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Lodi Memorial Working To Erase 'Bad Hospital Food' Cliché

LODI (CBS13) – A new kitchen and a hotel-style room service option for patients and family members has been unveiled at Lodi Memorial Hospital, offering a novel counterargument to complaints about hospital chow.

The $14 million kitchen has been serving patients for a little more than a month, offering items from 13 menus that cover a wide range of potential dietary restrictions. While many hospital cafeterias offer bland food, the new kitchen features dishes like herd-encrusted chicken, fresh salads and steak cooked to order.

"It's a concierge room service," said Terry Turner, who has been in the hospital for more than a week after his surgery. "They've just been wonderful."

His favorite dish? "The tri-tip," he said.

Spokeswoman Carol Farron said Lodi Memorial is the only hospital in the region with this type of program, and patients have responded well to the new culinary options.

"I think they are just really surprised at such a novel thing coming from a hospital," Farron said. "It takes them a while to absorb how good this is for them and how good the food is."

The cost of meals is included for patients, and family members can eat with their loved ones for $6 for each meal.

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