Café Laura: Penn State's Student-Run Restaurant

Have you heard about Café Laura,  the a student-run restaurant on campus in the Mateer building? It's open for lunch, from 11 am to 1 pm, and also offers themed dinners throughout the month. The restaurant allows for students to be involved in a restaurant-like environment, which helps them learn about managing and maintaining a food establishment with real-life experiences.

By Caitlin Wolper

The food they offer includes pizza, salad, soups and a special food item every day. There are also items available that come straight from the Penn State Bakery. Unfortunately, student discounts do not apply, and so you have to pay the full seven dollars for your chicken tenders. Sorry to all those who are used to cheap tenders at their Commons! But believe me: the taste is worth it.

The food is of high quality, and the ambiance of the environment is lovely. After you finish eating, students even come out to take your trays and plates away from you like at any other restaurant you would find here in State College!

By Caitlin Wolper

The food area is set up somewhat like the buffet-style commons. You ask for what food you want, and they put it on your tray. There is a separate section for the bakery items and coffee (Starbucks items are available).

All the employees are very professional and personable, and they are always willing to strike up a conversation as they serve you.

By Caitlin Wolper

What's great about Café Laura is that you can use your meal points (or any other form of payment that works for you) to eat in a calm environment. It's also a lovely place to take a date if you don't want to spend a lot of money on a nice outing.

They take online reservations for their theme dinners from times varying from 5:30 to 7:30 pm on their site.

Café Laura will be going under reconstruction starting May 1. The renovations are aiming to help the restaurant function more smoothly and will allow for the students running it to keep up with the ever-changing restaurant industry.

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