The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

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The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

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Melanie Jackson, Copyeditor • March 28, 2024
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Mac’s Place gets a beauty facelift

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Mac’s Place has a new look, and a new menu to boot.

The market and restaurant was renovated for the 2014 school year. It now boasts an outdoor patio, a bigger indoor space featuring an expansive grill and more shelves than before, stocked with everything a dorm resident could need, from toilet paper to apples to Chips Ahoy.

The new health-conscious feel is apparent. A bakery corner features loaves of wheat bread and a farmer’s market style fruit stand. Instead of milkshakes, a Jamba Juice smoothie station whirls two real-fruit flavors nearby.

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Jamba Juice smoothies are a healthy alternative to replace the F'Real Milkshakes. Photo credit: Courtney Cox

Students are raving about this healthier Mac’s Place.

“My favorite part is all the snacks they have now. They even have healthy [ones] you can put into bags and pay by weight, like at Trader Joe’s,” said sophomore Tara Kezic.

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Fresh fruit, grocery store style, is available for students to grab and go. Photo credit: Courtney Cox

The dried fruit, pretzels and other quick choices stand tall near the entrance in barrel-like quantities.

“All my friends love it,” said Kezic.

Gone are the days of the grill tickets where students would circle their burger toppings; the hot entrees, from Greek burgers to make-your-own pizzas, are custom-ordered on touch screens.

“It’s very sleek and organized,” said Kezic.

Even first-year students, who don’t remember the old offerings, are excited to sample the new ones.

“I haven’t tried everything, so I’m trying the pizza for the first time,” said first-year Dustin Turner.

The Mac’s Place beloved originals are still available, from the iconic white boxes of pepperoni pizzas, to the premade sandwiches, soups, wraps and celery and peanut butter cups.

Though Mac’s Place still resides in the hub of freshmen activity, the customers range in age. Resident directors, faculty and staff alike arrived in groups, chatting in the lounge-like atmosphere.

“We get a lot of athletes in here [too],” Gerald Sye, a Mac’s Place employee, said. The proximity to the Loyd All-Sports Center and Dedman Athletic Center might be a main factor, but Sye noted the popularity of the new healthy choices as a reason too.

“We sell a lot of water,” said Sye, laughing. “Oh, and sushi. They like their sushi.”

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