***I'm putting a disclaimer here that I work for a UBC Department that is somewhat affiliated with the dept. that runs the Vanier Cafeteria**
This is my as-unbiased-as-possible review as someone who eats at the cafeteria 1-3 times a week, and who used to live in Residence:
There has been a significant shift in the quality of food provided in the UBC Cafeterias in the last decade or so. As a 1st year student a decade+ ago, I remember being uninspired at what was available; pre-made (campbells?) soups, deli meats, a boring salad bar.. etc... As a UBC staff member, I try and get to Vanier as often as possible, as they serve some of the best food available on campus.
Chef Steve's daily soups are what get me through 1/2 of the crappy Vancouver winter. The soups are made fresh every day, using mostly local ingredients; this man sure knows how to serve up a bowl of comfort!
Much of the produce served in the caf is sourced from the UBC Farm. The salad bar is fantastic (local smoked tofu, sprouts, hummus, dolamdes, fresh veggies... the list goes on), and the grill has daily specials that are usually too good to pass up.
The sandwich bar just keeps getting better: salmon, guacamole, bacon, roasted red peppers, grainy mustard... they put the chain sandwich shops to shame.
If I were writing this review when I was a student, I would be giving them 2 stars. Today, it's a solid 5. This type of healthy and delicious food served to students in Universities should be the norm, not the exception. read more