Feb 28, 2005:
Q: I have been following closely, the Taco Bar controvery. And I just wanted
to point out some info that may be of interest to dining services
personel. "McDonalds" is currently struck in an appeals court battle over
the nutritional value of their "chicken nuggets". The plantiffs claim that
McDonalds did not properly warn them of the obesity, diabetes, heart
disease, and other health risks. And I think we would be hardpressed to
deny the health risks that you subject us to each and every time the taco
bar is unvieled. Now, I am not saying I am going to seek billions in
dollars of damages... but... I think, as pragmatic adults, we should look
with more scrutiny at the possible legal problems which could arrise from
the presence of the Taco Bar. With this said, I leave you to make your own
choices... but hopefully we wont be seeing "Super Size Me Pt. 2", a
documentary focused upon the Bates Taco / Cholesteral Bar.

Regards.
Concerned Student.
A:  Likening the nutritional content of a Taco bar, where individuals make
their own choices , to the nutritional content of a chicken nugget meal,
where items are predetermined, is stretching it a little bit isn't it? To
begin with there are many health filling choices on the Taco Bar- Beans ,
Chicken, Lettuce ,Tomato- and secondly the individual determines the
portion size, not Dining Services.

Let's get down to the real issue here, you guys are just tired of it., no
problem. We will scale back its appearance so that it is available for
those who enjoy it and those who are tired of seeing it have a change.

Q: Just recently I was perusing the latest issue of Princeton review and
noticed our positioning slighly below both Colby and Bowdoin in dining
services. I can't help but to point out, that with their position comes a
lack of Taco Bar... Would it be possible that if you removed the taco bar
we would launch ourselves to the top echelon of dining services?!?! Only
time will tell.
A:  Let's not, as they say, beat a dead horse. You have been heard and changes are being made, though I think the higher rating of our colleagues at
Bowdoin and Colby have all to do with their facilities not their menu
make-up ( I know for a fact that Bowdoin serves a taco bar).

And the Saga continues...

Thanks for writing and keeping us on our toes.

Feb 16, 2005:
Q: The omlet bar is one of my favorite items at Bates, and truly makes my
morning. However, everyday I have class until 10:50, and by the time I get
into Commons and into line, I always get told that the bar closed two
minutes ago. Is there any way to extend the omlet bar by about half an
hour for all of the many people who experience the same problem as me? We love omlets, but our teachers are mean and unfortunately won't let us go
early for said omlets. Thanks!
A: his has been a topic of discussion and we will be making a decision at the Managers Meeting today. The latest it could stay open is 11:15a in order
for us to be ready for lunch. 

Q:  Hi, I was wondering if there was any reason why the yogurt refridgerator can't stay stocked during dinner? If there just aren't enough people eating it
to make restocking worth the effort, that makes sense. But sometimes
yogurt for dessert hits the spot - and its a bummer when there isn't any left.
Thanks.
A: No reason at all. We will take care of this.

Q:  Not only should taco bar not be eliminated, it should be every tuesday, if
not more often.  For those unfortunate non-taco appreciators, there are
plenty of other options.  Taco bar forever!!!!
A:  The taco controversy continues. Thanks for writing.

Q:  Could we please have clam sauce more often.  Sometimes there is vodka sauce in addition to what is already there.  It would be great if we could
do this with clam sauce.
A:  Sure can. Thanks for writing

Q:  Great job lately.  This is definitely the best food in my 4 years.  Thanks.
Now for some commentary:
-I second the motion from Feb 8.  The taco bar is way overrated.  Not
only does is cut the food options down, the actual taco choices are
pretty crappy.  Dry, flavorless meat and beans: GAH!
-At an outdoor BBQ last spring, you had a sweet potato au gratin
dish.  that was GREAT.  we haven't seen it since.  what happened?
-Do you guys have an issue w/ ordering enough french bread for Garlic
Bread nights?  you always, repeat ALWAYS run out!  what's the deal???
-eggplant parm and stuffed eggplant have been great lately.  what's even
better... they've been appearing on the menu.  excellent.
A:  Thanks for writing.
1)We are going look at the taco bar and see how we can change/reschedule
it to address some of your concerns.
2) Nor sure what recipe you are talking about, but an going to check the
files.
3) We have had trouble getting our full order of bread. In our endeavor to
support local purveyors, we have been getting this item from a local
bakery. Please be patient.
4) Thanks.

Glad that you wrote.

Feb 15, 2005:
Q: Thank you so much for having egg salad so often.  It's so good and it's
around so much more then last semester! thanks! 
A:  Glad you are enjoying it.

