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Victoria, Sierra, and Ashley discuss foods they started eating/tried while in college and also tackle issues pertaining to the food culture in colleges.
The Unqualified Culinary Critics is a podcast that centers around young adults discussing food and culture.
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Unknown Speaker 0:00
The content of this episode contains language that may not be suitable for all listeners mature audiences recommended. Thank you.
Unknown Speaker 0:08
Welcome to the unqualified culinary critics, a podcast centered around food and cultural experiences. We want to not only share our own perspectives in life, but hope that these stories connect in some way to each one of you as well.
Unknown Speaker 0:20
So in today's episode, we're going to be talking about the foods that we started eating slash tried while we're in college. And I don't know if everybody knows this, but all three of us just finished college like about almost a year ago. And I will admit, for me, personally, I don't really remember exactly everything that I tried to start eating during my college days. I don't know what about the two of you.
Unknown Speaker 0:47
I don't really remember everything as well. I know a few things, but I don't remember all of them.
Unknown Speaker 0:55
There's a lot of stuff that I remember trying for the first time in college. Because like, like I said, or I have said before, I grew up, basically only eating Mexican food, like my food is the word. Like, I was very sheltered in terms of like food, because like, I would only eat when my mom would cook. And like we would rarely get fast food. Once I started college, you know, I like kind of, I had a job, I had more money. I wasn't home as much. So I started eating out a lot. So I basically just started trying everything.
Unknown Speaker 1:37
That's good. So does anybody want to go first as to their list of things that they tried slash started eating?
Unknown Speaker 1:44
I can do that. Okay. Yeah, I feel like for me, there's like, nothing super specific. Just because like I said, I started trying, like, I had Taco Bell for the first time ever in at the SEO. Let's go. And like, I only ever had it that one time. I haven't had it since. But, um, yeah, I like, like, fast food, for sure was something that like, I started eating a lot more of, or trying a lot more of something that's like, very specific would be like Pokot, because I had never had that before. And like I remember in high school, I had friends who were like, who are Hawaiian. So like, they would eat it. And I just be like, what is that? You know, like, I had no idea what it was. But like in college, like, that's how I survived because I would go to like polka heaven every day, basically. So that's like my one specific food that like, it's also kind of a comfort food. I know we haven't done that episode yet. But like, it was like what I would eat basically every day or like once a week, and it was like that one food that like I kept coming back to in college as well.
Unknown Speaker 2:57
Just a couple of questions, if you don't mind me asking. Yeah, what was the first thing that you had at Taco Bell? Like the first item that you ordered? And then how come you haven't came back since? And then what was the one thing that or the one item that you ordered at the pokey place that you started eating at?
Unknown Speaker 3:17
Um, so for Taco Bell, I just ordered with Sid Yeah. And I was just like, Okay, this is good and all but like, I can make this myself or have this at home. So I don't really have to. I don't see the point in paying for food that I can make. Because I am a little cheap. But But yeah, that was like, I don't know, I just have never really craved it since. And I don't know. Like, it's not bad. But um, yeah. And for poker, I think the first poker table I ever had was like, a salmon bowl with like avocado and like, it's funny. I said, I'm cheap. But then I also get avocado in my Pokeballs it's, it's worth that extra dollar, you know? But yeah, I got like a salmon salmon bowl with like, white rice or sushi rice and like, at a mommy and like just stuff like that in it was so good. And like, that's what I liked so much about them is that like, every time I've gone I've gotten like a different version of it because it's something that's so like, you can put anything in it. It's great. That's good.
Unknown Speaker 4:27
Did you try any other fast food restaurants besides Taco Bell? Or would that just be the one?
Unknown Speaker 4:33
Um, I did try Jack in the Box and like Del Taco too. I've gone to Del Taco a few times. Because I like their their sauces that they have. They're like they're not spicy, but they're good. Yeah. And then Jack in the Box. actually tried that for the first time this year. I think I might have had like their curly fries before but like to have like an actual meal from there. It was for the first time This year, but yeah, that's yeah.
Unknown Speaker 5:03
I've never had an actual meal there. I've gotten like fries and everything but their shakes. Yeah, they were so good.
Unknown Speaker 5:11
Yeah, same. I was like, I might come back just for the shade just
Unknown Speaker 5:15
for that. Exactly. What about you, Ashley?
Unknown Speaker 5:20
In terms of fast food? I can't really I tried a lot of fast food before I went to college. So I kind of don't count on this one. But have you heard of Have you have you heard or been to steak and shake? Victoria?
