The Pita's Worth the Wait

All is quiet in the Campus Center at quarter to noon. The few people scattered throughout the silent room keep glancing up at the clock nervously, as if they can feel it coming. Minutes later, in a synchronized frenzy to gobble up the remaining bits of their food while stuffing laptops into backpacks, they exit hurriedly before it arrives. What, might you ask? Well, at precisely 12:05, a hoard of students will overflow the front doors like a pack of animals just escaped from the zoo (no pun intended). After all, it is The Hatch on a Wednesday afternoon.

Instantly it becomes like a game of musical chairs. Everyone darts around in a mad rush to find the best table and one of the first spots in line at the place of their choice. But the one that's unfailingly busy within seconds is the Pita Pit.

I squeeze into the back of the line, and as it inches every so slowly towards the cash register the smell of grilling meats becomes apparent. It is mouthwatering, and students crane their neck to catch a glimpse of how much longer they'll have to wait. For the majority of everyone, including myself, this is probably the first meal of the day. Pounding the snooze button one too many times in the morning doesn't allow a spare second to grab a granola bar much less cook a three course breakfast before rushing to Bartlett.

By now my stomach is grumbling. I can hear the workers clanging their metal spatulas on the grill, simultaneously flipping chicken breasts and dicing steak. I watch them in amazement and someone takes my Ucard out of my hand, swiping it hurriedly so I'll move faster in the assembly line. A girl nods at me and wipes the sweat off her forehead. "White or wheat?" she asks with exasperation. I smile at her sympathetically. At this point the smell radiating from the grill is absolutely irresistible. Here at the Pita Pit, which offers a refreshing twist on your regular old sandwich, the possibilities are endless. Fresh veggies, assorted cheese, and a wide range of sauces; you name it, they have it. In a wave of rapid hand motions the girl adds my selected ingredients to the pita; a dash of hot sauce there, a sprinkle of cheddar there. Before I can blink my eyes, it's wrapped and ready to go. I grab a bag of chips and wrestle others for a spot at the soda fountain, eager to go back to my table and satisfy my rumbling tummy. It makes a steady "ksshhhh" sound as the foamy Sprite fills my cup.

Finally I'm able to sit down. My friends are halfway through their meals already. But as I unwrap the white paper and sink my teeth into the juicy pita, admiring all the different flavors, I think to myself, "This was so worth the wait."