On this episode of “Bruin 101,” a Day by day Bruin podcast about life at UCLA, Podcasts contributors Wendy Minn, Kyla Ventura and Sonia Wong evaluate meal plans and eating choices at UCLA.
KV: Howdy and welcome to Bruin101, a Day by day Bruin podcast that’s made by Bruins for Bruins. On this sequence we hope to assist college students and potential college students study and adapt to UCLA by offering perception into the college, sharing useful suggestions and discussing considerations. On this episode, we will likely be speaking about UCLA eating and breaking down how meal plans work and all of the completely different locations you will get meals. I’m Kyla Ventura, one of many podcast producers.
SW: I’m Sonia, one other one of many producers.
WM: And I’m Wendy.
WM: So earlier than we discuss in regards to the eating halls, I simply need to clarify a bit of bit in regards to the completely different meal plan choices. So there are two components of the meal plan. And the primary half is the variety of meals per week. After which the second half is the kind of plan. For the choices for the variety of meals per week, they’re 11, 14 and 19. So that you select one in every of these numbers after which the kind of meal plan to go together with it. So now we have two meal plans, which is the common and premium, which we consult with as R and P. For R, you’re solely in a position to swipe as soon as throughout a meal interval and your swipes don’t carry over every week, so should you don’t use them up, they’re simply gone. For instance, you probably have like 14R and also you solely ate like 12 meals that week, then these further two swipes won’t carry over. However this isn’t the case with P since you get all of your swipes firstly of the quarter after which you might have till finals week to make use of them up, and so that you’re in a position to swipe as many occasions as you need inside a meal interval. What meal plan did you guys have?
SW: So for me, personally, I’m at present on the 11P meal plan.
KV: I even have the 11P. And I actually prefer it as a result of I’m going residence rather a lot and I’m gluten free. So generally there’s nothing for me to eat. And so I simply, I like that it carries over to the subsequent week.
WM: So I had 19R which meant I used to be solely in a position to swipe as soon as per meal interval. And as somebody who eats all meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner, I assumed this was actually nice. Besides I, because the 12 months went on, I sort of regretted this resolution as a result of I truly didn’t eat breakfast as a lot as I assumed I did or I might simply discover meals to eat for breakfast. So I didn’t really feel it was essential for 19R. If I have been to be on a meal plan subsequent 12 months, I’d have chosen one thing like 14P or 11R simply because I do eat extra, I eat out extra ceaselessly than I assumed.
SW: Yeah, I positively have the identical emotions of, as Wendy after I went into selecting a meal plan, as a result of I do know that I’d have needed to eat off campus extra, particularly contemplating final 12 months, which was my first 12 months. And generally that I most likely received’t give you the option to take the time to stroll up and have breakfast within the morning. So I selected 11P and ended up actually liking it. As a result of one other widespread scenario that I spotted that plenty of college students run into is that they’ve an enormous extra of meals on the finish of the quarter. So lots of people suppose that they’re consuming common meals, however generally throughout weekends, they exit and so they overlook in regards to the meals that they really spend on campus. So then on the finish of the 12 months, lots of people find yourself with like tens of meals left over. And like close to week eight to week 10 we simply see individuals utilizing like an upwards of like 5 to seven swipes per meal. So, plus, it’s truly fairly straightforward to vary your meal plan should you needed to between quarters. So I’d truly say that it might be simpler to start out with a smaller meal plan, after which transfer up the dimensions should you really feel prefer it’s not sufficient for you,
WM: You’ll be able to change your meal plan in the course of 1 / 4. There’s a price although, even in the course of the quarter and in between quarters as properly. And it’s actually not the best concept, I really feel like, to change meal plans as a result of there’s a price on high of the worth distinction. So it may not essentially be value it on the time should you do determine to change so I believe you will need to determine firstly of quarters what you suppose will work greatest. Yeah, so as to add on that observe, you’re additionally at all times in a position to pay for meals with your individual cash. You’ll be able to add cash to your Bruin card and pay for it that method. Some locations even take bank card. That is on the takeout locations; for the eating halls, you’ll be able to solely swipe along with your Bruin card, which is why it’s good to have these swipes. So now that we’re speaking about eating halls, so eating halls are all you’ll be able to eat sort of like a buffet type. Varied stations serve completely different sorts of meals and also you go choose them up with plates, they often pre portion them for you. In some locations you’ll be able to seize issues your self and put it by yourself plate. But when there’s not sufficient meals, you’ll be able to at all times simply return for extra. And so first up I suppose we will discuss De Neve eating. That is open for all meals, breakfast by means of dinner. Not one of the eating halls do prolonged dinner. And so De Neve serves like American meals: burgers, pizza, mashed potatoes and diverse meat with mashed potatoes. What are your guys’s ideas on De Neve.
