Self-operated Mexican concept replaces Taco Bell

Aug. 2—This fall, at Southern Illinois University, in Edwardsville, the campus Morris University Center will open a new Southwest-style cuisine option for cost-conscious students. MUC Director Joseph Pearson hopes to have construction on a new restaurant called Mi Cocina, Spanish for “my kitchen,” completed for the start of the fall semester.

According to Pearson, the the base options will consist of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, salads and sides. After choosing a base option, customers will be asked a choice of toppings, including chicken, steak and pork.

The restaurant was designed to replace the recently vacated Taco Bell. The 11-year contract between SIUE and Taco Bell expired in April, and the two parties could not come to terms on a new contract due to liability issues. Pearson is optimistic that Mi Cocina will not only be an adequate substitute for Taco Bell, but also an improvement.