Why Can’t I Order What is Actually From The Menu on GET Mobile?
Reported by: Sam Erickson
Illustrated by: Sydney Simmons
Bon Appetit is the estranged step-cousin that the George Fox University (GFU) family loves wholeheartedly but whose life choices are, at times, somewhat questionable. I wish it were different, but that is the way it is. Bon Appetit uses an app called GET Mobile. The GET app promises that we can order and pick up lunch straight from Canyon Commons, which sounds impressive. However, using the app limits you to four options, none of which are what is actually for lunch that day. This limitation frustrates many of GFU’s students.
When you click "pick up" on the app, it gives you four options: a burrito, a burrito bowl, a taco, and a taco salad. Honestly, they all taste okay–nothing more, nothing less. They will satisfy your hunger, but you might not enjoy it while it happens. (An argument that could be made for most of the food from the Bon; however, I would like to be allowed in Canyon Commons, so I will let someone else make that argument.)
The rice is a tad too crunchy, and the meat isn’t always warm. The salsa is just sliced tomatoes and onions–very frustrating for enjoyers of a lovely (mild) salsa. When I pick salsa, I want more liquid than solid.
The most annoying thing to me and everyone I've talked to, is that sometimes we legitimately wish for what is on the menu, but don’t have the time to sit down for a meal. So, we are stuck with a burrito.
One upside is that GET orders are fulfilled quickly, which is appreciated by busy college students. This eases some of the pain when surrendering to the mediocrity of the meal they are about to endure. The Bon Appetit employees are always kind, too, which softens the blow.
One final note is this: Bon Appetit puts the burrito in a big box that could fit at least some of the options from the menu that day. Next time you order, look at both the size of the bag and the plastic container, and tell me some pulled pork couldn't fit. It is a cruel reminder to the consumer that you settled for less when you could have had more. The more I look at the box and the burrito, the more my inner pastor's-kid comes out and starts making a sermon about trying to fill a "God-sized box" with a burrito.
This is in no way a shot at those making my burritos. It is, however, a question: could the situation be better? Is there no way that we can move away from our Chipotle-esque existence? I beg those reading to consider the possibility of letting the students order the actual menu online. It is not often I beg (that might not be true), but I am begging now. Jesus has made us more than conquerors and given us a spirit of power and strength. Let's use his strength to come together and face the most significant challenge at GFU, or at least the most prominent problem from the hours of 11:30 a.m-3 p.m.