Houston, we have a food court

With Houston Market finally open this week, students are checking out the new facility, comparing it to other eateries on campus -- and seeing if it measures up to the array of fast food options available there before the renovations. Overall, students said the prices -- which range from $.99 to $5.25 -- were pretty reasonable. And they were largely impressed with the stylish decor, including stone walls and elaborate windows. But many seniors said they still missed the fast-food chains, like Burger King and Subway, that used to be there. College and Wharton junior Matthew Vogele said, "I think it is much better than the dining halls, but it would have been better if they had had independent fast food dealers." But College senior Zehra Naqvi said she liked the large selection provided by the five vendors. "It is pretty impressive. They have everything that Moravian Cafes [the rival food court in Samson Common] does." So how does Houston Market stack up against the food trucks and fast food spots around campus? A cheeseburger is $2.80 at Houston Hall and $3.79 in the Moravian Cafes on 34th and Walnut. At McDonald's, it would cost $.99 and at the Quaker Shaker truck by Gimbel Gymnasium, the cheeseburger is $2.50. The prices for entrees were also competitive. For instance, an entree at the Market's Global Creations, which serves cuisine from around the world, costs $5.25. In comparison, entrees range from $5.50 to $7.95 at Oriental Gourmet at the Moravian eatery. At Kim's Vietnamese, a food cart, entrees cost between $3 and $4. Most students agreed that the prices of food at the new eateries were reasonable. School of Arts graduate student Todd Bates praised the new prices. "This [manicotti from Ciao] cost $3.95, and it would have been at least a dollar higher [from other vendors]." And Naqvi said, "I think they're about the same as the cafes, maybe a little higher." Though students seem generally satisfied with the new food court, many would like it to be more like the old Houston Hall food court, which consisted of fast food chains like Burger King. "I miss the old one," said Naqvi, who was a freshman when the old food court existed. Some students also wondered whether the new state-of-the-art facility was worth the money it took to build it. "I appreciate the windows and the niceness of it, but I'm wondering how much it cost and how much of that could be used on other stuff," said Naomi Pitamber, a Classical Studies graduate student.