Campus Eats: University of Ottawa

The 2013 Maclean’s University Rankings includes an examination of the dining on Canadian campuses. We found healthier options than ever, but also a new problem—high prices.

Maclean’s On Campus is continuing the conversation by having students review food on their campuses and showing what it costs to dine. If you’re a student, you can help. Send us a review of the food on your campus. Keep your receipts. If we publish it, we’ll reimburse you.

Chartwells at the University of Ottawa
Two stars out of five
Total cost: $6.60

It’s the Thursday night of reading week and I’ve broken my cardinal break week rule: I’ve ventured onto campus. A student newspaper meeting meant I was stuck at the U of O after 8:00 p.m. A growling stomach led me to the cafeteria where I was confronted by the limited vegan options.

As a vegan, eating in public is generally a challenge, but it’s particularly problematic when your campus eats are dominated by Chartwells, which serves many fried foods.

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Strolling past the burger and pizza joints, skipping the overpriced sub and sushi stands, I settle on a falafel. To make it vegan, I swap the the dairy-based garlic sauce for hot sauce. It’s not greasy, even though the reheated pieces of falafel were clearly deep fried, and it includes a serving of vegetables. Still, it was subpar, especially considering that dozens of Sharwama joints around the city offer the same quality for less money.

For a side, I snagged the least bruised Granny Smith on the pile by the cashier, and skipped a carbonated beverage, since I’m trying to kick my Coke Zero addiction. The apple cost an outrageous $1.02. The total price, $6.60, wasn’t bad, but it’s an experience I don’t want to repeat.

The bill:
Apple: $1.02
Falafel: $4.82
Taxes: $0.76
Total: $6.60