Dining Services is offering students and faculty a new service in effort to broaden dining options on campus.

Bistro2Go offers the convenience of ordering meals earlier in the day and picking them up at a later time Monday through Thursday.

All orders must be placed by 3 p.m. and the pick up time slot is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Sedona Grill in Stadium Center.

The service is available exclusively online, allowing the customer to choose a menu item and a pickup time, with prices ranging from $5.99 to $7.99.

Wade Burghardt, UT Dining Services’s Unit Marketing Specialist feels optimistic about the new service.

“I think it will address people’s needs,” he said.

Fitting the needs of graduate students was the main reason for the new service. Dining Services met with masters students at UT to find out their concerns about dining on campus.

From the discussions, it was clear that many masters students work 9-5 jobs and take night classes at UT. Many only have time to grab fast or cold food from the vending machines in John H. Sykes College of Business.

“We found that students wanted hot food that they could order on their way to campus from work and pick it up before class,” Burghardt explained.

Another demographic being targeted is faculty who work late and do not have time to make a hot meal for their families upon returning home.

Not only do masters students and faculty benefit from this addition, but undergraduate students can as well.

Others who could benefit are those who do not have time to wait in line, sit down and eat.

Unfortunately, a number of students seemed unaware of the existence of Bistro2Go.

“So, I do what? Just order and pick it up?” asked freshman Beatriz Mendez.

This isn’t to say that students weren’t open to the idea.

“I’d probably use it. It sounds like a good idea,” Mendez said.

“Wow, that’s amazing,” agreed freshman Bianca Berrios. “I would totally do it. I hate standing in line. You just go online, order [the] food and go pick it up? Hell yeah!”

Of course, some students weren’t excited by UT’s dining options to begin with.

“It’s like a Christmas gift from Grandma,” said sophomore Dwayne Duke. “You wait for it all day long and when you finally open it, you’re disappointed.”

Others disagree.

“Whatever, it’s way better than standing in line,” Berrios said.

All food is made shortly before the student-chosen pickup time, which eliminates having to wait in line.

The added bonus that Dining Services sees is that this system allows for hot and fresh meals.

All food comes from existing Dining Services venues such as Gourmet Grocer, Pandini’s and Salsa Rico.

These items are all picked up at Sedona Grille.

The menu offers eggplant parmesean, meatloaf, baja and fajita burritos, labretti, and calzone dinners in addition to sides.

When asked if the menu will change, Burghardt said if the demand for Bistro2go increases, dining services will consider adding meals.

Unfortunately for many, the student meal plan for this new service is not available.

Bistro2Go only accepts UT dollars, credit, and cash.

“Bistro was not designed for the student meal plan,” Burghardt said.

In addition to other items, Gourmet Grocer is now offering a la carte purchases such as eggplant parmesan and meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, all of which can be purchased, but not as a meal exchange.

Complete Bistro2Go ordering and menu information is available at http://dining.ut.edu/b2g.htm.