Face the facts: Sodexo doesn't deliver
Jerry Fagerberg
Issue date: 9/15/09 Section: Opinion
New Primo's is certainly a changed girl. She's got some fancy jewelry, a nice coat of makeup and some cute new mannerisms. Now, instead of the pricy old policy of paying for individual dishes, patrons now pay by the meal -- $7.99 for lunch, $11.99 for dinner.
There's a new, even more economic payment plan too - "Power Plan," they call it - that offers 35 meals for $385 ($11 per meal) or 50 meals for $500 ($10 per meal). Hypothetically, let's say someone buys two meals a day (lunch and dinner) at New Primo's. All together, that'd equal a cost of $20 to $22 on the Power Plan. Oh, I feel the power already! Let's compare that to the regular meal plan: $8 for lunch and $12 for dinner comes to…
Let's not forget that the new plan is all you can eat. There are just a few catches - the portions are noticeably smaller, the food is of the same Stouffer's quality, and the hours of operation are shorter.
Are you catching on yet?
The whole "new dining experience" Primo's offers is a scam. We were promised improvement - not only in value, but in economy, too. Do not bat your eyelashes at me, Sodexo; it won't get you out of this one. Even though Loyola is an upper-crust private university populated (partially) by the children of wealthy parents, we do not have an unlimited supply of money to funnel into our accounts, especially not for high-school-cafeteria-quality food.
But wait. There is hope.
Last week, Boulder opened its doors, welcoming hoards of students eager to wash the taste of Primo's Alfredo sauce out of their mouths. The scene was elegant: W.O.W. fried and boxed wings to order; the outdoor grill was flippin' burgers for a reasonable price; and Salsa Rico had risen from the ashes, like a glorious phoenix of guacamole and sour cream, reincarnated as Moe's Mexican Grille - well worth the trip across campus.
As for you Primo's, it's just not working out. Things are different between us. I think it's time we see other people.
There's a new, even more economic payment plan too - "Power Plan," they call it - that offers 35 meals for $385 ($11 per meal) or 50 meals for $500 ($10 per meal). Hypothetically, let's say someone buys two meals a day (lunch and dinner) at New Primo's. All together, that'd equal a cost of $20 to $22 on the Power Plan. Oh, I feel the power already! Let's compare that to the regular meal plan: $8 for lunch and $12 for dinner comes to…
Let's not forget that the new plan is all you can eat. There are just a few catches - the portions are noticeably smaller, the food is of the same Stouffer's quality, and the hours of operation are shorter.
Are you catching on yet?
The whole "new dining experience" Primo's offers is a scam. We were promised improvement - not only in value, but in economy, too. Do not bat your eyelashes at me, Sodexo; it won't get you out of this one. Even though Loyola is an upper-crust private university populated (partially) by the children of wealthy parents, we do not have an unlimited supply of money to funnel into our accounts, especially not for high-school-cafeteria-quality food.
But wait. There is hope.
Last week, Boulder opened its doors, welcoming hoards of students eager to wash the taste of Primo's Alfredo sauce out of their mouths. The scene was elegant: W.O.W. fried and boxed wings to order; the outdoor grill was flippin' burgers for a reasonable price; and Salsa Rico had risen from the ashes, like a glorious phoenix of guacamole and sour cream, reincarnated as Moe's Mexican Grille - well worth the trip across campus.
As for you Primo's, it's just not working out. Things are different between us. I think it's time we see other people.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Jerry's biggest fan
posted 9/17/09 @ 8:01 PM EST
Jerry I loved this and agreed wholeheartedly. Very very well written
Dr.Zhivago
posted 9/28/09 @ 10:45 PM EST
This article is another example of the incompetence at the top of the "university." Or, it just points out how feckless the administration is in dealing with Sodexho. (Continued…)
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