@Sammy’s offers new dining option at the RMC

Droubi’s Mediterranean Grill, Ambassador Café move into new locations

Freshmen are not the only new fixtures at Rice Memorial Center (RMC) this fall; they are joined by a new dining concept: @Sammy’s.

Under the helm of chef de cuisine Sarah Finster, a sustainable-dining advocate, @Sammy’s brings together four different stations:

• 4.Tac0 features an assortment of gastronomic tacos on homemade tortillas.

• Grillosophy is a gourmet grill serving up hamburgers, sandwiches and rotating side items. Handspun milkshakes and agua frescas — refreshing fruit drinks — are available too.

• In the Loop offers epicurean, chargrilled and baked pizzas.

• Parliament of Chefs provides a revolving sampling from 17 of Rice’s American Culinary Federation certified chefs who serve the residential colleges.

• A “grab-and-go” breakfast will be served each weekday morning beginning at 7:30 and will feature items such as breakfast tacos, homemade biscuit sandwiches and cheese frittatas.

The menus at @Sammy’s will often feature fresh ingredients from the Rice Farmers Market and emphasize local, healthy, nonprocessed food.

Freshmen are not the only new fixtures at Rice Memorial Center (RMC) this fall; they are joined by a new dining concept: @Sammy's. (Photo by Tommy LaVergne)

Finster said that because this space is self-operated, Rice chefs can provide selections that are 95 percent made from scratch and often use local ingredients.

“This gives us control over what products we are using and feeding our customers,” Finster said. “We are able to incorporate local fresh fruits and vegetables.”

Droubi’s Mediterranean Grill relocated to the take-out window across from the bookstore; Ambassador Café moved inside Willy’s Pub, located in the basement of the student center. Seating in Willy’s Pub will be available for patrons of Ambassador Café from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Brad Thacker, senior operations manager, said that because the locations have been shifted and new dining options have been added, more patrons will benefit from the offerings at the RMC.

“@Sammy’s will not compete with the other dining options,” Thacker said. “We will not be serving Mediterranean or Chinese food or coffee products that would detract from Rice Coffeehouse.”

@Sammy’s will be open from 7:30 to 9 a.m. for breakfast and 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.