Campus eateries feature refreshed menu, new branding

Some of the dining stations in Hopkins Dining Hall. (Aramark Collegiate Hospitality)

Brenau University students, faculty and staff will have a fresh menu to order from in redesigned spaces this fall when they grab a bite at Hopkins Dining Hall or the Tea Room on the historic Gainesville campus.

“Food brings people together,” Danielle Miller, executive director for Administrative Services, said. “We’re excited to see connections happening again at The Dish in Hopkins Dining Hall and at the updated Brenau Tea Room.”

 New branding in Hopkins will help diners readily identify the various options, according to Megan Corcoran Church, the senior district marketing manager for Aramark Collegiate Hospitality. 

Greens and Grains station in Hopkins Dining Hall
The Greens and Grains station in Hopkins Dining Hall. (Aramark Collegiate Hospitality)

“When a first-time Brenau student comes into the dining hall, they’re going to be able to say, ‘Okay, I know Greens and Grains is where I get a salad or a sandwich, and I know that for vegan and vegetarian options, I go to Root,’” Corcoran Church said.

Root and Greens and Grains are two of the seven stations at The Dish in Hopkins Dining Hall. Other stations include Under the Hood, a classic grill; the Iron Skillet, which features fresh and flavorful entrees; Trattoria Italian Kitchen, home to pizza and pasta; Global Kitchen, the go-to for international cuisine; and the Confectionary for a sweet finish.

“One of the big things that we’ve done in Hopkins is move our Global Kitchen out front into the center area alongside the salad bar,” Corcoran Church said. “We’ll be able to showcase international cuisines, such as stir fry, but also other culinary cuisines from around the globe. It’s going to be a nice showpiece in the dining hall.”

The Tea Room in Sorority Circle will reopen on Monday, Aug. 29, after the space was upgraded over the summer. GrillWorks has been rebranded as Burgers + Fries, or B+F, and features a host of burger options.

“B+F not only has a much brighter profile and a more fun, more college-aged feel, but the menu itself is really geared toward what we’re seeing in food trends,” Corcoran Church said. “That includes 30-40% of students looking for vegan and vegetarian options.”

Burgers plus fries and Foodlab in the Tea Room
(Alyson Shields/Brenau University)

Plant-based options include the popular Beyond burger and a black bean burger, and all of the meat will be fresh, not frozen. Plus, Corcoran Church said diners will have more customization options for their burgers, from spicy or cheesy to loaded with veggies.

Also in the Tea Room, the new FoodLab station will feature a variety of rotating dining options, and Brewed Awakenings will continue to serve Starbucks coffee. The Provision On Demand convenience store, or POD Market, will also remain available for snacks and beverages on the go. 

Miller said a POD Express kiosk is also coming soon to the Downtown Center.

“All of these options, including fresh menus, the sustainable Green to Go take-home box program, and the POD Market in the Tea Room and at the Downtown Center help foster the wellness of our Brenau community,” Miller said.

Corcoran Church said there is a new district dietician who works on the Brenau menus. Dr. Fiona Lewis will visit Hopkins Dining Hall during lunch on Sept. 1 for a Welcome Back event, which will feature more information about the updates, giveaways and a smoothie bike.

Brenau Dining is managed by Aramark. Diners can find out more about meal plans, menus and hours on the Brenau CampusDish website, and by following Brenau Dining on Instagram.