Unknown Speaker 5:34
Yes,
Unknown Speaker 5:35
I have. I Oh, yeah. That was like one of the first things I tried to college to like basically everything that's in the SU that was the first time I was trying to except for Panda Express.
Unknown Speaker 5:45
Okay, because the reason I brought up steak and shake is because they're known for their shakes. Basically, it's in the title. Yeah. Have you tried your shakes?
Unknown Speaker 5:55
Yeah, I have I like I'm lactose intolerant. But I love milkshakes. I'll risk it all for a milkshake.
Unknown Speaker 6:02
What did you think of steak and shake?
Unknown Speaker 6:04
I liked it. Yeah, I went there a couple times. Yeah, I would go there a few times. Honestly, most of the times that I go to like fast food places. I just ended up getting fries. Like I'll try like their burgers maybe once or twice, but then I'll just go back for the fries.
Unknown Speaker 6:20
You said that you haven't really had Panda Express? Was that because you had it before you went to college? Or you just avoided going to Panda?
Unknown Speaker 6:29
Oh, no, it's because I used to eat that. That's like that one fast food place that my family would go to like, once or twice a month. So like I had eaten a lot of pandas before that before college.
Unknown Speaker 6:44
Okay, I was just asking. I was a little bit curious. Yeah. Any other stuff that you ate slash tried in college? Victoria?
Unknown Speaker 6:52
I think I mean, yeah, just really all types of fast food mostly just broadening my horizons in terms of eating things that weren't just like Hispanic food or Latin food? Yeah, because that's when I started eating, like, started trying more like things outside of my culture. Like, for example, it wasn't the first time that I had eaten. Like, I didn't, I tried ramen, and like high school, but like, I started getting it a lot more once I was in college. And like, I would try foods like Greek food, like Indian food, Thai food, like all that sort of stuff, is when I like finally started opening up my palate a little bit more not being as sheltered. And like, I'm the type of person I'll try anything once. So yeah, that's good.
Unknown Speaker 7:39
That's good. What
Unknown Speaker 7:41
about you guys? What? Like, do you guys have anything specific that you tried for the first time, Sierra?
Unknown Speaker 7:48
After you mentioned Thai food? I remember that I tried this place. I think like two years ago. I think it's like a mom and pop shop here. It's called Table Thai. It is like, the best stuff I've had. It's really good, especially if you like spicy stuff as well. I mean, they rate it on a scale of five. And even if you go like two to three, it's still really spicy. But it's so good. And the people there are so nice. And they have great food. That would be one of the things I tried. Another thing which I feel like would be like a kind of college kid essential. I went to school at u and r for a year. And I had to do the going to Roberta's tacos in the middle of the night. Yeah, and that it was so good. And I would never have expected a restaurant to be so crowded and busy at like two o'clock in the morning. But I see why. It was great. And I felt like it was like an initiation.
Unknown Speaker 8:53
Yeah. Oh my gosh, that just you guys been there? Yeah, yeah. I too. Am too. Yeah,
Unknown Speaker 9:01
it's good. I mean, I had heard about it and all the hype and everything. I was like, okay, and then they were like, do you want to go to Roberta's? And I was like, why not? I mean, I wasn't eating meat. But of course there's other stuff that I can eat. And it was great. So
Unknown Speaker 9:17
once you order a bertos
Unknown Speaker 9:19
I am pretty I know I got like a side of rice and I really liked their rice. I'm pretty sure I got a case a DIA too. I'm pretty sure. I don't know. It was a few years ago, but I do remember liking it a lot. And we went back a few times but I don't really remember those
Unknown Speaker 9:36
times. Just at two
Unknown Speaker 9:37
o'clock in the morning thing that exactly. Well, I feel like it's some kind of some food it's just when you really need it at like two o'clock in the morning and super good. That could be said for a lot of fast foods as well.
Unknown Speaker 9:55
I mean 24 hours, if that's the case, but I don't know About everywhere. But yeah,
Unknown Speaker 10:02
yeah, aside from that, I don't really, I didn't really venture out too much, I kind of just stuck to what I knew. And plus, there was only so much that I could do, especially when I lived on campus in Reno, I had a microwave and a fridge. And then the rest would be like at a dining hall. And their dining hall was okay. It wasn't the best, but I really just, I did not eat too much different stuff.
