Dog House Grill changes bring mixed reviews

The Dog House Grill           

Photo credit: Elizabeth Salo

By Johann Nafzger

Reactions are mixed as students are getting used to the new Mexican menu at the Dog House Grill that debuted this fall, a change made after a survey about food preferences last year.

Some students praised the health benefits of burritos and bowls, compared with the old burgers and fried chicken, while others said found the Mexican food less appealing.

Sophomore Chris Reimer said that with the new menu, “we just have another Mexican restaurant” in Seward—in addition to La Carreta, La Cocina and Amigos — but added that after sampling the food four times, “each time, it’s grown on me,” specifically noting the cost-effective nature of the Mexi-Fries.  The fries cost between $9.29 and $11.29, depending on meat choices.

Senior and Dog House Grill employee Cayden Carrasco noticed a slow start this fall and Patrick O’Brien, director of Dining Services said data showed that in the first month of school — from Aug. 24 to Sept 17, there were 216 fewer transactions than last year at the same time, about an 8% decrease.

Sophomore Seth Aurich, who also works at the Dog House said there are bound to be “growing pains,” but business is picking up.

O’Brien said the choice to switch to a Mexican menu was “based upon what students asked for from the Voice to Vision survey.” The Dog House plans to adapt each semester, depending on what preferences people communicate. “If that choice is the old Dog House menu, that’s totally fine,” O’Brien said.

Sophomore Lucas Baumann said he feels that the “old Dog House is superior to the new,” favoring the burgers and chicken of last year.

Aurich said that since the Dog House is one of the few on-campus alternatives to regular cafeteria food, “we’ll stay busy—Sko Dawgs.”

The Dog House Grill is open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.