The re-opening of The Diner’s hot sandwich line, The New Yorker, has been both celebrated and criticized by students this week.
After closing for construction near the end of last semester, The New Yorker opened up for business again on Monday night with a revamped look and a new menu. But with favorites – such as the Southwest chicken sandwich – already emerging, the station’s hiatus did not seem to impact its popularity among students.
Not long after opening for late-night dining at 7 p.m. Monday, the line for The New Yorker was already about 25 people long. The California Deli, with only a few students in line, looked lonely sitting next to the busy New Yorker.
Despite the long waits – which fluctuated between 25 to 30 people – students said the food was worth it.
“As soon as I saw it, I just went straight there,” said Ike Uzomah, a freshman biology major, who waited 25 minutes for his sandwich. He said he ordered the Southwest chicken sandwich because he wanted to try something new.
“I didn’t mind standing in line,” added Kiara Tinch, a freshman government and politics and theatre major. She created her own sandwich using the order form, which she said “was nice, because it was a little personalized.”
When students reach the deli counter, they must fill out an order form indicating their choice of one of five traditional sandwiches to be prepared as a sub or wrap, or they can build their own by selecting specific ingredients. The New Yorker also has an expediter who takes students’ order forms and calls out their name or order number when the sandwich is ready.
The line should diminish with time, said Dining Services spokesman Bart Hipple, as students develop a learning curve for the station that will help individuals get accustomed to the ordering process.
“They learn how to order, so that things happen a little quicker,” he added.
Albert Yuen, a sophomore computer engineering major, said the line moved “reasonably fast considering [the station is] still new.”
But if the long wait time persists, Hipple said Dining Services could “adjust it as needed” by possibly adding more staff.
Despite the station’s popularity, some students said they were upset The New Yorker was only open for late night.
“I think it should be open all day,” said Mike Denburg, a sophomore mathematics education major. “At least there’s something new. I can’t eat this same food every day anymore.”
clevelanddbk@gmail.com