KV: So I discussed earlier that I’m gluten free so I needed to like present a physician’s observe that mentioned that I must eat gluten free after which that offers me entry, due to an allergy, and that offers me entry to a gluten free pantry. So De Neve has a gluten free pantry and so I’m going there if I need, like—the gluten free pantry provides, like Amy’s frozen meals just about and people aren’t licensed, so I don’t know, you probably have celiac illness, if you need to be consuming them, or most of them. However I’ve seen I do get sick from any of the meals there. So I don’t actually—I don’t like De Neve.
SW: Personally, I’m not the most important fan of De Neve both. I keep in mind firstly of the quarter or my first quarter, all people was speeding to get there, as a result of they have been saying that the meals was very nice. And the one motive I went alongside was as a result of I actually appreciated fries. And as a aspect observe, I’m additionally vegetarian. And I’d say one advantage of De Neve is that there are surprisingly plenty of vegetarian choices should you do look out for them and take note of them. And I keep in mind this one time I went there was this actually good, I believe it was an Indian curry and rice, that they served however then, or another curry and rice, however it solely got here up as soon as and by no means occurred once more. However generally, I don’t go to De Neve that a lot, primarily as a result of it’s not that near the place I dwell. And likewise, more often than not after I eat I really feel fairly full and fairly bloated after that. And I believe it has to do with how, when more often than not I’m there, despite the fact that they’ve plenty of vegetarian choices. They’re nonetheless fairly heavy choices equivalent to like burgers, or simply actually big parts like mashed potatoes and different American type meals. So I’d say it’s not my favourite both. What about you, Wendy?
WM: Yeah, I’m additionally on the identical boat. I don’t actually like De Neve both, particularly on the placement half. It’s positively one of many additional eating halls to the place I’m positioned. And yeah, I’m additionally not the most important on American meals. I’d say what De Neve has the very best although is pizza. I believe no different place serves higher, pretty much as good pizza as sufficient does. And I believe they’ve the most important salad bar, they’ve the best number of issues to get on the salad at De Neve eating, in order that’s good. So as a substitute of De Neve I’d say I’m extra of an Epicuria particular person. So Epicuria is Mediterranean meals, they serve pasta, in addition they serve pizza and sort of like an assortment of potatoes is one thing that I keep in mind. And Epicuria is the one eating corridor that isn’t open for breakfast, so they simply do lunch and dinner. I believe the most effective issues they’ve is simply the pasta. I can’t consider anything specifically, what about you guys?
KV: Typically they’ve rooster and it has like a inexperienced sauce on it and I’m undecided what it’s referred to as. However that’s gluten free, and I actually prefer it. However that’s just about that’s it for me. What about you, Sonia?
SW: Yeah, I fairly like Epicuria as properly, I’d say in comparison with B-Plate and De Neve, they’ve comparatively much less vegetarian choices, truly. However the pastas are at all times actually good. And I keep in mind close to the tip of the final spring quarter as properly, they began doing a build-your-own pasta bar factor as properly. In order that allowed plenty of college students to have freedom by way of what sort of pasta they needed, despite the fact that that basically vastly elevated the traces. And I believe one factor that I actually keep in mind about Epicuria is that their rice is at all times actually good. So that they serve completely different Mediterranean styled rice, in addition to with different veggies together with it. And I keep in mind actually liking it. They usually additionally serve fairly good soup. So there’s a Tuscan bean soup, I believe, that I’m going for lots. So yeah, however transferring on, I believe my favourite is definitely B-Plate. And I do know B-Plate is a extremely controversial eating corridor. However clearly being vegetarian, I believe B-Plate is without doubt one of the locations the place I can eat after which not likely fear about what I’m truly getting, or having to go forward and ask workers about clarifying the menus. And one other factor about B-Plate is that I actually appreciated that it had like an enormous fruit bar and dessert choice, as a result of I’m personally an enormous dessert particular person. And most days, if not all, they serve frozen yogurt. There’s quite a lot of cereal that they serve all day as a result of clearly they do breakfast. They usually have actually good chocolate tarts, or cheese tarts. And I keep in mind the cheese kinds solely got here for in the future as properly after which I by no means noticed them once more. In order that was fairly disappointing, however total they’ve fairly good dessert. What do you guys take into consideration B-Plate?
