How to beat the line at LBCC's Courtyard Cafe

Waiting in line can be a thing of the past at the Courtyard Cafe for those who take advantage of the online ordering system.

Navigating campus on foot is a quick way to work up an appetite, but the cafe’s prime location at the heart of campus in Takena Hall makes it a perfect pit stop between classes. Roadrunners who flock to the cafe to handle their cravings will notice two things that immediately stand out: the line to order, which often extends through the door into the courtyard itself, and the intense work being done by the staff members to hold down the fort. Those who want to skip the line can do so by ordering ahead through a QR code link which is posted on the walls of the cafe.

“We see more than 300 students on most days,” said cafe manager Jesse Jones. “I have about 10 people working back here this term.”

The kitchen makes use of a ticketing system to keep track of the influx of orders, and the majority of orders received are placed in person. Despite flyers with QR codes to place online orders being posted on many of the cafe’s walls, the process hasn’t exactly caught on with most students just yet.

Despite the high volume of customers compared to helping hands, Jones makes it her priority to ensure that all students feel accommodated, providing as much variety in the available options as possible.

In a time where getting a quick bite to eat can come at a significant cost of time and money, the cafe pulls through in all the right ways for students such as Damon Duren. Working part-time on top of pursuing a degree is a lot to juggle, but Duren is thankful to have a convenient option nearby.

“Ordering online saves a lot of time, since I can grab my breakfast burrito and go straight to class,” Duren said.

For Duren, the cafe’s dedication to providing nutritious food at a reasonable cost does not go unappreciated.

Anyone who wants to use the QR code to order can do so by simply scanning one with a phone camera. After doing so, a link will open in your browser, directing you to the order page. Overall, the process is a smooth, straightforward one.

On the order page, customers are given the option to place a pickup order ahead of time, So long as the orders are placed between 9:10am and 2:45pm on business days. Online orders are picked up at the counter, just like in person orders, so make sure to keep your ears open for your order to be called.