Reflecting on the good times of McGlynn’s caprese sandwiches

The campus has been buzzing lately with the great return of the McGlynn’s wings. While this has been a time of celebration for many, we see it as a reminder of another weekly special that we miss so much: the Caprese sandwich. For those who have not had the pleasure of experiencing this hallowed meal, every Friday McGlynn’s used to offer this heavenly sandwich with pesto, mozzarella and roasted tomatoes on two perfectly toasted slices of sourdough.

Our love for this most special McGlynn’s special is no secret; Katelyn has now been referred to by strangers multiple times as “the Caprese girl.” People may wonder why someone would be so enthralled by a sandwich, but to us and many others it is so much more than that. The Caprese was one of the main building blocks of our relationship with our now close friend Sydney Walker.

A mutual love of both this sandwich and classes taught by economics professor Louis Johnston created a bond that can never be broken. Sydney really said it best when she stated that McGlynn’s was “building community one Caprese sandwich at a time.” Emme Anderson reluctantly left her Caprese love for a semester in Ireland in Spring of 2022. Upon hearing about the Caprese hiatus from Katelyn, Emme couldn’t fathom going back to a St. Ben’s where the Caprese didn’t exist. As a direct result of this tragedy, Emme decided she had to leave the country once again.

This fall, she is in Greece. If the Caprese isn’t returned by January, she may even threaten to do a third study abroad. Even though she is surrounded by delicious Greek food, nothing will ever come close to our Caprese.

As seniors, we have found ourselves reflecting on our time here at CSB+SJU. Tailgates, parties and the Gorecki corn chowder (which deserves its own article) are all fond memories. But when we’re sitting next to each other in the nursing home at 80 years old, these memories will have faded. The Caprese, however, will never slip our minds. Each day that we go without a Caprese (we are approximately 327 days Caprese-less), our pain and sadness continue to grow. The thought that we may never have another Caprese is heart-breaking.

We would also like to acknowledge that enrollment rates have fallen since the loss of the Caprese. As good economics majors, we cannot imply causation, but there does seem to be a strong correlation. We want to remind everyone to hold your friends close and your sandwiches closer, as you never know which Caprese will be your last. And finally, McGlynn’s, we are begging you to give us back the love of our culinary life for our last semester.