Panda Express is a staple in college student’s diet. A classic chicken and rice are a filling, yet tasty meal that I look forward to. Located in the back of the hub to the left of the steps, Panda Express is a delicacy I get when I am starving for lunch. While the line may look intimidating, the workers have the system down. The line may go back as far as the steps yet waiting will only take about five minutes max compared to certain restaurants within Redifer.

My go-to order is a bowl with orange chicken and fried rice. The options are a bowl, which is one side and one entrée. Then, there is a plate which is one side and two entrees. I find this to be too much food for me, for I get full easily and normally I am only getting lunch with my friends. Specifically, I went this week because I went to the career fair in the hub and was starving after. As always, Panda Express hit the spot.

If you get a bowl, it is one small bowl with the chicken on top of the rice. I like this because it is easy to mix my food around, getting a good ratio of sauce, chicken, and rice. It is always warm when served. They have a large assortment of different types of meat, including sweet and sour chicken, beef and broccoli, tofu chicken, and many others. Instead of rice, you can get Chow Mein or white rice. Since I go rarely, I stick with my usual orange chicken and rice because it is always good, and why mess with perfection.

The sides include veggie rolls, cream cheese rangoon, and spring rolls. I have tried the rangoons before and was not a big fan. I prefer the crab Rangoon from other restaurants, so pure cream cheese was a letdown. My friends swear by the veggie roll, however.

The major con of Panda Express is the price. At dining halls, students get a sixty-five percent discount, whereas at Panda Express it is full price. A bowl averages around eight dollars, whereas chicken tenders at Redifer are around two dollars. Fortunately, you can put it on your meal plan. Personally, I ended last semester with a decent amount left and had it roll over to this semester.

Overall, I would rate it a 9/10. Fast service and tasty food are always great, but it is very unhealthy. Maybe pairing it with a salad rather than rice and noodles would be the better option especially with the limited healthy options the dining hall offers.

In a Pickle is the newest development to Redifer dining hall. Coming to save students from the buffet lunch, it is a fantastic addition to South campus. There are a large variety of sandwiches, wraps, subs, and soon to come paninis. Since it is a recent open, the line is usually long. As you wait in the line, there is a large assortment of chips to go along with your sandwich of choice. Personally, as being from Pittsburgh, I put the chips on my sandwich to give it some extra crunch and flavor.

The actual ordering process can be frustrating. The line usually takes upwards of twenty minutes, whereas the buffet is essentially immediate. When you finally get to the cashier, there is a paper with different sections on the front and back. The sections include the types of cheese, bread, style of sandwich, toppings, and dressings. Supposedly, since we have returned, there are kiosks rather than a physical person taking orders. This would make sense to make it automatic to make the wait shorter. The cashier will take you through each section until you are satisfied with your preferences. To give justice to the name, a complimentary pickle is offered on the side of the sandwich. Additional bacon is an upcharge as well.

My go-to order is a gluten free wrap with Italian meats, American cheese, lettuce, and chipotle mayo. Being gluten free, having this option is a major relief. The buffet is hit or miss with having substantial and tasty gluten free options. The Italian meats include salami, turkey, and prosciutto. This option gets the most meat for your dollar in my opinion. I have tried getting just turkey or ham and have found that there is not enough meat for my liking. This option gets more meat and types of meat for the same price as one option. The different types of dressing are another hit at this restaurant. The chipotle mayo is my favorite because it is spicy and has a kick without being too much. The sandwiches are too dry for my liking without some sort of dressing, specifically with the gluten free option. Gluten free is better for me, but most of the substitutes are interesting textures and tastes. Being able to mask this with sauces is a win and makes me want to eat gluten free, rather than dread it. I got Cheetos on the side and put most of the chips in my wrap. It is Pittsburgh culture to put fries on everything, especially sandwiches and burgers. The additional Cheetos added a good crunch and more flavor, making me more excited for the next sandwich I get.