Tiger Dining recently opened a new on-campus food option called Niman Ranch Cart.
The new food cart is located on the second floor of the Student Center next to the Foy Desk.
William Sallustro, Tiger Dining resident district manager, said the idea came as an extension to the Plains to Plate concept, which is another food option available in Lupton Hall.
“When we started Plains to Plate, we started looking for farm-friendly products,” Sallustro said. “We had a partnership with Niman Ranch originally at Plains to Plate … they offered for us to have a cart on campus using their products.”
Sallustro explained the products used at the cart are from free-range farms, which he said is a part of sustainability.
“Here at Auburn we’re ahead of the curve, and I think we’ve been doing that for a while now,” Sallustro said.
The cart serves different flavored waffle boats as a base that go along with a range of accompanying flavored toppings, according to Sallustro.
The agreement to open this cart with Niman Ranch, included using the ranch’s products on the menu.
Sallustro said the ranch provides meats such as chicken, beef and pork, and Tiger Dining wanted a way to combine those with a popular food item, such as waffles.
“The waffle is not just a plain waffle,” Sallustro said. “It’s flavored, and we try to incorporate things like a Parmesan waffle topped with meatballs.”
Sallustro said that the waffles they will be serving are not your traditional breakfast waffles.
“It’s not just a sweet waffle,” Sallustro said. “It’s going to change in flavors as we go.”
Sharetta Riggins, Niman Ranch Cart employee, said that she enjoys the food and how natural it is.
“I think the food is very good. It’s healthy, it has no antibiotics, no hormones and no artificial flavors,” Riggins said. “It’s all homegrown, and they prepare it here.”
Sallustro also enjoys the natural produce and availability.
“This one is a farm-friendly location,” Sallustro said. “We get things from Auburn.”
Tiger Dining came up with this waffle boat concept by seeing a noticeable popularity in the waffle industry.
“Waffles are pretty popular,” Sallustro said. “So, we said ‘how can we marry the two?’”
The cart is open Monday-Friday from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., according to Riggins.
“We’re expanding from our original Plains to Plate concept and trying something new,” Sallustro said, “We think it’s something unique that students can enjoy.”
Tiger Dining is also looking to further expand campus dining options soon by adding a made-to-order sushi location in Foy Hall, according to Sallustro.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
