With the new WildCat Weekly 14 meal plan, students can use three of their weekly meals as Equivalency Meals. These meals can be exchanged for the same value of food at nuCuisine retail locations, such as Fran’s Café and Lisa’s Café. Let’s take a look at a few combinations of menu items at Fran’s Café that students can budget with their evening Equivalency Meals (boarded at $6.60), beginning at 7:31 p.m.
Option 1: I’m feeling something Asian
- Asian Noodle Salad with Oriental Sesame Dressing — $4.75
- Onion Rings — $1.79
Total = $6.54
This combination of savory Asian flavor and onion rings crunch is sure to hit the spot when you’re not feeling the usual dining hall experience. The salad is the perfect balance of leafy mixed greens, citrusy orange pieces, crispy noodles and zesty sesame dressing. Nirvana reached.
Option 2: I’m feeling something spicy
- Two Mini Crispy Chicken Buffalo Wraps — $3.99
- Waffle Fries — $1.79
- Carrot or Celery Sticks — $0.70
Total = $6.48
Watch out for the chicken buffalo wraps if you’re not the biggest fan of spicy. But if you do dare to try this delicious pairing — the starchy waffle fries serve as a way to help cool down the burning in your mouth. Add in either carrot or celery sticks and it’s just like having a mini Buffalo Wild Wings on campus.
Option 3: I’m feeling something Mexican
- Chicken or Beef Quesadilla — $4.99
- Mixed Greens and Balsamic Dressing — $1.25
Total = $6.24
If you missed out on Plexican night (Monday and Thursday) and Taco Bell is a bit too far for you, then this Fran’s Café couple will hit the spot. Served with sour cream and pico de gallo, the quesadilla might not be completely authentic, but it’s probably the closest thing to it on campus. Add in the small salad for a boost of vegetables in your meal.
Option 4: I’m feeling something vegetarian
- Grilled Cheese with Cheddar and Swiss — $2.69
- Mixed Greens and Balsamic Dressing — $1.25
- Waffle Fries — $1.79
Total = $5.73
Go green. And yellow and crispy brown as well, with this order at Fran’s. Although there might not be any heavy protein in this meal, you will surely to go into a carbohydrate coma with the gooey grilled cheese and sizzled-to-perfection waffle fries. If you want to get even more vitamins, use up all your points and get a piece of fresh fruit for $0.89. You’ll go a little bit over, but apples and cheese make an irresistible combination.
Option 5: I’m feeling something sweet
- Milkshake with a candy mix-in — $3.80
- Tater Tots — $1.79
Total = $5.59
Forget the diet and completely indulge yourself with this delicious selection. Fran’s offers three flavors of milkshakes (chocolate, vanilla and strawberry), along with three candy mix-in options (Oreo, Reese’s Pieces and M&M’s). The balance of sweet and salty will have your taste buds thanking you. Try dipping the warm Tater Tots into your milkshake — the hot and cold sensation will leave you dancing like a Katy Perry song. Sweet tooth not satisfied yet? Grab a candy bar for 99 cents — you’ll need an extra dime, but you won’t be losing any meal points, either.
One last tip: forget about buying soda or bottled water from the C-store. Fran’s provides filtered water and leaves the raspberry iced tea machine on after Willard dining hall closes. Although $6.60 doesn’t seem like a lot to work with after the equivalency transfer, there are so many ways to mix and match menu items to get your meal’s worth.
This is part one of a three part series. Stay tuned to learn how to maximize your meal equivalencies at Lisa’s Café and campus C-stores.