For those of you non-first years returning to campus this fall, you may have noticed some changes at the Cage, namely in the form of new items and a wider variety of offerings.
Let us first turn to the drink refrigerator. Upon inspection, it appears that there are quite a few new options to choose from. Not only is there an entire shelf dedicated to different flavors of Gatorade, students can now purchase Propel drinks, Rockstar energy drinks, and a new “Shine” flavored water. Word on the street is that the new Starbucks bottled Pink Drink and Paradise Drink are available for selection.
Popping over to the main pastry case, one will find many returning favorites from years past. The tried and true blueberry muffin can be found most days along with the classic butter croissant and your choice of pumpkin bread. At first glance, it may appear that the iconic cappuccino muffin has disappeared. Never fear, muffin lovers, for the item entitled “chocolate chip muffin” follows the same recipe as our beloved baked treat.
An item new to the party this year is the stunning Nutella twist. While I have yet to try it, this Nutella-filled pastry looks deliciously sugary and seems to be a hit among Cage-goers.
Finally, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the refrigerated display case. Typically stocked with grab-n-go options such as sushi, sandwiches, and pre-made salads, a rotating cast of deluxe cupcakes and tartlets have made an appearance. Rumor has it that Bon Appetit hired a pastry chef this year, and it’s thanks to them that one can now find these lavishly-decorated goodies. While five to ten dollars for a dessert may seem steep, keep in mind the options one can find off-campus. Have you seen how tiny the cupcakes from CakeWalk are? Especially after a hard day, I’ll happily pitch over some flex dollars for a sweet treat from the Cage.
There is certainly still room for improvement. The pastry case still lacks options for our gluten-free and vegan friends. Additionally, labels pertaining to food allergens—specifically tree nuts—are decidedly missing. When asked in the broad sense, however, if the Cage has upped its game, this writer would say that she thinks so.
Madeline Altman is from Portland, Ore. Her majors are English and Political Science.