WM: I agree with Sonia’s assertion that B-Plate is unquestionably a controversial opinion of whether or not you prefer it or not. So I’m on the opposite aspect I’m a B-Plate hater. B-Plate primarily serves wholesome meals. So for me I really feel like I do are likely to eat fairly wholesome however B-Plate is an excessive. So B Plate serves issues like brown rice and like greens which are identical to frivolously sauteed and simply sort of like salted. Different issues they serve are like proteins, that they aren’t like actually heavy on like saucing and like flavoring, and it’s positively the go to position for those who need to weight loss plan or that frequent the gymnasium. So since I’m not in both a type of classes, I’d not say I’m the most important fan. I do know B-Plate, since B-Plate and De Neve are the one choices for breakfast, I do choose B-Plate as a result of it’s a little bit lighter than De Neve breakfast. And they also would serve issues like lentil pancakes or carrot pancakes, which might positively be a hit and miss.
KV: So I’m on Sonia’s aspect. I like B-Plate. And I believe such as you mentioned, as a result of there’s no sauce or something, I can often, nearly each time eat the rooster, which I actually like admire. After which I’ll get it with brown rice. After which they often have broccoli or inexperienced beans or one thing. After which in addition they have a extremely huge salad bar, which I like. After which every of the eating halls have like an enormous, like, fruit bar, which can also be enjoyable. After which B-Plate additionally has the gluten free pantry. So I often eat at B-Plate.
SW: So now that we’re finished speaking about eating halls, let’s discuss takeout locations. So takeout locations are basically eating places the place one swipe will get you a set meal, the place you often get an entree with a aspect and a drink. So the primary one I actually like to say and that I additionally suppose is a extremely in style one is Rendezvous. So Rendezvous is positioned proper in the course of Rieber Court docket, and it serves a meal and a fountain drink. And it’s divided into two sides, which is what makes it so particular. The east aspect provides you quite a lot of Asian meals, whereas the west aspect provides you Mexican meals. So either side have completely different combos and specials. And a few specials, particularly on the east aspect, are solely accessible every day throughout lunch. So for me personally, I’m actually into Rende West, which serves Mexican meals, as a result of I believe their burritos are at all times actually nice. And I can at all times get a bean burrito, I might get like a tofu burrito. And I actually like that you just get the choice of selecting what’s inside every burrito, which can also be what provides it such an enormous line and generally takes a extremely very long time to get your meal. However on the finish of the day, I at all times suppose getting stuff at Rende West is value it. And I’d at all times do it if I’ve meal time particularly. What about you guys?
WM: Yeah, I additionally actually like Rende West. I really feel prefer it’s very stable, particularly the combo which is principally, it’s like a select your individual construct your individual sort of bowl factor. You’ll be able to select bowls like tacos, burritos, so it’s principally UCLA’s tackle Chipotle. And so it’s at all times actually stable, you’ll be able to go to love, every little thing is fairly likable, I really feel like, and you possibly can at all times swap issues up should you’re feeling like a burrito in the future and like a taco one other day. And you’ll like swap up the toppings, which is very nice. And that’s— West is unquestionably one thing I’m going to fairly ceaselessly as a result of it’s very dependable and constant. And I imply, I truly haven’t had most of the specials at West however I’ve had the spinach cheese quesadilla, which I actually appreciated. What about you, Kyla?
KV: I went to Rende West one time. And I like—it was good. And I—it’s, like, I really feel like one of the in style ones. However there’s plenty of cross contamination, so I by no means went again. Nevertheless it appears to be like good.
