On the ground floor of the newly renovated Student Activities Center (SAC) building, HSU Dining Services has partnered with several Arcata businesses to bring local flavors to campus in The Depot. Next door to the much-loved Los Bagels, local roaster Kinetic Koffee has a brand new coffee bar in the basement, serving hot drinks and treats from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Known for their small-batch craft coffee, Kinetic serves a full menu of coffeehouse favorites, including Nitro cold-brew coffee, It’s Alive Kombucha, and Lost Coast Brewery Root Beer.
Also new in The Depot is Arcata’s popular burrito shop, Hey Juan Burritos, featuring 100% vegan taco and burrito menu options. Joining the lunch hour, Obento is another local eatery serving Japanese-style Bento boxes, a great grab-and-go option on your way to class. Can’t decide? Try Obento’s “Sushi Taco,” a crispy wonton filled with cucumber salad, sushi rice, and choice of lemon salmon, spicy tuna, or avocado, topped with green onions and aioli.
Another new Depot offering is longtime local favorite, The Wildflower Cafe. Specializing in vegetarian and vegan entrees, salads, soups, sandwiches, and smoothies, The Wildflower Cafe has been serving meat-free cuisine to the Humboldt community for 25 years. Rounding out The Depot options is Wild Blue Sushi, serving pre-made sushi packs, perfect for picking up on your way to class.
For a special treat, students are loving the brand new Bigfoot Burgers on SAC’s third floor. Open every day and serving until 11 p.m. on weekends, Bigfoot Burgers is outfitted with giant screen TVs streaming live games and extreme sports. Featuring beef and vegan burgers, fries, milkshakes, and (coming soon) local beer on tap, Bigfoot Burger is a fun place to kick back with friends.
“Since the start of the semester, Bigfoot Burgers has been a favorite hangout for students,” says Todd Larsen, senior director of Housing Operations & Auxiliary Services. To pre-order a burger on your mobile device, be sure to download the Boost Mobile ordering app, adds Larsen.
Over at The J, HSU’s main dining hall is still students’ home away from home. This semester, The J is now an all-you-care-to-eat experience, allowing students to graze at the salad bar, and sample vegan and vegetarian dishes. The J Grille is also open most of the day serving hot foods like burgers, chicken tenders, fries, and more.
“For one swipe, students can eat from all the food stations, including hot entrees, the salad bar, deli sandwiches, desserts, the soda fountain and the J Grill,” explains Larsen.
In addition to feeding students, meal plans of all sizes are now available to all students living off-campus, as well as faculty and staff. The J’s holistic approach to nutrition also includes engaging culinary activities led by Executive Chef Mariano with The Teaching Kitchen. During chef-led demonstrations, students can learn how to make a new favorite recipe at home using fresh and accessible ingredients.
• Los Bagels, Kinetic Koffee
Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Hey Juan Burritos, Obento, Wild Blue Sushi, and Wildflower Cafe
Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Bigfoot Burgers
Monday-Wednesday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Thursday-Friday, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, 2 p.m to 11 p.m.
Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• The J
Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
For more info, visit dineoncampus.com/humboldtstate or follow @HSUEats on Instagram and Facebook.
About Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services
HSU Dining is being serviced by Chartwells Higher Education, a recognized leader in higher education food service that provides amazing dining experiences to more than 200 colleges and universities Chartwells’ culinary mantra, “Where Hungry Minds Gather,” represents a commitment to raising the dining experience for the next generation of students and faculty. Chartwells’ commitment to nutritious college fare not only satisfies unique dietary needs and appetites of every guest dining on campus, but it also brings people together in a way that promotes vibrant on-campus communities. HSU Dining is committed to helping the local economy by actively sourcing foods and beverages that are local to Humboldt County and our region. For more information, visit ChartwellsHigherEd.com.