Imagine strolling up to the drink machine craving a crisp soda to complement your meal, only for that drink to be far from what you were expecting. Sure, it might sound trivial, but this is the kind of nonsense we deal with when going to Schulze.
Food quality is often a topic of discussion when it comes to Schulze, yet many people are letting the inconsistencies of their beverages slide. Like the food, we have all become resigned to the fact that our drinks will be a hit or a miss.
As a small act of health consciousness, I do not stock up on soda in my dorm. So, my meals at the café exist as a time to treat myself. Naturally, I developed and perfected a drink combination: a mix of Sprite and pink lemonade.
However, due to its clear state, Sprite is a sneaky culprit of the drink issue. I cannot count the times I have gotten Sprite from the machine, expecting the famous lemon-lime flavor, only to take a sip and gag at what tastes like metallic, carbonated water. This became such a common issue that I now find myself attempting to smell the Sprite, to gauge if it will taste like normal.
Other drinks, like the pink lemonade, will show that they are out by coming out completely clear. While not as annoying, sometimes it requires me to remake my drink if I decide to put the Sprite in first.
I vividly remember someone in front of me getting blue Powerade, and as he walked away taking a sip, he made a face and exclaimed how watery the drink was. This is not normal.
Lack of flavor is not the only way drink issues in the café present themselves; missing carbonation in the sodas is another major offender. When this happens, it leaves you with sad, flat soda juice.
Having worked in fast food, I know that these types of drink machines mix flavored syrup and carbonated water in the machine before dispensation. So, if there was a problem with that ratio, then it would not be odd for café workers to not realize it.
With the issue of the food already existing, problematic drink machines add another depressing layer to the café experience. Safe to say, I might begin stocking up on sodas in my dorm room.
UPDATE: Executive Director of Auxiliary Enterprises Tommy Walpole responds to criticism about Schulze’s drink machines.
“Good morning.
I read your article on the inconsistency in the flavors of drinks at Schulze which are dispensed from the machines. As a Dr. Pepper fan, I want my DP to taste like DP, not anything else!
First, thanks for bringing to our attention.
Second, I have forwarded the article to our Coke reps and to our Director of Food Services at ULM.
I spoke with our Coke reps this morning and it appears that it was possibly a C02 problem, which means we (not Coke) ran out. C02 is in a bulk canister in Schulze. Just in case, Coke has agreed to recalibrate our lines to eliminate that as a potential problem.
Again, thanks.
Tommy”
You can contact Walpole at [email protected].
