Core, a new restaurant aimed to promote a more nutritious diet, opens its doors in the Student Union Memorial Center tomorrow.
Core offers students more than 120 ingredients to build a custom-made salad, said Nick Adamakis, director of marketing for Arizona Student Unions. The restaurant will also have organic vegetables, fruit, vegan options and all-natural organic sodas and milk, and is located on the south side of the union where Replay used to be.
Students have the option to fill up a bowl with vegetables of their choice, Adamakis said. They can either leave the vegetables raw and add lettuce or have them steamed and put over brown rice.
Students pay $4.95 for any combination they create. Proteins like Albacore tuna or roasted chicken cost an additional fee, ranging from $1.25 to $2. Much like the other restaurants in the student union, Core accepts CatCards, cash and credit/debit cards, Adamakis said.
“”There is more of a demand for fresh and whole foods, and less demand for fried and junk food,”” said Gale Welter, nutrition counselor at Campus Health Service. “”Core is a big commitment to meeting the needs of students who want to make healthy choices.””
Accounting junior Erin Cox agrees.
“”I think it’s a good idea,”” Cox said. “”There are so many places to get junk food really fast, so we need a place where we can get healthy food just as fast.””
For students in a hurry, Core will soon have pre-packaged salads, sushi and pre-made sandwiches and wraps, Adamakis said.
There is no seating inside the restaurant because Core is set up as a to-go space, he said. Students can take their means inside the Food Court, outside or to the alumni lounge.
Students in a visual communications class submitted more than 20 ideas regarding the restaurant’s concept, logo and design layout, Adamakis said, and the winner was selected through a student vote.
“”The idea was hatched from students, so we went off of their feedback on everything,”” he said.
Studio art senior Acacia Betancourt, the restaurant’s student designer, said she picked the name because of its versatility.
“”It’s the core of your body, in the core of the union and offers the core food choices,”” she said.
Core is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on the weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
