We are proud to announce that as of April 14, 2021 over 97% of our entire staff at both Wes Wings and Red & Black Cafe have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. 32% have received second doses or a single JnJ dose.

We have been relentless as we have worked to get as many of our staff vaccinated as quickly as possible. With over seventy employees who are younger including over fifty students, it has been challenging.

Over the past two months, Karen and Ed waited day after day hoping for extra doses at Vine street and other locations, eventually getting them. We’ve driven staff to their appointments including 15 who we were able to get vaccinated off a waitlist March 28th at a local clinic.

All of our efforts culminated in a vaccination clinic that we hosted today with the Middletown Department of Health at Wes Wings. We were able to get almost all of our remaining staff their first shot. In addition, we provided shots for their family members, roommates and housemates. After reaching out to Wesleyan, we were also able to get 12 custodial employees their first shots as well. A total of 66 people received their first Moderna shot today.

Thank you. Everyone. It is impossible to list every person.

We have completed the fall semester during the most difficult conditions in our 30 years and can proudly say it was an overwhelming success. But it took everyone’s help. Students, Wesleyan staff and administrators, Covid testing staff, the weather and most importantly our staff at Wes Wings and Red & Black Cafe.

When we abruptly closed last March there were so many uncertainties and how and when we might reopen was not clear. It took a tremendous amount of planning and hard work with our staff to create a system that was both safe and efficient while maintaining our menu and overall appeal that has made both of our restaurants so popular over the decades.

We told our customers the best way to help us come back from the financial hardship of last spring was to buy wings, mozzarella sticks, cookie dough, panini and smoothies. And you didn’t disappoint. You wore your masks and waited in long lines and your patience and cooperation contributed to this semester’s success. While shortened by several weeks, the fall semester was one of our most successful ever. October was the busiest month either location has ever experienced. And while we still have not fully recovered financially, we have made significant gains and both restaurants are on sound footing heading into the extended winter break.

The spring semester will look similar to the fall. We will still have our plexiglass. The doors will be open. The masks will be on. We’ll continue to kindly ask “if you have your food, could you please exit the waiting area so others can enter” The Patio Grill will return when the weather is warm enough. We look forward to expanding our specials and yes we are even thinking about Pail-A-Palooza and LobsterFest.

Please be safe during the winter break. We will enjoy a little break and time to rest and all of us will be ready to do it all again in February.

-Karen & Ed

A guide to all the changes at WesWings (in these unprecedented times)

1. Takeout only. There is no inside dining at Swings at this time but plenty of outside tables.
2. Order at the counter inside or outside for a quick special at the patio grill
3. Meal Plan points, Middletown cash, credit cards. No cash.
4. Open Everyday 11am-8pm

Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter for daily specials and updates.

A handy guide to all things at RBC for the fall semester.

1. Takeout only. There is no inside dining at the cafe at this time.
2. Order at the counter or text us with Zingle 860-650-1214
3. Set up your Zingle account simply by sending us at text 860-650-1214 and follow the prompts.
4. Meal Plan points, Middletown cash, credit cards. No cash.
5. Open Monday -Thursday 9am-8pm and Friday-Sunday 9am-5pm

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter for latest specials and updates

It’s official. We think. Finally. After a few last minute changes due to new guidance from the state of CT and the university, we are planning to re-open both WesWings and The Red & Black Cafe on Monday September 7th.

Monday September 7th is the first day most students will be out of quarantine and we’ll be ready to welcome everyone back. Like everything else, things will be a little different. As our earlier updates have mentioned, we will not have any indoor dining. Everything will be packaged to-go. Red & Black Cafe will have Zingle text ordering available and limited outdoor seating. At WesWings we’re adding more picnic tables outside and a new Patio Grill that will serve daily specials including burgers, vegan Beyond burgers and much more.

We are putting in place safety features including Plexiglas, contactless payments for meal plan IDs, separate entry and exits and more signage then we ever thought possible.

Both locations will accept meal plan points, Middletown cash and credit cards. There will be no cash accepted this year. In addition, we have made the decision to restrict our customers to the Wesleyan community ONLY. Specifically students, faculty and staff who are a part of the university’s Covid testing program. Eventually we may develop a curbside pickup plan for non university customers, but for now we’re trying to limit the number of outside visitors and customers.

In the coming weeks we’ll provide more updates to help you better understand our new systems. Where the lines are and the easiest ways to order.

Last spring we told you we were not going anywhere and we meant it. The past five months have been hard on our staff but everyone is eager to get back work. We still have a long way to go but we are determined to make this, our 30th year in business, a memorable year.

-Karen & Ed

To all of our customers, staff and the entire Wesleyan family. We want to let you know what services Weswings and the Red & Black Cafe will be offering during the next few weeks and remainder of the semester.

Our upcoming schedule remains unchanged. The Red & Black Cafe will be reopening on Monday March 16th. It will be open 9am-5pm March 16-22. On Monday March 23rd it will return to regular hours 9am-8pm M-F and 9-5 Sat & Sun until March 30th.

WesWings will reopen Friday March 20th and will be open 11am-8pm until March 30th. Weswings has extended its afternoon hours to reduce congestion at mealtimes and to be able to serve students at off hours during their move.

After March 30, both locations plan to remain open to service any students, faculty and staff who are remaining on campus. We will reevaluate our hours of operation and may reduce them depending on customer needs.

To our student staff: If there are any student workers who receive permission to remain on campus, we will make every effort to schedule hours for you.

To our non student full and part time staff: We are making every effort to maintain our work schedules. During the end of March as students are moving off campus, there may be increases or decreases in schedules depending on needs. After March 30th, we will reevaluate our needs and adjust schedules accordingly. If at anytime during the next two months it becomes necessary to close either location, everyone will continue to be paid their regular hours up to 40 hrs per week until our regularly scheduled summer break May 16th. This pandemic is causing so many disruptions and hardships for so many people. We want to do as much as we can to support our staff. You are what make our restaurants run so smoothly and allow us to be successful. You have been there for us, we want to do what we can to help you too. While this entire experience will be a huge financial loss for us, our staff is the backbone of our restaurants and we know this is the right thing to do.

We have been here for almost 30 years and have served the Wesleyan community through blizzards, ice storms and lockdowns. We’ve been through the best and worst of times and always come through. This time will be no different.

-Karen & Ed