At some point in their first year here at IU, every freshman will find themselves roaming the aisles of McNutt’s C-Store looking for some sort of non-packaged food. If you’ve already found yourself in this position, you’ve probably realized that the C-Store isn’t simply a grocery store nor is it truly a dining hall, but rather it’s a unique hybrid of the two.

With its legendary subs and presentations, McNutt offers an array of options for any hangry freshman needing a quick bite to eat before class. Although their classic meals are delicious and comforting to any freshman who seeks a little consistency in life, there are many opportunities for the C-Store to upgrade their fall food options to satisfy any basic white girl’s pumpkin spice craving this season.        

1. Pumpkin French Toast

Photo courtesy of cookingclassy.com

Although the C-Store’s french toast hits the spot many mornings after a long night of studying or what have you, through the month of December, pumpkin french toast should be a staple on the menu. Adding a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and some pumpkin puree to their already delicious french toast recipe will upgrade the C-Store’s status among fall foodies to satisfy any hungry breakfast excitement, even Donkey’s.

Gif courtesy of college.usatoday.com

2. Apple Pie Panini

Photo courtesy of justataste.com

Let’s be real – it’s hard to pass up the legendary subs at McNutt, but this season the C-Store could seriously amp up their fall festivity by offering apple pie paninis on their irresistible (and homemade!) challah bread. Who could resist sweet apple pie filling with melted mascarpone cheese in between two slices of that toasted yummy challah? With fall flavors including granny smith apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and honey, this sandwich not only would taste amazingly with a cup of the C-Store’s delicious tomato soup, but it would give the $5 Footlong a run for its money.

3. Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta

Photo courtesy of damndelicious.net

You’re probably thinking, “Why would I want anything other than the C-Store’s already perfect pastabilities presentations?” But hear me out – in the coming fall months, pastabilities could become even closer to perfection if it were jazzed up with creamy butternut squash sauce and irresistible autumn herbs like sage and garlic. With a warm baguette on the side, this dish will be hard to beat. The pastabilities are endless.

4. Caramel Apple Pie Cookies

Photo courtesy of cincyshopper.com

Picture this: it’s a chilly afternoon in late October, and you’re sitting in the south dining room of the Hooiser Cafe, craving your grandma’s good ol’ apple pie and the gooey goodness of your mom’s cinnamon rolls. Have no fear! The C-Store is here! With its desserts from The Scholars Inn Bakehouse, the C-Store could easily provide scrumptious caramel apple pie cookies that will make your mouth water. From the apple pie filling to the caramel drizzled onto that flaky pie crust, these cookies could bring you to your happy place. So remember – save room for dessert!

With these upgrades, you’ll be singing along to Gambino, “I’m winnin’, yeah, yeah, I’m winnin'”, in no time as you munch on your fall favorites in the C-Store.