WM: Yeah, after which the opposite aspect I wouldn’t say is as in style. It’s Rende East and so they do Asian meals. So their combo is principally UCLA’s tackle sort of like a Panda Specific, they provide you want, like a principal course to select from. So like fried rice, white rice, chowmein, sort of factor. They usually have like sides to go together with that. I’m not the most important fan of Panda Specific generally. And in order that additionally wasn’t actually my sort of meals. However they did have some fairly good specials. I’ve had the banh mi, I’ve had that fairly ceaselessly. They usually have like ramen and pho, that are good as a result of they’re truly sizzling, whereas should you go to love The Drey, which we’ll point out quickly, it’s sort of like prepared made and sort of heat, if something. So yeah, a few of the specials at East have been fairly good. They usually’ve additionally finished like some particular days. On the finish of the quarter final 12 months, they have been doing like a Filipino night time and so they had like plenty of completely different Filipino sort of meals to select from. And that one was truly fairly good.
SW: Yeah, I’d say the identical about East. Rende East is a spot I’m going after I’m actually quick on time and I simply actually need to get a fast meal. And on the opposite aspect, there’s additionally not plenty of vegetarian choices at Rende East. In order that’s another excuse why I don’t go there typically. I’d say their chowmein is fairly good so I’ve it fairly typically. However aside from that I haven’t actually tried any of the specials. However I’d say I went to the Filipino night time just a few occasions. And despite the fact that the traces have been at all times actually lengthy there was like this rice that was actually good. So I’d positively say that Rende East is thought to be fairly good on the specials that they do, whereas for the combos I believe it’s principally to serve college students who really need like a fast meal or simply, you realize, not plenty of choices to select from and they also might simply get a extremely fast meal finished in a extremely quick time.
WM: Yeah, speaking about fast meals. I believe The Drey is unquestionably the quickest as a result of it’s only a seize and go place. They’ve like ready-made entrees the place you identical to warmth them up, you add some broth to it. So like they’ve ramen, and then you definitely would add broth to it. They’ve like bento bins, some sushi, and it’s simply principally a seize, swipe and go. I do know The Drey shouldn’t be the best place, however I lived in Centennial, which is without doubt one of the nearer buildings to The Drey, so I’m not going to disclaim that I frequented The Drey fairly typically. And it’s additionally a great place to make use of up your swipes as a result of they do have like frozen meals and stuff that you possibly can retailer for later, whereas different locations, not the very best at storing and just like the fridge or freezer for lengthy durations of time. What about you guys, have you ever guys frequented The Drey typically?
SW: For me, I’ve went after I first began, however I keep in mind not liking it the primary few occasions. I keep in mind getting the pho the primary time, however that the broth was not heat sufficient. And a few of my different pals acquired the bento bins. And for some motive all people that acquired the bento bins advised me that it wasn’t nice. However one other factor that I actually like in regards to the Drey clearly aside from how fast it’s, is that I used to be pleasantly shocked by the vegan cookies that they’d. They usually additionally had this like vegan brownie if I keep in mind appropriately. They usually at all times got here— and so the rationale why I actually appreciated it was as a result of it not solely got here in actually big sizes that I might cut up up and have over the course of a number of meals, but additionally that it was truly fairly tasty. And it was one thing that basically drew individuals’s consideration in, even when they weren’t vegetarian or vegan. So I believe that was one thing that basically shocked me. And a spot that I, like Wendy, at all times go if I’m actually quick on time. Shifting on, another place that’s actually much like The Drey, I’d say is definitely The Examine. Whereas The Drey is positioned someplace in the course of the Hill, The Examine is like on high of the Hill. And I’d say whereas The Drey has extra prepared made bowls with quite a lot of like Western and Asian meals, The Examine has a bit of extra of like sandwiches and different lighter meals. And so I’d truly say The Examine is a extremely sensible choice for prolonged dinner, particularly contemplating it’s one of many few locations that open until late at night time. And it’s a spot I’m going to each time I’m finished with work and simply need to chill out with pals and get like dessert or get some actually fast meals earlier than I head for mattress. So what are you guys’s expertise with The Examine?
KV: I like The Examine. So that they have like a construct your individual salad, like or salad, sandwich or pizza. And so I get the salad. And it’s simply one thing I can at all times go to if there’s nothing else for me to eat. After which I additionally simply love the environment there. It’s like a library sort of however you’ll be able to eat or like be with your mates and like discuss, however everybody’s nonetheless finding out. So I actually prefer it in there. And I additionally get the espresso within the morning.
