Two sophomores started a petition to bring quesadillas back to the Anchor
Sophomores Joe Shorma, left, and Andrew Pritchett, right, started an online petition when they discovered thet Anchor had stopped serving quesadillas. The petition got over a hundered signatures within the first few hours. (Stephanie Matusiefsky | THE BEACON)
By Lydia Laythe, Staff Writer laythe16@up.edu
When the Anchor stopped serving their epically cheesy quesadillas, two UP students decided to start their own version of a food fight.
After returning from winter break to find that the Anchor had replaced quesadillas with grilled cheese because of tight storage space, outraged sophomores Joe Shorma and Andrew Pritchett started an online petition to bring back the late night snack.
"As an avid quesadilla lover and eater, I was very disappointed," Shorma said.
Shorma and Pritchett started a petition on Jan. 16, calling students to rally behind their demand to return their favorite cheesy treat. Over a hundred people signed the petition within the first few hours.
Shorma said that he was upset when he heard the quesadillas were gone.
Shorma and Pritchett hope to receive 1,000 signatures, though Pritchett admitted the goal was a random number. Pritchett said there was no timeline or long term plan for the petition.
Pritchett also admitted that the petition was written in a moment of light-hearted frustration.
"We like to complain about things," Pritchett said. Students unhappy with grilled cheese replacement Like the co-authors of the petition, students at UP had varying reactions to the change. Freshman Jake Chapman, resident of Shipstad Hall, explained his disappointment after making the trek to the Anchor and finding the quesadillas gone.
"I felt terrible," Chapman said. "[I walked] through 28 degree weather to find no quesadillas - my absolute favorite thing in the world. And they're not there. I still had a grilled cheese, but it was not as good as a quesadilla."
Sophomore Derek Schumacher had more mild opinions about the change.
"Quesadillas are delicious," Schumacher said. "I miss them, but I don't feel that strongly about it."
Schumacher's major grievance was with how Bon Appetit handled the change. Though Bon Appetit manager Kirk Mustain consulted his staff in the decision-making process, Schumacher claims that was not enough.
"I think Bon App should've asked more students about it," Schumacher said. "I think the petition is a good idea because it gives Bon Appetit good feedback."
Shorma not only helped start the petition to fight for quesadillas, but also hopes to encourage empowerment across campus.
"[It's] a chance for students to understand: if you have something wrong with your school or something you don't like, you can actually change [it]," Shorma said.
Mustain had no idea the substitution of grilled cheese for quesadillas would cause such uproar.
"We're just trying to get people fed," Mustain said. "And the bottom line is: we can make eight sandwiches as opposed to two quesadillas at a time."
Mustain also said that a lack of storage space is what led to his decision to change the Anchor's menu.
"[The Anchor has] outgrown its capacity," Mustain said. "That place started off as being just a little coffee stop with gelato and it turned into more than that - which is great, but there is just no storage."
Mustain said the management of Bon Appetit is just trying something new and mixing things up.
"We're confident that we're doing a good job right now," Mustain said. "But we're always looking to improve things."
Shanice Barber, a full-time Bon Appetit employee, said she has heard mild complaining from some students.
"They're just a little whiney," Barber said.
Barber said that most students are disappointed to hear the Anchor no longer serves quesadillas when they try to order. But students adapt and are easily comforted by a grilled cheese instead.
"We still sell plenty," Barber said.
Bon Appetit looking for new home for quesadillas
Though Mustain said the change is an improvement to service and food safety, he is also looking for another venue better suited for serving quesadillas. Mustain promises they are not going to ignore the voice of their customers, a voice that is still calling for quesadillas.
Pritchett advises that if students really want quesadillas, the best way to express their opinion is by thinking carefully where they get their dinner.
"If you want to bring quesadillas back, don't buy a grilled cheese from the Anchor," Pritchett said.
