More bang for your Cougar bucks

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 Rock ‘n’ Joe at Union Train Station, BonChon on Stuyvesant Avenue, Parador Rojo on Morris Ave, The Tropicana Diner on Morris Ave & Applebee’s on Morris Ave.

By Sara Ridgway/ Staff writer

Rumors about spending Cougar Dollars at various off campus eateries were confirmed in an email blast that was sent on March. But, before you swipe your Kean ID at your favorite restaurants, you should know the details about this new meal deal the University offers.

The restaurants currently accepting Cougar Dollars are located in Union and Elizabeth. The

locations in Union include Rock ‘n’ Joe at the NJ Transit Union train station, Koki Japanese

Restaurant in the Galloping Hill Center, Applebee’s on Morris Avenue, and BonChon on Stuyvesant Avenue.

In Elizabeth, the Tropicana Diner on Morris Avenue is participating as well, and the owners of the “Trop” were also the owners of the recently closed University Diner located on North Avenue. It has been disclosed that the “UD” will not be re-opening anytime soon. German Torres, Manager of Bon Chon, confirmed that the restaurant would accept Cougar Dollars from students who have signed up for the Off Campus Dining Program.

To use Cougar Dollars at a restaurant simply swipe your ID as if it was a credit card. On Campus Meal Plans and Flex Plans are not accepted as part of this program.

According to Kerrin Lyles, Director of the Miron Student Center, this program is available to any students, including underclassmen, whose meal plans include Cougar Dollars. For upperclassmen looking to change up their meal options, the new $1500 Cougar Dollar Declining Balance Plan allows students to spend their Cougar Dollars on and off

campus.

“We also offer smaller Declining Balance options for commuter students, faculty and staff members,” Lyles said. “These plans begin at $100 and can goup to $500.Additional funds can be added to these accounts at any time.”

Lyles said that the Student Organization proposed the plan to have students spend Cougar

Dollars at off campus restaurants and supported its implementation.

“They were really the main voice behind this,” said Lyles.

In addition to Jersey Mikes in the Miron Student Center, SmashBurger and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels are projected to be open on campus by the fall of 2016.

“They will be located in the atrium of the Miron Student Center,” Lyles said. “The renovations have begun and we are very excited to add these new

additions to our campus.”

With two more on campus eateries in the works, the new option to use resident hall cafeteria swipes in the Miron Student Center cafeteria for certain meal options, and the Off Campus Dining Program, Kean is expanding its food options for students

greatly.

When dining off campus, don’t forget to ask about student discounts by simply showing your ID when paying for your meal. Parador Rojo, a new Spanish restaurant on Morris Avenue that opened four months ago, offers a 5% discount to Kean students, as per manager Victor Echeverry.

So keep an eye out for the “Cougar Dollars Accepted Here” sticker in the window of your favorite restaurants off campus. With a positive  response to the Off Campus Dining Program, more restaurants may be added in the future.

Comments - review our comment policy