Baja Fresh to replace Taco Bell in LBC

Tulane plans to replace Taco Bell with Baja Fresh, a different Mexican fast-food option in the Lavin-Bernick Center food court.

Renovations will begin early this summer and dining services said it hopes they will be completed for the start of June orientations for freshmen.

“Students were telling us that they wanted a healthier Mexican option,” said Lisa Norris, associate director of dining services. “We looked at doing something ourselves, but Baja Fresh proved to be the best option.”

Dining services began looking at replacing Taco Bell more than a year ago. Taco Bell’s contract runs out at the end of the semester, and the eatery asked for a $75,000 renovation if they were going to stay at Tulane. A student survey run last spring semester found that students wanted both an Asian food option and a healthier Mexican option.

“We were able to get the Asian food option faster because there was money for it,” Norris said. “And then we started working on this project.”

Baja Fresh met with the Dining Services Student Advisory Board and brought some samples of their food.

“They sent us some chips and dip to sample,” advisory board member David Gray said. “It was just better quality food.”

The improved food quality will come with higher prices. Tacos and bean burritos are only $1.19 at Taco Bell, and many full meals cost less than $5. Similar items are at least a dollar more expensive at Baja Fresh, and full meals can run more than $7.

“It’s better food for a higher dollar amount,” graduate student Seth Magden said. “You have to look at the school demographics. It’s probably not an issue for most students.”

Taco Bell is currently the cheapest option in the LBC, and some students said they were willing to trade some quality for a quick and affordable meal.

“As a student with not a lot of money, I know that I’m going to get a full lunch for under $5,” senior Jake Yemma said. “Everything else is just really expensive.”

Norris said she understood that price was a major problem for students.

“The Baja Fresh representative told us that they would run an affordable daily special,” Norris said.

Though it evaluated other options, Norris said that dining services was committed to keeping a Mexican option in the LBC.

“Students kept telling us that they wanted something more nutritious,” Norris said. “But we also wanted to keep the Mexican option. We are just doing what students want.”

 Though Sodexo is still in negotiations with Baja Fresh, Norris said that she expects Baja Fresh to be up and running by September at the latest. It will most likely sign a five-year deal with Tulane.