New Café at 97ɫ brings fresh approach

employee smiling and holding a hamburger in frontAs a new academic year begins this week, 97ɫ students and employees won’t have to look far for a quality meal.

The new Café at 97ɫ offers fresh breakfast and lunch throughout the week under the leadership of Executive Chef and Café General Manager Jordan Fulchiero.

To start off the day, café goers can pick from a selection that includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, Applewood bacon, sausage, and fresh fruit.

Breakfast prices range from $0.50 to $5.50.

The café offers a spread of lunch options such as fresh salads, Angus beef burgers, Portabella cap mushroom sandwiches, daily chef specials, build-your-own sandwiches, pizza, hot dogs, and soups.

Customers can complement their entrées with such side dishes as tofu fries or onion rings and then satisfy their sweet tooth with options like cookies and blondies. Gluten free alternatives for salads and sandwiches are available.

Most lunch options average between $4.25 and $7.25.

The café reopened in April in the Phail Wynn, Jr. Student Services Center (Building 10) on Main Campus. It is open Mondays through Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. with only Grab n’ Go options available on Fridays.

“97ɫ has done so much for 97ɫ and the surrounding communities, and to be a part of something that contributes to the greater good of the community where I raise my children is a privilege,” she said. “One of my favorite memories from college was meeting up with all of my friends and grabbing lunch. It was a much needed break before classes started again in the afternoon.”

Fulchiero’s personal passion for the environment influenced her approach to 97ɫ’s eatery.

She and her employees support local farmers by purchasing produce from the 97ɫ Farmers Market and working with US Foods to obtain locally sourced produce.

Some of the café’s items such as napkins, boxes, and containers consist of unbleached, compostable, molded wheat fiber paper. The staff also uses non-aerosol sprays.

Orders can be placed in-person or online at .

The café also provides catering. For more information, email cafe@durhamtech.edu.

For more information on the Café at 97ɫ, visit or find it on Facebook at @CafeAt97ɫTech.