I cannot believe that Grace’s Café, a restaurant that has been a part of Duke for almost 20 years, was so unceremoniously voted off campus by a group of students that is unrepresentative of the communities that care about Asian food options.
There is much more to a campus dining facility than a tasting contest can reveal, and Grace’s has proven time and again that it is a place that not only provides students with wide options for healthy food at a good value but also with a homey atmosphere. Jack, the restaurant’s owner, makes an effort to get to know each one of his regular customers, and his attention makes going to Grace’s feel like going home to a family meal. As nice as the new Asian restaurants sound, they don’t provide the kind of nutritious food that students can dine on every day, and there’s no way to replace the sense of welcome that Jack brings to his patrons.
If Grace’s can no longer be in Trent, it should replace Panda Express on West Campus.
As a tour guide, I take groups of prospective students and parents through the Bryan Center and out onto the plaza every week. I tell them about all the unique and diverse food options we have, but all they see when they walk through this supposed central hub of activity is a Red Mango, an Au Bon Pain, a McDonald’s and a Panda Express, all of which are generic chains. Visitors coming to campus want to dine at a unique place, and having Grace’s in that convenient location would allow them to experience an on campus dining facility that truly has a strong sense of community.
Jessica Hennacy
Trinity '17
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