With its new name, Raven Xpress has become a permanent addition to AU’s mealtime menu. (Photo: Julia Smith)
Starting out as a simple boxed lunch counter with Options A, B and vegetarian, the Hartung food cart now known as Raven Xpress offers a wide variety of choices with Starbucks coffee, Naked juice, and so much more.
James Chantanasombut, assistant director of food services and chef, explained that in the beginning, “[Raven Xpress] started small and slow. I wanted to do things right.”
He elaborated that the food stop that would eventually be Raven Xpress started out as a collaboration between the managers of food services at Anderson.
The change in the hour of chapel was the tipping point. Food services concluded the new location would take the pressures off of the Marketplace and the Raven’s Haven during the already busy lunch hour.
The Auxiliary Committee was approached by food services to find a place on campus suitable for what they had in mind. They suggested the small alcove that Raven Xpress occupies today.
Originally serving only boxed lunches and drinks, Chantanasombut realized the importance of growth.
“It’s easier to add things rather than to take them away,” he said.
As the yet-unnamed Hartung boxed lunch counter began offering Starbucks coffee, food services issued a contest to find a creative and catchy name for the new option.
Out of fifty entrees, the managers narrowed it down to five. The top five names went to the Student Government Association, who then approved them and passed them on to the Auxiliary Committee.
Chantanasombut stressed that the entire process was “student developed” with the name focused on the speed and convenience of the location and the nutritious food offered there.
With a new flat screen monitor to show off its name, Raven Xpress kicked off its new offerings with flair.
“We wanted to really differentiate ourselves from the other locations,” said Chantanasombut.
He cited the inclusion of Starbucks coffee to the menu as a stand-out from the other choices, as both Café Ole and the Marketplace offer Seattle’s Best Coffee.
The decision to go with the brand name was a conscious effort to create an “upscale feel” to Raven Xpress.
Adding the flat panel display and modern styled lighting also contributed to the whole upgrade the location received over the winter break.
In addition to the more upscale feel of Raven Xpress, the regular team of Stacy Skillman and Stephen Rupsis, a graduate student within the professional MBA program, are friendly standbys, ready and willing to get students through the line as quickly as possible with all the decisions one can make about an order.
One of the biggest changes to Raven Xpress was the addition of a cash register to the lunch cart, allowing for students and faculty alike to purchase items a la carte, such as hummus and pretzels and Smucker’s Uncrustables.
The Xpress combo provides students with meal plans to mix and match items to form a complete meal in a similar fashion to Café Ole or the Haven. The Quick Combo is the official name given to the original boxed (now bagged) lunches.
Another major change was the inclusion of breakfast foods to the early morning menu. The lunch cart test piloted the breakfast option last semester with successful results, making it a permanent part of the location.
Fresh fruit such as apples, oranges, bananas, yogurt and cereal provide students with a nutritious way to start their day.
Stephen Rupsis said, “It’s really nice to work here, greeting people face to face. I really enjoy getting to say hi to people in the mornings.”
Rupsis also showed off the hot oatmeal and pastry option for those wanting to warm up during the cold winter months.
The most popular choice at the Raven Xpress, said Rupsis and Skillman, was the combination of a Naked juice and a Cliffbar.
As for the sandwiches, those containing either turkey or bacon (or both) are usually the highest sellers, such as the signature AU club made up of turkey, ham and bacon, with lettuce on folded flat bread.
Rupsis also revealed that the stand is going to try some new sandwiches in addition to the current choices, which will be on a two or three week rotation.
Because of the wide variety of options offered by the relatively small lunch cart, Raven Xpress has changed its hours to allow for the increase in patrons.
Breakfast items will be served from 8 to 10:30 a.m., and lunch sandwiches will be available around 10:30. The lunch cart shuts down at 1:15 p.m.
Both Skillman and Rupsis commented that they have seen a day by day increase in attendance.
Raven Xpress, with healthy meals and helpful service, is a quick option for the busy student.
