Hubland Canteen Back in Operation

1,050 seats, spread over a good 2,000 square metres, up to 4,200 hot meals a day and a range that leaves virtually nothing to be desired: These are the basic data of the Mensa am Hubland, which has been serving food and drink to students and employees of the University and the University of Applied Sciences since Monday, 19 May.

The canteen is located on the university's Hubland-Süd campus in the immediate vicinity of the university library and many institute buildings, lecture theatres and laboratories. The Studierendenwerk Würzburg is responsible for its operation.

Culinary Provision at a New Level

With the reopening of the Hubland canteen, the Studierendenwerk has significantly expanded its catering services for students and staff. A total of nine serving counters offer meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan dishes that change daily. The offer is complemented by a generous self-service area with side dishes, vegetables, a salad bar and a selection of desserts - many of which are also vegan. Warm desserts are available at an additional counter.

Special culinary highlights are set by themed stations such as the pizza station or areas where food is grilled or freshly cooked in a wok. When the new canteen opens, it will initially offer classics such as currywurst, various pasta dishes with a choice of sauces and teppanyaki specialities - including mie noodles with marinated chicken and crunchy vegetables. However, the biggest crowd-puller is likely to be the new kebab grill, which will open with freshly prepared kebab platters.

Families have also been catered for: a specially designed play corner with a playhouse offers children a safe play area while adults can enjoy their meal.

The Hubland canteen is open Monday to Friday from 10.45 a.m. to 2.45 p.m. (food is served until 11.00 a.m. to 2.15 p.m.). By the way: Even though the cafeteria is primarily aimed at students and employees of the universities, it is open to all guests.

Extensive Refurbishment Work

The history: In spring 2018, the Hubland canteen was closed and completely vacated after having been in operation for almost 40 years. As part of extensive refurbishment and renovation work, not only the kitchen technology and the entire building installation, but also the floors and ceilings as well as the entire furnishings were completely renewed.

One of the aims of the refurbishment was to adapt the main function of the building - providing food for students and employees - to the current standard of a canteen with modern canteen kitchen technology and optimised work processes, without fundamentally changing the overall appearance and character of the building and the ensemble.

The cafeteria, which is also housed in the canteen building, was also redesigned. Its reorganisation made it possible to orientate and open up the seating area towards the so-called "Red Square" between the cafeteria and the university library, which was not possible in the past due to the layout of the kitchen area. Thanks to the enlargement of the vestibule, the cafeteria now has additional seating and offers around 370 square metres of space for coffee, cake and small snacks.

Unforeseeable Delays

Water damage, the coronavirus pandemic and shortages of materials and staff were the main reasons why the work took significantly longer than originally planned. Most recently, problems with the complex ventilation system caused further delays.

All the more reason for those involved to finally be able to welcome guests to the newly renovated rooms. "We are delighted that the newly renovated canteen at Hubland is now finally open for business. The combination of historic rooms and state-of-the-art technology offers our students and employees the opportunity to eat healthy, varied and sustainable food in a special atmosphere," said University Chancellor Dr Uwe Klug.

"The new canteen is a real gain for the Hubland campus - both in culinary and atmospheric terms. We are looking forward to finally getting started," said Dominik Kampf, Managing Director of Studierendenwerk Würzburg.

The total investment for the Hubland construction project amounts to 66.3 million euros. This also includes the costs for the renovation of the underground car park, which is located beneath the Roter Platz.