College students suffer from large appetites and empty pockets. Luckily for Gannon University students, Viva Wraps and Pitas, located at 420 State St. between McDonald’s and Happy Garden, provides a delicious meal for a reasonable price.
When I entered the Viva Wraps and Pitas store, the variety of options surprised me.
Being a vegetarian for about three years, I have become accustomed to lack of choices. Viva Wraps and Pitas was another story entirely. There were multiple options for me to indulge in, and they all sounded great. There were also plenty of options for the meat lovers out there.
Jeff Slater, a junior chemistry major, also agreed that the many options will satisfy any type of eater out there.
“I chose the gyro, but it was difficult to settle on what to get,” he said. “There were so many great options on their menu.”
Viva’s menu includes pitas, wraps, bagels, salads and soup. The restaurant is a great value for those without a lot of extra cash to throw around.
Almost everything on the menu is $5 and under. Even though the food is cheap, the portion sizes are hefty.
Katie Bauer, a junior occupational therapy major, said that for $5, she was very full and satisfied.
“I was impressed by the amount of food that was given,” she said.
The employees at Viva are extremely friendly and efficient, as they greet customers right away, take their order and even bring the food directly to the table. The space is very clean and has plenty of available seating.
When I opened the container to my veggie bagel sandwich, my first thought was, “Wow, this sandwich is huge!” It was packed with all kinds of vegetables, including peppers, lettuce and tomatoes.
My sandwich also had cream cheese and Italian dressing in it, which really spiced it up.
Viva has some of the best variety among of local sandwich shops. Viva offers other types of sandwiches including pita wraps and bagel sandwiches.
There really is something on the menu for everyone. All the sandwiches are made to order, which really makes a difference. Viva also delivers and provides carryout orders, making it easier for people who are on a time constraint to enjoy their food.
The downfall of Viva Wraps and Pitas is the hours. During the week, Viva closes at 5 p.m. and at 3 p.m. on the weekends. This makes it difficult for some college students because they may not have time to eat out at lunch.
Slater said that he would not normally have time to eat lunch out but would for dinner. “I wish they were open a little later,” he said. “It would be a great dinner to eat after a long day.”
Viva Wraps and Pitas is a great place to try for lunch or an early dinner, if you’re looking for a new twist on a traditional sandwich shop. They are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the weekends. They also accept GU Gold.