Unknown Speaker 10:33
Do you think there might have been a reason for that? Or like, Were you just like, so wrapped up in getting homework done, go into class,
Unknown Speaker 10:42
I feel like it's a little bit of both. I mean, first off with the amount of classes that you take, and then all these classes are considerate or thoughtful of the fact that you do have like, four to five other classes that you have homework for, and they just keep loading up a bunch of crap on you. But also, they did honestly have a handful of like vegan vegetarian options. They had a good salad bar, their pasta was good, but it was just stuff that I don't know, my like, food palette was not as expanded as it is today. So I was still a very picky eater. So I would really stick to like, the more kind of like starchy foods, which probably wasn't the most well balanced thing, but I did it. But I mean, it like what I would eat from the salad bar, I got myself to like, eating tomatoes on their own again. So I don't know if that would count, but I guess that counts.
Unknown Speaker 11:45
Yeah, I think we should count that. Yeah. Also, their
Unknown Speaker 11:49
food just wasn't like the best quality. But it was so pretty good. But for the tuition cost, probably not worth it.
Unknown Speaker 12:00
I mean, I don't blame you. Because I mean, you go into the SU at UNLV. It's expensive, especially at Taco Bell. I don't know about the other restaurants. But I mean, I think they charge more. And I'm talking about Taco Bell on campus. They charge more compared to the other Taco Bell franchises outside of campus. Like I think the one that I go to near my house, I think it's cheaper to Su's. I'm sure she did just want to take advantage of the college students. Let's just yeah, good reason why we have a college student college student discounts I mean,
Unknown Speaker 12:31
I mean, it's the same thing like when you go on the Strip. Yeah, I work close to in the mall that I work at. There's a Chipotle, right? A few stores down. If you go onto like the app to order food, like if I wanted a bowl, I would go order it. And then I would see let's say like 10 bucks after tax on my order total. And then if I was like, Oh crap, I forgot to change the location. I change it to the one that I'm at and it goes up like $3 because they know that you're still going to purchase it anyway. And know that they can get away with it. I just don't understand why they're targeting college kids who are have like the whole stereotype of nine broke. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, I
Unknown Speaker 13:17
don't understand it either. I really don't.
Unknown Speaker 13:19
The thing that I that like I hate about the SU is like they'll like jack up the prices. And then you can't even use gift cards there anything. Really? Yeah, you can't Aramark does not accept gift cards.
Unknown Speaker 13:34
Even if it's like if I take a talk about gift card to that talk a while they won't allow it.
Unknown Speaker 13:40
No, you gotta go to one that's not on campus.
Unknown Speaker 13:43
I did not know that.
Unknown Speaker 13:45
Same didn't know either.
Unknown Speaker 13:46
Yeah. Yeah, I know it because I used to work in the SU and also I tried it once. Okay, that makes
Unknown Speaker 13:54
sense.
Unknown Speaker 13:55
Okay. To in UNLV because I luckily I had family who I could or I lived at home when I came to you and LV did they have because I know it Rena, when you buy like a dining plan did they have like, I guess a certain kind of like currency that is already pre paid where you swipe like your student ID and that would be like, if I had like pre loaded cash onto a card would that be do they have that you went? Oh,
Unknown Speaker 14:25
yeah, yeah, okay. Um, it's Robo cash.
Unknown Speaker 14:29
Yeah, something like that.
Unknown Speaker 14:31
Yeah, I don't. I don't remember I'm pretty sure it's rebel cash. But yeah, they have that.
Unknown Speaker 14:36
I wonder if that would work at those restaurants either if they want actual cash.
Unknown Speaker 14:42
Oh, no. Though that does work. It's just gift cards that you can't use but like you're not it. I think you can like you can use your available cash for sure.
Unknown Speaker 14:52
Yeah, I have not tried any foods from this Su and now that I know about the price situation and probably just not worth it.
Unknown Speaker 15:02
Yeah, yeah, I felt a shame because like, I used to do that when I was a first year. And then I just started bringing my own food after that, because it's like better two months a year. Yeah,
Unknown Speaker 15:13
yeah. Well, and I mean, like you said, Victoria, if you can just make it at home for a fraction of the price, and you can probably make way more two for more bucks just for like, the whole week. And it's probably going to be a lot healthier. Because I know all those restaurants load their stuff up with like sodium and sugar and everything.
Unknown Speaker 15:35
Yeah,
Unknown Speaker 15:36
yeah. That's the part of flavor too. And yeah, it's expensive. And it's not nutritious. But I mean, I don't have anything against people that work in Su. No, I don't because I mean, they're, they're getting paid to do their job and to their jobs. I mean, and I give them credit for it. They're doing good, but I just I don't agree with the prices. I'd rather go to a restaurant that charges not just college students, but everybody else in general equally, so I just feel that but I think but yeah,
Unknown Speaker 16:07
yeah, that's why like, I would like I would only really in the SU like, my freshman year, and then after that, I would just go to like, the little restaurants around you. UNLV it's like they're still kind of expensive, but like, I don't know, I felt like it was better food going to those places than just eating in the SU Yeah.
