New Year, New Eats: Students Share Thoughts on New Campus Dining Options

By Hailey Preston | February 23, 2026

“Fiamma,” the new pasta place that replaced M&C, pictured in the Campus Center. Photo Credit: Hailey Preston / the ASP

At the top of the new year, the University at Albany made some big changes to its dining options throughout campus. Starting Jan. 1, UAlbany embarked on its new 15-year contract with Aramark, the college's new food service provider that replaced Sodexo. 

Along with the new provider, the Campus Center welcomed five updated spots to eat: Fiamma, The Spread, Zoca Fresh Mexican, Republic of Spice and Greens to Go. These restaurants replaced the original Sodexo dining locations, such as SubConnection and Tres Habaneros. 

While Aramark states that the best interests of students are at the core of their service, one question remains: how are UAlbany students coping with saying goodbye to some of their favorite places to eat? 

​"It was surprising. But, like, I felt excited with all of the new stuff that was coming out," said sophomore Andre Speller when asked about his initial reaction to the changes. Speller is an Albany native studying quantitative economics and often eats in the Campus Center between classes. 

Some of his favorite places include Calypso and SubConnection, which has been replaced by The Spread. 

"I did think that it was weird that they were changing places already, because I remember at the beginning of last semester, they changed a lot too," Speller recalled the change of two other dining spots on campus that were replaced before the Aramark partnership.

One change is Argo Tea, located in the Lecture Center, which was replaced with Damor Chai Cafe. The loss of Argo and its signature refreshers was a hit for regulars like Speller and his friend Keziah Job. 

"I used to get a tea from Argo almost every day before class," Job said, reminiscing about the Earl Grey Vanilla Creme drink she loved. "I decided to try out Damor when they opened and got a free drink while they were training... I thought it was mid…not the best."

"Yella's," formerly Fountain Grill, is a burger and milkshake place that was introduced at the beginning of the school year.  Photo Credit: Hailey Preston / the ASP

The switch-up of the tea places left a bad taste in Job's mouth, making her skeptical of the new, seemingly abrupt changes to campus dining at the start of this semester. Job, a senior computer science student from Long Island, said that she felt a difference in the menu options at a couple of the new restaurants. 

For example, Zoca (formerly Tres Habaneros) no longer serves quesadillas, which happens to be a staple in Job's lunch rotation. "I went one day for a quesadilla, and they said they don't serve them anymore... It's disappointing for sure. They were so quick and cheap." 

Job and Speller both agree that the change in dining could have been worse for them if their true favorite places were at risk.

"They would have to keep the new place Jamaican food for me not to care," Speller said, thinking ahead to the potential of his go-to spot, Calypso, being next on the list for a rebranding. "If they changed that at all, I feel like I'd be pissed. The beef empanadas are so good, but I think it's more the vibe I'm connected to. I get why people might be upset about their spots changing. The food might still be good, but the feeling is completely different." 

For Job, on the other hand, it's more about the people working in the restaurants that make or break the dining experience at UAlbany. 

For her, losing the salad bar last semester was bad enough, but not seeing the same worker there would be worse. "I would rather lose the staple place as a whole because, at the end of the day, there are other places to go. But if I rolled up to my salad place and the woman working there was gone, I would refuse to go," she said. 

For many students, the feeling of familiarity is at risk. 

Walking into the Campus Center and knowing what food you want and what to expect is routine for busy bodies. While Speller is just relieved to have Calypso still around, he empathizes with those who may be missing that feeling of comfort. 

"I think there are some people out there who usually stick to one place, so I can see where the upset comes from. It's the same thing with Pepsi and Coke. Even though they taste the same in my opinion, people will be like 'Yeah, I need to only drink Coke' or vice versa,” Speller said. “It's like SubConnection and The Spread, it's the same to me, but for some people it's definitely changed their minds on where they want to go now."​

"The Spread", Aramark's new sandwich place that stands where SubConnection used to be.  Photo Credit: Hailey Preston / the ASP

Now, some students mourn the loss of their favorite eats in the Campus Center, and others are just happy to see the same smiling faces working. Either way, the new changes to dining at UAlbany are felt by all. 

Aramark, operating under the name "Great Dane Hospitality," offers a fresh look to old favorites while still offering the same type of cuisine. While students wait to see what's next for dining at UAlbany, Aramark gives students the chance to try new places and encourages them to put growth and wellness at the center of their dining experience.