New dishes, new hours give campus diners more fare for fall

A new eatery in the Student Union. A new location for another. A continental breakfast and extended hours for two popular cafes.

Those are some of the culinary changes students, faculty and staff will notice as they return to campus for the fall semester.

The biggest change is the addition of The Halal Shack in the Union Marketplace & Eatery on the first floor of the Student Union.

Described as a healthy option, The Halal Shack allows customers to customize their own bowls, wraps and salads that blend “the best of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors with a classic American twist.”

Joining Moe’s and Tim Hortons in UB’s lineup of restaurant chains, The Halal Shack offers meat, vegan and vegetarian options while preparing meals following Islamic dietary guidelines — something more UB students have been asking for in recent years, says Ray Kohl, director of marketing and communications for Campus Dining & Shops.

“We are very happy to introduce a new brand here at UB, one that has a mission to ‘unite people and culture through food,’” says Eric Blackledge, executive director for Campus Dining & Shops.

“The Halal Shack has delicious food with a tremendous variety of options,” Blackledge says. “We feel this will be a great fit for the students, faculty and staff this fall.”

The Halal Shack joins the Union Station, Piza Pizza and Fowl Play inside the Union Marketplace & Eatery, taking over the food stations once occupied by Edgy Veggies, the place to go for salads, and Stackers, which offered classic burgers and chicken sandwiches.

Edgy Veggies has moved to the second floor of the Student Union — with Bravo Pasta and Sabor Latino — where it replaces the Breadbox deli. Stackers and Breadbox are closed permanently but some of the more popular dishes will be added to the menus at Union Station and the 1846 Grill in One World Café, Kohl says.

Other notable dining changes to better accommodate students, staff and faculty include:

• Extending hours at Perks, located in the Ellicott Food Court. Perks, which previously closed at 8 p.m., will now be open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays. The café, which offers coffee, tea, baked goods and ice cream, also will be open from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekends.
• Extending hours at the Corner Café in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. The Corner Café, which previously closed at 2 p.m., will now be open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays.
• Adding a continental breakfast for staff and faculty at the University Club, located in Norton Hall. The continental breakfast includes oatmeal, fruit, yogurt and bagels or waffles for a price of $12.