Hot spots for hungry students
Café X, a student-run organization, has two locations on the Sir George Williams Campus. | Photos by Concordia University
While neon signs advertising fast food for dirt cheap prices may be enticing, they don’t always provide the best quality or service. For students looking to chow down between classes or take a break from hitting the books at the library, there are plenty of options right on campus.
For starters, there are cafés operated by Concordia Food Services, where you can find daily chef specials, freshly made to order, or packaged foods. "The Good Stuff" is a line of food that takes the guessing out of eating well: Dishes are measured for vegetable intake and calories, fat and sodium must meet strict limits. It's not only packaged to go, but is healthier, more environmentally friendly, and sustainably sourced, including vegetarian and vegan options, making it a great option for students rushing on to the next thing. Check out the requirements that must be met for dishes to be included in the Good Stuff line.
"The Green Beet" at the Hall Café 4 (fourth floor of the Henry F. Hall Building) offers an an exclusively vegan and vegetarian menu which includes salads, sandwiches and soups, as well as entrées and baked goods. The SP Café features a Tim Hortons and The Market that now offers artisinal paninis, hot soups and daily entrées.
Efforts are being made to serve only Fair Trade coffee at these cafés, which contributes to the effort to become a Fair Trade Campus. The Concordia Food Services cafés can be found in several buildings on both the Sir George Williams (SGW) and Loyola campuses. See the complete list of Concordia Food Services café locations.
One great place to stock up on both pre-made food and organic groceries is the Frigo Vert. Now located at 1440 Mackay St., the organic food co-operative is famous on campus for their delicious samosas and other budget-friendly items. As a student-supported initiative, every student is automatically a member and receives a 20 per cent discount on everything in the store.
The Downtown Co-op Café. | Photo courtesy of Facebook
Similarly, members of the Hive Café, run by the Concordia Food Coalition in collaboration with the Concordia Student Union, are treated to cheaper prices. The cafés are a new addition to the campus food scene and can be found on the mezzanine of the Hall Building and on the second floor of the Student Centre (SC) Building. They are great places to stop for coffee, or sit and enjoy a delicious egg and cheese croissant.
Another student-run organization worth checking out is Café X. The café features discounted coffee (when you bring your own mug), some gluten-free and vegan options and all the food is vegetarian. Café X has two locations: one on the seventh floor of the EV Building, and a larger space in the VA Building that also houses a student art gallery.
If you’re a vegan or you just have a taste for free food, then the People’s Potato should be your first stop. Open Monday to Friday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on the seventh floor of the Hall Building, the student-run vegan soup kitchen serves more than 400 meals daily by donation.
Run by a team of dedicated volunteers, the People’s Potato cooks up the healthiest and cheapest fare around. Don’t forget to bring your own Tupperware and be prepared to stand in line for 15-20 minutes if you get there during peak hours.
Another way to score inexpensive vegan food is through a program called Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard. Run by the Multi-faith Chaplaincy located in the Z Annex, students can eat a full vegan meal every Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. for a suggested $2 donation.
The G Lounge was named for Professor Frank Guadagni, a beloved engineering professor who died in 1964.
For students who find themselves on Loyola Campus, there is the G Lounge — the G stands for Guadagni — on the fourth floor of the Central (CC) Building. It is run by Concordia’s Inter-Fraternity Council and is known for its full breakfasts, pre-made wraps and tasty Jamaican patties. With its high ceilings and many round tables, it’s also a nice place to hang out between classes.
One of the best deals on campus is the Buzz Dining Hall, also run by Concordia Food Services. It's located in the Student Centre (SC Building) on Loyola Campus. For a low, flat rate, diners get an all-you-care-to-eat meal. With menus that change daily, you can't find better value for your dollar.