There are two types of students at SLU: those who have class on the med campus and those who don’t. Even though every student that doesn’t have to make the dreadful shuttle commute daily may be feeling blessed about the locations of their classes, there is one supreme feature they are missing out on: Fresh Gatherings Cafe.
Fresh Gatherings is run by SLU’s Nutrition and Dietetics Department and is located on the lower level of the Allied Health Building. The cafe is student run and offers a laid back cafeteria feel with a large amount of indoor and outdoor seating making it an ideal location to take lunch.
Here are just a few reasons why Fresh is the best student dining option at SLU. Warning to everyone who has never stepped foot on the Med campus: you may suddenly find all the dining options on the Frost campus overrated and boring.
GIF courtesy of giphy.com
1. They promote and support local farmers
Photo courtesy of Fresh Gatherings
Fresh’s motto, “Eat Locally, Impact Globally” is proudly displayed high on a wall in the cafe. Local foods are labeled with an “L” and are easily found in nearly every meal offered.
2. The SLU garden is right down the street
Photo courtesy of slu.edu
Also run by the Nutrition & Dietetics department, the urban garden delivers daily harvests of fresh produce to the cafe. I dare you to get more local than that.
3. Grab ‘n’ goes
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The shuttle made you late for class again and you can feel yourself getting hangry, no problemo. Fresh has your back. Parfaits, puppy chow, adult lunchables, or hummus & pita are just a few quick options to satisfy your snacking needs on your rush to class.
4. Breakfast
Photo by Emily Ashwell
Fresh opens for breakfast starting at 7 am with a buffet of eggs, bacon, potatoes, breakfast sandwiches, and (on blessed days) chocolate chip pancakes. If chewing isn’t your thing in the morning a smoothie bar is available as well.
5. Salad bar that goes way past the basics
Photo by Kate Foody
The cafe’s salad bar offers over 15 unique toppings including purple long beans, grilled apples, or edamame. Not to mention all of their dressings are house-made.
6. Deli Station
Photo by Kate Foody
Write down your dream sandwich or wrap and they’ll build it for you. Simple as that.
#SpoonTip: Make sure to ask for it grilled.
7. The Bake Shop
Photo by Colleen Daly
Right across the cafe you can find Pastry Chef Todd Parkhurst adding to his freshly made array of baked goods. The spread includes baguettes, focaccia, scones, and tea breads, just to name a few. I can personally say that one of Chef Todd’s brownies or cookies have given me life on so many awful days.
8. Always changing hotline
Photo by Kate Foody
Chef Bryan Rodgers plans the daily changing meal. On an average day the hotline features a main dish and a variety of sides. Some favorites have included chicken pot pie or pecan crusted tilapia, with macaroni and cheese or roasted seasonal vegetables.
9. Hot Coffee
Would it even be allowed on a college campus if it didn’t serve coffee? Fresh serves up local roasters Blueprint Coffee and Mississippi Mud daily so you can get your caffeine onnnnnn.