Unknown Speaker 16:31
What restaurants Did you like around the campus that you may be like, just tried?
Unknown Speaker 16:36
Um, so for sure. Like, okay, heaven. Like I said, I would go there all the time. And then I mean, this is kind of fast food too. But like Rivas I like to go in there too. Like I like getting there because I do sir. are pretty good. I'm just yeah, like those little places right next to Greenspun. I would go to those restaurants a lot. And then um, once the that what is it? Like, they're like door we're not dorms are like apartments, right. Like were right across greenspoon from
Unknown Speaker 17:14
the garage garage? Yeah, pretty sure. Yeah.
Unknown Speaker 17:18
So once that place opened, I started going to the sandwich shop that they have there a lot. I know it's cold, cold. I eggs.
Unknown Speaker 17:27
So I get which I know what you're talking about. Yeah.
Unknown Speaker 17:30
Yeah. They had pretty good sandwiches. I like that place.
Unknown Speaker 17:34
There used to be a Greek like Mediterranean restaurant. Yeah. It's gone now. Yes. Yeah. It is good to Yeah, one of my favorites. I don't know why they close down. But it upset me so bad. See, they're supposed to have a new location, but I have not heard anything about it. But they have such good food. I highly recommend it.
Unknown Speaker 18:00
Yeah, I would go there to that place was good.
Unknown Speaker 18:03
Did you go to any restaurants around campus actually,
Unknown Speaker 18:06
um, I didn't really go to a lot. I mean, I went to greens to go of it's still called that or I don't know the exact name. But I used to go there before I stopped because I think I would order a salad there sometimes in size with it, but I think that was good. But then I had like some Taco Bell. And I don't remember what else I had. But sometimes once in a while, I would go to in and out. But that's kind of the stuff that like the stuff that I would order. I mean, I've had that before I went to college. So it doesn't really help the doesn't really help answer the question that much. But I mean, I've been to some places outside of campus I've tried out of they're new to me completely. But I think what I can say is I started eating them when I was in college. And like Victoria said, I also had ramen, but because I don't eat pork. I went to this one place called Kobashi. I don't remember a full name, but it's like near Silverton and de Martin road. So I've been there. I tried to ramen and I thought the broth was good. And then I started to expand a little bit more on my journey of trying new stuff. So I like one of the dishes or one of the cuisines that I like is Indian food as well. So I've had some stuff like I've had Paluch paneer, which is like a spin itchy Oh, is it spinach and then there's the cheese which is I think attars de Calacatta paneer sorry if I'm getting this wrong, I have to look it up eventually. And then I've had like some mo says vegetable samosa as the non the bread it's like you want the garlic because that's good. And then I started eating prorata which is like it's a little bit like non but it's a it's there's still some differences to it, but they're still non imperata are both bread. But yeah, I can't think of other ones.
Unknown Speaker 19:57
You mentioned some of those, right? Mm. I just tried those a few months ago. Those are very good.
Unknown Speaker 20:04
Do you know where you tried it? Or how you made it?
Unknown Speaker 20:08
Um, I did not make it. I will say that. I was at a, it wasn't even at college. It was at that magic trade show at one of the food courts there. I'd never tried it. And then we got them, just because and they were very good. But I know places like I know grocery stores have them. But I have not tried, like frozen ones that you make in the oven, or made them myself.
Unknown Speaker 20:42
I feel like when it comes to that sort of stuff like the frozen, the frozen ones, they always end up like, kind of tasting off. Yeah, not really like they should, but also they don't taste bad. So it's like you still eat them at all. I'll still eat them anyway.
Unknown Speaker 21:00
Yeah, that can be said for a lot of frozen foods too. That's mainly what I stuck with in college as well. Like the microwavable kind of things, especially cuz if I had, I mean, even now, just quick, easy. Sometimes they're cheaper, but sometimes they can get kind of pricey, but they're still just good. Mm hmm. Yeah, but I have not. I never really ventured out too much, because I just kind of started to not be such a picky eater in college. Yeah. You wanted to play it safe? Yeah, exactly. Also, I was pretty broke. So it's like, I couldn't I couldn't really just go out and get whatever I wanted. Yeah, but, ya
Unknown Speaker 21:53
know, I feel that, especially during the like, first few months of semester, like the first month and a half or two months. I just be like, Well, looks like I'm eating nothing. Exactly. Like eating stuff from home. Exactly. I could not afford anything during that that first month,
Unknown Speaker 22:13
for sure. And now and I mean, even with the job it which was sometimes hard, though, because if you're taking a full time, like run of classes, then you really can't work too much. Yeah. So it's like, how much money can you really make and then you stopped pay for stuff for class, and then they're paying you like minimum wage. Exactly. Exactly. And then they're charging the food. Yeah, it's not minimum wage friendly.
