One way you can support our efforts is to purchase a gift card. This will help us with our immediate financial needs to pay our staff and other expenses. It gives you the opportunity to get some great food when our restaurants reopen. We are thankful for everyone’s support during this difficult time. #GoWes
Today we opened the Red & Black Cafe to do our part helping feed students as they were leaving campus. While we are not the primary campus dining service provider, we have always felt committed to serving the Wesleyan community no matter the circumstances. Snow storms, power outages etc. We have always been there as long as we believed we could do so without endangering our staff or customers.
Today was a challenge. We began the day short staffed trying to prep both the dining area to accommodate a takeout only setup as well as our menu. When we opened our registers, we found the Blackboard system down making it difficult to ascertain if students still had funds or not. We assured our customers that everyone would be fed regardless of ability to pay. Later as more people came in, we quickly moved to a text order only system to create more social distancing as the increased number of waiting customers began to create anxiety amongst both staff and customers.
By mid afternoon we learned of the all campus email encouraging students to leave ASAP and/or not attempt returning to campus at this time. In addition several of our suppliers informed us of problems they were facing.
As we have said, staying open to feed our student customers has always been a priority. Unfortunately the conditions, the safety of our staff and the reality of what we are capable of, have made us come to the conclusion that we must for the time being close both locations.
As we have previously announced, all of our non student full and part time employees will continue to be paid their regular wages up to 40 hours/week until our regularly scheduled summer break.
We have not made the decision to permanently close for the semester. We will continue to maintain both locations. This will allow us to quickly reopen and provide service if needed. We are waiting to see how many students will remain on campus and what the guidance from government officials will be in the coming weeks.
Please follow us on our various social media platforms as well as our website for updates.
We appreciate everything this community has done for us. We are so lucky to be part of the Wesleyan family. We are heartbroken to make this decision but know it is the right thing to do.
The Red & Black Cafe is open with several changes.
Hours of operation Everyday 9am-5pm
There is no dining inside. We have sectioned off tables and chairs and ask that all orders be taken to go
We encourage everyone to take advantage of our text ordering 860-650-1214
Our self serve coffee has been removed and we will make all coffee orders including adding milk, cream etc
No refills in your own mug. All mug club refills will be in single use paper cups
If you are sick or feeling any symptoms we ask that you not come inside. We will provide alternative means to get you food. Text us your order and we’ll arrange for you to pick up in a more secure area.
We will not be able to accommodate stocking up on large quantities. While we have a decent supply of drinks, we will limit people buying more than 6 bottled drinks.
There will be no “burning your points” Typically at the end of the semester, we encourage people to use or lose their points, but not this week. We are focused on providing everyone their immediate dining needs and will not be selling extra items.
We will also not be accepting any points donations. We know many of you want to do what you can to help us and our staff during the next few months. As we have stated, we will be paying our non student staff at both Weswings and Red & Black regardless of whether we are open or not. We want to assure all of our customers and staff we are prepared to handle the next few months. We are making necessary moves to meet our immediate financial needs. Wesleyan is working to responsibly process refunds for room and board. While there have been occasions in the past for charitable points donations, what is needed now is a calm process. After the semester is over, we will be working with the administration to assess our needs. We will definitely be counting on our customers to help us when they return by dining with us as much as possible.
Please be patient with us, as this is a rapidly evolving situation. We will continue to keep everyone updated. We are committed to doing what we can to help the Wesleyan community (students faculty and staff) in a safe and responsible way.
This Saturday February 6th, marks our 25th anniversary.
We know some of you are saying “25 years? I feel so old.” Well how do you think we feel? In just 25 short years, we’ve made thousand of friends and become a Wesleyan institution.
Join us on Saturday as we celebrate. There is sure to be the usual free swag and other surprises.
We are still working out the details for a larger celebration later this semester. And of course don’t forget the Super Bowl is the next day.
From all of us at WesWings and the Red & Black Cafe, have a safe and fun summer. We are taking a much needed break and will return in late August. Looking forward to seeing you in the fall, meeting the class of 2018 and will forever be missing the class of 2014.
Today marks five years since the death of Johanna Justin-Jinich ’10 inside the Red & Black Cafe. We continue to call for sensible reforms to our gun laws and how we identify and treat those with mental illness. While time has helped heal some of our wounds, none of us will ever forget Johanna.
How can an entire breakfast in a Chinese food container go wrong? The breakfast pail was invented by student employees who needed a quick snack while they were working. Depending on how you’re ordering or eating, you may, in fact, be making a mistake. Here are five ideas to improve your pail experience
1. Not getting over easy eggs.
One key element is the runny yolk as it covers the other ingredients. While some of you may prefer your eggs scrambled, runny yolks make the pail.
2. Not ordering avocado.
We bring in hundreds of fresh avocados every day. You don’t have to skip bacon or sausage, just make sure you add avocado. After all what’s a couple of points when it comes to pail perfection? (note: avocado goes better with scrambled eggs)
3. Adding Hollandaise sauce.
Check the specials board for the Eggs Benny. Whatever Hollandaise sauce is being used for that is usually available for a pail. Like the over easy egg, this stuff MAKES the pail.
4. SRIRACHA
this or our hot Franks wing sauce
5. Not mixing from the bottom.
A pail is meant to be mixed. As Bob Marley sang, “Stir it Up” Eating from the bottom is the best way to get a little bit of every layer in every bite.
We know your pail is personal. Everyone has their own way. Tell us what’s in your pail @weswings
This Saturday February 6th, marks our 25th anniversary.
this or our hot Franks wing sauce
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