OSU dining outlets earn special health certifications

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Two dining outlets at Oklahoma State University have been awarded the distinction of “Certified Healthy Restaurant” by the Oklahoma State Department of Health for providing healthy options and tobacco free environments for customers and employees. The special certifications went to Which Wich, a sandwich franchise located in the Kerr-Drummond residence hall, and the Hard Wok Grill, located in the Adams Market dining facility.

The Hard Wok Grill at Adams Market, a Certified Healthy Restaurant by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, offers students more than 20 fresh vegetable options to round out their made-to-order stir-fry dishes with a healthy kick.

“It’s a milestone toward our goal of becoming ‘America’s Healthiest Campus,’” said Terry Baker, director of University Dining Services at OSU. “We’ve made major strides to provide healthy alternatives along with informative resources to our students to let them know healthier options are available. State recognition for our efforts is a great reward.”

Which Wich is an international franchise with roots in Dallas that takes gourmet sandwich making to the next level by allowing guests to fully customize their “wich” any way they like it. Orders are taken on numbered paper bags, guests check off their specific selections, hand the bag to the cashier and retrieve their custom sandwich when it’s ready. The chain also offers healthy, bread-less options such as the Bowl Wich and the Lettuce Wich in addition to its Skinny, vegan, and vegetarian options.

The Hard Wok Grill is an OSU original dining concept serving up made-to-order stir-fry meals for students on the Stillwater campus. With more than 20 fresh vegetable options, four protein choices including tofu and shrimp, and four house-made sauces to tie it all together – the healthy combinations are many. Students get their choice of brown or steamed rice, protein, spice level, and sauce in addition to as many fresh veggies as they can fit in their bowl before handing it over to the cooks to be prepared on a round Mongolian barbecue grill.

An awards ceremony will be held to recognize all Certified Healthy Restaurants on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at the Embassy Suites Norman Hotel and Conference Center in Norman. The event takes place from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and online registration is open until Jan, 28.