Big Time Salad Days at New U-Az Eatery

FM Staff

The University of Arizona has opened Core, a new health-conscious restaurant, in its Student Union Memorial Center. Core’s menu is centered around a build-your-own salad/rice bowl option that features more than 120 different ingredient choices.

Customers choose between having a cold salad (with a choice of romaine, iceburg, baby spinach and organic mesclun mix as a base) or a hot rice bowl (made with healthful brown rice). They then select the toppings from among the vast array of proteins, vegetables, fruits, nuts and legumes. Those choosing a vegan hot rice bowl get their vegetables—more than 40 different kinds are available— steamed to order.

The ingredient array ranges from edamame, currants, wasabi peas and dried figs to honey ham, marinated tofu and grilled sirloin.

Other menu options at Core include organic vegetables, fruits, prepackaged salads, sandwiches, vegan selections and all-natural organic beverages and milk.

The new eatery is “in response to numerous student requests as well as feedback from the campus,” says Dining Services Director David Galbraith. “We developed Core specifically to offer healthy salad and vegetarian options rather than traditional fast food type operations.”

The concept name, logo and design layout were created by a visual communications major, Acacia Betancourt, as part of a class project. Her entry was the one chosen from among several dozen submissions

Core operates from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m on weekends.