WM: Yeah, I truly labored at The Examine. So I’m fairly accustomed to their menus and every little thing. The Examine is unquestionably one of the in style locations. The traces are often loopy, so I truly by no means acquired The Examine moreover whereas I used to be on a shift. So The Examine does like principally what you guys talked about, construct your individual stuff. So at breakfast, they do a construct your individual bagel and construct your individual skillet. They’ve just like the Construct Your Personal salads, pizzas and sandwiches, such as you mentioned, and so I believe lots of people actually prefer it as a result of it’s so customizable. And I’d say that I do like a stable sandwich there. They’ve plenty of completely different toppings and completely different like sauces that you may put. So it’s simply very stable substances collectively.
KV: Yeah, I’ve positively waited over an hour for my meals.
SW: I keep in mind the primary time I went, I truly waited upwards for 2 hours, one hour within the line after which one other hour to get my meals, simply due to how in style it was firstly of the quarter within the begin of the college 12 months. However nonetheless, I nonetheless suppose the expertise was fairly value it since you get a style of the UCLA eating halls as a result of UCLA eating halls generally are simply fairly crowded, but additionally that The Examine has fairly constant high quality throughout all of their menu gadgets. And I believe that’s why college students return rather a lot and why it’s such a preferred place for college students. And so personally I additionally actually appreciated the dessert choices that they’ve, the crepes and just like the waffles and despite the fact that the sizing of the parts have modified I nonetheless return now and again when I’ve an additional swipe or when I’ve a while earlier than mattress.
WM: Yeah The Examine is unquestionably the place for further swipes as a result of they’re the one takeout place moreover B-Caf on the finish of the quarter that was doing prolonged dinner so it was at all times tremendous packed in there and I do know myself that I like a great midnight waffle sort of factor; their waffles are actually good, talking as a former employee of The Examine. Yeah. So sort of The Examine’s largest competitor could be B-Caf, and B-Caf additionally does one thing much like The Examine. They do like prepared made sandwiches so you’ll be able to’t actually select after which in addition they have like prepared set pizzas. B-Caf additionally did breakfast, however I truly by no means went as a result of The Examine was nearer however I do know they do like bagels and like espresso and should you guys need to converse on that some extra, I didn’t actually go to B-Caf.
KV: Effectively, spring quarter, I went there nearly day by day as a result of in addition they— like I don’t know if they’d that within the earlier quarters, however they’ve a construct your individual salad. After which it’s like, you don’t should stroll all the way in which as much as The Examine and the road often isn’t as lengthy. So I’m going there fairly typically to.
SW: For me, I’m going to B-Cafe after I’m on my solution to class, truly, as a result of more often than not I’ve principally afternoon lessons. And B-Caf is alongside the way in which the place I head for lessons, which is the place I’m going behind the Hill. So I often get fast lunch on behalf and I can eat it on the way in which, for instance, I get a fast sandwich or I get a pizza so I can have it whereas strolling to class. In order that saves me plenty of time as properly. And I believe one other factor that B-Cafe is de facto identified for is their smoothies. So I truly began having them throughout fall and winter quarter. However on the time, they solely had actually restricted choices, so I keep in mind it was solely a mango or strawberry smoothie. So not all individuals knew about just like the smoothies on the time, and pals that I went with, all of us sort of saved it on the downlow, as a result of we have been like that is so good and folks haven’t came upon about it but. So earlier than the traces come, we must always have it extra. However one actually particular factor that they did throughout spring quarter as properly was that they began making construct your individual smoothies. So then college students might choose and select the smoothies that they needed with completely different toppings, completely different, yeah, completely different scoops of ice cream. And it simply added plenty of selection to the menu. They usually additionally added this feature to prolonged dinner. So I believe that’s additionally why B-Cafe was so crowded and so packed on the finish of spring quarter as properly, regardless of being like a competitor of The Examine and providing much less construct your individual choices by way of different menu gadgets.
KV: Additionally, prefer it’s referred to as like B-Cafe, and for like half the 12 months I used to be identical to, I ponder if they’d espresso, however I by no means went in and so they do have espresso, you will get like, a latte or no matter. And you will get it. It’s like on the aspect. Like farther from the sandwiches. However yeah, so I additionally get that rather a lot.