Q:  I just couldn't let this glorious dish slide--tonight, February 15th's couscous at the salad bar was unbelievable, with the raisins and nuts! Please can we have this more...or could you tell me the ingredients, I truly loved it!
A: Yes you can. Thanks for writing.

Q: I have a simple request: Can we please have whole wheat hamburger buns in the Den, in addition to Splenda down there too, I've always wondered why the Den is missing these two very important items.  Thank you for all your
hard work!
A:  Let me see what I can do.

Feb 14, 2005:
Q: Hi, I have noticed that the breakfasts have started to consist of less variety
during the week.  It seems that we are on a rotation of the same two menus.  I was wondering, what happened to the apple blintzes, strawberry stuffed french toast, johnny cakes, and some of the other omellettes that were available?  I am just a concerned student that is starting to become bored with the menu.  I really miss the variety.  Could you please bring it back? Thanks!
A:  I will review the menus with the menu committee this week. Thanks for writing.

Feb 12, 2005:
Q: Any chance we could get those yummy cream cheese cookies back on rotation?
A: We certainly can. Thanks for writing.

Q: Pina Colada frozen yogurt would be the best thing that could ever exist at
commons. I mean come on, choc. and vanilla every day, or maybe a mocha,
let's get a pina colada in their what a great time that would be.
A: We are looking in to flavor options. Thanks for writing.

Q: I second the cry for bacon. The omelette I made with bacon bits last week
was the best meal I've had at Commons. Including bacon bits in the Name-Your-Own Omelette section regularly would be amazing!
A: We will  be making a change over break which will include bacon bits more often. Thanks for writing.

Feb 10, 2005:
Q: Hello...I was just thinking ahead about all of those delicious Spring barbecues we have so often during the nice weather and short term...can it be a regular thing to include the low-fat, whole wheat buns for the burgers/veggie-burgers...it would be amazing, thanks!
A: We could do that. Thanks for writing.

Feb 9, 2005:
Q: Can you tell me if the sugar free desserts contain aspartame? thank you.
A: According to our purveyor, the sugar free mixes we use do not contain
aspertame. Thanks for writing.

Feb 8, 2005:
Q: Just wondering if you know how many calories are in a cup of the hot
chocolate at commons - and is it made with milk (skim) or just water? Thanks.
A:  It is made with water and I will have to get back to you about the number
of calories. 

Q: The Taco Bar needs to stop. Not only does it eliminate desirable lunch
options like the pasta bar, it has to be one of the more realistic health
concerns that commons presents. 6 different items, all of the same
consistency and texture, albiet the differentiating trait, the color of the paste. Please eliminate the taco bar, not only does it happen to often, the presence of it haunts my dreams every night.
A: Very interesting. When we tried to eliminate it, we got cries for its return. This is the first we have heard of your displeasure. You might not notice but besides the Taco bar there are still choices on the regular line, a marche - which today is the Asian soup bowl - the deli bar as well as the salad bar. We will be more then happy to look into alternatives. Thanks for writing.

Q: I think it would be a wonderful idea if on the nights when we had burgers,
we also had bacon. I personnally love bacon cheeseburgers! Bacon is the
only thing missing! Also could we have bacon bits on tuesdays and thursdays when it is make your own omelet! I love BACON!
A:  We can certainly look at including bacon more often in the menu. Thanks for writing!

Feb 7, 2005:
Q: 2 questions:
1) Would it be possible to get more chicken in the salad bar? Something a
little more meaty than tuna would be nice to have everyda.y
2) Do you know the fat content/ calories of the frozen yogurt AND the
regular soft serve machines? (I heard that the soft serve is 95% fat free)
THANKS!!!!! :)
A:
1) Yes it can be.
2)Yogurt        1/2 Cup Serving         100 Calories
The calories in a 8 oz cup of hot chocolate are 160.

Feb 5, 2005:
Q: Thanks for the fish sandwich this morning (Saturday; about to head to
Commons and found the fish sandwich on the online menu). Please do try to
offer the fish sandwich whenever chicken patties or beef burgers are being
served. Thanks !
A:  Thanks for writing.  

Feb 2, 2005:
Q: Hi - I was hoping you could clarify something from a previos online napkin -- recently someone asked  if the vegetable curry on 1-31 had cow's milk in it, and the reply was that it did. I remember this item being on the vegan bar- - was there really cow's milk in a vegan item? I am very troubled by this...
A:  I'm sorry, I thought I was responding to another napkin when I responded
that the veg curry contains cow's milk because it indeed does not. We
actually use coconut milk.

Sorry for the confusion and I hope this clarifies things.