`Runners return - Your guide to dining and bookstore

By California State University, Bakersfield

July 29^th, 2021

On their first day at California State University, Bakersfield, eager students scurry down the Red Brick Road brimming with hope and excitement as they navigate their new life on campus. And each of these `Runners is focused on one question:

“Where’s Starbucks?”

Just as students, faculty and staff are returning to campus, so are the burgers, bagels, kung pao chicken and coffee – cup after environmentally sustainable cup - that will give them the fuel they need to live their best CSUB life.

All the dining options available in spring 2020 - when the pandemic sent `Runners to the safety of their homes - are returning, except for one food truck, Fit & Grub, according to Wayne Narine, director of food service at the Bakersfield campus.

“We’re so excited to be able to fire up the kitchens once more,” he said. “CSUB offers a variety of foods that satisfy just about every appetite. We’ve missed our students, faculty and staff, and are ready to serve them once more.”

Narine did caution that hours of operation and other factors may change as the semester unfolds, since it is difficult to predict how many `Runners will be on campus at any given time.

“After a year and a half of very limited population on campus, we are evaluating what the numbers will look like. We ask that our customers remain flexible, and we will be sure to inform our community about any changes.”

All food is made to order or available in grab-and-go packaging; there will be no self-serve options. Seating will be spaced six feet apart. Face coverings are required while ordering and waiting, but not while eating.

A roundup of where to eat – and when – at the Bakersfield campus. Hours and days are subject to change.

STARBUCKS

Coffee and other beverages, packaged sandwiches, salads, desserts and snacks

Where: Student Union
Opens Aug. 2. Hours: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday
Expanded hours starting Aug. 23: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday

RUNNER CAFE

Hot meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus grab-and-go meals from 2 to 5 p.m. daily

Where: Near the Student Union
Opens for dinner on Aug. 22
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; brunch 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; dinner 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

PANDA EXPRESS

Fast-casual Chinese food

Where: Student Union
Opens Aug. 23
Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday – Friday

WHICH WICH

Custom-crafted sandwiches

Where: Science III Building
Opens Aug. 23
Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday – Friday

CURBSIDE KITCHEN

Food truck that serves Mexican food, burgers and fries

Where: Near the Humanities Building
Opens Aug. 23
Hours: Vary, but generally from morning to late afternoon Monday - Friday

RUNNER EXPRESS

Coffee, packaged snacks, sundry items like pain reliever

Where: Red Brick Road
Opens Aug. 23
Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday

WALTERS

Coffee, packaged snacks, sundry items like pain reliever

Where: Red Brick Road
Opens Aug. 23
Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday – Thursday

CSUB BOOKSTORE WELCOMES STUDENTS

Wayne Narine also oversees the campus bookstore, located in the Student Union, which has remained open with limited hours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. However, hours will be extended on Aug. 23 to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The bookstore offers textbooks, supplies and the apparel you’ll need to show your `Runner pride.

Safety protocols include limiting capacity at the bookstore to 25 and requiring face coverings.

Browsing in person is great, but everything you need from the bookstore is available online as well, Narine said.

And a program begun in the spring semester is off to a great start. The bookstore is collecting used textbooks and has collected 70 so far. The books will be loaned to students based on need. More on that process when details are finalized.

To donate your books, simply drop them off with staff at the campus bookstore.

Coming to campus? Get your vaccination!

All CSUB students, faculty and staff accessing campus for the 2021 fall semester are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The vaccines are free and the best way to protect you and your community from coronavirus. CSUB is offering vaccines on Aug. 3, 11 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Stockdale Room.