The food options at SLU have always been pretty decent. The Griesedieck Cafeteria is perfect for a brunch on Sunday, and Au Bon Pain provides sandwiches and salads. With Subway just down the way and Fusz available for those Kentucky Fried Chicken cravings, the eating life on campus seemed pretty spectacular. However, there was always something missing. There was never a place for the green-lovers of the school-the vegetarians. They struggled through the Gries line, past hamburgers and bratwursts, and grew sick and tired of the limited choices elsewhere.

Until now, that is.

You may have noticed a constant flow of people coming out of the doors underneath Clemens. You probably thought to yourself, “What the heck! Those doors, open? I wonder what’s inside!” Why, yes, those doors clearly do open, and in case you were never brave enough to venture in, it’s the University’s first vegetarian food option.

Upon entering, you will notice a few things. First, you will feast your questioning eyes on the vivid fruit that is stacked brilliantly upon shelves. There is something about spring that makes a pineapple seem perfect. Next, you will encounter the salad bar, which is literally dripping with freshness. You will find yourself in line for some pasta with Alfredo sauce, perhaps a delightful sandwich or the ever-popular stir-fry, complete with the vegetables of your choice, grilled to perfection right before your starving eyes. The friendliness of the workers may catch you off guard, but you will enjoy the positive vibe that fills the room.

You will be pleasantly surprised when you find out that this place accepts meal plans, which is a necessity for the kids who have exhausted their flex points and were (until now) doomed to a lifetime of Gries devotion. You will look to the girl next to you and remark, “Wow, this place is amazing!” You will look in front of you, behind you, eight spots to the right or left, and you will see girls.

This is when you might start to get a little freaked out. Where are the boys, the men of the school? Now it will hit you. There are no men. You may spot one or two stragglers who happen to be healthy eaters, but the ratio of guys to girls in this delicious vegetarian buffet is quite drastic. Look toward the front door. Most of the men you will lay your eyes on are the ones who walk in, ask in a husky voice, “Where’s the meat?” and then disappear, just like that.

Although most of the steak-craving guys choose not to dine at this somewhat hidden vegetarian delight, it’s every girl’s dream come true. A healthy food option that actually tastes good? Ladies, kiss that Freshman Fifteen goodbye. Girls flock to the pleasant atmosphere, holding salads and Crystal Lights, pineapples and strawberries, grapes with cheese and sweet, petite sandwiches, heaven in clear little boxes.

The athletes of the school find comfort in a pile of pasta after a grueling and strenuous practice, and it is not uncommon for a professor or two to be spotted discussing lesson plans over this good-for-your-heart little lunch.

If you’re a meat-needer, steer clear, but if you are looking for a healthy food option, or you’ve run out of Flex dollars and the cafeteria just isn’t cutting it, or if you are craving a good stir-fry, I suggest you go through those mysterious doors and give it a try.