Vickie's Lunch Wagon II (above) is located near MSB and only accepts cash and credit.

University Dining Á La Carte

By: Alyssa Carroll

Posted: 4/23/08

There is nothing worse than being hungry and having your stomach growling like a Wookie in a silent lecture hall. However fulfilling dining needs may be difficult for students without the time to work in a trip to the dining hall between classes, or for those who would rather choose hunger over the idea of eating another typical dining hall hamburger or pasta dish. At this point in the year, who can keep pretending that today's pasta salad wasn't last night's macaroni? So what can be done to quickly soothe a growling stomach beast? Consider trying one of these three dining wagons, conveniently located around campus.

Lizzie's Curbside Cuisine

Perhaps the most popular dining wagon on campus, Lizzie's serves gourmet dishes and a lot of personality at reasonable prices. With a constant stream of customers, owner Lizanne Searing does a great job of moving the line quickly. She still makes time for friendly small talk, and even knows some of the regular customer's orders by heart.

In a rush for breakfast? Try the $3 "Shroom," one of the most popular breakfast sandwiches consisting of eggs, mushroom, swiss cheese, and dill scallion sauce. Or the $3 "Cinnful Sausage" sandwich, a cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese and sausage. The lunch menu begins at 11 a.m., so try one of the many $5 sandwiches or burgers, or consider one of the daily specials, with options like a $6 grilled eggplant and mozzarella sub, a $2.50 tomato tortellini soup, or a $2.50 pasta salad with gorgonzola, spinach and walnuts.

"I don't have enough time to go to the dining halls," said Christian Fedczuk, a 4th-semester anthropology major on why he chooses Lizzie's. "Lizzie's has more variety to offer than other carts. I can't get a cocoa coffee anywhere else, and she's very conscious of the food market."

Lizzie's is located on Whitney Road, between Arjona and Montieth, and is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Be warned, that Lizzie's does not currently accept Huskybucks, but credit, debit and cash are all welcome. For the full menu and a list of daily specials, check out lizziescurbside.com.

Vickie's Lunch

Wagons I and II

According to their menu, Vickie's has been "providing quality food and service to the UConn community since 1978," and they have not slowed since. Though lacking the silver glitz and gourmet of the Lizzie's wagon, Vickie's does a solid business with more basic home-style dining treats, and is a favorite of many. Vickie herself runs wagon No. 1, and is exceptionally sweet and always greets customers with a smile. Make sure to politely yell your order to her, as the wagon can get noisy. Wagon II, which rarely has a line, and is the only food wagon in the northern part of campus, run by Vickie's niece, Heather.

Vickie's Lunch Wagon I is located behind Monteith, near the library, and is open Monday through Friday 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m., but the grill closes at 1:45 p.m. Wagon II is located behind Jorgenson and is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the same hours. Vickie's I accepts Huskybucks, cash and credit cards, however, Vickie's II accepts cash and credit only.

For breakfast, try a $3.50 bacon egg and cheese, which is especially delicious with onions, or for the student with a time crunch, grab a bagel or muffin for only $1. At lunch, grab a cheap $3.50 burger or $5 sandwich or wrap like the low-fat chicken burger or beefsteak sub. Vickie's also serves her own secret recipe "Famous Big Taco Salad," with meat or beans, tortilla chips, salsa and vegetables for $5.75. For those sick of eating fried dining hall food covered in cream sauce, Vickie's also serves healthy salad specialties starting at $3.50. Add a scoop of homemade toppings like potato salad, seafood pasta, and tuna for only $1. Thirsty? Try a delicious hot apple cider, soda, or tea all for $1.

"Vickie's is great, it's better than the rest," said Jasmine Wiles, a 4th-semester human development and family Studies major, who ordered a bacon egg and cheese. "She's beautiful."

Nick Platsis, 8th-semester anthropology major, ordered a turkey grinder, and comes to Vickie's "three to four times a week," and chooses Vickie's over other options, because "the lady is much nicer, with a better organized menu, and the food is better too."

Contact Alyssa Carroll at Alyssa.Carroll@UConn.edu.