WM: Yeah, so these are the principle takeout locations that have been open. And we do have two extra, however these have been attention-grabbing as a result of they have been completely different from common faculty 12 months. So first we’ll, we will discuss Bruin Bowl, and Bruin Bowl was solely open fall quarter. And this was actually attention-grabbing as a result of I’d additionally describe it as like an concept of like Chipotle the place you sort of have a base and then you definitely select like all of your toppings. So, to my reminiscence they’d like a Latin American bowl, an Indian bowl, a Pan Asian bowl, I believe is what they referred to as it. After which the Mediterranean bowl, which was truly so good. So I’d describe the Mediterranean bowl as like a CAVA, and it’s actually good. They’ve like greens and like some actually good like saffron, rice and meats. In order that was actually one in every of my favourite locations. And it’s actually near De Neve. And despite the fact that it was actually far I’d take the stroll as a result of it was that good. It was value it. What about you guys? What have been your expertise with it when the quick quarters that we had with it.
KV: I just like the Greek Week, just like the Greek, I believe Mediterranean, and the Farmers one as a result of these are like fairly plain and like, and yeah, I missed it when it was gone.
SW: I keep in mind that I heard rather a lot about it earlier than it was open. So I positively have my eyes peeled for that. And I keep in mind as quickly because it was open, I’d at all times go and deliberately go throughout lunchtime the place hopefully the traces could be shorter, however nonetheless would take like an upwards of 20 to half-hour. However nonetheless, it was at all times actually definitely worth the wait. They usually nonetheless have fairly good vegetarian choices as properly. And I keep in mind the Indian bowl was actually memorable for me. I keep in mind the rice was very well cooked and that the sauces that they’d and the toppings that they’d, simply every little thing simply went alongside very well with one another and contemplating the way it’s like a choose and select your sort of bowl factor, I positively missed it due to the range that it had, simply by way of just like the delicacies type that they’d, and every little thing else and it’s additionally a extremely fast eating choice as properly should you, if excluding the traces. So I positively actually missed it after I was gone and I actually hoped that it might be again like someday quickly.
WM: Yeah, it’s positively a disgrace that it was solely open for lunch and dinner. However I suppose I can’t actually be complaining as a result of Feast, for us, was solely open dinner. I believe Feast popped up possibly round winter quarter. And so Feast is definitely often an Asian eating corridor. However resulting from COVID and staffing shortages, they’ve like this attention-grabbing pop up factor the place they want invite like visitor cooks basically to cook dinner inside Feast for us. And they also would often serve like specials. They usually had just like the vegetarian choice, so it was actually identical to two various things they’d. However generally it was actually an enormous hit and miss. I do know Kogi is a extremely in style meals truck and sort of meals location. However for some motive at UCLA, Kogi was not the very best. So that may— these days the place Kogi would present up, I’d positively keep away from it. However often like Hanchic and ML Eats, I’ve had actually good experiences. I’ve had some actually good soba like kimbap, they do plenty of Korean meals. So I’d frequent Feast fairly typically.
KV: I believe a pair issues to simply observe like about eating halls is that you just, like, I keep in mind my first time consuming within the eating corridor I like introduced my backpack in and I walked round like nobody advised me something. After which the second time I acquired stopped, they’re like, “Oh, it’s essential to put it within the lockers.” And so, after which ceaselessly on you at all times, whenever you go right into a eating corridor, it’s essential to put your backpack within the lockers, I really feel like that’s only a good factor to know. After which additionally, you probably have meals allergy symptoms, or something, you’ll be able to examine on the UCLA web site, I simply search for UCLA menu, after which it would inform you every little thing that they’re having that day, as a result of the menu modifications too, after which it would have like every little thing, that if there’s gluten in it, if there’s shellfish, peanuts, you realize, dairy, no matter your like allergy symptoms or like dietary restrictions are.
SW: Yeah, so circling again to Feast. I truly did a little analysis and Feast earlier than I got here into UCLA, as a result of I used to be actually trying ahead to their eating halls. And I used to be fairly disenchanted to seek out that not solely was it not open for the primary quarter, however that it ended up serving various kinds of simply expanded menus, I really feel for sure meals vans, for instance, like Kogi, like Wendy talked about. However I’d say despite the fact that I didn’t go there rather a lot, and I’ve at all times felt actually restricted by their choices, as a result of there was at all times just one vegetarian choice, so it was at all times a hit and miss, their fortune cookies are at all times actually good. So I at all times return for lots of them.
