By AMBER MCCLOUGHAN
September 20, 2006

Mangos at Brunch? In the cafeteria? Is it true? Yes. It was indeed the case that on Labor day mangos could be found in the fruit bar.

Now you are most likely wondering, “What is the big deal about mangos”? Well, if you are a regular diner at the cafeteria, mangos are a delight. As a matter of fact, fresh fruit goes quickly at the cafeteria. Perhaps because it is very hard to mess up a banana or orange.

The same goes for the salad bar (except toward the end of the week when the lettuce begins to wilt and the veggies become slimy). All things considered, the salad/fruit bar is a safe bet. Definitely keep this place in mind when you enter. The only thing that is worse than eating bad food is eating A LOT of bad food. Take the time to walk around and see all your options before you pile on the questionable items.

The show cookery and Trend section of the cafeteria are nice because you get to make your own meal (by physically adding items or watching someone else). This means you know what you are eating. No surprises after the second bite.

They say don’t judge a book by it cover. Well, that saying does not apply to cafeteria food. Nine times out of ten, food that looks bad tastes bad. If you are feeling daring or adventurous, ask for a sample before you let them pile it on.

Request special orders when you can. If you notice that the cheeseburgers look like they’ve been sitting since before the gates opened, ask if you can have a burger with provolone cheese instead. During brunch ask for an omelet with very little grease. They are much better. It doesn’t take several napkins to wipe off the extra grease. And when something is not out there, ask for it. The worst that can happen is they tell you they are out.

For people who don’t eat meat, they face yet another obstacle. Whether it is out of personal preference or religious reasons, a lot of people do not eat pork or hamburger. This is becoming more of a problem, as our campus is becoming diverse, more students walk out because they can’t eat what is served. Soy burgers were a great and tasty solution, but they were only available for the first week. Such students also need to make sure they know exactly what is in your food! This way they will avoid biting into pasta and feel the sensation to vomit when they taste bacon. For those who do not eat pork (or other meats), this situation is greatly understood.

Of course, when all else fails, there is cereal and ice-cream.