Hope everyone is enjoying their spring break!  Even though spring break is in full swing, we will still be posting over here on our Profs Plate accounts.  This week’s discussion will be about the last two pop up vendors at Tapingo. The pop up vendor offers something new each month as their food options.  The food has varied from Mediterranean cuisine to vegetarian friendly food options. February’s pop up option was Cold Comfort. For the month of March, the pop up has been Noodles.  We will be weighing in on the last pop up vendors that Tapingo has offered at Rowan University.

Last month’s pop up vendor was Cold Comfort.  The options at Cold Comfort included Turkey Chili to Chicken & Dumplings.  The meal I ordered at Cold Comfort was the Potato Corn Chowder. The Potato Corn Chowder was the vegetarian friendly option that was offered through the vendor.  When I submitted my order, I was hoping for some sort of chowder-like soup to warm me up on that cold day. After I received my order, I was sadly disappointed. The Potato Corn Chowder was the last and only meal I got from Cold Comfort.  This meal made me feel nauseous hours later; even though, I ate a few bites of it. This meal was a slop of corn and potato mixed all together with a biscuit on the side. There was so much corn, I barely tasted the potato. There was also little black specks throughout my meal.  If that was seasoning, it did not add anything appetizing to the meal. I would give this meal a 0/10. I was very glad to see Cold Comfort go when February came to an end.

This month’s pop vendor is Noodles.  The meal exchange options at Noodles include the Whole Grain Pasta Primavera, Italian Sausage, Penne & Pink sauce, Spaghetti & Meatballs, and the Chicken & Broccoli Penne Alfredo.  The meal I ordered was the Chicken & Broccoli Penne Alfredo. This meal actually tasted good. I wish that the broccoli was pre-cut throughout the pasta; however, it was a better meal from last month’s vendor.  In addition, the garlic bread was a nice touch to complete the meal. I would give my meal a 7/10 rating. I would recommend getting this meal to others who enjoy pasta like I do.

James also has ordered from the new vendor Noodles.  When he went, James ordered the Spaghetti & Meatballs.  James gave his meal from Noodles a 5/10. He said that “the sauce was watery, yet chunky and overall just pretty bland.  Some of the the noodles were burnt and hard, which was most unpleasant. The garlic bread was pretty amazing though.” One meal could really make or break an experience at the Tapingo vendors.  

Did you have a favorite pop up vendor you were sad to see go?  Have you ate at a pop up vendor that did not live up to your expectations?  Would love to hear your experiences at the pop up options Tapingo has offered throughout this school year.  Comment in the box below!