After what many students considered a disappointing close in 2008, the newly-named McGlynn’s Sports Café reopened on Monday, Aug. 30 and is back with new choices. Located next to O’Connell’s in the HCC, CSB/SJU students and staff are excited about the café’s comeback.
“It’s not just pedestrian fast food,” Director of Culinary Services Tom Oehler said. “It’s high quality.”
Open convienient hours, McGlynn’s Sports Cafe provides a variety of new menu options. Students can enjoy burgers, French fries, homemade soups, Subway-style sandwiches, ribs, chicken fingers, groceries and more.
“Everything we do is fresh,” Oehler said. “Nothing comes frozen.”
Oehler, who recently celebrated his one-year anniversary at CSB, is particularly excited about the new hamburgers. After countless summer hours, some extra pounds and a hamburger contest, McGlynn’s provides a 100 percent certified black angus fresh ground chuck hamburger on baked daily potato buns.
“I’m excited to have this new option,” CSB sophomore Stephanie Moran said.
Although the Sports Cafe already serves more than 100 students daily, Oehler explains he and his team are still working out some of the kinks. A grand opening celebration is expected once they receive more feedback.
“We are learning too,” Executive Director of Auxiliary Services Sonja Gidlow said. “We’re going with our best guess.”
When Gorecki Dining Center opened its doors in 2008, its popularity forced McGlynn’s to shut down. However, recent surveys showed CSB culinary services that students are currently looking for more than what Gorecki has to offer.
“Sophomores were saying they’d like another option, and upperclassmen, especially those who live off-campus, also wanted a new location,” Gidlow said. “Gorecki is a great dining experience, but others want food to-go and more of a hamburger style.”
Plans to re-open McGlynn’s began in the winter of 2010. Oehler is happy underclassmen can now enjoy a different atmosphere for meals that fits their schedules and upperclassmen can purchase groceries and microwavable items for their apartments. Not only is the 120 person capacity restaurant more convenient, it also makes dining opportunities equal for both Bennies and Johnnies.
“All students should be able to eat on both campuses following the same guidelines,” Gidlow said.
Bennies and Johnnies can choose to punch, flex or charge at both McGlynn’s and Sexton. This new feature allows students with the continuous meal plan the ability to charge a meal at either Sexton or McGlynn’s once daily. Flex can be used at both dining locations as much as students desire. Additionally, the new café aims to keep food affordable for students with the average meal at McGlynn’s priced between five and six dollars.
“Our goal was to provide very adequate opportunities on both campuses,” Oehler said. “Everyone will be pleasantly surprised by the value of the meal.”
Gidlow stresses that other CSB dining centers, such as O’Connell’s, Gorecki’s Good-to-go and Gorecki Dining Center, are not in competition with McGlynn’s, but rather they complement each other.
“At O’Connell’s, you can have your coffees. Good-to-go provides food for students in a rush. Gorecki is still a great dining
experience, and McGlynn’s offers a sports, late-night atmosphere,” Gidlow said.
In the future, McGlynn’s sports atmosphere will provide meals for students before and after Blazer games and will help celebrate Blazer athletics as well.
“Our bottom line is listening to what students want and fine-tuning it,” Gidlow said. “We are open to all feedback.”