The Pendulum
Features
Thursday, August 28, 2003 *Page 13
Varsity sports grille
offers wider selection
Jason Chick
Reporter
Varsity, one of Elon’s newest
additions to the growing list of
food venues on campus, is a sport
grill complete with 14 flat-screen
TVs, each offering a different
channel.
The 145-seat themed eatery is
a fresh new take on the campus
dining experience. Last year’s
Cantina Roble offered an escape
from dining hall monotony and
now Varsity is a sure contender
for students’ Phoenix Cash.
Housed in the downstairs
McEwen dining area. Varsity
offers burgers, sandwiches, sal
ads, wraps, pasta and more. Many
of the entries feature Elon-related
names. Try the Duke’s Sirloin
Burger topped with Monterey
Jack cheese, tomato, lettuce,
shaved red onions and gua-
camole-ranch dressing. If burgers
are not your thing, give the Tuna
Vegetable Roll-Up a try. It’s com
plete with pesto cream cheese,
tomatoes and cucumbers. If you
go with a burger, sandwich, wrap
or hoagie, you will be served the
basic potato chips, but it is worth
the extra 99 cents to upgrade to a
side of fries. You’ll be glad you
did.
Tired of the standard dining
hall tables? Sure, Varsity has
them, but why not try a bootli? Or
sit at a bar table or at the “curva-
tious” double-sided bar itself.
However, do not think a bar
equals alcohol. You’ll still need to
venture across the street to
Cantina if you have a beer in
mind. Varsity only serves the stan
dard, non-alcoholic beverages.
As with any sports grill.
Varsity serves its beverages in
Styrofoam cups and meals in bas
kets. Whether it’s the food, casual
atmosphere or its convenient
location for a chat with friends
over drinks between classes.
Varsity is the place.
To set the sports bar mood,
murals featuring Elon’s Phoenix
athletes, sports memorabilia and a
superior sound system surround
the facility. Be sure to check out
the special viewing room. The
room has theater-style seating -
plush black leather recliners - and
a large screen TV that offers
access to cable TV and DirecTV.
DirecTV packages available
include NFL Sunday Ticket, NHL
Center Ice, ESPN Game Plan,
NBA League Press and ESPN
Full Court.
Varsity is open Sunday through
Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Varsity accepts Phoenix Cash,
cash. Meal Dollars, Community
Dollars, Food Dollars, Visa and
MasterCard.
Contact Jason Chick at pendu-
lum@elon.edu or 278-7247.
\ rw
Jazzy new look comes to Rookola
Leigh Wiley
Malt Belanger / Photographer
Varsity, Elon’s newest dinning facility is located in downstairs McEwen
and is open Sunday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.l your
Reporter
Over the summer Rock-Ola
Caf6 underwent major remodel
ing. Renamed The Rockola
Grille, this one-time burger
joint attempted to go upscale.
Unfortunately, going upscale
includes increased prices. For a
decent meal, plan on spending
$8 to $18.
Sandwiches and burgers are
less expensive and usually cost
less space, but most other
entrees cost as much as $10-
$15. And plan on adding $4 to
your tab for desserts such as
cheesecake and the awesome
brownie sundae.
The remodeling has also
brought additions to the menu.
There are seven new types of
salads, all over $7. There are
two types of fresh fish every
day. There’s the range of your
usual sandwiches, such as a
Reuben and a chicken sand
wich.
Also featured pasta, steak
and fajita entrees. The fajitas
are the most requested entrees
and are guaranteed to be served
steaming.
But Rockola’s biggest sellers
aren’t entrees. The Loaded
Cheese Fries appetizer is the
menu’s most popular item and
I the desserts are almost meals
I unto themselves.
! Despite the resulting increas-
i es in prices, Rockola had some
I good reasons for going upscale,
i Chris Archambault, one of
: Rockola’s managers, said that
' theme restaurants are taking a
downturn in popularity.
In order to save sales,
I Rockola managers planned an
early remodeling. As a result,
the restaurant has successfully
matured and improved.
Gone is the memorabilia
from the 1950s. Tlie uniforms
have become more tormal and
the wine list lus jumped irom
three wines to 10.
The management said they
are trying to bring in new
clients that might have previ
ously been turned off by the
appearance, while also retaining
their regular diners.
Rock-Ola Cafe’located on Huffman Mill Road recently remodeled
to Rockola Grille, changing their menu and overall appearance.
With rafters and blue walls,
the place doesn’t feel elegant.
But the new individual booths
and dividers make each party
feel more intimate and private
than in the former setting.
There is still a large bar locat
ed at the center of the restaurant,
where patrons can grab a drink
or have a quick bite,
If you dine at this restaurant,
bring your wallet. With these
appetizers and desserts this
could be an expensive evening.
Contact Leigh Wiley at pendu-
lum@elon.edu or 278-7247.
Set off on the WRITE foot!
Elen's Writing Center opens
August 311
First Floor Belk Library
Hours:
Monday - Thursday
3:30-5:30 p.m.
Sunday - Thursday
7-11 p.m.