Students who often eat at Varsity Sports Grill were greeted with an addition to the menu and overall change of eating arrangements after fall break. Elon University Dining Services and Auxiliary Services launched a salad and soup bar, which has taken the space once occupied by a bar counter. This addition joins the existing soup and salad bars at 1889 Grill Room and Croutons in the Colonnades neighborhood.
"Elon Dining saw a need for a retail salad bar on that side of campus," said Kate Nelson, Dining Services marketing manager. "In an effort to add a convenient, healthy salad bar option to that side of campus we chose to make that addition to Varsity Sports Grill."
The idea of the bar has been in the works since the past spring semester and was developed in the summer, according to Gerald Whittington, senior vice-president for business, finance and technology. Whittington, like Nelson, said the salad and soup bar is convenient for students who spend most of their time near the retail location.
"After the successful introduction of the salad bar of 1889 in Colonnades, we decided we needed a salad bar on this end of campus," he said. "For those who want that option, this would be a good choice for this side of campus."
Sophomore Conor Collins, who spends most of his time in the historic neighborhood and Academic Village, said he has enjoyed the additions to Varsity Sports Grill.
"The salad bar is really convenient for people who have to eat quickly, especially during lunch," Collins said. "I've eaten here twice, both lunch times. They have salad and fruit, so it's a good variety and I think it's good that it's only one meal swipe."
While students have all-you- can-eat access to various salad components and toppings through the meal swipe, soup isn't included. Faculty members also have the same access to this meal option like at other residential and retail dining locations on campus, said Whittington.
The salad bar will be a permanent addition to the eatery's menu and location and is part of Dining Services' commitment to accommodating students' dietary needs, Nelson said. Whittington said the bar is just another way of Elon responding to students' suggestions.
"We always look to create new options like this as student needs and requests change, we try to change with time," he said.
Dining Services gets local produce for the salad bar, depending on what's in season, Nelson said. For Collins, the various produce is excellent because it allows him to select what he wants on his meal, he said.
"I usually get spinach and lettuce both and ham, cheese and eggs," Collins said. "Then I go up after to get some fruit. The salad bar is really convenient because that's where people can come in and get what they want instead of having someone get it for them like at downstairs Colonnades"