Changes were made throughout the residential dining halls to keep the selection of food intact on the menu.

The changes were made because of Carman Hall closing this year, as well as a greater interest from students in Mexican food.

Gail Abrams-Aungst, the associate director of housing and dining for Panther Dining, said they wanted to make sure the items that were popular at Carman would be kept so students that enjoyed those foods would still have access to them.

“We had students call and inquire about especially the Asian (food) and to make sure that we would still be serving Asian,” Abrams-Aungst said.

Asian food from Carman was moved to Stevenson and Taylor halls.

Jaime Huckstead, the unit director at Stevenson Tower Dining Center, and others from Panther Dining, created their own Asian cuisine at Stevenson and serves it occasionally in the evenings between Monday and Wednesday.

“Taylor is doing Asian dishes, but they would be already-prepared dishes, like mandarin chicken and Chinese noodles,” Abrams-Aungst said.

Grilled Cheese Wednesday was also moved from Carman to Taylor.

Sheila Poffinbarger, unit director of Taylor dining, will be serving grilled cheese on Wednesday during lunch and dinner, unlike Carman, which only had it during lunch.

Carman did not have much traffic when it was open, only topping at around 300 students on Grilled Cheese Wednesday, which was its busiest day.

Because of student interest and Stevenson already having a deli, Chris Wojtysiak, unit director of Thomas Dining, said they turned their deli into a Mexican grill, which is now called Sombreros.

Abrams-Aungst said it is like a Chipotle, but they call it Sombreros instead because of the trademark.

At Sombreros, they serve made-to-order burritos, tacos, quesadillas and different rice.

“It is made to order so you can have it pinioned or have it wrapped,” Abrams-Aungst said.

Mark Hudson, the director of Housing and Dining Services, said that he has gotten some positive feedback from the Sombreros concept.

“People love the Mexican combinations of food, so it’s more of a constant,” Hudson said. “They know they can go there and always have that when they desire it.”

Dining hall hours have also changed this year to accommodate the rush hours.

Stevenson Reservation Dining on Saturday was changed from 4:30-7:30 p.m. to 5 to 7 p.m.

“On Saturday nights, our Reservation Dining isn’t as busy so we cut back the hours,” Abrams-Aungst said.

Stevenson brunch also opens a half-hour earlier at 10 a.m. because that is when the students line up.

Huckstead is also closing Stevenson a half-hour early because she found that it was dead after that time, Abrams-Aungst said.

Thomas Dining also changed its weekend brunch hours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Students suggested the idea for Sombreros, as well as many of the other menu items, through comment cards and calling the University Housing and Dining offices.

One can fill out a comment card online at eiu.edu/dining.

Because it is early in the semester, Hudson said they would have to wait a while to get a good idea of how Eastern students are reacting to these menu changes.

“We are always listening to customer comments and how we can continue to modify menu options so that it meets their interest,” Hudson said.

Jarad Jarmon can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].