Studying hard on campus is no easy feat. The focus it takes to process textbook readings and lecture notes is one that cannot be broken at all – until strange sounds start emitting from your stomach... Now you are met with the difficult decision on where you should go to regain some much-needed energy to continue your state of eternal focus. With all the options available, we understand that it can be burdensome to choose. Before you panic, here is where some writers of the AEO Onward blog are going for their lunch break!
Anna: Lucy’s @ Somerville
Entering second year as a Western student, much was prone to change from the transition from residence life to off-campus housing. Food was my biggest concern. Take pineapple for example; what an intimidating fruit! Give me a whole pineapple and forty knives of different shapes and sizes and I still would not know where to start. Whereas in my lovely first year at Saugeen-Maitland Hall, if I happened to be craving some fresh pineapple, I was able to take a brief elevator ride down and eat as much as my meal plan allowed.
Though difficult, I have been able to get used to a life without accessible pineapple. However, I find myself missing a hot meal quite often. As exams and assignments pile up, my fridge gets emptier by the day and the emergency instant ramen stash even starts to run out. During these busy occasions, I frequently find myself going to Lucy’s in Somerville House. A building many prospective business students visit, Lucy’s not only has diverse variety in its options, from sushi to burritos, but the lines are never long! The chicken Pad Thai is my go-to. Being cooked on a per order basis, it never fails to warm me up after trekking through a blizzard on campus.
Even on days where a snack is all I need to get through my day, Lucy’s has a variety of baked goods, chips, as well as fridges full of fresh fruits and vegetables. So, on days where that pineapple craving really will not budge, feel free to come find me at Lucy’s!
Priya: Odd burger @ UCC Food Hub
Vegetarianism is deeply rooted in our culture, so growing up in an Indian Canadian household, I’ve never felt that being vegetarian limited my options. Then I came to university for my first year. Western certainly puts in more effort to be accessible to different diets, but there were days I was still left feeling limited to bread, cheese, and salads. On-campus dining brought a whole other level of convenience. However, with very few protein options for me, I felt I had to step out of the box sometimes for variety, as did most of my vegetarian and vegan peers.
Then came Odd Burger.
Odd Burger is a new vegan fast food chain that just opened up in the UCC Food Hub less than a month ago and thank goodness for it. Whether I need a mid-Weldon study session snack, a rich breakfast, or a hefty takeout after a long day, the new Odd Burger is my go-to. Their Sticky Chik’n Sandwich with onion rings is a personal favourite, but the establishment also boasts a delicious and diverse menu of plant-based alternatives to popular fast-food staples, including poutine, burgers, breakfast sandwiches, and even vegan ice cream (I had a sample, YUM)!
Suffice to say I’ve found my new favourite food spot on campus. Its central location is more than convenient for wherever and whenever the cravings hit. I’m delighted to see the diversification of vegetarian options in the real world in terms of what my diet means, especially on campus. I’m a huge advocate squashing the stigma around vegetarianism being salads and diet food, and Odd Burger is doing just that!
Brooke: The Spoke @ The UCC
Coming to Western, the Spoke was the number one response when I consulted second year friends about the best food spot on campus. Naturally, I had to give it a try, and my current lack of flex dollars is representative of my now love for Spoke. As I sit at my desk to write this article, I am accompanied by a fresh turkey club sandwich. That is just one of my recommended Spoke orders, and with the wide variety of bagels and toppings, there is something to suit everyone’s tastes.
The daily-baked bagels are pillowy soft, and the fresh toppings and spreads take bagel sandwiches to the next level. If a plain bagel is just too boring, The Spoke offers unique flavours such as jalapeno cheddar and mushroom Swiss. Need a kick of energy before class? Accompany your bagel with a delicious iced coffee.
While I would never judge someone for purchasing a bagel for dinner (something I am guilty of on multiple occasions), if that does not appeal, look no further than the back section of the restaurant. They offer dinner options such as wraps and salads, and the French fries are particularly good.
The Spoke has seen me at all times of the day, whether it is for an early morning bagel, a pick-me-up coffee, or a study break dinner. Don’t let the line scare you away: trust me, it is worth the wait.
Owen: Subway @ South Side
The first day of February reading week, with campus empty and desolate, I walked with my friend down by the stadium and the Thames River, the bitter cold freezing our faces as we entered the woods. Finishing our trail, the first place we headed to was Subway—and the moment we entered the warm interior, feeling the warmth from our toasted subs and sipping our comforting chicken noodle soup, we enjoyed one of the most satisfying yet simple meals available on campus.
The strategically placed building has seen many 1 a.m. Subway runs and quick grab-and- go snacks when in a hurry. There is by no means anything unique about the food from this Subway specifically, but being so close to the south side residences has made it something of a communal place where you bump into familiar faces every time you go.
Looking out at the building from the 6th floor of an Essex study lounge, I always see people even late into the night—and this sense of community facilitated by a common love for subs is perhaps what makes an otherwise unremarkable Subway so special for south side students.
There you have it, four of our top picks for campus food options. Whether you are craving a burger, a bagel, or anything in between, try out one of these spots next time you need a study snack break!