By Kody Mayes
komayes@lc.edu
What was once the Commons Cafe has been freshly remodeled as the Blazer Bites Cafe, which brings the return of a much-awaited campus cafeteria. The eatery offers a fresh new menu featuring items themed after our beloved furry mascot such as the popular ‘Howling Good Chicken Sandwich’ and the ‘Blazer’s Big Bite Burger’.
The Blazer Bites Cafe, provided by LaMay’s Catering, offers vegan and vegetarian options as well as allergy-friendly substitutes upon request. Located in the Commons, where LC’s math and science buildings connect, it offers an area where students can hang out and eat affordable food served by a very friendly staff.
On Aug. 26, a grand opening ceremony was held in which students were given free samples of pizza bites, nachos, fried ravioli and root beer floats. The offerings were very popular among the students who attended.
“I’m very excited for this,” said student Brittney Enochs. “The pizza is really good, and I’m really excited about the root beer float.”
The grand opening coincided with LC’s Opening Week’s Karaoke Night, hosted by Daniel Nosce. The staff brought samples out to the students participating, who were very thankful for the food.
“I like the food.” student Alex Kribs said and recommended the Howling Good Chicken Sandwich. He also shared his excitement to finally have a cafeteria on campus again.
Teacher’s aide Drew Vincent is thankful the cafeteria is opening, as it allows students in the College for Life program to interact with friendly faces while they get meals.
“I know especially for some of our College for Life students, It’s hard for them to adjust to the card based payments that the library has, so it makes it a lot easier for some of our students to come over here, grab something to eat, eat it, and then head back to the classroom for the next class,” Vincent said.
“I personally like the cafeteria. I’ve had the food two or three times so far and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve only tried the chicken tacos, but I’ve heard the Philly cheesesteak is really good. I think it’s a good variety to have at a college.”
We interviewed Jason Harrison, the head chef and manager of the cafe:
Are you excited about serving food to the campus?
Absolutely! Serving the campus is a big honor for us. We’ve worked hard to create a welcoming environment where students, faculty, and staff can enjoy delicious food and take a break from their busy schedules.
Will the cafeteria provide alternatives for people with allergies, or vegetarian/vegan options?
Yes, we’re committed to accommodating various dietary needs. We have vegetarian and vegan items available and are mindful of allergens. Our team is trained to ensure everyone can find something tasty and safe to enjoy.
Are there plans to expand the menu in the future if the cafeteria is successful?
Definitely! We plan to gather feedback from the campus community and adjust our menu based on demand. If there’s strong interest in new items or other dietary options, we’ll be ready to introduce them.
Will the prices remain roughly the same over time, or will they increase or decrease significantly?
Our goal is to keep our prices affordable for students and the campus community. While we can’t predict every factor, we’re committed to being as consistent as possible with pricing while maintaining the quality of our offerings.
To learn more about Blazer Bites Cafe, or to view a menu, visit https://www.lc.edu/student-services/food-and-drinks-on-campus/index.html.
