Snacks in the SAC – Dos Manos

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Welcome to Snacks in the SAC – the column where we will explore the wonders that meal planners experience every day in the Valaida S. Walker Food Court.

On this the first day of classes of the 2008 Spring semester, we all return to our academia to find the SAC at a turning point in its culinary career. This is a time of serious change for our beloved Sodexho-run food court.

Today, we look at Dos Manos (that’s “Two Hands” for all of you who have forgotten your high school Spanish). This new Mexican food distributor, neatly tucked away in the corner of the food court previously inhabited by Mrs. Crepes, is the SAC’s more authentic answer to the now defunct Taco Bell. Primarily offering Qdoba-inspired burritos, the offerings at this venue have a fresh, grease-free taste. Once the rest of the Temple Owls recover from their withdrawal from lack of 1,000 calorie Crunch Wrap Supremes, they will enjoy the refreshing taste of light burritos with authentic Mexican flavors. But don’t let the lack of cellulite in these goodies dismay you – according to Dos Manos, “you’ll need two hands” to hold them (hence the moniker).

In addition to the shock and awe of the students, The Valaida S. Walker Food Court’s employees are also enduring their own transition period. A conversation like this panned out before me when I stepped up to order my Cheesesteak Burrito:

Employee 1: No, no no! That’s not the cheese sauce for the Cheesesteak Burrito.

Employee 2: Oh right, it’s this one.

Employee 3: No! That’s the quesadilla cheese sauce!

Employee 1: Honey, that’s the spicy jalapeno sauce!

As the employees become more acquainted with the makings of these burritos, the meal planners are going to have to get use to the new prices. The burrito/drink combo at Dos Manos costs $6.85, while the lunch and dinner meal equivalencies still stand at $6.55. Healthier choices and more variety at the SAC = good. Not having your meal plan able to cover those new options = not so good.

Coming soon: We examine the new touch-screen registers and their effect on checkout lines, Einstein Bros. Bagels, and the fancy, new cereal racks.

In the meantime, what do you think of the burritos and prices at Dos Manos?