Ursa’s dining options expand across campus

| News Editor

The DUC is going Greek, and Cherry Tree Cafe is going French-Asian.

Some foods that were previously served in Ursa’s Cafe, which closed last November, are now being served at other eateries on campus.

Gyros and Mediterranean food—including baba ghanoush or hummus with pita bread, quinoa tabbouleh and Greek salad—are now being served at the Trattoria Verde station in the Danforth University Center weekdays from 5 p.m. until close. Crepes are being served at Cherry Tree Cafe Sunday through Thursday from 11 p.m. until close, and the cafe is also offering bubble tea daily from 5 p.m. until close.

Ursa’s’ popular milkshakes still don’t have a home on campus, but April Powell, director of marketing and communications for Bon Appetit, said that Dining Services is working on finding a place for them.

“Space is at a premium,” Powell said. “We’re trying to find the best place to put those without overwhelming a location in order to make it successful for everybody.”

Powell explained that Cafe Bergson, although equipped with blenders for the Jamba Juice station, is not an option for milkshakes.

“Because Jamba Juice is a franchise, we can’t use their equipment for any other concept, so we have to stick with what’s in that space,” Powell said. “[Milkshakes] wouldn’t fit with our franchise agreement.”

Since space is at a premium on campus, Powell said that Dining Services is considering options that may require some construction or space development in order to find a new home for the popular dairy treat.

Dining Services is also searching for a space for another popular Ursa’s item: a special menu of quesadillas.

“We’re working on bringing some of those ingredients to our other locations [that already serve quesadillas] without overloading those stations. That’s something we’re really sensitive about,” Powell said.

In terms of advantages this new system has over all the items being served at Ursa’s, Powell points to the accessibility of the new locations.

“Some people didn’t go to Ursa’s, so I think it’s something a lot more people have access to, and that has been something we’ve seen,” she said. “The orders are being placed.”

Junior Katie Li agrees that the accessibility of the Mediterranean food at the DUC makes her much more likely to purchase it.

“I live in Lopata, so I wouldn’t ever need to make the trek to the 40,” Li said. “But the DUC’s convenient as ever. Especially if I’m on main campus studying or doing group work, I’d definitely get it for dinner.”

For some students, the hours of availability for these new options aren’t quite clear.

“I’m not a huge bubble tea fan, but I’ve tried to get the new crepes a few times, and it’s never open when I check,” sophomore Claire Huttenlocher said.

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