Changing Cultural Food Booth

Since I was a freshman Chase has undergone some serious changes to its menu as well as the physical building itself.  One of the most recent developments in the space has been the food from around the world bar in Chase Square, which changes on a weekly basis and has served Burritos, Bibimbap, Chicken Tika Masala, and Gyros.  Based off of conversations I’ve had with other students on campus in addition to my own participant observation I theorize that the world food booth has been successful because it has filled the paradoxical demand on campus for both food consistency as well as variety.  

The food being offered at Chase during lunch and dinner is generally different everyday and while some food items are always offered, there is not much consistency in what food is available.  However, during high traffic times in Chase around lunch and dinner students are provided a meal that they can customize, similar to the pasta bar, but on a rotation.  I spoke with a junior on campus recently when Chicken Tika Masala was being served who said, “I’m glad they’ve changed to Indian food, I was starting to get tired of bibimbap.”  This sentiment reflects the very way that Chase has accommodated the paradoxical demands of the student body to have both variety and consistency in the food being offered. 

Having already spent a large amount of money on the Wheaton meal plan, having to pay for an outside meal in the Norton area is not very common among the student body.  This makes the changing global food section of chase square a very welcome addition to the Wheaton dining experience because it provides the sense of eating out without the added expense.