas and Michelle (Grad students at Wharton), Taieb Dridi (Farmer’s Bakery, who will be designing special bread for CY), Luis Montaner (Wistar Professor, AIDS lab), Nikki (Flow Cytometry Lab, Penn) and more. Monika, please comeand visit us and sample a quinoa salad, a Swedish salmon, a berry salad, or if very hungry a traditional Tunisian couscous. Thank you for the very constructive comments posted