Kendall Campus Lack Culinary Diversity

Despite being one of the oldest and largest Miami Dade College campuses, Kendall is falling behind by providing a lack of food options for its students. 

That is not the case at other MDC campuses. 

Homestead Campus features Uncle Boo’s Southern Catfish Restaurant, which offers various soul food options ranging from burgers to catfish filets.

Wolfson Campus offers students two restaurant options—Off The Grille and the Culinary Institute’s Café—that range from classic fast food options to fine dining delicacies. 

At Kendall Campus, students rely solely on the campus cafeteria and Finn’s Bistro, which offers similar meal options like those featured at the cafeteria like fried chicken strips with fries. 

Aside from these two locations and a lackluster offering of healthy food options, the only other alternative Kendall students have to obtain nourishment is from a handful of vending machines sprinkled around campus. 

That brings up another issue—how the campus becomes a food desert in the afternoon after the cafeteria and Finn’s Bistro close. 

Because Kendall Campus is surrounded by a sea of parking lots, it’s difficult for students studying in the late afternoon and evenings to find something to eat without leaving campus thus creating a large disruption to their studying. 

That applies even more to students who take public transportation because they have to walk at least a quarter of a mile across the dangerous eight-lane Killian Drive to find a basic meal. 

Many of the students I’ve talked to about this issue said they would love to see more food options at Kendall Campus, especially healthy and high-quality ones. 

It’s unfair to compare Kendall Campus to institutions like the University of Miami or Florida International University, but the campus could learn from what those schools accomplish to bring culinary diversity to its students. 

Aside from having a dedicated dining hall, UM offers students a Pollo Tropical, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Tacos and Tattoos and a Smoothie King within walking distance of classrooms and the library. 

Similarly, the heart of FIU’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus, the Graham Center, features options such as Panera Bread, Subway, Sushi Maki and Chilli’s. 

We can’t expect Kendall Campus to become a food heaven featuring every restaurant in the city, but adding just a few more options like Chipotle or Subway would greatly benefit everyone. 

After all, a well-fed student is one who is ready to learn. 

Dianelys Machado is a guest columnist for The Reporter. She completed this column as part of a project for her English II composition course.