After a long morning spent in lectures, the prospect of lunch is all that keeps many Kingston students sane. 

The lengthy, slow jostle through the corridors of Penrhyn Road leads students to the Uni’s two on-campus dining options, the recently–refurbished Food Store, or postgrad-only Picton Room.

Recent revelations in RiverOnline have exposed the latter as something of a rip-off, with prices at the Picton Room including VAT [from which students dining on-campus should be exempt] at 17.5%, ignoring the 2.5% cut made on December 1 2008. 

KU’s Head of Commercial Services, Richard Jewitt, fobbed off accusations of profiteering, claiming the price differential between the two venues was based on “A percentage split based on the mix of customers.”

Students were far less fluffy when it came to voicing opinions on the Picton Room. 

Filipe Martins, a 28 year-old PhD student, branded the Picton Room prices “A f**king robbery.  Five pounds for a meal that’s really bad.”

24 year-old Psychology Research student Genevieve Hughes called the Picton Room’s offerings:

 “Not good – just about edible.  I only really eat here because it’s handy.” 

Film students Mirele Migiavacca and Gokce Goren, both 23 also cited the café’s convenience as their main reason for choosing it. 

“If you have an hour-long lunch break, this is about your only option.” 

We at RiverOnline disagree, and have sought out several student-friendly cafés -  all less than three minutes walk from Penrhyn Road - to see what quick alternatives there are to the wan-looking sandwiches offered on-campus.  Although there's a wide variety of food available nearby,  RiverOnline stuck to the classic chicken salad sandwich, on sale at every café visited for less than three pounds.

1] The Red Bean, Surbiton Road [next door to Cooper House] 

Ambiance/Service:  This newly opened café offers hot food, sandwiches and milkshakes.  Decorated in an interesting red and copper colour scheme, The Red Bean was packed when RiverOnline visited.  We were served quickly by a friendly tattooed waitress.

Food:  The Red Bean used good salad leaves.  However, the sandwich was also filled with strange, squishy chicken that squeaked off our teeth.

“Horrible.”  Was the verdict of one taster.   “It’s really rubbery – the chicken seems to have added water.”

“ I can’t have any more of that.”  Another said, having a swig of water to stop her retching.

2]  Tasty Bite, Surbiton Road

Ambiance/Service:  Another clean, busy café, with more of an emphasis on Asian food than the others visited.  RiverOnline was served by an obliging waiter who seamlessly juggled several demanding customers at once. 

Food:  Tasty Bite’s selection was more exotic than the other cafés visited, meaning that we felt guilty about ordering something so plain.  Our food was great though – good quality meat, fresh salad and just enough mayonnaise to keep it lubricated. 

“Lovely.”  Was the opinion of one taster.  “It tastes like the kind of sandwich you’d make at home.”

“I’d definitely come back here.”  Said another.  “It’s a good lunch.” 

3]  Le Snack, Surbiton Road [on the other side of Cooper House]

Ambiance/Service:  RiverOnline had to double-check that we hadn’t wandered into a health food café when visiting Le Snack.  Rickety, weirdly-spaced furniture and a sign above the door that simply read ‘Café’ gave off an impression of scattiness.  Service was good though  - our waiter had our food ready in less than a minute. 

Food:  Le Snack gives good sandwich.  Our bread was nice, and the filling was the only one that used deep red tomato slices that hadn’t been chilled to Arctic-flavourlessness.  Meat was high quality, whilst the salad leaves were fresh. 

Our testers approved.

“The chicken’s great.  Good mayo too.”  One said.

“I like this sandwich.”  Said another.  “Quite similar to The Red Bean, but with decent meat.”

4] Orindi’s Café, Surbiton Road [just across the road from Cooper house]

Undoubtedly the queen of the Surbiton Road cafés, Orindi’s has been closed for most of this semester,  following a fire caused by a gas ring left on after closing time.  Owner Jayne Solovey set up the café in 1990 with husband Adriano and aims to have it reopened later this month, with special offers for KU students.  On previous visits, RiverOnline found the service speedy and food consistently great, with gorgeous Italian bread being a particular strong point. 

OVERALL:  The Red Bean was the only dud visited by RiverOnline.  All three other cafés proved themselves cheap, speedy alternatives to the dreaded Picton Room, with Tasty Bite earning particular praise. 

Why not venture outside uni for lunch next time you have a break?  It’ll provide a change of scenery, and freshen you up for your next class.  If you’re going to be paying VAT on your lunch, you might as well make sure it's something decent!