First Flight of The Flying BisonBucknell Campus News
Lewisburg, Pa. — It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a ... Flying Bison?
Yes, Bucknell University now has its own mobile culinary vehicle, better known to street vendor connoisseurs as a food truck. It will be unveiled to campus in front of the Kenneth Langone Athletics and Recreation Center on April 25 at 4:30 p.m.
Onlookers can wave to Bucky Bison as he rides in the passenger seat, and President John Bravman will place the Flying Bison's first order. Bite-sized samples of lemon bars and caramel cookies will be offered, as well as a hydration station.
After Wednesday's unveiling, the truck will be officially open for lunch on Thursday, April 26.
In its former life, the Flying Bison hauled linen. Now the 24-foot-long, 8-foot-wide, nearly 14-foot-high vehicle will soothe the hunger pangs of on-the-run faculty, staff and students.
"Students, in particular, have several meal periods," explained David Freeland, district manager of Parkhurst Dining Services. "It's not just breakfast, lunch and dinner. There's a fourth or fifth meal period later on in the evening, especially for student-athletes and those who study late or have labs. Their eating patterns are different due to their schedules."
Monday through Friday, the Flying Bison will serve breakfast in front of the Kenneth Langone Athletics and Recreation Center from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Most of the menu is unique to the truck and will be fairly consistent, including a variety of breakfast sandwiches, yogurt, fresh fruit and Starbucks coffee. One new item — a sweet potato and sausage hash topped with two eggs and a flaky biscuit — is unique to the truck.
The lunch menu will rotate every few weeks, featuring Korean BBQ, gourmet grilled cheese and Indian cuisine. It will be available from 11:30 a.m. through 1:30 p.m. in the area between Dana and Delta Upsilon fraternity.
Late-night hunger can be assuaged on Friday and Saturday from midnight to 3 a.m. outside Vedder Hall.
Menus will be available online. The Flying Bison will honor cash, BUID (Dining Dollars and Campus Dollars) and credit cards.
One thing remains a mystery: What does the Flying Bison look like? Freeland's lips are sealed until its identity is revealed to campus on Wednesday.
To whet our appetites, Freeland offered this morsel: "I can tell you that it's very bright, very fun. You won't miss it."