New dining options on campus are generating excitement among students.
Months before the anticipated unveiling of the West Union, student dining options have already been transformed by the addition of Dame’s Chicken and Waffles to Central Campus, renovations to Marketplace and a new food truck. Many have expressed positive reactions to the changes implemented by Duke Dining and the Duke University Student Dining Advisory Committee, which Director of Dining Services Robert Coffey explained resulted from a focus on bringing area restaurants’ food to campus this year.
“Durham is known nationally for its food scene, and it’s great that Duke Dining can bring those options to the student body,” he wrote in an email.
Dame’s Chicken and Waffles officially opened its on-campus vendor Dame’s Express Aug. 24 after hosting a “soft opening” the day before in which the restaurant gave away 300 free meals to test its food. Damion Moore, one of the owners of Dame’s, said Duke has welcomed the restaurant with open arms since it replaced Devil’s Bistro on Central Campus.
“The feedback we have received from students, faculty and staff has been very popular,” he wrote in an email.
Moore noted that the restaurant’s goal is to become one of the most popular eateries on campus for students.
“We will continue to stay committed to producing high quality foods and will always look to our customers for guidance on what they would like to see from Dame’s,” he wrote.
Senior Megan McGufficke praised the variety of healthy options, noting that it was an improvement over the selection at Devil’s Bistro. And despite its name, there are plenty of options beside the chicken and waffles, said sophomore Moses Wayne.
“The waffle was smaller than at the [restaurant in downtown Durham], but it was better than I expected,” said sophomore Diane Hadley. “It’s much better than Devil’s Bistro.”
In addition to Dame’s, the Marketplace on East Campus is currently undergoing renovations, with some changes already completed. The entire project is scheduled to be finished by the start of the spring semester, Coffey explained.
The interior of the Marketplace has been redone to make it brighter and now includes a “living green” wall that grows herbs as well as an upstairs eating space, he said. He added that Trinity Café will be moved to the lower level and will include an expanded menu and a larger eating space as well as TVs and a stage for evening performances. In addition, there will be four new, high-tech study rooms—two on the upper levels and two on the lower levels.
New food options in the Marketplace will include wood-fired pizzas, savory and sweet crepes and an Asian steamed bun station, Coffey added.
Sophomore Lisa Sapozhnikov said that she thinks the Marketplace has improved since last year.
“We didn’t have an upstairs area, and now the interior looks cooler and more modern,” she said.
However, she noted that the food seems to be nearly the same as it was last year.
On West Campus, Belgian Waffle Crafters is the newest food truck to join the rotation. Bull City Street Food was originally slated to debut as well but was removed from the lineup after failing to pass the vetting process. Two new Merchants-on-Points vendors—Tijuana Flats and Dunkin’ Donuts—have also been added.
Freshman Ian Roughen said he enjoyed his food experience and quick service at Belgian Waffle Crafters.
“There were chocolate bars in my waffle,” he said. “It’s all about the chocolate bars.”
Claire Ballentine contributed reporting.
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