Texas University Opens Vegan-Friendly Dining Hall

In 2011, the University of North Texas made history by opening the country’s first all-vegan dining hall. Called Mean Greens, the meat-free cafeteria served up everything from sushi and paninis to casseroles and soft-serve ice cream—and it’s still going strong. Now, the University of Texas at Dallas has unveiled its own healthy dining center with a heavy focus on vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free menu options. Dining Hall West features stations where students can order customized stir-fries, salads, pastas, baked potatoes, and sandwiches, and the demand for plant-based fare is higher than ever. “About 19 percent of our students are international, and many are vegan or vegetarian, so we’re responding to their palates,” says university spokesperson, Carrie Chutes Charley. “But vegan dining is a huge trend everywhere, especially on college campuses.”