WM: And so now we’re attending to our final choices of meals. So for the 2021 to 2022 faculty 12 months, we did one thing completely different resulting from staffing shortages. So we truly had tickets in common occasions, we did have, like tickets that you may alternate for like a meal. So these have been for meals vans or for ASUCLA tickets. So first, we will discuss in regards to the ASUCLA tickets have been, which have been often I’m fairly certain a part of UCLA, these have been accessible to breakfast to dinner. And so you’d get you’d go to a entrance desk, and you’d ask for a ASUCLA ticket, and people vouchers are value $8. For our college 12 months, it went in the direction of any restaurant on campus, and it might like take away $8. Some locations allow you to stack them. There’s one particular place that I do know it’s Kikka. And it serves like sushi, and they don’t allow you to use a number of tickets. However in any other case, yeah, you get you will get like a full six inch subway for that worth. So it was actually handy for me after I didn’t eat breakfast on the hill, I might truly use it for lunch. As a result of in case you are on the P plan, you’ll be able to use a number of tickets. In order that was very nice and particularly very handy when you might have class on campus and also you’re in a position to eat at as UCLA restaurant, so that you don’t have to come back all the way in which again to the hill.
KV: Yeah, I wish to go to Anderson Cafe and Veggie Grill. And Sonia truly taught me the way to use it. However um, yeah, I believe when you prefer it saved me some huge cash in the long run, since you get like a for it’s like value $9. And then you definitely flip it in and then you definitely in the event that they subtract $9 out of your whole.
SW: Yeah, I keep in mind these are my favourite locations as properly, primarily as a result of Veggie Grill clearly has plenty of vegetarian choices. And firstly, once they began utilizing the tickets, they really did a extremely beneficiant supply of getting like just a few set menu gadgets together with a drink, which was included. They usually didn’t actually matter the quantity of worth that the meal was, they didn’t rely the money worth of the meal. So then it ended up giving me like a extremely big like lunch and it was at all times actually filling. After which nachos have been simply at all times actually good. As for Anderson Cafe, I often go there when I’ve time between possibly like my second or third lessons, however each time I need to get like a lighter plate, however I believe the espresso they serve is at all times actually good. So despite the fact that it’s rather a lot additional than the opposite locations that I take the tickets, it’s at all times definitely worth the stroll.
KV: Yeah, Anderson Cafe is like— they serve Starbucks. So I’m at all times there.
SW: So aside from ASUCLA I do know that the meals vans on the Hill additionally do like ticket choice. And despite the fact that I haven’t had plenty of experiences with the meals vans, primarily as a result of the traces are at all times actually lengthy and I often simply am not affected person sufficient to enter these traces. So I simply go to a random eating corridor as a substitute. I believe that it’s a extremely good concept to have like a number of meals vans and simply enable college students particularly with the P plan to get a number of tickets and they also might get a number of meals with and check out various things throughout like the identical dinner time as a result of they at all times serve like smaller parts or smaller meals. So what are you guys’s expertise with the meals vans?
WM: Yeah, I used to be positively a meals truck frequenter as a result of I positively appreciated the range as a result of generally you might have the identical issues within the eating halls. And so the meals vans have been actually handy whenever you simply need one thing to go however you didn’t need to have one thing that you just’ve consistently had like the opposite takeout locations at UCLA. These yeah, and particularly as a result of just like the meals vans fluctuate per day, it’s essentially not the identical one got here day by day. Some have been extra widespread than others. So now we have like a Thai meals truck that everybody loves, I believe was referred to as 8EA Thai meals truck. And in order that one was a few of the actually in style ones have been there actually ceaselessly and I do know the Thai meals truck traces might be as much as an hour. And particularly as a result of they have been positioned in like Rebier, or Sproul court docket, they have been rather a lot nearer to my dorm, which can also be a motive I frequented. I’d say one in every of my favorites that I can consider off the highest of my head is Austin’s Burgers. And the humorous factor is, I waited like two hours in line for a burger, despite the fact that in the long run, like, we do have like an In-n-Out out in Westwood. You could possibly actually simply stroll there and again. And Austin burgers actually weren’t that nice. However what was actually good was I had the strawberry lemonade that I used to be I actually waited two hours for that lemonade. That they had like a ardour free model and possibly like a 3rd one which I can’t actually keep in mind. So like that was actually good. They usually have like some cool Mediterranean I believe so like Kalamaki they’ve like Euros and so they had some actually good like lamb beef pita euros, and one other one is like Habibi, which I actually loved. So these are a few of my favorites. However there positively have been unhealthy ones like Kogi, you’d by no means see a line in entrance of it. And so there are positively some misses for the meals vans as properly.
