Although Putnam's receives the lion's share of UB's lunch hour business, Pistachio's, the luxury dining experience on campus has recently undergone some fresh changes to capture a new hungry crowd of students.
Colorful boards with newly added features to boast an array of newly added Mediterranean selections. According to Bob Karski, the unit manager of Putnam's and Pistachio's, gyros, souvlaki, and items such as pita bread and hummus have been added to the menu. An expansion of their salad bar is also being planned for the future.
"This menu was a new concept brought in to add variety to Pistachio's," Karski said. "We felt like we needed a change and this semester and we wanted to add a new angle to our menu. We're trying to meet everybody's needs."
Karski said Pistachio's received positive feedback, and although some didn't agree with the change, Pistachio's has kept the most popular selections on the menu, such as limiting the daily special to one instead of two. While most students didn't notice the change, some noticed the new Greek features and were pleased with their variety.
"I really like going to Pistachio's and I think that the new Greek food is really good," said Ryan Elmendorf, a senior psychology major. "It's something a little different from what you're always getting here, after awhile you get sick of the same food so it's nice having a change."
Others said they would remain faithful to Putnam's, swearing by the quality and flavor of hearty sandwiches.
"Well I would have to say that their sandwiches offer a great taste to my mouth," said Justin Partridge, a sophomore exercise science major. "They are always fresh but I still like Putnam's better because it has a greater variety of food."
While some students were happy about the additional menu, some haven't been to Pistachio's not of lack of desire but because of monetary limitations.
"I haven't even gone into Pistachio's because I hear that it's so expensive," said Nicole Mosey, a freshman communications major. "I'd like to try it because I hear that the food is good, but even if it's an extra cent, I don't want to be spending it."
Karski agreed that Pistachio's prices were more expensive than Putnam's, but said that if students come in, they would see why. He said the size of their salads and sandwiches were very large. In comparison to Putnam's salads, Karski said Pistachio's could save students a dollar by eating in Pistachio's and having the salad tossed right in front of them.
"Pistachio's is just a little more upscale so the prices are actually very reasonable to the products that we serve," said Karski. "Pistachio's has been getting busier and busier and it's focused in general for the campus as a whole - faculty, staff and students."
Something that might have missed the attention of some students is the Tiffin Room, which is located within Pistachio's. The Tiffin Room is a sit-down restaurant that customers - whether they are students or faculty - can be served by waitresses and waiters and pay with dining dollars, campus cash, cash and credit card.
"I'd never even eaten at Pistachios or even heard of the Tiffin Room until recently," said Laura Crotty, a freshman media study major. "Honestly, I'm just starting to hear about Pistachio's because I think its gaining popularity - possibly from the lack of good food elsewhere or the new change in their menu."
