The World Famous Bean has moved its stations and switched up the menu.
Students, faculty and staff could see the changes just moments after entering the Bean on Jan. 13.
Because of security reasons and policy requirements, ACU Dining Services was unavailable to comment on the matter before this article’s publication.
The previous action station has been replaced by the sandwich station and a new smoothie bar. The action station can now be found where the old vegetarian option was offered.
The international station has, however, remained in position, as have the salad bar, home station and grill.
Over the past four days new foods have been making their way on student’s dishes, including Panini sandwiches, new breads, smoothies, red pepper sliders and gazpacho salads.
Kyle Stainsby, sophomore biology major from Fort Worth, has been impressed by the changes.
“There are less options, but each option seems to have better quality,” he said. “The quality has been a little bit better, in general.”
However, Maggie Brown, sophomore elementary education major from Midlothian, is not satisfied with the Bean’s efforts.
“Honestly, I feel like the Bean’s quality has decreased significantly since I was a freshman, the food quality just isn’t that good and there isn’t a lot to pick from,” Brown said. “Even with the new nutrition things that have been added in, I just don’t feel like it’s helped a lot.”
Also, in an attempt to offer more variety of foods, the grill appears to have limited options, including the loss of grilled cheese and grilled chicken sandwiches.
Chrissy Corbett, sophomore psychology major from McKinney, said she thinks the Bean is not addressing the correct problems.
“I appreciate their attempts to open our eyes again to how blessed we are to have the Bean, but I think they are taking a wrong approach in reorganizing when they just need to really listen to what we’re saying about the food quality,” Corbett said. “By taking away grilled cheese they’re limiting vegetarians even more. They’re taking away when they need to give more.”
Observance is inconclusive as to whether the options are healthier for students. Furthermore, it is inconclusive whether there are more gluten free and/or vegetarian options, or just a widened variety for the regular diners.
Heather Johnston, sophomore kinesiology major from Friendswood, has a wheat and dairy intolerance, which restricts her diet in the Bean.
“I mainly just ate salad and grilled chicken, and I’d see if there were any other options I could eat,” Johnston said. “I’d say the Bean is catering to my diet just the same. There’s no grilled chicken, but there’s still options.”
Students, faculty and staff needn’t worry, though, Annie’s famed omelets are still being offered, as are pizza slices and waffles.
