Andrew Wildes, Gleaner Writer
Juici Patties outlet at the University of the West Indies Mona campus is a favourite on-campus lunch spot for students. - FILE
FROM OLD favourites like Juici Patties and KFC, to hangout spots such as the privately-operated Bee Hive, Submerge and Pages Cafe, the University of the West Indies' Mona campus is not only a place for higher learning but has become an haven for foodies.
Even with five fast food restaurants and several cafeterias, students are hankering for other tasty options.
"We want more!" exclaimed Zure Johnson, who spoke to The Gleaner recently. "Pizza and Chinese, but especially pizza, will sell."
Daniel Ayhe, a student from Trinidad and Tobago is not a patty fan. He supports Zure's idea of expanding the list of choices.
"It's a new option [Juici Patties], but I think they could have done better. I think UWI could have been a little more open-minded and let in some real organisations like B.K. (Burger King), and have a pan-chicken man on the side a the road," he said.
CHOICES ABOUND
While Juici Patties and KFC are popular, students appreciate the different cafeterias mainly for the variety of their menus. They especially appreciate the fact that all items can be purchased separately, a relief for cash-strapped students. At the Taylor Hall cafeteria, for example, students can buy a serving of rice for $20, baked or fried chicken for $120. Vegetables, pasta and other side orders can be added to suit their taste and budget.
First-year student, Oral Williams, believes that the cafeteria is still the best option for the student. "You take $50, the money you'd take to buy two patties and a juice, and you can go and get a good food over Taylor (cafeteria)," he explained.
Of the six halls, Mary Seacole is the only other that has a cafeteria.
Nothing, it seems, beats the good old patty. By noon, ravenous students pack the Juici Patties outlet, located at the entrance of the campus, a move that infuriated some senior personnel like John Maxwell.
"Juici on a whole is much cheaper than other hangout spots like KFC and Submerge, and plus, you have (free) soda refill, so that's an advantage ... you can buy a soda and full your belly," said first-year student Owen Hill.
"Juici is not a everyday thing though, you eat here today, tomorrow you might go KFC, a next day you might go Pages, a next day you might not have the money, so you go Taylor Hall (cafeteria) and just buy some food (cooked meals)," he added.
Read and eat.
THE BEE HIVE
A quaint, wooden building where manager Sandra Powell says an average of 700 students dine daily. Menu favourites: sweet and sour chicken, steam fish, oxtail, fried chicken and barbecue chicken.
PAGES CAFE
Easily distinguishable because of its lively colours. Manager, David Brown, says it is driven by repeat customers.
Menu faves: "Meals and soups are our number one sellers. Of course our Black Forest cake, cheesecake and German chocolate cake, those sell extremely well."
