A burger and fries is a classic meal for college students. But for some Muslim students at Penn State, that delicacy has been off limits until now.
The Bluespoon Deli in North Hall's Warnock dining commons will now offer food, including burgers, that adheres to the certifications and requirements of Islam starting at 5 p.m. this Sunday. Halal foods will be available in the deli from 5 to 7 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, at the world beat section.
The term applied to these foods, Halal, is an Arabic word meaning lawful or permitted, said Director of Residential Dining Lisa Wandel. Animals used for meat consumption must be slaughtered in the name of the Muslim god, Allah. Pork, pork products and any food with alcohol or alcohol flavorings, such as vanilla extract, are forbidden.
Wandel said she was approached a couple years ago by Muhammad Atiyat, then an undergraduate and executive board member of the Muslim Student Assocation. It wasn't until this past spring semester that Wandel thought Warnock dining commons was ready to take on the challenge.
"At that time we just couldn't do anything," Wandel said. "But this past spring I said 'I think we're ready,' and Muhammad was excited and jumped right in to help us."
Atiyat said he acted as a representative of the association to try to bring Halal foods to Muslim students on campus.
"It's really a nice feeling to see it come through," Atiyat (graduate-statistics) said. "Two years is not a short time, and we're very happy and excited."
This past week, the Bluespoon Deli has been serving the Halal foods as a trial to gauge student reaction. In Wandel's opinion, the food is "amazing," and the reception "has been wonderful."
Atiyat worked specifically with Curt Weisner, assistant manager at Warnock dining commons. One of Atiyat's jobs was to make sure the vendors who said they followed Halal guidelines actually did so.
The Halal menu features dishes like chicken kabobs, fish curry, tuscan steak tips, chicken tandori and gyros with lamb. Before this initiative, Wandel said, Muslim students have been eating vegetarian foods on campus.
"It's not going to be a large population, but I think there's a need," she said.
The process was meticulous and involved bringing people into the dining commons to teach employees about handling the food, Wandel said.
"You can't wash utensils in the dishwater that have touched non-Halal foods or meats," Wandel said.
There is no intention of spreading the Halal foods to other dining commons, Wandel said.
Atiyat said there is only one other restaurant downtown that is certified to serve Halal foods -- Masala, 132 Sowers Street. Atiyat said he is looking forward to experiencing Halal foods at the Bluespoon.
"[The menu] has an international cuisine theme from all over the world," Atiyat said.
Melissa Whitten (junior-crime, law and justice) agreed. She was glad the dining commons was trying to represent different religions.
"I would have assumed they offered that already," she said. "Better late than never."
