Andrea Parins
Badger Market recently celebrated its grand opening on the UW campus in the Medical Sciences building, 1300 University Ave., inside the old ICU Deli.
With Union South under construction, finding food on campus is challenging. Completely remodeled and expanded, Badger Market offers a grab-and-go menu but an atmosphere that makes you want to stay awhile.
The bland high school cafeteria feel of the ICU Deli has been replaced with a lighter café atmosphere and a full service coffee area. There are two carpeted sofa areas and a full room-length laptop bar with outlets facing bright and bustling University Avenue. Plenty of tables and chairs are on hand where students and staff can eat or study, and access free wi-fi with a UW net ID.
Badger Market promises "an array of food and beverages and even convenience items, while fitting perfectly into hectic schedules." But you still are going to pay an arm and a leg to eat on campus. The Memorial Union Grab-n-Go cold sandwiches range from a bologna sandwich on whole wheat ($2.25) to turkey and cheddar on Clasen's multigrain or hummus with red bell pepper on a French roll (both $5.23). There is a "Badger Bundle" where if you buy a cold sandwich, any beverage, and your choice of a sweet dessert, savory option or healthy option, you save $1 off the total.
The best deal is to get the hot sandwich plate, which includes that day's hot sandwich and your choice of pretzel chips, kettle chips, small soup or tossed greens with vinaigrette for around $5 (depending on the sandwich).
The new full service coffee area's most popular requests are the vanilla, caramel and mocha lattes ($3.25 for a small). Regular brews run for $1.52 for a small and you get a discount if you bring your own mug.
A small self-serve bakery box has fresh muffins, cookies, donuts, cakes and assorted bars. The convenience item rack has Tylenol, ChapStick, gum, lighters and candy bars. Pretty much everything you need to get you through the day.
Open during the semester from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. on Mondays-Fridays, it offers expanded hours during the finals week starting December 16, open until midnight on weekdays and until 10 p.m. on the weekend and the last day of exams on December 23.