The canteen at Vistula University – we all meet there. Lunch, however, must be eaten, there is not much time to go out, so from 12.00 the canteen is simply besieged. Is it tasty there? Does the food suit us? VISTULA MONITOR asked several students for an answer.
Oxane, Graphics
As I have practical classes at the university every day, I don’t have time to cook at home or go to a cafe during the day. So I usually have lunch at our canteen with my friends. I like that there is a variety of meals and you can choose different main dishes and salads. The prices are not so high, which is also beneficial. Sometimes when I’m too hungry, I can just grab a sandwich or a pastry, but they cost the same as in Zabka, and sandwiches in Zabka are way tastier, to be honest. I didn’t try any drinks there, so I can’t say anything about beverages but I would like to have a possibility to grab a cup of fresh coffee instead of one in the machine. So the only thing I would change is adding a coffee machine and expanding the range of snacks.
AP
Riad, Computer engineering
In general, I have no complaints about our dining room and it suits me. The food is ok, sometimes good, sometimes not so good. Depends of course on tastes. I like the approach of some chefs to cooking dishes in the style of their native culture, for example, the Turks cook with Turkish notes, and the Ukrainians try to cook like Ukrainian cuisine. The food is of good quality, often fresh, and quite reasonably priced compared to other cafes outside. However, some food is unreasonably expensive and unprofitable to buy, such as some types of cutlets and a couple of other meat dishes. For me, the dining room is more of a place where you can sit and chat with friends while having a snack or drinking a drink.
Mahammad, Computer engineering
The food in the cafeteria is quite tasty. I like different soups and fish most of all. Although I dine here quite rarely, mainly when there are too many lessons and I forgot or did not have time to eat at home. Anyway, sometimes I still decide to eat something at the university and remain satisfied with the quality and variety. Undoubtedly, the main advantage is the constant change of dishes and, as I said, variety. Dining room food is different every day. Of the shortcomings, as in any similar institution, it is quite noisy here due to the location right next to the main entrance to the building and not far from the dressing room. Sometimes it resembles a passage yard where it is difficult to gather thoughts and even just sit on the phone. Therefore, I think that it is better to spend a break in a class or library in case you just need to sit and talk with your friends.
Bakhtiyar, Computer engineering
I like the canteen at our university. Since I am a member of an IT club, we often meet with other members here. Sometimes it’s enough for us to buy some drink and just discuss our plans. As for food, I like mashed potatoes with fish fingers. Salads and soups are also well prepared here. I am sure the quality is being monitored because the price of some products is high. Of the complaints, one can often note stale bread. This is because it is wrapped in cling film and it dries quickly. On the other hand, this is a necessary measure, since the buns are constantly in front of everyone. Perhaps I would like to see more vegetation like summer or winter salads, some kind of fruit. Sometimes you even want the same apples.
Y.T.
Kenny, Economics
In my opinion, the food in the canteen is not good. Honestly, it is not tasty or healthy at all. This is because the food is too greasy, the pasta has no flavor and the meat is cooked in a very uncommon way that makes students be discouraged from buying them. For me, they should improve a lot of things but most importantly improve the variability of food. I also think they should implement healthy food on the menu, with less oil, and that goes according to the students’ taste. They also should have more options to choose from and different menus.
L.M
Slava, Management.
Honestly, I think the canteen is okay. The food is nutritious and tasty and there’s almost always a good range of dishes to choose from. However, I don’t like the placement of the canteen. I get that it’s impossible to change anything at this point, but eating in front of the entrance makes me anxious. Finding a good, quiet spot is difficult as well since there are always lots of people eating, chatting, or waiting in the queue at the ticket machine and looking at you.
Overall, the food is great, but I absolutely cannot digest it in front of the whole international student community entering the building.
A.C.
Marta, Journalism and Social Communication.
I often eat food in Vistula cantine. All you need to do is just tell what you want and then pay for it. The food is tasty and you do not need to worry about the healthiness of Vistula food. I talked to one of the cooks and she said that their food came through many expertises and their production is reliable. My favourite food is zapiekanka and rice with meat. They are nice and I like them so much. Also, I prefer to buy desserts. The cooks are kind and empathic. I do not see any things to improve because right now the canteen is a cool place. I recommend it.
R.K.
Hodia , Architecture
The canteen food is not worth it. The rice is good though I’d rather have a hotdog close to the metro. Students should never buy coffee there since much cheaper options could be found at vending machines on every floor. The canteen should offer more dishes for international students to choose from. The food is often too Polish for me, it would be more attractive if they can provide something new. The canteen is often too noisy as well, I’d prefer somewhere quiet if I want to chill or work.
C.F.