Patio Café undergoes renovations set to last until early August

The University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) Patio Café is currently closed while undergoing renovations. The closure, which began July 1, is expected to last until early August. Upon reopening, there is expected to be an expanded variety of food options.

While the Patio Café remains closed, students, faculty, and staff will still be able to purchase food and beverages at the Hawk Energy Bar located at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC). The Hawk Energy Bar typically focuses on smoothies, coffee, and a refrigerated grab-and-go section, however, during the Patio Café renovations, more options will be available.

“A full line of espresso drinks, smoothies, sandwiches, salads, hot soup, yogurt, fruit and pastries will be available for purchase at the Hawk Energy Bar,” said Debra Carpenter, executive director for procurement and payables.

The UHCL dining website states, “the proposed renovations will create an enhanced guest experience with additional food offerings in anticipation of our growing campus community and the addition of campus residents and residential meal plans.”

Tiffany Wade, communication major, said new, healthier options could potentially appeal to a larger audience.

“I haven’t had too much of an issue with the food besides wishing there was more of a variety to choose from,” Wade said. “More specifically, I would like to see healthier food options that are not packaged, I feel like that would draw in more students who are health conscious.”

Carpenter said the anticipated new food selections – which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner – will feature items such as, “halal foods, vegetarian entrees, international cuisine and comfort foods.”

With the opening of UHCL’s first residence hall, Hunter Hall, in fall 2019, the renovations are anticipated to not only increase ease of access in the café but also help support the new population of on-campus residents.

“Student Housing and Residential Life is working closely with Chartwells to make sure we are moving in the right direction in our support of all students living on campus at UHCL,” said Matthew Perry, director of Residence Life.

While the renovations are largely focused on the incoming residential students, the changes have created some anticipation for the Patio Café staff.

“We think it will be great and are excited about the changes and can’t wait to reopen,” said Michael Quiballo, director of dining services at UHCL.

The reopening of the Patio Café will also feature the introduction of UHCL’s Dining Dollar Plan or meal plan, which will utilize a declining balance card.

“As Hunter Hall residents are required to secure a meal plan through Dining Services, Student Housing and Residential Life sees meal plans helping students to budget their monies for food, long-term, over the course of the semester and year,” Perry said. “All UHCL students are able to select a Dining Dollar meal plan, with options including $700, $1280, and $2120, per semester. Students will also be able to add onto their meal plan, with a minimum of $50, at any time throughout the year.”

The UHCL dining website also outlines the rest of the anticipated renovations to the Patio Café in the year to come. The current changes have been outlined as Phase 1 of the Patio Café renovations, which will also include the closure of the coffee shop, which currently serves Starbucks products, to be, “expanded into a standalone store with a larger footprint.” The coffee shop renovation is currently anticipated to be done in spring 2020.

The Patio Café renovations are set to be completed following Phase 2, which is meant to take place in summer 2020. Phase 2 will include a, “remodel of the remainder of the food court to enhance the overall guest experience, improve speed of service and expand seating,” according to the website.

The UHCL community can anticipate many changes to come to the Patio Café for the year to come.

“As Chartwells updates their operations and expands their offerings, the vision is for students to see on-campus dining as part of their ‘home away from home,’” Perry said.