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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cafeUPDATE 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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mcgillWe 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!

 

Swings 25th Anniversary

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FullSizeRender (7)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.

  • Karen & Ed

New! Text Your Order Service at Red & Black Cafe

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  • 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

Text of Ed’s Speech to the Class 2016 at Wine and Cheese

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FullSizeRender (5)On Friday September 25, WesWings sponsored a Wine and Cheese party for the class of 2016 at Beckham Hall.  For those who were unable to attend or may have had difficulty hearing due to sound and mic equipment problems, we are posting the details of Ed’s speech here.

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Thank you and welcome.  I am Ed Thorndike and I, along with my business partner, Karen Polascik, own Wes Wings and The Red & Black Café.  As many of you know, Wes Wings will be celebrating its 25th year in business.  We have several events planned to celebrate starting with tonight.  Next week we’re bringing a group of our staff to NYC to see Hamilton.  We are also planning a large celebration next spring and we hope to see all of you then too.

Now in addition to owning WesWings, I am also an alum, class of 1989.   I want to welcome you tonight on behalf of the alumni association as well.  Over the coming days, weeks and months you will hear a lot of good reasons why you should contribute to the senior class gift.  And for those who have or will soon be giving, I thank you for your gift.  I know many of you have reasons why you DON’T want to give.  I’ve heard them.  I’m still paying tuition.  I don’t have a job.  I have tons of loans.  Or maybe you’re just pissed off at one of things the administration has done recently.  But here’s the thing.  For me.  When the smoke clears it comes down to the Wesleyan experience.  The Wesleyan experience is special and is what motivates me.  It’s been passed down to you and you will soon pass it down to classes that come after you.  You’re probably asking yourself, “what is this Wesleyan experience of which you speak so eloquently?”  Well I’ll tell you….

It’s football games and basketball and hockey.  It’s ultimate Frisbee and West African dance concerts outside.  It’s seeing your friends in shows at the ’92 theater.  It’s Ebony Singers in the Chapel, it’s research in Hall Atwater

It’s bands at Art House, Buho and Eclectic.  It’s parties in the backyards of Fountain.  It’s a party ON Fountain.  It’s Pine Palace or the Fishbowl.  It’s getting a grilled cheese at 2 am from Whey and a breakfast pail from WesWings the next day.  It’s O’Rourkes, or Ford News Diner.  It’s Thai Gardens, Typhoon and Neon.

Continue reading →

WTF Happened to My Turkey Panino and other Changes to the RBC Menu

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Relax it’s still here.  We made a lot of changes to the menu but we have only ADDED more items.  Your old favorites are still here and now you can make them better.

First the Turkey Panino.  Now you order it from the BYO Sandwich menu.

Turkey, cheddar and pesto on grilled focaccia bread.  Add some tomatoes it always makes it better.

In addition to the Turkey Panino you can customize lots of Sandwiches.

Under Build Your Own Sandwich you can create just what you want.  We still have our famous Cranberry-Apple Tuna.  We’ve added

  • Home cooked roast beef,
  • Baked ham
  • House made Hummus

Plenty of bread options and new spreads as well.  Any sandwich can be grilled on the panini.

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Continue reading →

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

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RBC LogoTen 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