Campus dining is more than just cafeteria food or a trip to the Union Tiger Lair. Hidden treasures like Foster Cafe, the Faculty Club and Cafe Vieux Carre go widely unnoticed by students because of their off-the-beaten-path locations and preconceived notions from the student body.
Case and point is the Faculty Club.
“The name can infer that membership is required,” said David Heidke, LSU Dining Director. “But it’s open to everyone.”
Located on the corner of Highland Road and Ralph Semmes Road, next to the Law Center, the Faculty Club offers white cloth lunches prepared by executive Chef Jon Jackson – formerly of the famous New Orleans restaurant Brennan’s.
Dorthy White, director of the Club, said another misconception is that there is a dress code and students are not welcome.
“That’s another problem,” Heidke said. “The atmosphere might not be comfortable to students, but the restaurant does accept Tiger Cash, Paw Points and meal plans.”
Heidke said students and faculty can enjoy “Juban’s quality” salads, sandwiches and Louisiana cuisine in the $8 to $9 range from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. during the week.
During home football games the club even offers a pre-game lunch and dinner buffet.
“It’s open to anybody and it’s cheap,” said Faculty Club waiter, Charlie Casrill. “Students can get a meal from a world – class chef for eight bucks. You can’t beat that.”
For a quick lunch or snack in between classes, students can stop by the Foster Cafe in the basement of Foster Hall behind Middleton library.
Students can purchase coffee, donuts, pre-made sandwiches, Pizza Hut pizza or even go to the salad bar and dine outside on the patio.
“The Foster Cafe is tucked away – people just don’t naturally walk by it and discover it,” Heidke said. “But once the customer does come, they are always a repeat customer.”
Sarah Wilks, an elementary education junior, had no idea what or where the Foster Cafe was until an English professor told her about it in class one day.
“It took me forever to find it,” Wilks said. “But it’s real convenient and it beats going to the Union and waiting in long lines. It’s just a big convenience store to me, and if you forget your lunch like I did today then it is perfect.”
Cafe Vieux Carre, another campus eatery most students are unaware of, is located in the French House next to West Laville Hall.
Offering a wide menu selection including veggie wraps, frozen drinks, coffees, teas, desserts and breakfast foods like beignets, the cafe is also easy on the pocketbook – no item is more than $6.
Robin Wagner, a psychology freshman, said while the prices are comparative to other campus dining facilities, the food at Cafe Vieux Carre is a step up.
“This is my first time here,” Wagner said. “And I think it’s a nice change from the Union and the dining halls. It’s a nice laid back atmosphere. I just got the turkey sandwich and it was pretty good.”
The cafe also is a great late night spot, staying open until midnight Monday through Thursday.