{"id":2531,"date":"2015-03-16T06:03:03","date_gmt":"2015-03-16T11:03:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/~reviewing\/?page_id=2531"},"modified":"2015-03-16T06:03:03","modified_gmt":"2015-03-16T11:03:03","slug":"tossed-is-convenient-but-pricey","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/reviewing\/?page_id=2531","title":{"rendered":"Tossed is convenient, but pricey"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted March 16, 2015<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

By EMILY JOSEPH<\/p>\n

If you need a quick, healthy option for lunch on campus, Tossed is an ideal spot. But if you\u2019re trying to reign in your spending, proceed with caution.<\/p>\n

The University of Miami\u2019s Food Court renovation brought the addition of Tossed, a chain, fast-service restaurant that offers make your own salads, wraps, sandwiches, and melts. Tossed, which opened in the UM\u2019s Whitten Dining Hall last month, is a nice complement to the other less healthy food options on campus.<\/p>\n

\"Menu<\/a>

Menu at Tossed<\/p><\/div>\n

Tossed is designed for a busy college student. There are plenty of options, both healthy and more indulgent, as well as fast service, if you avoid visiting during the lunch rush.<\/p>\n

The menu, displayed on large television screens, is separated into \u201cmake your own\u201d and pre-designed, but not pre-made, options. In a line of five people, four out of five chose \u201cmake your own salad.\u201d I followed in suit.<\/p>\n

I approached the counter to order and pay and I surveyed the printed menu posted on the register. Here\u2019s where the cost racks up.<\/p>\n

A base of lettuce, your choice of romaine, mixed greens, spinach, arugula or iceberg, four \u201ctoss in\u2019s\u201d ranging from raw vegetables and fruit to wonton crisps and crotons, and your choice from a long list of dressings costs $6.99. Not too bad for lunch if you stay within those boundaries. But if you venture out, like I did, and your wallet will suffer.<\/p>\n

\"Order<\/a>

Order and pay counter at Tossed<\/p><\/div>\n

As there are not any protein sources in the \u201ctoss-in\u2019s\u201d other than beans, I chose to add roasted chicken from a list of BBQ chicken, pesto chicken, blackened chicken, tuna salad, turkey and shrimp.<\/p>\n

The costs of the protein range from $1.99 to $3.99 each. I decided to forgo the cheese, saving $1.49, but added avocado and walnuts from the list of \u201cgourmet items\u201d totaling $3 extra.<\/p>\n

The aptly named gourmet items are generally more appealing than the toss-ins, and each cost an extra $1 or $1.49 depending if you choose to add almonds versus walnuts, for example. If you don\u2019t read the price next to the menu item, your $7 salad can quickly become a $17 salad. Mango and edamame can add up, people!<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The mix-in bar at Tossed<\/p><\/div>\n

As for taste, my salad was, well, a salad. Not exceptional, but it did its job. The chicken tasted a little dry and I can only assume it wasn\u2019t made that day. But I suppose that\u2019s expected in the fast food industry.<\/p>\n

The service is nothing to write home about, but college students don\u2019t expect five star treatment.<\/p>\n

The staff has a \u201cget in, get out\u201d mindset and don\u2019t have much patience for customers, like me, who ask questions. I did have to ask the person making my salad to change her gloves, and I witnessed an \u201callergy nightmares\u201d with staff mixing food utensils.<\/p>\n

\"Mixing<\/a>

Mixing toppings and dressing<\/p><\/div>\n

While not on campus, Panera Bread compares as another popular on-the-go lunch option.<\/p>\n

Tossed offers make-your-own salad options, which Panera does not, but other than that, the menus are very similar<\/p>\n

However, for most menu items, Tossed costs at least $1 more than Panera. For example, a turkey Panini at Tossed costs $8.49 while at Panera it costs $7.59.<\/p>\n

In a food court of inherently unhealthy choices, I was happy to have a lighter option. But after spending $12 plus tax on a salad I deemed average, I was not as happy about my lighter wallet.<\/p>\n

Visit Tossed, but choose wisely.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Additional Information:<\/strong><\/p>\n