As someone who dined here before and after the renovation, you can definitely tell the difference. It's a fancy, attractive facility with new functions, but as they say the proof is in the pudding. The quality is maintained, though I think most of the dishes are the same, I think at some point Chef Eugene will come up with some new additions? I know these things take time, they're still finding their feet. I will say that I absolutely love the chicken enchiladas on Taco (every other) Tuesday.
It's pretty clear that they're watching the pennies closely as reflected in the portion control, unfortunately there was a dramatic increase in food prices in their time away and I'm sure the expense of this complete remodeling is also reflected in the new watchful eyes on what ends up on our plates. One item in particular that I think suffers from this shift is this really nice chicken sandwich that they have daily by the salad bar. The first time I had one, the first day, I think the students hadn't been trained well enough yet and they gave me enough chicken to overflow both sides of the bun, it was amazing! The next one I ordered a week later, was a very small chicken breast that barely reached the edges of the bun. They now call the portions: 1 Protein or 2 Protein, formerly Half Order and Full Order, I asked the manager, who was here for years before the remodel if that sandwich was 2 Protein and he said yes. "And you cut that in half for a 1 Protein?" Yes. Wow, that's ridiculous for What comes out to nearly $10 for just the sandwich.
When I griped about them closing for so long before the close, I was asked by a staff member "Don't you want more food options?" I said then that I just wanted the food they had, without going without what I thought would be a year that turned out to be two; the first year being completely pointless because the construction didn't actually start until the next summer. I'll repeat my refrain and add that some details have been lost, watching them eek out a pinch of shredded cheese to put on my taco is pretty frustrating; I'd like to actually taste the cheese please. Oh, and I bought a insulated Beckman Institute tumbler before the renovation (plus another one for a friend) and the deal was you got lifetime refills for a dollar. I guess the "lifetime" was for that particular kitchen space, not transferable to the new one. I was told that program is gone, now they have a loyalty program. (In my unqualified opinion that's bordering on violation of a verbal contract, I paid for that tumbler with an express agreement. Fool me once...) A loyalty program for what you ask? I'm going to bet it's the same K-Cup "coffee" that they serve as their free "coffee" with the purchase of a hot breakfast... in a very small serving. It's the same thing you get at the Circle K across the street, in the machines that they put a fake coffee bean hopper on top with a picture of coffee beans around the ring to make it seem like you're getting actual coffee. lol
A quick note about the dining area, they have some nice new furniture, very pretty. I was concerned before the opening, it seemed like it wouldn't seat nearly as many as the space did before, but fortunately they've extended the dining down a couple of sections of the ground floor. I guess there were tables there before, but there was rarely over-spill there. The one complaint I will make is that they have booth type benches and I love that type of seating... but the tables only manage to come up to the tops of my knees; quite awkward.
As you can tell, a lot of this leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but there's still a lot of positives. There's good comfort food and what they scrimp on with protein and cheese, they make up for with pasta, veggies and other sides. Times are tough and you can definitely see this at Ted's Cafe. Maybe our raises will catch up at some point I can say "Two chicken sandwiches! - Two proteins? - No! Four proteins!" Who am I kidding? I'm civil service. But a boy can dream... read more