While adjusting to new classes and schedules, Oklahoma Christian University students are also enjoying a new cafeteria space this semester.
The Branch, Oklahoma Christian’s new cafeteria, opened for business Monday, Jan. 6, just in time for the start of the 2020 spring semester. The old cafeteria had been around since the late 1970s and has only had minor renovations twice within the past 20 years.
The Branch is home to new stations not offered in the previous cafeteria, such as Asian cuisine, pasta, burgers, pizza and panini stations. Many students, including freshman Hampton Hays, praised the new food options.
“I love the pizza station,” Hays said. “All the new food options are great, but personally I think the pizza is the best station. They make it right in front of you, and you get to choose what you want on it. There is no generic style of pizza now. You can customize it however you want.”
Other people may not have a single favorite, but they like the vast array of food offered.
“I like how you can always get something different,” senior Diego Vasquez said. “In the old caf, you would have to eat basically the same thing all the time. It was repetitive. Now with this caf, you can always eat something new, and it is actually really good.”
The Branch also offers a nicer, more welcoming dining area.
“Even through the first week, I have seen myself spending more time in the new caf than the old one,” Hays said. “It has a much more welcoming feel, and the windows allowing for natural light is a lot livelier.”
“I love the new area,” Vasquez said. “I love everything about the new area: the barstool and bar tops are nicer, the tables are more comfortable and I like the bigger tables and more rooms which offer more space to sit with friends.”
According to students, it is not without its flaws.
“I wish you didn’t have to swipe back in,” Hays said. “Sometimes I sit in the caf for an hour talking with friends and when I am leaving, I want to go back in and grab another drink or a cookie and now that’s not allowed. The time limit just seems a little excessive.”
Ultimately, the morale is high when it comes to the new cafeteria, and students are excited for what is ahead.
“I’m excited that we finally have a caf that’s both nice looking and has good food,” Vasquez said. “I hope the food quality continues to stay this good because at the moment it is really enjoyable.”
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