By Matthew Sotlar
With the arrival of the fall semester, several new restaurants have popped up on campus, each with its own unique food options.
Among the new additions is Choolaah, an Indian barbeque restaurant located in the KC food court of Kilcawley Center. Choolaah replaced Chop’d and Wrap’d.
Along with Choolaah, Jimmy John’s Sandwiches also returned to campus. Located on Lincoln Avenue next to Stone Fruit Coffee, its hours are 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Christman Dining Hall now offers late-night dining, which lasts from 8 to 11 p.m. Orders can be placed online and picked up by using the Boost: Campus Food Ordering app.
Other new food options can be found at Just Baked, located between Chick-fil-A and Kilcawley House. Director of Dining Services, Lisa Beck, said it’s a vending machine that serves hot foods.
“[Just Baked] is open 24 hours a day. They have White Castle burgers, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, they have about 12 to 15 selections in there that you can use,” Beck said.
Catering Director, Bill Wynn, said the new food locations were implemented to bring healthier options to campus.
“We’re noticing a trend that folks want to go towards healthier items,” Wynn said. “We’re starting it off at KC food court with Choolaah, which it seems has become a popular option.”
Chartwells Dining Services, which caters for YSU, is looking to expand its food options. With previous COVID-19 regulations, Chartwells was forced to halt its plans to offer new restaurants.
“Once COVID hit, we restricted our options, but we’re trying to expand them again,” Wynn said.
Chartwells catering sees the most business during the fall and spring seasons when classes begin and conclude. Wynn said YSU tailgating is one of the most popular times for catering.
“Since we’re getting into football season, we’re starting to see a lot more orders, as far as tailgating is concerned,” Wynn said.
Chartwells also services functions off campus. Wynn said that Chartwells is open to catering to any function in the greater Youngstown area, such as weddings and tailgate parties.
“[Chartwells] campus-wide,” Wynn said. “But we also offer catering in the general Youngstown area as well.”
Beck also said sushi is a popular food option that appears all across campus. Hissho Sushi, which is located in the Hub next to Dunkin’ Donuts, sends individually wrapped sushi packages to different locations on campus.
“We also take sushi and send it out to … some of the buildings, the Maag Library, Cushwa [Hall] and the Williamson School of Business,” Beck said.
Beck said that while a number of new food options have appeared, options drawing the most students have been around the longest.
“Chick-fil-A would be the most popular,” Beck said. “We also have Dunkin Donuts [which is] super popular.”
All food options on campus accept Pete’s Points, a prepaid meal plan accessible via the YSU student ID. Hot Head Burritos, Pressed Coffee Bar, Subway, Stone Fruit Coffee, Charlie Staples BBQ, Mocha House, University Nutrition Shake Shop and Giant Eagle on Belmont Avenue are off-campus options that accept Pete’s Points.
Beck said the best way to reach out with any questions or concerns is by visiting the Dining Services offices in Kilcawley Center or call 330-941-3391.
“We’re always available here … we’re more than willing to talk to anybody,” Beck said.
There is no information concerning Wendy’s plan to reopen, according to the Times2Dine’s webpage, its opening has been delayed because of technical difficulties.