The New SLP

The New SLP 

Anna Valaik / Assistant A&C Editor 

When I first stepped foot onto USD’s campus for Olé Weekend, I never knew the Student Life Pavilion (SLP) would mean so much more than a dining hall. For me, the SLP was the place I grew closer with friends over nightly dinners, waited in the Greek station line for what seemed like centuries, and worked on homework till my eyes were glazed over and tired. When feeling lost, it was the star that led me back home, back to a place always full of friendly faces and hot pizza. 
With the recent campus shutdown, I have been thinking a lot about how that will change students’ relationships with the school and their fellow classmates. If we cannot come to campus, where will we create long lasting friendships?  If we cannot even eat at the SLP or other USD restaurants, will those places lose their value and meaning to the student body? Will campus start feeling like a distant place rather than a second home? These are all questions we have to ask ourselves, and there seems to be no easy or right answer. 
In an attempt to bring the SLP experience to wherever students may be, I have decided to create “The New SLP:” places and ways to feel like you are still laughing with friends over Mickey’s pasta, being denied a to-go box, or walking into those doors for the first time without necessarily being on campus. These are all small moments we cherish, and now is the time to create new ones.

Farmers markets

In San Diego, we are blessed with year-round gorgeous sunshine, which means we constantly have the opportunity to enjoy the weather and get outside. Recently, due to COVID restrictions, getting outside and taking a few moments in nature has turned into a luxury. One way to enjoy the open air, eat well, and support San Diego businesses is by attending the multiple farmers markets this county has to offer.
Farmers markets are an integral part of San Diego’s culture, and each one has its own unique vibe and food offerings. Not only is it a sustainable and eco-friendly way to grocery shop, it is also the perfect excuse to gather a few friends and try new foods.

Here is a list of my favorites and what you should keep an eye out for while walking around.

1. Pacific Beach (Tuesday: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., 4500 Bayard St from Garnet Ave to Hornblend St San Diego, CA 92109). Keep an eye out for: Doctor’s Daughters Nice Cream Bars and SuperFood & Company’s kombucha
2. Ocean Beach (Wednesday: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., 4900 block of Newport Between Cable & Bacon Ocean Beach, CA 92107). Keep an eye out for: The Green Fix smoothies and Aloha Spreads coconut peanut butter
3.  Little Italy (Saturday: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., West Cedar Street from Kettner to Front Street San Diego, CA 92101). Keep an eye out for: Avo Toast Bros and Sweet Tree Farms

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Family meals from restaurants

Another way restaurants have been bringing an in-person dining experience to people’s homes is through family meals. Family meals, which you can pick up or get delivered, are meal combos that bundle entrees, appetizers, and desserts together at a more affordable price. If you do not feel comfortable dining in or simply just want to pig out on your couch, this is an amazing option for you. 
Not only is the food delicious and reasonably priced, but you also will be supporting the people that need it the most: restaurant workers, delivery drivers, and the San Diego community as a whole. One way you can implement family meals into your weekly routine is gathering a small group, maybe roommates or friends, and pooling your money together to purchase one. I recommend taking this time to try different cuisines and share those experiences with friends.

Next time you want to get out of the kitchen and enjoy a professionally made meal, here are a few places that look particularly appetizing.

1. Burger Lounge: Lounge Box → serves 4, $25.95, comes with all the fixings for a fun burger night.
2. North Italia: Fresh Pasta Meal Kit → serves 4-5, $65, includes a choice of pasta, pasta sauce, large salad and bread! Bring Italy to your home with this delicious kit.
3. Crack Shack: Big Flock → serves 5-6, $65, ten piece fried chicken, twelve nuggets large fry, classic slaw, six biscuits, and two cookies. Invite your whole flock and enjoy.
4. Buona Forchetta: Pizza night → serves 1-2, $9-25, order any pizza for pick up. The Angela pizza is out of this world. It’s a must try.

Cooking Night

Have you ever wanted to master the art of cooking? Have you ever watched the Great British Baking Show and felt inspired to make a giant birthday cake for fun? Well, now is the time. When we are afforded this much time at home, surrounded by our kitchens and food, it makes sense to pick up a new skill — cooking. Before, when we would go to and from campus all week long, we rarely had a few hours to spare to go grocery shopping and make meals for ourselves. Now, considering we stay in our homes most of the time, a weekly roommate meal is the perfect way to connect with one another and get cooking. 
My roommates and I have decided every Sunday is Family Night, which means we will be choosing a recipe and dividing the tasks amongst ourselves. At home, the options are endless: Italian, Greek, Asian, or American. Here are a few recipes we have had our eyes on:

1. Resource for cooking during Coronavirus
2. Crispy Mustard-Roasted Chicken
3. Homemade Brownies 
4. Sweet Potato Fries 
5. Margherita Pizza  

Even though the closing of USD’s campus was an upsetting decision, I am determined to make the most of my semester with my fellow community members. To me, that means bringing the campus to my home. Whether you like cooking or just want a delicious meal delivered right to your dinner table, I hope you can find your very own SLP, no matter where you may be.