New Jersey Food Journal

Saturday, May 3, 2014

In Sandwich Battle, Meal Swipes Prove Decisive

The Rutgers Knight Wagon accepts dining service meal swipes, making it an attractive dining option for many students.

By Jennah Quinn

Jimmy Kassous loses business every time the Knight Wagon pulls up on College Avenue.

Kassous is the owner of Jimmy’s Lunch Truck, one of the original Grease Trucks stationed at Rutgers University. He’s been here since 1981.

“It’s competition, you know. There’s not much business for my Grease Truck because they have meal swipes and I do not.”

The Knight Wagon is run by the university. It’s part of Rutgers Dining Service, and accepts meal swipes as payment.

“We aren't a Grease Truck so cannot really be compared to those historically residing on campus,” said Nicholas Emanuel, the assistant director of Rutgers Dining Services.

But for students, the Knight Wagon is precisely a Grease Truck, and, for many, an even better option because it accepts meal swipes.

“If it (the Knight Wagon) wasn't there, it would be better. But it's not in my hands so what can I do? I compete with the Knight Wagon and would love to have meal swipes but I guess that's not going to happen.”
“I love the Knight Wagon,” said freshman Joseph Goodman. “I honestly am excited when I get out of class and see the truck. It’s perfect that they accept all forms of payment, especially meal swipes, because their menu is different from what the dining halls offer. For the same price as a swipe, I can get an out-of-the-ordinary turkey leg and waffle fries for lunch.”

The university, however, makes a clear distinction between the Knight Wagon and the Grease Trucks.

“The original Grease Trucks do not take meal swipes and they are not considered a part of Rutgers Dining Services. Our truck is a unique spin off of the Grease Truck idea but it is something different,” Emmanuel told The Daily Targum.

When the Knight Wagon debuted on campus in early 2013, officials from Rutgers Dining Services released a statement promising that the Knight Wagon would not be stationed near any of the Grease Trucks. Yet often the Knight Wagon is parked directly across the street from Jimmy’s Lunch Truck, on the corner of Senior Street and College Avenue.

“If it (the Knight Wagon) wasn't there, it would be better. But it's not in my hands so what can I do?” said Kassous. “I compete with the Knight Wagon and would love to have meal swipes but I guess that's not going to happen.”

But could the Grease Trucks ever accept meal swipes? Would the university consider it? Rose Wong, a representative of RU Express Services, isn’t opposed to the idea. She notes that the trucks already accept RU Express, a debit account managed by Rutgers Dining Services.

“It depends on the background of the university,” says Wong. “There are a lot of things that go into the Grease Trucks accepting meal swipes because they already accept RU Express.”

Jimmy's Lunch Truck was originally stationed on the street in front of Scott Hall on College Avenue. His truck, along with others, generated crowds not only from students but also from local New Brunswick residents. As their popularity grew, Rutgers offered each truck a spot on campus in Lot 8. Today, the trucks have been moved from the lot, and are scattered throughout the university’s four campuses.

“The university is nice and chose to do the right thing for us by putting us in the parking lot and they still do the right thing for us,” said Kassous.

Jimmy’s is famous for its fat sandwiches and sells Fat Darrells and Fat Cats. The Knight Wagon sells gourmet medieval grub, including its specialty, a twisted gyro burger, which is ground lamb stuffed with baby spinach and feta cheese and served on a toasted brioche roll.

The Knight Wagon's acceptance of meal swipes is important for students on a budget. Meal prices on the Knight Wagon range from $3.25 to $6.25; each meal includes a beverage and side of hand-cut waffle fries.

Jennah Quinn is a junior majoring in journalism at Rutgers University.