By Karli Banas
Staff Editor

North Café is a popular dining area for students who have classes at North, but this year it looks a little different. Construction on the new library led to gas lines being shut off and temporarily closing the grill area for business. 

While the deli and steam table remain open, students are left without their favorite items like grilled cheeses, fries, burgers, and quesadillas. Some students have found the situation to be an inconvenience. In contrast, others are unbothered by the change, which won’t be resolved until the middle of October, according to dining staff in the Manning Academic Center. Although, there is much uncertainty surrounding that timeframe. 

Fourth-year student, Brianna Fisher, feels the situation has made an impact on her routine.  

“We don’t really have a lot of options,” Fisher said regarding the grill being closed.  

Fisher really enjoyed North Café in past years and feels they have great service. However, as a student who has most of her classes at North and Fisher stated, “I feel like I’m not really getting the bang for my buck from the meal plan.” 

Third-year student, Erika Stiles, explained that she doesn’t mind the grill being closed but has seen longer wait times. 

 “Yeah, there’s definitely a long wait during the lunch rush, I just kind of wait it out,” Stiles said.  

Stiles has stuck to getting a wrap from the deli since before the gas shut off but went on to say that her order has changed a bit.  

“I literally eat turkey now because I used to get chicken so I’m always getting a turkey wrap. I feel like I’m eating healthier now, but not by choice,” Stiles said. 

Second-year student, Phoebe Zaranski, feels North Café is “Probably the best that we have compared to Rockland and the other places.” Zaranski also said she usually gets a wrap from the deli so the gas being shut off isn’t a huge deal. However, she did admit “I miss the quesadillas. They were my favorite.” 

First-year student, Robert Palen, doesn’t feel like the situation is a huge deal and feels it’s a small price to pay for the expanding campus. Palen explained, “I don’t have any problems with eating deli meats.” 

Palen went on to say that he primarily dines for convenience.  

“My dorm is close to Rockland, so I get some food there, or sometimes I just go to places close to the dorm like Five Guys or IHOP.”