SW: So for me personally, I’m truly an enormous fan of the actually in style meals vans, which might be why I discussed that close to the tip of the college 12 months, I acquired actually lazy about ready within the line. And so I by no means actually went that usually the final quarter. However I positively had actually good experiences with the Thai meals truck, Austin Burgers, as Wendy talked about, in addition to one other one, which is known as Dena Dumpling, Dina’s dumplings, which serves various kinds of dumplings, and so they had vegetarian dumplings as properly, which is a nice shock. And despite the fact that the traces have been at all times actually lengthy, I’d get it if I’m going with pals. And simply each time I actually, actually craved it. However aside from that, I believe, often I solely ever get the vegetarian meals truck, which I’m not likely certain of the identify. However I often solely get that after I’m in want of a extremely fast meal. And different occasions I often simply take a look at the traces after which determine whether or not I’ve the time or not no matter how good they’re. Additionally, due to how in style they’re.
WM: I’d say the one disappointing factor about meals vans although is unquestionably the portion sizes are a bit of bit small. And for some locations, you will get sort of like a aspect factor, however that’s nonetheless value one swipe. So for instance, Tokyo Model has some actually good Takoyaki however you get like six Takoyaki’s for like a single swipe when you will get like a rice and curry as a substitute. Which is unquestionably although, what I really feel like P could be essentially the most helpful for I really feel like I’d positively need one thing like a aspect like that to go together with my meal, as a result of a few of the sides are actually good.
KV: Um, I’ve by no means actually been to the meals vans as a result of there’s not likely plenty of, there’s no choice for me, however they do scent actually good. And I believe it’s actually cool that UCLA does that as a result of should you’re getting sick of the eating corridor meals it’s positively like a great choice.
SW: I’d positively say with my the 12 months of expertise that I had with the UCLA eating, I’d positively say it’s fairly nice. And I’m actually glad with the meals that they serve. And the number of meals that they’ve, which was one thing I used to be actually pleasantly shocked by. So I’d say I really feel fairly blessed that now we have these many choices. And despite the fact that at sure occasions, we did say sure eating halls or sure locations have been a miss, they nonetheless improvised rather a lot. And I do know the workers have been working actually laborious contemplating how a lot workers scarcity there was and plenty of COVID restrictions. So I’m actually grateful that we acquired all these experiences and we nonetheless have this, like this big number of meals even throughout COVID.
WM: Yeah, on that observe, I simply need to add, like please deal with the workers properly, as a result of we work actually laborious. And there are positively plenty of college students, particularly with a staffing shortages. So identical to on that observe, like please, whenever you’re in eating halls and stuff, please clear up, be good to the workers, as a result of we’re simply attempting our greatest right here with what got. And for me truly although, I do know Sonia mentioned that she truly likes the meals for me, I truly didn’t actually have essentially the most nice expertise as a result of I do eat plenty of Asian meals at residence. And that is additionally the rationale why I’m truly selecting to dwell in an residence subsequent 12 months so I can cook dinner for myself. I believe UCLA eating positively does have plenty of selection. And I believe for those who possibly aren’t as choosy, aren’t on the lookout for sure meals. It’s positively like a extremely excellent place. However like Kyla, who has like a dietary restriction and I do know people who have allergy symptoms and the cross contamination is fairly unhealthy at UCLA given there’s so many individuals to serve. It’s positively one thing that’s missed rather a lot. So yeah, UCLA eating can positively be tremendous nice for some however possibly relying on like your dietary habits could be not the best for others.
KV: I yeah, I do actually admire like after I was trying into what colleges to go to and discovering like UCLA or like which faculty I used to be going to decide on and discovering out that UCLA had like a gluten free pantry. I used to be actually appreciative of that. So I do really feel like we’re very fortunate to have like a number of eating halls and a special choice day by day.
KV: Bruin 101 is delivered to you by The Day by day Bruin, UCLA’s pupil newspaper. You’ll be able to hearken to the present and others by The Day by day Bruin on Spotify, Apple podcasts, and SoundCloud and the transcript for this present is on the market at dailybruin.com. Thanks, everybody. See you subsequent week.
