Category Archives: Announcements

Class of 2021 Guide To ‘Swinging

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Eggs Benedict with fresh Asparagus one of many Weekend Brunch specials

You’ve heard about it.  They have cookie dough.  Maybe you even ate there during WesFest.  But now you’re here, standing in line, with a crowd around you, and you hear one of the cashiers yell, “Can I help who’s next?”  

WesWings can be a little daunting the first few times.  Some will panic and just order a burger and fries or a chicken sandwich.  Our menu is pretty extensive and the choices are vast.

  • What kind of bread?
  • Regular or spicy fries?
  • What kind of sauce?
  • Here or to go?

To list just a few of the questions you’ll be asked.

So here are a few ideas to help you get the most out of our little dining establishment.

  1. Water is free, cups are not.  We charge 25 cents for a water cup so if you don’t want to buy a drink, bring your own mug.  We do this to reduce waste, not make money.
  2. To Go containers are free.  Our portions are big and delicious so why not bring it home.

What to order?

Continue reading →

Join The Mug Club! Now $25 Points for the Whole Semester

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Why spend 2 points or more every meal for your beverage?  Our Mug Club is not only good for the environment, it’s good for your points balance.

If you go to either location 3 times a week, you will save over $120 this year.  Go 5 times a week and save close to $200 this year.

Mug Club FAQ

What is it?

Purchase a reusable mug from either WesWings or Red & Black Café for free refills of soda and iced coffee every time you visit.

Can I use it at other campus locations?

Only WesWings and Red & Black Cafe.

How much is it? Continue reading →

Red & Black Cafe Not Moving

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UPDATE 12/1/16

Yesterday President Roth announced the location for the new bookstore on Main St.  We want to let everyone know, the Red & Black Cafe is not moving and will remain where it is.  We are in the early planning stages to reconfigure our space at 45 Broad St. and have quite a few exciting ideas, both in design and menu.  We hope to make those announcements  next semester as they become more clear.

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April 29, 2016

On Friday at the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, President Roth announced plans to move Broad Street Books to Main St.  We want to assure all of our customers and staff that The Red & Black Cafe will not be moving as part of that relocation.  Earlier this week, we met with our official contacts at Wesleyan.  The Red & Black Cafe has and will continue to be an integral part of campus dining.  The cafe will remain at 45 Broad St.  The university has not yet decided what will fill the space vacated by the bookstore.  It may be used for academic or other student uses.  The plan would be to divide the space to accommodate the new tenants.

We have also had preliminary discussions with Wesleyan regarding the new bookstore on Main St and may be involved in developing a cafe within the new store.

We have a long history owning and operating dining establishments at Wesleyan and downtown Middletown.  WesWings is celebrating twenty-five years in business.  The Red & Black Cafe is completing its thirteenth year.  Twenty years ago, we opened and ran the successful Eleanor Rigby’s Gourmet Delicatessen & Cafe on Main St.  We are looking forward to continuing our great partnership with Wesleyan and excited at the possible new opportunities as well.

-Karen & Ed

25th Anniversary Party

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WesWings 25th Anniversary Celebration

APRIL 30, 2016

Love WesWings as much as we do? Owners Ed Thorndike ’89 and KarenKaffen-Polascik are throwing a party to celebrate 25 years feeding Wesleyan Students. The party will feature a concert by The Rooks (Wes alumni band!), yummy sushi by Yooki Yama Restaurant, and the CLASS OF 2016. Seniors over the age of 21 will be given 2 drink tickets.

Sponsored by the Senior Class Gift Committee, University Relations and WesWings!

Event details

Saturday, April 30, 2016
8 -11 p.m.
Beckham Hall

**Registration is for seniors only and ID is required. Space is limited.

Please register by Tuesday, April 26.

Register Here

New WesWings Location Planned for McGill University

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We are excited to announce that we are in discussions to open a  location on the lovely Canadian campus of McGill University.  In recent months we’ve heard a lot of students and staff express interest in uh well moving to Canada.  In response, we looked for a campus, north of the border that closely resembled Wesleyan.  They have a red bird for a mascot, so it seemed to fit.  At this point nothing is finalized.  We will make our decision in November when, if we choose to move forward, we will sign a four-year term er rather contract beginning next January.  We would then have an option for four more years.  All of our staff and customers who want to relocate are welcome to join us.

