Have you ever found yourself in the HUB around lunchtime with your stomach murmuring at the smell of chow mein? Eating an affordable and healthy(ish) lunch is an art, and one that requires many noontime practices. There are a few locations in the HUB that make this possible, so read below for some personal picks!
Piccalilli’s
Piccalilli’s is by far my first choice. It is located on the ground floor of the HUB, between Burger King and HUB Subs, and is open from 10 am to 3 pm on weekdays. They offer a soup and salad bar, complete with romaine and iceberg, veggies, fruit, pasta and bean salads, tuna salad, nut mix and more. If I make myself a hearty salad (usually weighing in at about 0.5-0.75 lb), it costs between $4-$7.
Other options in that dining area include: Wild Cactus, Chick-fil-A and pre-made salads, sandwiches and snacks like chips and cookies.
Starbucks and Higher Grounds
Coffee: the caffeine addict/broke girl’s mid-day snack/lunch. These two options offer, not only fancy shmancy drinks, but also pre-made snacks and bagels, doughnuts, yogurt, sandwiches, packaged and sliced fruits and vegetables and other dessert-type fare. Go to these places to get a quick and cheap caffeine and sugary carb fix. Higher Grounds is on the first floor next to the main staircase and is open weekdays from 7:30 am to 2 pm. Starbucks is on the ground floor across from Sushi by Panda Express and is open Monday through Thursday from 7 am to 12 am, Friday from 7 am to 11 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 10 pm.
Photo by Bari Blanga
Barney’s
Barney’s is the convenience store on the ground floor of the HUB. This is a prime location for quick between-class affordable sugary/salty or protein fixes.
Mixed Greens
This is the last resort for healthy(ish) lunch options. The salads are enormous, and somewhat nutritional, depending on what toppings and dressing you choose. Unfortunately, they are pretty expensive and not very delicious.
Sbarro, HUB Subs, Panda Express and Sushi by Panda Express
I grouped these last options together because I really wouldn’t recommend them. They are all pretty unaffordable and packed with empty calories. That said, don’t let me stop you from indulging!
Photo Courtesy of news.psu.edu