On Oct. 13, hungry students eagerly waited in line to claim free meals from the Smokin’ Z BBQ truck outside of the student center under cloudy skies. Once up to order, students deliberated between pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches for the main entree. For the appetizers, students could choose between macaroni and cheese, BBQ baked beans, potato chips, as well as cole slaw.
After students received their orders in styrofoam containers, they could pump out ‘Memphis Sweet BBQ Sauce’ or ‘Kansas City BBQ Sauce’ from large containers atop a surface in the student center. They could also opt for the ‘Black Cherry Chipotle BBQ’ wing sauce and dip that adjoined the other appetizing options. Students then were invited to take seats at the tables clothed in gingham tablecloths residing in the lobby, and finally dug into their food.
“The mac and cheese was actually really good,” Jo Jarmuz, junior math and physics major, noted. “I’m not going to say no to free food.” The overall consensus reached among students seemed to be that the food was satisfactory, especially considering that it was free.
Students did, however, express interest in more food truck options in the future, similar to what was provided during the Welcome Week festivities. “It would be nice to have drinks,” voiced Mariana Caballero, exchange sophomore information and technology major.
A similarly structured event occurred last month, amassing a large sum of students with the promise of free food. Many students devoured their fair shares of salty and buttery goodness while sipping on the refreshing lemonade the Auntie Ann’s Pretzel truck had to offer. Residents and commuter students alike should be sure to keep their eyes peeled for flyers around campus promoting future free food truck pop-ups at the Student Center; they definitely do not want to miss out.
