Goodyear buffet calls out to students looking to feast

Hungry students looking for a feast at a reasonable price should take their place in line at the Goodyear Main Street Market Dining Center. After a year-long pause due to renovations at the Goodyear and Clement residence halls on the South Campus, Goodyear is now offering a true buffet experience for students in need of a good meal.

The serving displays on the ground floor of Goodyear Hall showcase an all-you-can-eat dining center.

The Mongolian grill is impossible to miss. Here, students can customize their stir-fries with a variety of sauces, including tangy teriyaki and spicy chili; succulent meats; crisp vegetables; and a selection of noodles.

A few steps away is the American Classics station. From hamburgers to hotdogs and cheeseburgers, the station serves up classic American comfort food.

And depending on the day, students can savor Indian delicacies like butter chicken, fragrant basmati rice and freshly baked naan.

Still got an appetite? The food tour isn't over yet.

There are pizza options and different pasta dishes available every night of the week.

The dessert station entices students with treats ranging from cakes and cookies to a variety of ice cream.

There is even a wellness counter with fresh green salads, superfoods and light vinaigrettes. Vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free offerings are also available to those with dietary restrictions.

And perhaps the best part: The menu is all-you-can-eat for one price, from 4:30-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the weekends. Discounts are available to those who use UB Cards, Campus Cash, Dining Points or FlexiBULL Bucks.

“I love the variety here. There’s always something to try, and the food is just amazing,” says Khyathi Kunuthur, a graduate student in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

A facelift further enhanced the diverse food offerings.

“The renovations were carried out just before the outbreak of COVID,” says Thomas Forzano, assistant manager of the dining center. “Everything from countertops, counters, flooring, to the ceiling was upgraded.”

Ray Kohl, director of marketing and communications for Campus Dining & Shops, notes the evolving menu at the dining center.

“Our chef managers do an excellent job of keeping the menu fresh by incorporating new items and different recipes from around the globe,” says Kohl. “This makes the job quite interesting, as we get to introduce a variety of food to our diners.”

The dining center’s schedule caters to students’ needs, with a late-night hours from 9-11 p.m. Monday through Friday, ensuring that South Campus students always have a variety of delicious options available at convenient times.

“We continually seek feedback from our students through focus groups and a Secret Shopper Program, where individuals pose as regular diners to evaluate our service and food, helping us understand their preferences and improve our operations,” says Forzano.

Beyond the culinary delights, the dining center extends far beyond what meets the eye. There’s an unseen layer of care.

“We aim to meet the diverse dietary needs of our students, including those with dietary restrictions or food allergies,” says Kohl. “We have an on-campus registered dietician who works closely with such students. There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes to ensure students are well-fed and satisfied with the dining services provided.”

While Sundays are typically the busiest days of the week at the dining center, the team strives to make each meal service a seamless experience.

“We’re thrilled to have the dining center open again and to welcome everyone back,” says Forzano, “especially as South Campus has its tight-knit community.”