At a Crossroads

As a fifth-year undergraduate student, I’ve seen a lot of changes at the university.

From the building renovations at Sverdrup, to the naming of a new president, I’ve witnessed quite a bit, including the evolution of dining on campus. The state of dining options has definitely changed since I started my freshman year – some for the better, some for the worse.

So, sit back, relax and maybe even pretend to get comfortable in one of those nonexistent hammocks scattered around campus, and get the dish about dining at the University Center (UC) from Fall 2021 to Spring 2026.

During my freshman year, Crossroads at the UC was the place to be. I remember how busy it used to get at the height of the day. There were students hustling to grab food before their next class, those who would make small talk with others while they patiently waited for their order to be called, and large groups of friends who would pull as many chairs together around a table as they could possibly fit, loudly laughing at an inside joke or passing around their phones to look at the latest meme. It was not at all uncommon to arrive at the UC and find nowhere to sit, as every single table and chair were in use.

I, as well as many others, have mixed feelings about the changes implemented at Crossroads. Regardless of whether you favor or oppose them, I think everyone can agree that the vibe has definitely shifted.

From the removal of the fountain drink machine, to the addition of ordering kiosks and having fewer menu items, the UC doesn’t draw students like it once did. The atmosphere no longer feels as welcoming as it once was, which, in my opinion, is largely due to the absence of many longtime staff members. Between that and less food options to choose from, students don’t really feel the need to frequent Crossroads like they used to.

Since the long-anticipated switch from Sodexo to American Dining Creations (ADC), three new storefronts have replaced options many Webster students had come to know and love.

Freshens, a national brand, focused on healthy items and served up made-to-order smoothies, crepes (later replaced with wraps) and rice bowls. In its place now is Bubble U, which serves rice bowls and various types of boba teas.

Far East Fusion served Asian-style food and also offered create-your-own noodle bowls, with various sauces, proteins and vegetables to choose from. Two other food stations, although both short-lived, temporarily took up shop once Far East Fusion closed.

Greenlight Salad had a salad bar but was replaced by Hissho Sushi, which sold create-your-own poke bowls and sushi.

Roll Call, a sushi bar, has now made itself at home in the ever-changing storefront. Roll Call is similar to the previous station, offering poke bowls and various sushi rolls with the addition of appetizers like pork dumplings, providing a bit more variety.

WOW Café, which later changed its name to WOW American Eats, was my personal favorite. The largest of the three spaces and a staple at Crossroads, WOW offered many different options that appealed to a wide variety of students. Between quesadillas, wraps, salads, burgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken wings and tenders, classic sides like tater tots and mac and cheese, as well as so-called “craves” like mozzarella sticks and loaded cheese fries, there was something for everyone.

In its place now resides Gorlok Grill, which serves only a small fraction of the items its predecessor did. The menu at the main eatery of Crossroads has gone from over 30 different options to a mere 12, not counting drinks, extra sauces or the ability to make your sandwich “Gorlok Style.”

But such changes to the overall dining experience at Crossroads, although largely disappointing, do make sense in this day and age.

Switching solely to bottled and canned beverages helps to cut down on material waste and is more eco-friendly, since they are recyclable. A fountain drink machine also requires frequent cleaning and maintenance to keep things working smoothly, which leads to more labor and ultimately, more cost if it breaks down or if a part needs replacing.

Ordering via kiosk helps to keep things moving, and this automated process of both taking your order and allowing you to pay in the same place is much more time-efficient and less of a hassle for everyone involved.

In addition, less menu options allow the staff to prepare food more quickly.

Regardless of Webster Dining’s intentions or reasons for these changes, there is no doubt the atmosphere at Crossroads is very different from what it once was. But we live in an ever-changing society, and Webster is certainly not immune to it.

Although I will miss the many menu items that allowed me to power through the day for the past years, I look forward to seeing what other new things Webster implements across the university in the future.

I end this piece with just one final remark: WOW Café 101 seasoning, I’ll never stop missing you; the iconic flavor you added to both chicken tenders and fries alike will not soon be forgotten.