Students craving a chalupa or Crunchwrap Supreme will no longer find a Taco Bell on campus. A new restaurant, Pete’s Fresco Grille, opened at the start of this semester in the University Dining Plaza, in the previous Taco Bell location.
“The [Taco Bell] license came up for renewal, and we personally thought that we could open a more authentic Mexican restaurant,” said Don Penrod, general manager for 49er Shops Inc.
The restaurant menu features traditional Mexican food such as burritos, burrito bowls, tacos, quesadillas, tortas and salads.
Items may be ordered a la carte or in combo meals.
According to Penrod, Mexican dining is one of the most popular types of restaurant food. Therefore, it was a goal to open an authentic Mexican restaurant on campus to serve those consumers.
Pete’s is also a healthier alternative to fast food, according to Penrod.
“It’s good that Pete’s opened since there are a bunch of different foods here and it’s an option for a wide variety of people who might want to eat more healthy food,” sophomore mechanical engineering major Eric Moreland said.
Many students support opening more healthy food venders on campus, but are concerned with the price difference.
The average combo meal at Pete’s costs $7.
“I would eat healthier food because I’m a bit of a health freak myself,” sophomore nursing major Corliss Liang said. “But I don’t really purchase food [on campus] because I’m on a budget.”
Last year, an Associated Students Inc. resolution for healthy food passed, dictating specifications regarding healthy options on campus and nutritional information.
“We were encouraging the University Student Union and 49er Shops to choose healthier food options and display calorie guides,” ASI Senator George Lam said.
The decision to open Pete’s was made by 49er Shops, but it also reflects student preferences.
“That’s what students want,” Lam said. “Students just want healthier food.”
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for Postings made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for Postings made on this website. Persons commenting agree to the Terms of Use of the website. If Postings do not abide by the Rules of Conduct or Posting Regulations as listed in the Postings Policy, the Daily 49er has all rights to delete Postings as it deems necessary. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech. This site also encourages users to make Postings relevant to the article or other Postings.