Letters & Opinion
Debot improves after chartwells
Last year I felt bad for Elizabeth Debot. Her name was being belched and cursed from the majority of the campus population. Perhaps the sign should have read, “The Chartwells Experience.” This year Chartwells is gone, along with much of the belly-aching over bellyaches. University Dining Services will now provide the food at Debot (and other places) and they’re promising a healthier, fresher selection. UDS is also employing many students as members of the dining staff.
When speaking to freshman about Upper Debot horror stories, I can stretch the truth all I want, but without that vile stench of holey minute steak to prove my point, it’s just an old man’s bitter memory. Sometimes I feel like a bitter old man. When a new student complains that his food from Upper Debot is disgusting, I break into my old man voice. “Back in my day, our meat had to be chewed for fifteen minutes before it would go down. And we sat on the toilet for close to an hour afterward. That’s how we used to spend our Friday nights. Upper Debot. Chewing. Toilets. We didn’t have time for Facebooks or Omegles or whatever it is you whippersnappers do.”
Upper Debot has improved. Sure, it’s not a five-star meal, but all-you-can-eat on a college campus doesn’t exactly scream gourmet. Last year it was painfully obvious that the food wasn’t fresh. On Monday I would find rice in the main line. On Tuesday it would be a mixture of peas and rice. On Wednesday a strange blend of meat, peas and rice would be served. By Sunday, some unholy concoction with fruits, vegetables, meats, syrups, and surplus was squirming around in the pan under the name, “Chef’s Surprise.” Thank Gusteau “Chef’s Surprise” is no longer on the menu. And this year, Elizabeth Debot is finally honored properly.
