Chelsea Szmania
Journal Staff
The smell of soups and sandwiches filled the air last week as Suffolk University’s 73 Tremont Cafe made its grand opening. Located on the lower level, the new eatery has already become a favorite amongst students and faculty. “They were trying to offer something different for the administration here, and they wanted to create a place where the students could safely convene,” said Retail Manager, Kenneth Spacone.
The university prides itself when creating on-campus locations for students to gather, and the new cafe does just that. Unlike the Donahue Cafe, 73 Tremont is modeled after a palce like Panera Bread, where there is a more modern vibe. Booths and tables are arranged with a long counter for ordering, making the atmosphere alike an actual Boston street cafe. The location is a midway point for students traveling back and forth between classes. “I think it’s just a nice location,” said sophomore Anthony Schiavo.
The highlight of the new expansion is the food, with a new menu style opposed to the grill and salad bars of other cafeterias at Suffolk. Spacone explained it to be more tailored to food found at a typical coffee shop. “It’s kind of more trendy, with gourmet breads and the different sauces for the sandwiches,” he said.
The menu offers five different signature sandwiches, each named after areas associated with Suffolk, such as the “North End” and the “Beacon.” Each is made with ingredients suited to its location. There are also prepared salads, like the classic Grilled Chicken Caesar, the Spinach salad and the Santa Fe Ranch. A daily soup is offered with flavors like beef, barley, broc coli and cheddar. In addition, there is a make-your-own milkshake machine and various smoothies to choose from.
Freshly brewed Starbucks coffee products are incorporated into the cafe with some of the more common drinks, such as Caramel Macchiato and Tazo Chai. Pastries including croissants and muffins, and an assortment of bagels, are sold as well.
However, some students feel it would have been nicer to see a local coffee place in the surrounding area of Boston. “They should have allowed a local coffee shop to move in right there. It would bring a little culture down here,” said sophomore Eli Sullivan. Although many love Starbucks, it is one of the general chain coffee shops around as opposed to a “little hole in the wall” where often the best coffee products are found.
The 73 Tremont Cafe not only boasts a new variety of food in comparison to the other cafeterias, but a much healthier selection. “It’s so much better quality food and they have a way better salad option,” said freshman Morgan Byrnes. The produce is fresh and they eliminate any sorts of fried foods making it more appealing to many students who are trying to watch what they eat.
After being open only a week, the tables have been crowded with students and frequent administration, making a new popular spot. “So far, everyone here has been really happy,” Spacone said of the café’s success.
