Daily Skiff

Dining Services is developing a value menu that it hopes will attract more students to on-campus eateries, a Dining Services official said.

The 1873 Café & Sports Grill will be the only location offering the new value menu, said Legia Abato, marketing manager of Dining Services. The value menu pricing would be significantly lowered to the $5 range rather than the normal price range of $7 to $9, she said.

Dining Services is in the beginning stages of deciding what to include in the menu, Abato said. She said Dining Services is not sure about what will be included on the menu as of yet, but it may include current items and others not yet on the menu, she said.

"It's going to be probably more in line with what you will find at Whataburger or stuff like that," Abato said.

Craig Allen, director of Residential Services, said student feedback was the main reason to implement a value menu.

Students want quick items they could pick up instead of larger salads or burgers, he said.

Instead of full chicken strip baskets with fries, students would have the option to buy a chicken strip basket with fewer strips and no fries at a reduced cost.

The regular menu for lunch and dinner should not change, and the new value menu will be available from 9 p.m. to closing time, Allen said.

"Students can come in and only want something for a couple of bucks and hang out to play pool, and don't really want a lot of food." Allen said. "I think it will be good if this low-cost option is there."

Kyle Silberbauer, a junior philosophy major, said the value menu is a good idea for those just looking for a quick and cheap snack. He also said that he doesn't have a problem with the value menu only being available at later hours.

"I think the regular selection is pretty good," Silberbauer said.

Jessica Heroux, a sophomore speech pathology major, said she likes the idea of a late-night value menu because students have few dining options after Market Square closes. Heroux said the success of the value menu will probably depend on Dining Services' decision to make future changes to the meal plan.

"I think it will be good to have more of a variety to choose from on late nights," Heroux said.

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