The Loft refresh and addition of Eagle Bistro in UC West

Before the end of the 2023 Spring Semester, the USI community heard the news of renovations and new concepts coming for dining locations across campus. With a new academic year on the horizon, USI Dining has been gearing up to unveil the changes students, employees and campus guests will see this fall. 

As there are many changes, USI Today will feature multiple articles in upcoming issues, detailing the renovations, changes and new menus being offered! This issue features some of the changes coming to The Loft and the Eagle Bistro, which replaces The Sweet Spot.

Read about the updates coming to Chick-Fil-A and Welcome Week dining hours

Read about changes to UC East dining

A whole new Loft

One of the biggest changes in USI Dining to happen over the summer occurred in The Loft, located on the second floor of UC West. Renovations have given the location a brand-new and refreshed look, with new colors, bright lighting and updated food stations.

Guests can expect to see something new at each of the dining stations in The Loft. Upon entering, on the right, there will be a new option serving 100% plant-based food every day during lunch. Michael Natoli, Executive Chef, describes the dishes as different bowls, combining the plant-based ingredients. Next to the plant-based station will be what Natoli says are the “comfort foods”—home-style meals offered each day of the week during lunch.

“At nighttime, we’re going to utilize our rotisserie a little more,” he adds. “We’ll have a craving entrée here; we’ll do carved meats that you can have as a plate meal or on a sandwich.”

The Loft’s pizza station will still be located to the left of the entrance—however, slices will be provided a bit differently. Instead of guests grabbing a slice self-serve style, they will now be able to pick a slice and have it heated in front of them.

“We want to try and make it into a real East Cost style slice shop,” says Natoli. “So, our pizzas will be displayed as sliced pies. There will be six options, with four standard topping combinations available every day and two that cycle on a menu, so you’ll have something different all the time.” Pre-made side salads will also be available at the station to grab with your slice. New pizza toppers, such as shakers, oils and sauces, will also be added to the station.

In the center of The Loft’s space, guests will see the biggest change: a bakery counter and self-serve salad bar. During the morning hours, the bakery counter will feature pastry offerings, while lunch and dinner will feature cookies, cakes, pies, and a hot rail for crisps, bread puddings and cobblers every day.

Breakfast hours will see the salad bar feature what Natoli referred to as a “toast bar,” where guests can toast bread and use various spreads, jellies and other popular options to cover toast. By lunch, the bar will feature various options for self-serve salads but will also include a menu of specific salad options that will be made-to-order.

The new center station will also feature fruit and yogurt servings and toppings for waffles made in The Loft’s waffle maker.

The new B'Rito station near the drink machines will serve up burritos and nachos, utilizing a new tortilla maker that makes tortillas fresh in front of customers. Fillings will be made fresh in front of customers as well. “It’s an action station so the community can see all that goes into it,” says Natoli. “It’s like a dining experience that goes beyond just eating a burrito.” 

The Loft’s pasta, Asian and grill stations received fresh updates to spaces as well, but Natoli says guests can expect the same tasty menu options. The drink station will have additions such as juices and soy milk.

Eagle Bistro takes flight

What was once The Sweet Spot has also undergone a complete transformation. In its place will be a new dining option offering bistro-style fair under the name Eagle Bistro.

This new dining concept in UC West will have a menu featuring freshly made salads, gourmet specialty sandwiches, soups and vegan options. In the morning, breakfast items such as sandwiches and avocado toast will be available. A cooler by the counter will also house grab-and-go items for those needing to grab food quickly.

Though the cases of sweets are gone, longtime baker Linda Fox will still provide many bakery items at the Eagle Bistro. Her skills will provide homemade breads for the sandwiches and bagels with at least five different spreads to choose from. Chef Natoli added sweet baked goods such as cakes and cookies once offered at The Sweet Spot will still be available at Eagle Bistro.

Fall Semester dining hours

The Loft
Monday through Friday:
7 a.m. – 10 a.m.
10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday
10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Chick-Fil-A
Monday and Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 3 – 8 p.m. 

Sub Co.
Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sunday: 3 – 8 p.m. 

Starbucks
Monday through Thursday: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 2 – 8 p.m. 

Eagle Bistro
Monday through Friday: 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Red Mango
Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Eagle Eats
Monday through Friday: 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Mein Bowl
Monday through Friday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Eagle’s C-Store
Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. 

Archie’s
Monday through Thursday: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. 

Archie’s Delivery
Sunday through Saturday: 3 – 9 p.m.

Eagle Card Access Office
Monday through Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Food Service Office
Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.