The spring semester has brought a new addition to the food selection on Mississippi State University’s campus: OLILO, an Aramark chain for Mediterranean food.
As both the Mediterranean food and the fresh-food movement are gaining popularity among Americans, the addition seems fitting. The make-it-your-own style gyro and power bowl food place is located next to Pizza Hut in the Colvard Student Union.
After hearing rumors of the new campus food option, I decided to check it out for myself. When I first saw the location, I noticed it was distinct from the other Union eateries due to its clean and white appearance.
The appearance reflected the type of food served—clean and fresh. The aim of the to-go restaurant seemed straightforward: to offer quick, healthy and flavorful options to the MSU campus.
The menu is simple. Choose a pita bread wrap or a salad bowl, with either chicken or falafel. Add various Mediterranean style toppings and dressings, including edamame-avocado hummus, tzatziki, crumbled feta, pickled onions, tahini, yogurt herb, harissa, etc.
For my meal, I chose the lemon rosemary chicken salad bowl. With everything already cooked and chopped, the process proved extremely quick.
I was in and out of the line within three minutes. Per the usual for MSU employees, the staff was mannerly and helpful, smiling and laughing the entire time. A worker noted most vegetables were chopped every one to two days, and most of the sauces were made there in the Union.
By the cashier, a binder including the nutrition facts of the food was easily accessible for health-conscious customers. The packaging was minimal, with a simple paper bowl or box to hold the meal, and I appreciated the sustainability efforts.
The meal itself was actually the best I have eaten on MSU’s campus. As a big fan of the Mediterranean diet, I love anything fresh with lots of spices and flavor, and that is exactly what I received.
For those who enjoy curry-style spices, I highly recommend adding romesco to your meal. The chickpeas were very flavorful, and all of the vegetables tasted as if they were chopped that very morning.
The chicken in my meal was only slightly dry, so I will try the falafel next time. I could tell the meal excluded the extra sodium and preservatives that often saturate campus foods. After eating, I was perfectly satisfied and energized to conquer my afternoon classes.
Overall, the food was healthy, fast and pretty yummy, but students will have to sacrifice affordability to try Olilo’s food. For one regular bowl, the cost was $9.62 with no drink included. While the restaurant does accept flex dollars, the evening block-meal discount does not apply.
Zena Jackson, a senior communication major, said she tried the food chain as well, but had a less satisfying experience.
“It was my first time going, and the staff was very friendly. I wasn’t completely pleased to be honest,” Jackson said. “I would eat there again, but I would order differently and try other things on the menu, though I did enjoy the chicken and the quinoa.”
On the other hand, Emma Kate Jones, a freshman biology major, expressed no remorse for her purchase.
“I thought it was very good and fresh. I am a big hummus fan, so I matched up well with the type of food I like,” Jones said. “MSU needed a healthier option to balance out the Chick-Fil-A and Panda Express.”
While students are still expressing mixed reviews, I am among those to recommend the eatery. It is a fun and fresh addition to the campus-based food options, and offers a variety of flavors so each meal is a new, delicious experience.
