An improved Hatch Cafe has opened for business in the Campus Center this semester to fill the gap that Blue Wall left, and is now better than ever. With a layout that closely resembles that of a mall food court, it is the ideal place to meet up with friends for a bite to eat during a hectic workweek. Empty tables are easy to find, and the cafe is not as busy as some of the dining halls can often be.

The Hatch can get a little overwhelming with all the different choices available, but thankfully your options aren’t limited, because the food is consistently delicious. Here are some suggestions as to which station to go to, depending on your meal preferences.

Tamales

If you’re in the mood for Mexican food, Tamales is the place to go. You can order a classic burrito with beef or chicken, but if you shy away from meats, Tamales has a vegetarian option. Taco salads are also available, with all the classic taco ingredients tossed on a bed of lettuce. And if you’re feeling bold, go for some hot sauce or hot peppers to take your spicy food to the next level.

Corner Deli

This is the place to get traditional-style sandwiches. You can choose from different types of bread, as well as from classic deli meats, cheeses, condiments and toppings to make your sandwich exactly the way you want it.

UMac and Cheese

This kiosk is conveniently located right next to the Corner Deli, so after you order your sandwich, you can get a cup of mac and cheese as a side. UMac’s selection comes in five different varieties: classic cheese, Greek, Buffalo Chicken, BLT and Philly cheesesteak. You can also order it as a main dish with a veggie side, a side salad or artisan bread.

The Chicken Co.

Here you can get a crispy chicken basket, chicken tenders or wrap sandwiches with fries. There is also a combo option, which consists of a wrap or salad with fries and a fountain soda or water for the price of a swipe.

Pita Pit

Pita Pit is a regular crowd favorite. Unlike the location in the lower level of the Hampden building in Southwest, the Gyro pita is available at the Hatch’s Pita Pit. You can choose from options that include BLT, Philly Steak, chicken Caesar and vegetarian options such as Falafel and garden pitas. Make it a combo with a bag of chips, a cookie or a piece of fruit and a fountain soda or water.

Cafe Spice

The Indian food at Cafe Spice will not disappoint. Their options include rice, Naan flatbread sandwiches (a popular oven-baked bread in Southeast and Central Asia), and Paratha wraps. Paratha is a different variety of flatbread, and one of the options for the wrap filling is chicken tikka—chunks of chicken marinated in spices, spicy potato and paneer, an Indian cheese. You can also order pastries called samosas that are fried or baked, and choose either the potato or chicken filling. A dish known bhajia is also available, a spicy platter that serves up a variety of vegetables flavored with curry.

Star Ginger

This Asian-style spot specializes in Pho noodles, a Vietnamese dish that consists of a hot broth soup with rice flour noodles, vegetables and meat. You can choose what vegetables and meat you want, and a little Sriracha hot sauce adds some serious flavor. Star Ginger also has an Asian grill that serves chicken specialties and rice bowls.

Chobani Yogurt Creations Bar

Perhaps the most exciting new thing at the Hatch is the Chobani bar. There are two types of non-fat Greek yogurt available (plain and vanilla) that you can scoop into a bowl, to which you can add a variety of toppings, including honey, dried bananas, raisins, fresh fruits, granola and nuts. Greek yogurt is both trendy and tasty, and a bar that lets you create your own meal out of it is a fun new idea for food service.

Peoples Organic Coffee

The coffee found in the Procrastination Station in the library is also available here.

On your way out, be sure to throw away the remnants of your meal into the three separate bins labeled “Trash,” “Compost” and “Recycling.” There is a helpful diagram on the wall that shows what materials can go into which receptacle.

The dining options at the improved Hatch are varied and delicious, so be sure to stop back throughout the semester to get a taste of all the Hatch has to offer. The Hatch accepts YCMP swipes and UCard debit, and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and until 9:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Hae Young Yoo can be reached at [email protected].