It was not long ago that student patrons of Dusty’s Diner were greeted with a renovated diner and more seating space. A change prompted by higher enrollment and a sharp increase of the dorm facilities.
The changes included expanding the seating area by adding the former space that was used by the copy center, now located in Killam Library, and a new layout of food stations.
“It looks so different from last semester,” said Rosa Alanis, a sophomore. “I think it will be great for the dorm residents now that there is more room.”
The renovations were not the only new thing that greeted the students, but also Humberto Rivera, director of Food Services, was starting out his first complete semester at the helm of the only food service provider on campus.
“We have introduced different varieties with food rotations every four weeks,” says Rivera.
Rivera notes that the food served is selected based on what students consume, monitoring to see what food items are not popular so that adjustments can be made.
“We try to serve what you would have at home, comfort food,” says Rivera, “and we always take what the students have to say about our service seriously.”
Rivera mentioned that each year students are invited to participate in a survey to rate the service and also to help gather information that is used to meet the needs of the students.
Accommodations are also made for special diets according to Rivera. Some include the addition of vegetarian items and dairy free cheese.
“The food is good, especially the chicken fried steak, and their service is great,” says Maci Caballero, a freshman.
Good service is one thing most student patrons agree on but the variety of food items is where there is a difference of opinion.
“Sometimes the food is not cooked right (undercooked), I had tacos with reddish centered ground meat the other day and that is not how tacos should be served,” says Jessica Sanchez, a sophomore, “sometimes they even serve the same thing more than once a week and that makes us want to just stick to sandwiches but even that gets old; I can’t eat sandwiches everyday just because the entrees are something that we college students don’t eat.”
“The food needs work but the service is great, Martha (food server) always greets us with smiles and is extremely helpful, she is great!” added Sanchez.
“I think the diner is very comforting and the food is a lot like what I get at home. The service is awesome, especially Monica (supervisor), Maria (food server) and Martha (food server), they are always cheerful and friendly. I don’t have complaints really, the food is good and it is convenient to get a bite to eat between classes. I do think they need more room during lunch because it gets too crowded at times,” said Samantha Pora, a freshman.