The beginning of the fall semester ushers in new additions to the dining hall and the on-campus eating experience. More dining options will be available for students, including new meal swipe opportunities.

Kyle Grover, Sodexo district manager and interim general manager, and Alexander Snapp, Sodexo marketing manager, shared the details of the incoming changes.

The food stations have been modified and Daily Dish is now under the name Savory. Grown, the previous vegetarian station, will now operate as a build-your-own bar with dishes offered such as Frito bowls and nachos. Daily will switch to offering vegetarian options every day.

Photo of a student at the build-your-own salad bar. (ShelC’ Black/East Tennessean)

Guest Chefs will continue this semester with restaurants from the local community. White Duck Taco and Project Barbecue are scheduled to visit campus. “Each of them are going to come in a day and serve food from their restaurants,” said Snapp.

Late Night will now run from 8-10 p.m. with a heightened menu and theme nights such as shrimp and steak. Another new feature is a spice rack/sauce station with different types of hot sauce and seasonings.

In anticipation of Treehouse renovations, a new dining location named Pepper’s will serve as another meal swipe location. It will replace the Subway in the parking garage once remodeling is completed. Grover shared that the renovations for Pepper’s will take around five weeks once the state sends their approvals. Treehouse’s renovations are projected to begin next summer. Once Pepper’s is up and running, Treehouse will be converted into a convenience store, shared Grover.

(ShelC’ Black/East Tennessean)

Pepper’s will operate similarly to Treehouse with the meal swipe including an entree, side, drink and dessert. “The entrees are going have a variety of hamburgers, quesadillas, chicken wraps … everything you would expect from a diner slash grill,” said Snapp. Until Pepper’s physical location is ready, a food truck will offer a condensed menu.

In response to student feedback, Mein Bowl will undergo a complete overhaul. “They’re going to have a completely new management team, new staff, everything, and they’re going to be revamping their menu,” said Snapp.

The Chick-fil-A meal swipe option introduced last year will remain with an addition of Taco Bell meal swipe opportunities Monday and Tuesday from 4-6 p.m.

Grover and Snapp hinted at a few potential announcements coming mid-October. “Overall, people on meal plans are going to have a lot more options and better quality,” said Snapp.

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