Outside perspective gives Vista potential but lacks options

It was my first visit to the Vista Dining Center and I wasn’t even going to eat. All I was there for was to be judgmental.

The turnstiles at the entrance of Vista didn’t say much about the food; however, they did make me feel like I was entering a cafeteria.

While the freshly steamed trays, plastic fruit and narrow hallway that lead to the ordering station all indicated a pleasant atmosphere, the quality of the cafeteria’s food remained to be seen.

I was surprised to see the first cook taking orders and building wraps that I’d otherwise see at a Chipotle or Taco Del Mar.

And so in less than a minute, Vista had impressed me. Or had it?

After further inspection, I discovered that Vista was indeed a typical cafeteria.

Beyond the wrap station, there was a grill sizzling away with chicken breasts, hamburger patties and buns being toasted. Parallel to a pizza bar was a trusty condiment staging area. Without trying any of the food, I was forced to judge everything by appearances.

The cash registers, coolers full of salads, vegetables, and trays with hot and greasy French fries all said cafeteria, so I started to wonder if a cafeteria is such a bad thing?

I mean, what was I expecting? Should there be a soft serve yogurt bar, or a salad bar with mushrooms and sliced beets?

I decided I couldn’t do this alone, so I started to get up in everyone’s business. I fired off questions as they came to me.

Asked if she was satisfied with the cafeteria’s menu, Crystal White said she couldn’t think of how it could get any better. She added there could be a bigger variety.

A lack of vegetarian options was a popular complaint.

Hannah Hobbs, a psychology major, politely explained that when there was meat in the soup, she ate French fries. Adrienne McKay, a business major, was more assertive and specific with how she felt: The menu lacks gluten and dairy free options and the cheese on the salad should be served on the side just like the dressing.

Should there be more cultural dishes represented on the menu?

Sandra C., a worker at Vista, explained that the Vista periodically has teriyaki chicken and that the chicken enchiladas are great, and she doesn’t think there’s a lack of variety in the menu.

As for the question I kept asking myself — would I eat at Vista on the regular? — the answer is yes, I would if I had to, but I suspect it would not be up to my incredibly high fast food standards.

If I’m going to eat a greasy burger and fries, I’ll get a Steakhouse burger combo from Carl’s Jr, a big cheeseburger on sourdough bread from Jack in the Box or a McDouble and a four-piece chicken nugget meal from McDonald’s.
I try not to eat fast food, but I do — about three times a week — and I’ll be damned if I use one of those get out of jail free cards on cafeteria food.

Not to sound like a complete food snob, but if the Vista wants my business, then they better come with some pesto pasta with roasted pine nuts, a Thai-peanut-crunch salad, or a chicken salad in a cantaloupe half.

They are never going to get my business with faster fast food. I will always drive to Popeye’s, Jack in the Box or Albertsons and buy some apples before eating at the Vista. But I have a car, I break out easily and I am pretty much a food snob — or at least I watch the Food Network a lot.

The bigger question remains, should the cafeteria at MHCC be less like a cafeteria? I think the Vista is a cafeteria in a community college and that if you walk through those turnstiles with that in mind, you shan’t be let down.

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