Sick of those long lines at the Pav? Don't want to battle the bees on the Newcomb Dining Hall balcony?
The answer is here.
University students now have another option for dining on Central Grounds -- the West Range Cafe. Located at the south end of the West Range near the amphitheatre, this new retail store opened its doors to hungry and caffeine-deficient students Monday.
"There was a fairly large demand for a new space for student dining," Location Manager Jacob Williford said. "A lot more than we could handle with the Pav and other locations."
According to students, the cafe's convenient location is popular, although it is a little hard to find.
"I couldn't find it at first, and it took me a long time to see where it was," fourth-year College student Rachael Brown said. "But the location is great because I usually just want a cup of coffee, and before I had to walk to the corner or Alderman and then walk back to class."
Though the location is better situated for College students, Engineering students said that they are also happy with the location.
"It is as far as the Castle or Pav is to the E-school," fourth-year Engineering student Jeremy Schubert said.
"But it is still prime location," fourth-year Engineering student Nick Staubach heartily added.
Those students who make it to this "prime location" will be happy to hear that West Range Cafe has one of the most eclectic menus of all dining locations on Grounds, according to Williford.
"It is different than any other facility we have because here we have a combination of smoothies, Java City and Grill," Williford said.
The offerings of the West Range Cafe include everything from Reuben burgers on the grill to Java City mochas and even a temptation stand filled with chocolaty goods.
The students said the offerings are a refreshing change from other dining locations.
"They have burgers, sandwiches, everything," Schubert said. "It seems not to overlap the other places. Like they have pastry stuff here since the Bakery [in Newcomb Hall] is closed now."
While enjoying the long-lost products of the Bakery or squirting ketchup all over their well done burgers, the students will also enjoy a comfortable and different atmosphere with couches and a fireplace.
"We were definitely going for a different look with this place," Williford said.
Several students said they have noticed the different look of the West Range Cafe.
"It's quieter and has a very different atmosphere," Brown said. "But the quietness will probably change soon."
The hours of the West Range Cafe are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., which limits the dining facility to breakfast and lunch.
"We know it is a limited service," Williford said. "But we wanted to staff it minimally and to see how much business we'll do."
Some students said they are disappointed by the cafe's limited hours of operation.
"I came by yesterday for dinner and I was disappointed," Staubach said. "But I guess it is more of a lunch spot."
The Chick-fil-A of the Pav and the cheese breadsticks of the Treehouse may remains students' favorites, but for those diners looking for a new favorite spot on Grounds, be sure to check out West Range Cafe.
Read More
Students brave the cold for a whirlwind sorority rush
By Mia Tan | YesterdayStudents recount a mix of emotions from rush, with some disappointed after dropping from the recruitment process and others ecstatic to join Greek life.
Top 10 ways to avoid burnout this semester
By Sam Saks | 2 days agoAs you settle into this semester, try implementing these 10 tactics to take care of yourself and wave goodbye to burnout.
Top 10 things I learned the day TikTok went dark
By Elizabeth Parsons | 4 days agoI am poised to bestow newfound pieces of wisdom from my short-lived TikTok detox.
