Order Ahead, Stay Ahead at The Courtyard Cafe

Waiting in line is a problem of the past at the Courtyard Cafe, all thanks to online ordering. Navigating campus on foot is a really 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 are interested in skipping the line can do so by ordering ahead through the QR code below.

“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. In a time where getting a quick bite to eat comes at a significant cost of time and money, the cafe pulls through in all the right ways for students such as Damon Duren, a second term student. 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.” 

For Duren, the cafe’s dedication to providing nutritious food at a reasonable cost does not go unappreciated. While the Courtyard Cafe may boast a small staff size, the impact their hard work and dedication has on the student body is tremendous.