Barry McNamara  |  Published August 25, 2021

‘The Dish’ on Dining Updates

‘Menu refresh’ part of changes students will find in main dining room; Einstein Bros. Bagels to be open for home football games

MONMOUTH, Ill. – As is the case with other areas on campus, Monmouth College’s food service has been busy preparing to go back to full service for students.

SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE: Despite all the updates in the main dining room, Penny the Omelet Lady ... SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE: Despite all the updates in the main dining room, Penny the Omelet Lady is still whipping up made-to-order breakfast entrees with her trademark friendly service.Those preparations started late last spring, said Food Service Director Angela Goff, and the renovations to the main dining room in Stockdale Center continued throughout the summer.

“We wanted to bring some new excitement to dining this fall,” said Goff. “Each station has undergone a menu refresh. We are striving to have the residential dining area create more of a retail-like experience with ‘The Dish’ concept.”

A survey revealed that Monmouth students wanted more Asian food, so the food service responded with a dedicated line to that cuisine at the Global Kitchen station, including a daily made-to-order entrée.

“The second line at that station will offer a large variety of items from many different regions of the country and world,” said Goff.

A busy week of welcome-back activities in the cafeteria concludes Aug. 27 with a fan favorite – wings – served at the Global Kitchen station.

In the Trattoria Italian Kitchen, pizza will certainly be a favorite, but Goff said the entire line should be a hit.

“It’s not just pizza,” she said. “There will be individual pasta dishes and different styles of pizza-like items like calzones and croissants.”

A different grill special will be available every day at the Under the Hood station, while Hearth will provide a fresh variety of entrée options at both lunch and dinner, including a vegetarian option, as well as two vegetables.

“Options to take meals to go are still available. We’re taking a sustainability approach with the to-go orders and encouraging students to purchase a reusable eco-takeout container.” Angela Goff


“We have a nice variety in our deli of pre-made items and made-to-order entrees,” said Goff of the section known as Sweet Pickles, which will also feature house-made pickles.

The salad bar, Greens and Grains, has a similar look to past years and offers two soups daily in addition to the traditional lettuce, vegetables, toppings and dressing options. Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy the enhanced dessert variety at the Confectionary station, including more vegan options and items made without gluten.

“We had limited seating last year at some points, but this year we are back to full seating,” said Goff. “Options to take meals to go are still available. We’re taking a sustainability approach with the to-go orders and encouraging students to purchase a reusable eco-takeout container.”

Rinsed containers can then be brought back to the cafeteria for future meals.

In addition to an updated menu and new signage in the main dining room, Einstein Bros. Bagels shop in the Hewes Library will also be open for Fighting Scots home football games. The shop is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays; from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays; and from 1-5 p.m. on Sundays.

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