When it comes to food options on campus, faculty, staff and students share the opinion that offerings should be flavorful and healthy.
Mission accomplished in the Duncan Student Center, but what’s on the horizon?
Building on the popularity of the Modern Market, Star Ginger and Hagerty Family Cafe micro-restaurants that opened in Duncan in January, Campus Dining will officially welcome Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh to the Hesburgh Center for International Studies at the beginning of the spring semester.
The nation’s leading Mediterranean cuisine brand, Garbanzo is widely known for its commitment to sustainability as well as its scratch-made, preservative-free menu options including pitas, gyros, salads, flatbreads and more.
“We’re excited to bring a new dining option to campus that’s delicious, healthy and decidedly different,” said Chris Abayasinghe, senior director of campus dining. “Garbanzo’s recipes are crafted using fresh, authentic ingredients, which is why every dish is so flavorful. In addition to creating more variety on campus, it will be perfect for students, faculty and staff who are looking for a quick, wholesome, healthy bite to eat either on-the-go or while relaxing in the Hesburgh Center.”
R. Scott Appleby, professor of history and the Marilyn Keough Dean of the Keough School of Global Affairs, says Garbanzo will be a welcome addition to the south side of campus. "We are just delighted to partner with Campus Dining on this project and to have Garbanzo next door to Keough (Jenkins Nanovic Halls). The menu looks great and we fully intend to take advantage of all the fresh, healthy Mediterranean cuisine this operation is bringing to the campus community.”
The restaurant is slated to open in the spring, filling the space now occupied by Au Bon Pain Express.
Here are some Garbanzo menu options to look forward to:
Freshly baked pitas
This staple of Mediterranean cuisine will be freshly baked at Garbanzo throughout the day. Choose one as an entree and fill with fresh, nutrient-packed ingredients or add it as a side to complement your salad or plate.
Top-quality proteins
With protein options for carnivores and vegetarians alike, choose from grilled chicken or steak, gyro meat, falafel, chicken or steak kabobs and portobello mushrooms.
Veggies and sauce
Adorn your pita, salad, plate or flatbread with a whole host of nutrient-packed vegetable and sauce options featuring freshly prepared Mediterranean staples like hummus, baba ganoush, tzatziki sauce and feta cheese.