Cafe 1853 and Zaro’s Family Bakery.
THEQUADRANGLE/COURTESY
By Elizabeth Kalaj, Web Editor
On Aug. 22, Manhattan University students were notified about plans to reopen Café 1853 via an email sent from the Office of the President, including the addition of Zaro’s Bakery in Thomas Hall.
This change was a result of switching over to a new food vendor, Gourmet Dining Services, which Manhattan University used several years ago. In that same email, President Milo Riverso announced GrubHub Mobile Ordering being brought to campus in all dining locations and a possible Chick-fil-A addition. However, the announcement of Café 1853 seemed to catch many Jaspers’ attention, from administrators to students.
Café 1853 is set to officially reopen the week of Sept. 10. The Quadrangle spoke with Manhattan University sous chef Thomas Tomala, who will be stationed in the café starting next week.
“When coming to Café 1853, expect restaurant quality food,” Tomala said. “Everything is going to be made fresh and made to order. The recipes we will be using are meals that are going to grab onto your pallets for a long time and every day that students come in, they should be expecting new food. My goal is to capture everybody’s hearts and stomachs.”
Café 1853 will have the ability to order online, allowing students to “grab and go” to eliminate wait time during busy days. Manhattan University is planning on having the café open from noon to 11 pm on Monday through Friday, and from 4 pm to 11 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
While the menu is constantly being updated, students should expect a wide variety of meals, ranging from salads and sandwiches to salmon and sides. In addition, Zaro’s Family Bakery is set to run alongside Café 1853, providing baked goods, pastries, coffee and breakfast options.
Tomala is excited to be back to cooking at Café 1853, being that it was the location he was originally stationed at when he started his time at Manhattan University.
“Expect the best food and time ever,” Tomala said.
The faculty and administration at Manhattan University are thrilled by the decision to reopen Café 1853. The Quadrangle spoke to Nicole Brosnan, a former student of the university and current associate director of orientation and student engagement, about her thoughts on the reopening of the campus spot.
“I think that we are obviously a pretty small campus that didn’t have many options when it came to dining,” Brosnan said. “It’s awesome that we are adding more options, especially places where people can get together, enjoy a meal and feel that sense of community. I think it is really important.”
Brosnan reminisced back to her freshman year as an undergraduate student when Café 1853 was last opened before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
“The name ‘Café 1853’ is all about Manhattan University history, so I think that is what makes it one of the cooler places to enjoy a meal on campus,” Brosnan said. “While it has not been called it recently, the sitting area is technically called ‘The Student Union’ so I think it is nice to get students back in there and make it another friendly place.”
Students are intrigued by the idea of having an additional major dining area on campus. When speaking to Grayson Jones, a senior psychology and criminology major, the idea of a place to hang out on campus without needing a meal plan seemed ideal.
“I think it is going to be a great place for somebody that lives off-campus if they can’t necessarily go to Locke’s [Loft] in between classes because they do not want to pay for that food,” Jones said. “Specifically, they have a different option to hang out while waiting for their next class and grabbing food.”
Tomala had some final thoughts to share with The Quadrangle.
“We have the menu and the staff ready to go,” Tomala said. “I just hope to make you all happy with the food, which makes everybody happy.”
Editor’s Note: The opening of Cafe 1853 has been moved to an uncertain date in September following The Quadrangle’s interviews.