Following complaints from students last fall over the removal of fried food options from the Lion’s Den, the Grill menu has returned under the mantle of “Griff’s Grill.”
But Griff’s Taqueria, a Mexican menu that previously replaced the Grill, is now gone too, sparking even greater outrage and forcing students who spent the summer craving their go-to burrito or nacho bowl to choose popcorn chicken or a duo of hot dogs instead.
Since this past Sunday, a petition calling for dining officials to also bring back the Taqueria’s burritos, tacos, bowls, and nachos has garnered almost 250 signatures. Students say the change erodes the diversity of Emerson College’s dining, replacing some of campus’ healthiest meal options with more fried food.
“I know it was just the burritos and the bowls, but at the same time, because they had so many options within themselves, it does feel like losing a lot of big choices,” said Madelynn Graham, a junior writing, literature and publishing major who signed the petition. “It was healthy and didn’t feel like you’re just eating fried things.”
The reopening of Griff’s Grill will restore “familiar grill favorites…including chicken wings, onion rings, and jalapeño poppers,” a college spokesperson said in an email to the students, adding that new weekly items and special event pop-ups will be offered throughout the year.
Previously, the Grill operated for several years alongside the Taqueria and was available from at least spring 2024 to the start of the 2025 school year.
At that time, Griff’s Grill featured burritos and bowls with fewer toppings and the same menu as the Max, as well as items like mac and cheese, which couldn’t be consistently found anywhere else on campus.
Last academic year, the Lion’s Den dining program did away with the Grill, leaving only the Taqueria, which served burritos, bowls, tacos, and nachos, along with a drink and a cookie or fruit, all covered by one meal swipe.
That change also sparked backlash from students, who said they appreciated the diversity of having both options.
This year, in response to direct feedback from students wanting more Grill food and a declining number of customers at the Lion’s Den, according to College data, a spokesperson said the College determined it was time to bring back Griff’s Grill.
But students like Emery Cosci, a sophomore sports communication major who created the change.org petition, said she doesn’t think the Grill expands dining options, or that the declining data matches most students’ opinions.
Upon arriving at the Lion’s Den this semester, Cosci and her roommate were “disappointed” to find the Grill mostly offered fried food options compared to the healthier options the Taqueria once provided. She said it was “an entire clone” of the Max in Piano Row.
Since then, other students have piled on, joining the petition she started after realizing many people shared her frustrations with the menu change.
Grace Chandler, a sophomore media arts production major, echoed students’ comments over the lack of variety in food choices, a desire for healthier options, and a plea to bring back burritos.
“The environment of the dining hall can be a little bit tiring… So having the option to grab-and-go with the Taqueria, [with] all the options was very easy to do between classes, or when I’ve had a long day,” she said. “I also feel like it might be a little more limiting for vegan students or vegetarian students…The Grill has less vegetarian and vegan options than the Taqueria did.”
Graham agreed that options are more limited for students with food allergies or intolerances, especially with gluten.
Along with the return of Griff’s Grill comes new grab-and-go options in the Cutler-Winn Commons, along with hot food vending machines on the third floor of the Paramount building.
Kaveh Hajarizadeh, a freshman media arts production major, said he enjoyed seeing the news about the new additions and changes to the dining.
“I think it’s great, because at least we know our tuition is going somewhere, right?” he said. “There’s not only changes happening to the dining hall, but there’s really changes happening to everything.”
Though Chandler also appreciated the additions, she still thinks the school could do more, especially as Paramount Café has remained closed since renovations began last fall with still no word on a potential reopening date. The Caf previously offered a custom stir-fry station and breakfast items.
“Having a vending machine with more options doesn’t replace the Paramount Café,” she said. “I don’t live in Paramount, but I have friends who do, and it’s not ideal, especially when it gets colder out to have to walk across campus to get something to eat.”
Both Chandler and Cosci were disappointed that the Commons’ grab-and-go options accepted only Board Bucks, ECCash, and cash or card, since most students are on the default residential meal plan that includes 23 meal swipes a week and 150 Board Bucks per semester.
“I don’t care if you’re opening more options for me to spend money at,” Cosci said. “The whole goal is that I want my Emerson-funded meal swipes and Board Bucks to be going toward [a] variety and meals, not my money outside of this, especially considering the tuition.”
Cosci agreed that diversity in dining options would better fit the needs of most students.
“There’s a lot of politically inclined students here who are going to fight for themselves and for their fellow students,” she said. “I just hope that the school looks to put their increased tuition funding into programs that benefit the students, more than restrict them.”
A college spokesperson wrote in a statement to The Beacon that “Emerson Dining is committed to offering our students a diverse range of high-quality food options. Listening to student feedback is central to how we shape our dining program…As always, we continue to welcome student feedback as we work to improve dining options across campus.”