Unknown Speaker 22:42
No, you know, what's crazy. So I used to work at the SU I used to work at one of the I worked at the Jamba Juice there. They don't give us any food. They don't give the workers any food. Really? Yeah, you still have to pay for it. Do you know why? I'm probably because Aramark is a horrible company.
Unknown Speaker 23:02
Okay. Yeah. They wouldn't
Unknown Speaker 23:05
even like food that we would have, like messed up orders. They they'd be like, No, throw it away. And that's why we have world hunger. No, but yeah, they, we would still have to pay for our own food. And it's like, we were all college broke college kids. Wow. Yeah. Not even because we work there.
Unknown Speaker 23:24
See that? I thought was like just a standard at all these restaurants. Like you could just get like a free meal. Or if you worked at like Starbucks or Jamba Juice, like a free drink something like that. No. Wow. And they didn't discount anything either. Huh.
Unknown Speaker 23:41
Um, I think they would give us discounts. I don't remember. I feel like that's giving them too much credit. So I'm not gonna say anything.
Unknown Speaker 23:50
Understandable. Yeah.
Unknown Speaker 23:53
But yeah, I'm like, Isn't that crazy? We're broke college students. They were paying us like minimum wage, and still wouldn't let us get like a free drink or anything like that. Like I said, not even like orders that we would mess up or anything like that. Like, they wouldn't let us
Unknown Speaker 24:10
throw it away. Wow. See, that's what I don't understand is that they know they're like demographic, and they're like employees, but they don't give you any discounts.
Unknown Speaker 24:24
But, yeah. There's a reason why they have a high turnover. Why you always see different people. Oh,
Unknown Speaker 24:33
I'm sure. Yeah,
Unknown Speaker 24:35
yeah. To college culture can be a bit crazy at times. I really don't understand why we're paying so much more than we should. Yeah, I mean, it's just how they make their business and I'm like, Hey, I just want food and I'll do what I have to do. Even though I don't like the idea
Unknown Speaker 24:53
on I'm sure with the discounts. Like student discounts that they give it probably just even sends it out to what a regular price.
Unknown Speaker 25:02
Yeah, yeah, just the normal price. Exactly.
Unknown Speaker 25:05
So I'm sure that they still make the money off of it like normally.
Unknown Speaker 25:10
Yeah. And for anybody who's listening, and during college, my two cents would be, look up some sites. I think nitro does it because they are involved with scholarships and stuff with loans. If you could please go in wherever like nitro or whatever they whatever app you use, look for college discounts, because it'll help you like college student discounts for food, and not just food, but books. It'll help you but it may not help you completely, but it's better than painful price. So that's what I would recommend doing. Also that you need is yes, yes, you need a one.
Unknown Speaker 25:50
They give you discounts on everything. Also food and drink, or at least like discount codes. But yeah, it's great, because it's stuff that you wouldn't even know about. And now, you know,
Unknown Speaker 26:02
yeah, yeah, I was gonna suggest uni days, too.
Unknown Speaker 26:07
Yeah, I recommend it as well. But yeah. Since we're kind of getting a little bit low on time, are there any final thoughts that we have?
Unknown Speaker 26:16
Make sure you always ask for a discount? Even if you say it, even if they say no, just continue to ask, check out those college discount sites. Definitely. And make sure to not blow all your money the first few months that you're there, because you'll regret it. Yeah. Especially when you need food. Yeah.
Unknown Speaker 26:39
And then just one last thing that I want to bring up, bring your student ID because they need proof. That's just the big one. Take that everywhere. Yeah. That's all I got to say from my part. Yeah.
Unknown Speaker 26:51
I mean, I feel like you said everything that needs to be said. So. All right. So just to finish off the episode of We just want to know, let us know in the comments. What did you eat in college? What was your like? What was the first thing you tried for the first time, all that sort of good stuff, and make sure you come back and listen to our new episodes or listen to the ones that you haven't yet we love hearing from you guys. So thank you so much for listening.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai