New dining options available for graduate students

This fall, a unique new dining option is available to Rice University students, faculty, staff and visitors: food trucks!

“There are very few dining options for graduate student in the evening,” said Faculty Club Director Ann Swain. “The School of Engineering contacted us about how to accommodate students taking classes and doing research into the evening hours.

“My graduate students were not able to eat dinner on campus while working late, so it occurred to me that food trucks would be a simple, no-cost solution to the problem,” said Randy Hulet, the Fayez Sarofim Professor Of Physics.

Five local vendors – Oh My Gogi!, Phamily Bites, The Waffle Bus, Good Dog Hotdog and Firehouse Tacos – offering cuisines ranging from Korean barbecue and Mexican fusion to Vietnamese food and waffles. They are located on the Mudd Loop Road (in between the Mudd Building and Hamman Hall) Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

“Since the trucks started coming last week, [the students have] gotten their dinner from them every night,” said Hulet.

“So far, so good,” added Ned Thomas, the William & Stephanie Sick Dean Of Engineering. “They’re very popular, even occasionally selling out!”

“We tried to include the most popular vendors in town and make it as affordable as possible,” Swain said. “Customers can eat for less than $10.”

Swain said that the selection of food trucks might expand if interest continues to grow. She said that they’re even considering dessert trucks.

“It’s a great thing,” she said. “The graduate students are thrilled!”

For more information including truck schedules, visit http://dining.rice.edu/mobiledining.aspx. To view the location, click here.