Dining options at RMC are changing

BY JENNIFER EVANS
Rice News staff

Those who frequent Rice Memorial Center to fill their tummies will find their dining options have changed beginning today.

After lunch June 24, Smoothie King and 13th Street will close their operations, and work will begin on a new Barnes & Noble-operated convenience store, Recharge U, that will occupy that space.

The new store will open in time for O-Week in August and offer a range of fresh packaged sandwiches, salads and snacks as well as sundry personal care and household items.

Sammy’s will also close temporarily June 30 to undergo updates in preparation for a new operator, Droubi’s Bakery & Deli. The eatery — Droubi’s Mediterranean Grill at Sammy’s — is expected to reopen the week of July 11.

“Droubi’s specialty is Mediterranean cuisine — pitas, hummus, falafel, shawarma, kabobs, etc. — so naturally the menu will feature those items,” said Carol “CJ” Claverie, contract and project manager for Housing and Dining. “There is still a demand for some basic American grill items, such as burgers, that Droubi’s will retain. A.J. Droubi plans to listen to what customers are asking for and to shape his menu accordingly.”

Claverie said prices will be comparable to current ones. “Droubi’s is aware of the need for items that are high-quality but will fit within the budget of most students.”

The changes are being made in response to community feedback.

“Multiple surveys on campus have shown a demand for different food options representing other cuisines,” Claverie said. “Although Droubi’s operation of Sammy’s will not attempt to offer the same wide variety of items as the current operator, many of those items will be found at other campus food outlets. Recharge U will offer the items most wanted — sandwiches, salads, sushi, energy drinks — but in greater variety and will include more health-conscious options.”

Droubi’s will begin offering a limited lunch menu even while Sammy’s is closed. Other dining options on campus during the changeover at Sammy’s and the remodel of the convenience store include Valhalla, Salento at Brochstein Pavilion and the Rice Coffeehouse, which offers pastries and bagels.