It’s 9:30 p.m. and I am hungry. Two hours of tennis practice, followed by three hours of studying left me with an appetite the size of a sumo wrestler. As I strolled into the Underground, or Grill 155, disappointment hit me. I felt like I had been smacked in the face by a chicken patty. A gate surrounded the counter and the only place on campus that has food after 7:00 p.m.

The Underground is supposed to be open until 10 p.m. during the week, but on this Wednesday night they closed 30 minutes early. Sophomore Chet Levine followed me into the Grill, consequently expressing his emotions. “This is un-freaking-believable, who runs this place?” Levine said. I had similar affections. But mostly, I felt like a kid again, chasing the ice cream truck, only to be left out of breath at the street’s end.

But I always loved ice cream, so I always gave the ice cream man another chance. In a similar sense, I gave the Grill another go. The next night, just to be safe, I walked into the Underground at 9:15. Thankfully the Grill was open. If it had been closed, I probably would have jumped the gate and made myself a dozen grilled-cheese sandwiches and 100 chicken strips. Fortunately, this wasn’t the case. I was looking forward to having a double cheeseburger with french fries and a Dr. Pepper.

I was standing behind sophomore Jeff Floyd in line. Floyd and I have shared frustrations with the Underground, but we are always hopeful that the next visit will be better than the last or that the cook will give us four chicken strips instead of three. When it was Floyd’s turn to order, the cashier let out a long sigh.

I’ve been through long days of work, therefore I wasn’t quick to judge, but as Floyd ordered, the women at the register continued rolling her eyes. The only words that came out of her mouth as Floyds waited were “I’m not gonna pick those up,” uttered after she dropped a box of ketchup packets on the ground.

At this point, I dreaded ordering. I wondered if she was going to put me in a headlock if I asked for honey mustard on the side, or for extra cheese, so I made my order simple. “Can I please have a double cheeseburger meal, with a Dr Pepper please.” I usually wouldn’t say please twice in one order, but I was pretty nervous that the cashier was going to throw a grilled cheese in my face if I wasn’t polite.

I eventually received a double cheeseburger, french fries, and a lemonade. I guess I couldn’t complain too much about getting the wrong drink. I was just happy that I didn’t leave the underground with spit on my burger or a broken nose.

But maybe there is something that needs to be said about Grill 155. I have had bad experiences with the service in the Grill, but it usually only came from one of their workers. Most of the other employees of the Underground are friendly and quick. While the food is unhealthy, there is little variety in choices, it always closes early and they always run out of ice.

Not all my visits at the Grill end badly. I’ve had my share of tasty chicken patties or filling chicken strips.

I know that Grill 155 and I have had a love-hate relationship, but I think we can move on and resolve our issues. We have a lot in common; this could really work. But there will have to be changes. I want you to close at 10 p.m. when you’re supposed to. If you add healthier menu items, and serve me with a smile, I will be happy. But if not, then I’m going to start eating at other restaurants.