By: Blair Smith
Oftentimes, I find myself studying in Vanier after the dining hall is closed, and wanting a snack to fill my always-present food craving. I’m sure that you’ve been in the same boat – you’re trying to write that paper or do that Webwork assignment, and you just want yourself a nice chocolate bar, a coffee, or even those green seaweed things.
But where to go? What destination is best to go to fulfill your post-7:30 snack cravings? I present to you my list of awesome snack destinations!
First up is our tried and true Vanier option: Hubbard’s!
This shop is open from 5 to 11:30, and carries a variety of convenience items. It is run by the dining hall staff and is located in the commonsblock beside the front desk.
Typical snacks that you can purchase here:
– chocolate bars
– chips
– pop
– various microwave dinners, and sushi trays
– frozen pizzas (unless you have a toaster oven, you may not be able to make these)
– ice cream novelty items (such as magnum bars, Klondike Kandy Bars, and popsicles
– hot drinks, currently featuring hot chocolate, Pumpkin Spice Cappuccino, and Caramel Cappuccino
– Slushies, featuring iced coffee and a fruit flavour
– and more!
Benefits:
– it’s really close to your house
– you don’t have to leave residence, so flip-flops are an acceptable footwear option
– it’s really close to your house
– it uses the flex dollars on your meal plan card
– did I mention how close it is to your house?
Cons:
– it uses flex dollars, which many people use up quite quickly
– it closes as 11:30 (or earlier) and even when it is open, it often is closed for 10-15 minutes here or there
– they do not have much of a selection. There are your typical chocolate bar and candy selections, as well as a Pop collection; however, they can often have reduced stock due to running out of things before their next shipment
Sick of the same old convenience store snacks? Here are some other options past 8:00:
Tim Hortons on Main Mall in front of the Great Trek Cairn
A popular Canadian coffee and doughnut shop, “Timmy’s,” as many call it, sells cookies, doughnuts, the popular Timbits, iced drinks such as the Iced Capp and Frozen Lemonade, and various coffee drinks. This year it is open until 10:00 on weekdays.
Pros:
– it is a short walk (5-10 minutes depending on where in Vanier you live)
– it serves real coffee!
– Timbits are the perfect snack to share with friends
– it takes Meal Dollars!
Cons:
– it’s far from Vanier, compared to other options
– the ‘healthy snacks’ options are quite limited/don’t exist here
– it only really specializes in coffee and doughnuts
– closed on weekends
Dominoes Pizza
An international pizza chain, Dominoes has an assortment of pizza items. Though pizza is often considered a meal, if you really believe in yourself, any pizza is a personal pizza. They also sell cheesy bread and a Chocolate Lava cake (sometimes referred to as the ultimate snack trilogy by myself, just now). They deliver before 2:00 AM, and charge a 2.75 fee.
Pros:
– they deliver to the Vanier Loop
– they are open until 2:00 AM
– pizza
– a large pizza is perfect to share with your study buddies (or keep to yourself, if that is what you want…)
– if you are not feeling a whole pizza, you could save the rest in your floor fridge for tomorrow’s lunch
– it uses flex dollars
Cons:
– not the healthiest option
– it’s a lot of food to get as a snack
– it is expensive, compared to other snack options, and uses up your flex dollars
– it is customary to tip your delivery person, an added cost
Magda’s in Totem Park Residence
This is Hubbard’s, but with a grill operating to 11:00. It serves grilled cheese, hamburgers, regular and featured fries, and sometimes chicken fingers. It also features the same selections as Hubbard’s does.
Pros:
– grill food after the Dining hall closes
– you can explore Totem’s commonsblock
– the food portion uses meal dollars
Cons:
– it is basically the same as Hubbard’s
– it is far away (10 minutes or more)
– they sometimes close earlier, or don’t have the grill open
– their menu and stock runs out frequently
– anything but grill food uses flex dollars
There are many other options, and I urge you to explore! Also, remember that everything is good in moderation, so try to keep those unhealthy snacks to a minimum, but don’t feel bad about having some sugary treats now and again! Happy study games, Vanier, and may the snacks be ever in your flavour! (Get it? The “Hunger” Games reference?)
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