The University Food Court in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union is celebrating its 10th birthday this week.

The food court originally featured a Subway, Chick-fil-A, Charleston Market and the Panther Grille.

The four venues have continued to be successful in the food court for the past decade, according to Sandra Black, assistant director of the food court, and Susan Kohn, interim director of Panther Dining.

While the venues have mostly remained constant, Black and Kohn said they have tried to bring new options to the food court.

“We continue to add on to them from student feedback, and information we receive from our prime food vendor and food shows that we attend,” Black said. “We also started out with a ‘grab and go’ area that has been very popular, which we continue to add new choices to.”

According to Black and Kohn in an email, they are trying to bring in new items that will satisfy a wide range of palates.

A new addition that was brought in last year was the option of sushi.

The new items brought in by Subway and Chick-fil-A have been a huge success, and the new Charleston Market breakfast has also been successful.

Black said all these new items and additions to the University Food Court have come with the help of comment cards.

“It has been interesting to see the student’s food choices change, (so) we have brought in healthier choices over the years,” Black said.

A common request Black and Kohn said they have continued to receive is for the food court to accept debit or credit cards.

“We are getting close to having the ability to take credit cards,” Black said. “(The use of credit cards) is something that has been requested by our customers. We will always continue to listen to our customers for new menu ideas.”

Black and Kohn said they have seen only positive changes in the past 10 years in the food court and only see more positive changes in the years to come.

While the venues themselves have not changed much over the last decade, Black and Kohn have been working hard to add new items to adjust to the changing taste buds of Eastern’s students.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the food court, all the venues will be featuring specials that will change and vary each day this week.

The food court will also have a drawing of Pepsi-brand prizes and other small gift prizes.

Mike Wolbers can be reached at 581-2812 or mgwolbers@eiu.edu.