A few changes for the new location:  The Canadian bacon on our Country Club Chicken sandwich and the Eggs Benny will just be called bacon.  Also the breakfast pail will have Poutine.

Finally, don’t forget to register and please vote!

 

New! Text Your Order Service at Red & Black Cafe

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860-650-1214 

  • Now you can text your order to the Red & Black Cafe all day everyday.
  • The first time you text us, you will be asked for your name and class year to add you to our system (it’s automated so play along).  After that it’s so quick and easy.
  • Ask us about specials or daily soups
  • Receive promotional updates and discounts

Red & Black Cafe’s $53,000 Completes a Decade of Giving

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Ten years ago beginning in 2005, we pledged a decade long campaign to contribute 1% of our gross sales from the Red & Black Cafe to support financial aid.  Our 1% For Aid campaign has been completed with over $53,000 in contributions. These funds had been restricted to financial aid and since 2009 we specifically directed these funds to the Johannah Justin Jinich ’10 scholarship, (a cause dear to our hearts).

As we begin our 13th year in business at the RBC, we appreciate all the support we’ve received from students and the Wesleyan community.  While this particular campaign is now complete, we will continue to support you, our customers, in new ways.

-Karen & Ed

Welcome Home Everyone

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You’re back.  We’re open.  What could be better?

The Red & Black Cafe is open (and has been all week)  Lot’s of changes at the cafe.  New menu featuring breads from Hartford Baking Co.  You can build your own sandwiches, salads and wait for it… grilled cheese.  Lot’s of toppings, fillings, spreads etc..  Still have some of your favorites including the Thanksgiving sandwich and our apple cranberry tuna. Weekend brunch with all your favorite omelets and a few new specials as well.  Also, the folks at IT have been busy this summer and AIRWES is now flying at the bookstore/cafe.

WesWings re-opens tonight at 5pm.  We’ve been working on new specials for the semester and are almost as excited as you are for the first pails of the year Sunday morning.  We have a lot of exciting news and events we’ll be sharing in the coming days and weeks.  If you haven’t heard Swings is turning 25.  As always, both locations take points.  Be sure to follow/friend us on whatever social media you use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s going to be a great year.

-Karen & Ed

End of the year Mug Club Special $10

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UPDATE:  MUGS are now just $10 points.

Why spend 2 points or more every meal for your beverage?  Our Mug Club is not only good for the environment, it’s good for your points balance.

If you go to either location 3 times a week, you will save over $160 this year.  Go 5 times a week and save close to $300 this year.

Mug Club FAQ

What is it?

Purchase a reusable mug from either WesWings or Red & Black Café for free refills of soda and iced coffee every time you visit.

Can I use it at other campus locations?

Only WesWings and Red & Black Cafe.

How much is it? Continue reading →

Welcome Class of 2020

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You’re almost here!  We know you have questions. “What’s a pail?  Tell me about cookie dough.” Good news, we have answers.  And we will be providing them over the upcoming weeks.

The most important thing you can do right now is connect with us.

Over the next few weeks we will provide you with answers like

  • “Yes, we do take points.  You can use your meal plan points at both WesWings and the Red & Black Cafe.”
  • “The Red & Black Cafe is located in the back corner of Broad St. Books, the campus bookstore at 45 Broad St.  Yes, you can use your meal plan points at the cafe.”
  • “WesWings is located in the lower rear level at 156 High St.  Yes, you can use your points there too”
  • “Sorry, you can’t use your block meals.  That’s why most students opt for the plan with the most points.”
  • “Yes, it’s raw.  Yes, you can eat it.”
  • “Yes, were are hiring.  Apply on our Website”
  • “We recommend over easy, but a scrambled pail is good too.”

Don’t be shy.  Feel free to contact us through any of our social media accounts.  See you in September.

-Karen & Ed