C S.
Yelp
I'm more inclined to agree with Ari O. than Johnny N. The time to wait in line, even at non-peak hours like three in the afternoon, is very long. And at least during my two visits, I see the cashier workers are also doing food preparation intermittently. That's why it takes so bloody long; the franchises are all understaffed.
Then again, I do like what's there. I suppose my favorite is Seeds, which really is too overpriced, but at least I can get a salad of whatever type I like. And they actually stock fresh fruit and (sometimes) a small quantity of vegetables, which makes my heart sing because I don't have a car in which to go to Ralph's. I was delighted and surprised to also see Newman's gluten-free oreos for a reasonable price. (Strangely, the regular chocolate Newman's oreos were two or three dollars more...what gives there?) And they do also have a line of kosher foods, I think ready-to-eat, so that's another plus. I wish, wish, WISH they'd keep a better eye on the lines, which sometimes drape across the store!
Anyway, I do like the center. I just wish it were more convenient to stop in between classes; if I stop there on my way walking from Kapellerian to Taper during the 45-minute break I have between classes, I don't get a chance to sit down and eat/drink; I get in and get out and have to rush to class immediately because it takes so long. (Again, at three in the afternoon, the lines should not be as long as they were at noon or dinnertime in the Lot.)
I never even consider going there for lunch. It's an absolute madhouse. I'd rather make ramen in the quiet of my own dorm than enter the bedlam that exists there at noon.
I must say, I find it's more productive to carry an extra bottle of tea or water than to count on stopping at the RTC. I would shop there much more often (maybe twice or thrice a week instead of once a week max) if the service were better.
Here's the full hours for the center, from http://hospitality.usc.edu/Hours/Default.aspx#specialty, because they vary from vendor to vendor.
WAHOO's FISH TACO
11AM-8PM (MON-THUR), 11AM-6PM (FRI,
11AM-3PM (SAT-SUN)
CARL'S JR
7AM-8PM (MON-THUR), 7AM-5PM (FRI),
1PM-7PM (SAT-SUN)
COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF
7AM-8PM (MON-THUR), 7AM-5PM (FRI),
9AM-3PM (SAT-SUN)
PANDA EXPRESS
11AM-8PM (MON-FRI)
11AM-3PM (SAT-SUN)
SEEDS MARKETPLACE
7AM-9PM (MON-FRI)
9AM-5PM (SAT-SUN)
CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN
11AM-7PM (MON-THUR), 11AM-5PM (FRI),
1PM-7PM (SAT-SUN)
TRADITIONS
4PM-12AM (MON-WED), 4PM-2AM (THU-SAT),
4PM-12AM (SUN)
LEMONADE
11AM-4PM (MON-FRI),
CLOSED (SAT-SUN)