Students living on campus will now have to find a new place for their “fourth meal” — the Taco Bell in 459 Outtakes will live no más.
LSU Dining’s contract with the Taco Bell franchise has ended, and Friday was the last day Taco Bell was served in 459 Outtakes.
There will now be the Sunset Diner, occupying the same location as the Taco Bell but with food made on the premises and a focus on breakfast items, burgers and sandwiches.
Marketing director for LSU Dining Dean Samuels said LSU Dining began online surveys last November to gauge student food interests and satisfaction with the 459 Commons.
Through the research, they were able to determine students were looking for a different dining experience.
“The menu concept had been floating around for a while. Once we did the research, it confirmed a lot of our beliefs as to what students wanted,” Samuels said.
Biochemistry freshman Khizir Qureshi said he eats at the Taco Bell location at least twice a week and was not aware the Taco Bell would be closing.
“I’m kind of disappointed; it was a convenient location for a Taco Bell,” Qureshi said.
Qureshi said Taco Bell services his late-night snack needs.
“Outtakes is open until three. Breakfast is not really what I’m looking for at two in the morning — I mostly go to Outtakes for a late-night snack, not breakfast,” he said.
Qureshi said he will most likely eat less often at the location without a Taco Bell.
“The trend of breakfast at night is consistent and has been the last three or four years,” Samuels said.
It was this research along with insight based on student purchases that led to the development of the Sunset Diner menu.
“There are three areas this menu will revolve around: late night breakfast, a quality burger and an option with chicken,” said Director of Operations for LSU Dining Don Koshis. “From there it will evolve dramatically,” he said.
Research will play an constant role in the development of the Sunset Diner menu.
“Over the past years, it has been more about the healthy option and more variety,” said Resident District Manager for Chartwells David Heidke. “The menu is to start. We hope to gain some knowledge from this semester.”
Biology freshman Meagan Meaux said she eats there about three times a week and doesn’t like Taco Bell leaving, but is looking forward to Sunset Diner.
“I feel like it’s a better menu, you can get different things. It’s going to be good food. Who doesn’t like breakfast at night?” she said.
Meaux also said the convenience of grabbing a sandwich on the run will be nice for students who don’t have much time for lunch.
Biology freshman Bobby Rogers Jr. said he eats at Taco Bell regularly, visiting the location six to seven times a week.
“It is my go-to late-night snack,” he said.
Rogers said he sees the Sunset Diner as an improvement from his go-to.
“Breakfast food is definitely better,” he said.
Rogers said breakfast food is something he’d rather have late at night over Taco Bell, and the menu is probably a little bit healthier.
“There are three areas this menu will revolve around: late night breakfast, a quality burger and an option with chicken.”
