If you are sick of shelling out dozens of dollars for a sandwich from the HUB-Robeson Center or if you are not so crazy for chicken cosmos from Checkers then head to Café Laura for hands down the best and most affordable alternative to boring meals.

Nestled in Mateer Building on the north end of campus, Café Laura is the result of hard work from hotel-restaurant and institutional management students who are part of the team that is responsible for Penn State's entire dining experience.

Café Laura is set in a self-service cafeteria style — but that is where the comparisons to elementary school meals end.

PHOTO: John McGregor Adam Antonis (senior-marketing) drinks and dines during lunch at Penn State's Café Laura.

The food, first and foremost, is not only diverse in selection, but also top-notch in taste.

Set up in stations, diners can choose from soup, salad, vegetarian, deli and grill, pasta, rotisserie and pizza entrees. Unlike the dining commons or fast food restaurants where mass quantity, not delicious quality, reigns, a meal from Café Laura could range from a spinach soufflé to a smoked leg of lamb to a slice of margarita pizza.

I opted for a cup of potato chive soup and salmon cake remoulade. Both are impressive, and the amount of preparation the staff puts into creating the meals is apparent. Rich in flavor, the meal is a great option for those sick of Spaghetti O's.

For a meal that left both my taste buds and tummy fully satisfied, it only cost a grand total of $7. Full-sized entrees, which are also served with side dishes, cost a mere $4.50. For the excellent quality alone, it is the best bargain in town for anyone looking to expand your dining horizons while on a budget.

The service is both friendly and speedy, ensuring one a pleasant meal. But be forewarned. Because of its appeal to both Penn State employees and students, Café Laura is often packed during the lunch hour so one may have to share a table with fellow diners.

The décor is simple but very tasteful. The main dining room is covered in floor-to-ceiling windows, creating an inviting atmosphere. The facility as a whole is very clean and the staff is quick to refurbish tables.

Café Laura is also known for its theme dinners as planned and served by students enrolled in HRIM 430 (Advanced Quantity Foodservice Management Simulation).

Upcoming meals include those with seafood and Greek and Cuban themes. On Tuesday, "These United States" will be the theme with the planned food including crab cakes and filet mignon. Prices for the meals range from $3 to $6 for appetizers and from $11 to $18 for entrees. For reservations for any of the upcoming dinners, call 814-865-1851.

Lunch is served weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Breakfast, which includes fresh coffee as well as tasty bagels and pastries, is available from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Payment methods include both Lion Cash and meal points, but also cash and credit cards as well.