Opinion

The Fresh Food Company remains a steadfast love-hate companion for lunch

It’s 12:03 p.m. The sun beats down on me as I trudge out of Melcher Hall, my backpack weighing down on me both physically and mentally.

Like 31 million Americans every day, according to the NDP Group, I made the brilliant choice this morning to skip breakfast.

By noon, my stomach has begun to notice the lack of sustenance. It grumbles furiously. I frown in reply.

Rain or shine, students can always expect a full all-you-can-eat dining experience at the Fresh Food Company. | Aisha Bouderdaben/The Daily Cougar

Rain or shine, students can always expect a full all-you-can-eat dining experience at the Fresh Food Company. | Aisha Bouderdaben/The Daily Cougar

When faced with the vast array of food options available at UH, I find myself weighing my options carefully.

My first thought is to make a quick stop at the University Center Satellite, but there’s no such thing as a “quick” stop when it comes to the Satellite. A 20 minute wait for a chicken quesadilla is a most definite. I briefly contemplate going to one of the many food trucks available on campus, but I decide I already hate myself enough — no need to consume a chunk of deep fried chicken sandwiched in between two waffles to confirm it.

I even think about going to Cougar Express to buy something, but their prices are so high, I’d probably have to give them my left arm and firstborn child in exchange for a salad and a Cherry Coke.

It seems I have one option left. I always seem to go back to what I like to refer to as my “Old Faithful”: The Fresh Food Company at Moody Towers.

This place gets a bad rap. A quick Google search of The Fresh Food Company will lead to a Yelp page with a total of five reviews, which on average have given this little buffet three gold stars. “It’s a hit or miss,” wrote a reviewer named Vincent T. “One day it’ll be pretty good, and the next day it’ll be god-awful.”

When it comes to Fresh Food, I’ve been through the good and the bad. I’ve waited 300 years for a pepperoni pizza to come out of the oven. I’ve been given a portion of meat or pasta that couldn’t even qualify as a one-hundredth of a serving. I’ve even spent countless days praying that my supply of Lucky Charms would be restored, and with it, my faith in humanity.

The reality is, Fresh Food isn’t perfect — but then again, no food establishment is. So, no matter how many times they feel betrayed, no matter how many times they have given up, students always come running back.

“It’s very convenient,” said political science freshman Darcy Caballero, “and the staff’s pretty friendly.”

She added that their brownie cupcakes are absolutely incredible — a statement I can definitely agree with.

Fresh Food is not simply to be regarded in only a negative light — it’s got its good side too. First and foremost, it’s a cheap way to get a variety of meals. Not only that, but some of the food it serves is incredibly delicious.

You have not lived if you have not tried its brownie cupcakes, bread pudding or rotisserie chicken paired with mashed potatoes.

The list of quality food it serves goes on, and the best part is that there’s always something for everyone.

Moreover, Fresh Food caters toward our own needs as students.

“The Fresh Food Company was designed to focus on the student experience, and we have created a wonderful environment for students to dine, socialize and even study,” said Amber Arguijo, marketing manager for UH Dining Services. “We wanted The Fresh Food Company to be a comfortable environment with fresh, quality food that students can feel good about eating.”

And that’s probably my favorite part about Fresh Food — it’s a place where I can feel comfortable going to for a variety of purposes. If I want to hang out with friends and have a quick bite, or even if I want to have a cup of hot cocoa and sit down and trudge through half of the “Education of Cyrus,” I know that Fresh Food will always be there, waiting for me with open arms.

So here’s to you, Fresh Food. Thank you for all that you’ve done for me these past few months, and thank you for all you will do for me in the days to come. I know if we just stick together and understand each other’s strengths and differences, we’ll make it through any hardship that comes our way.

Opinion columnist Carolina Treviño is an advertising freshman and may be reached at [email protected]

1 Comment

  • This article is hilarious! Honestly, I’m very satisfied with The Fresh Food Company. For me, it’s the RFoC at Cougar Woods that’s always hit or miss; most often miss…

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