Sabre Café: Leaves students hungry for more

By: Sidney Walls

Posted: 2/3/10

In the very beginning of the Spring Semester, students at Marian had to wait about a week for the grand re-opening of the Sabre Café, formerly known as the Sabre Grill. Faculty, staff and students appeared slightly excited and perhaps anxious for what would await them as they passed through the Hornung Student Center. On Monday, January 25, 2010, everyone was able to celebrate the re-opening and enjoy complimentary refreshments.

Since its' re-opening, many of the Sabre Café customers are not happy with the food prices or the quantity of food that they receive for what they pay. The quality of certain items and the increased food selections created interest in the café; however cuts and changes to the previous semester's menu brought disappointment to many customers. Marian freshman Gary Rushing believes that every bit of change is great, saying that "the food is amazing and Meme Mendez still provides great customer service". However, many students' expectations of better changes were not quite met and additional praise was not stated.

A very disappointed freshman, Demartel Gilbert, felt cheated when he purchased chicken wings from the Sabre Café and received five wings for $6.75. The Café now features a board meant to display student comments. One comment card filled out by junior, Makeitah Pullen reads "the menu is too expensive". An added comment that addresses Makeitah's feedback, also displayed on the card reads, "Please compare this around and let us know". Comparing local prices for chicken wings, Pizza Hut offers eight wings for $6.49. Applebee's offers ten wings for $7.99 and twenty wings for $13.99 according to its menu.

Something interesting about the board that displays comments, feedback and suggestions is that the top of the board reads "We heard you… You talked, We listened." Looking into the comments and feedback, it does not appear that the students really got what they wanted. Additional comments listed on numerous cards filled out by Cassie Martin and Racheal Salentine carry a hint of sarcasm, as the added comments invite the two women to go work for the Sabre Café. Their concerns for the Café, along with others are only slightly addressed. Instead of seeing results students are left waiting and simply directed to contact the Dean of Students, Kerry Strupp. Perhaps it would be wise to bypass the writing and direct all comment cards to Kerry Strupp in order to see improvements.

Compared to the Fall semester, "the decorations and food are better," stated freshman, Stephanie Bowden. "But after five o'clock everyone should still be able to order items like a burger or chicken tenders since they are popular items. I feel it is unreasonable for people coming to the café after five to be limited to chicken wings and pizza as hot snack items (aside one-swipe items), appetizers and cold items from the deli display. Students should have more options." Currently, the Sabre Café menu is time dependent. That is, certain food items are only available from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Another suggestion from a student that wishes to remain anonymous is that combos could be included as swipe items, like last semester, as well as current items on the menu.

Clearly, the changes brought about this semester obviously riled up a number of students. However hopes of quick action may just be out of reach.