Grabbing a quick bite to eat on campus could cost you more than off campus since restaurant owners attempt to offset expensive rent.

The reason for this price difference can mainly be attributed to the rent each restaurant pays to University Enterprise, Inc. for restaurant space.

Miguel Ayala, owner of the Gordito Burrito Xpress on campus as well as Gordito Burrito, said he pays triple the amount of money (for rent) than the restaurant on La Riviera Drive.

This is why a $4.79 carne asada burrito at the Gordito Burrito on La Riviera Drive costs $5.29 on campus. On the plus side, there are a couple of items cheaper on campus. Hard and soft shell tacos are 10 cents cheaper.

As for the changes in price between the Union and the Riverfront Center storefronts, Ayala said they only have a grill at the Riverfront Center store which prevents them from offering the lower priced ground beef in the nachos as well as the quesadillas since they have no fryers there.

Otherwise, the food is the same between the two.

The increase in prices can be seen at most of the restaurants on campus, from Saigon Bay Express to Togo’s.

Spring rolls with pork and shrimp cost $3.95 at the Saigon Bay on Howe Avenue while the same order on campus cost $4.41.

Almost every single item on Togo’s menu on campus carries a $.25 premium when compared to the one on Arden Way. In fact, the only restaurant with either the same prices or lower on campus than off was Panda Express.

The Panda Express on Howe Avenue sells one side and two entrees for $6.29; however, the Panda Express in the University Union sells the same order for $6.25.

Jingyi Yang, the district manager for Panda Express for this area, said rent is much higher than outside. At the same time though, the prices may be lower than those outside because the contract between Panda Express and UEI does not allow Panda Express to adjust its prices. The Panda Express in the Riverfront Center does have the same prices as the one on Howe Avenue. Yang said both Panda Expresses should have the same prices and will look into getting this changed soon.

As the primary customer, students are the ones affected by the increase in price. A lot of students think the prices are fair.

Michael Rico, a freshman communications studies major who lives in the resident halls on campus, said he viewed the price increases as a convenience factor.

“It’s not really a bother. I get flex cash which I can use,” Rico said. “If I was a commuter though, I would go off campus to eat.”

Watta Tarmoh, a senior nursing major, said the prices were about the same, but believes the portions served on campus are smaller than those off.

The restaurants on campus are in the business to make a profit. The increase in price is a way to offset the operating costs of being on campus.

William Miles can be reached at [email protected]

Miguel Lopez can be reached at [email protected]