2008 Woodie Awards
Taste of the Town
Joe McCormack '07
Issue date: 3/22/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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Raymond Cafeteria
549 River Ave
Providence, R.I. 02918
(401) 865-2452
This is for every senior who will never eat at Raymond Café again after May 21. This is for every senior who's really, really bummed about it.
Actually, I was supposed to review one of the really great sushi places on Wickenden Street, but snow and unforeseen events this weekend prevented me from making the journey. Instead, I ate at Ray, as I have 11-15 times a week, 35 weeks a year, for the last four years. Every time a hot meal. Every time as much as I could eat.
I have eaten approximately 700 turkey wraps from Raymond Café (maybe the one I ate tonight made it 701). Turkey, American, lettuce, tomato. Probably 400 of those were made by Sue (again, after tonight, maybe 401), another 200 by Mary Ann. About 20 of those were not excellent-more often than not because the wrap had gone stale. I think I can rest my case on the quality of the deli. Even if the meat isn't exactly Boar's Head, it gets the job done.
The secret to eating at Ray is knowing all the little secrets. If you are getting a hamburger or hot dog, toast the buns in the big toasters near the entrance. It takes 30 seconds, and they taste twice as good. Put vanilla soft serve ice cream in the hot chocolate or in between two cookies. Put strawberry jam from the toast section on the white pizza. Experiment with mayonnaise. Take apples and peanut butter packets home with you so that you don't have to spend $7.50 on a Domino's large later that night. Wait in line for the omelets-they're worth it. Never skip turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. If all else fails, make a quesadilla out of a wrap, shredded cheese and lettuce: Microwave it and take advantage of the salsa and sour cream that's always out there. Never eat the chicken unless it's fried.
A lot of people complain about Ray. I won't go the guilt angle-you should be happy with what you have, children in Afghanistan don't have access to all you can eat dining facilities with seven different stations. . . etc. Nah, you should be grateful first and foremost that you are receiving a $30,000 education; the $3,000 meal plan is just icing on the cake (speaking of icing, the Ray cakes are delicious, as long as they're not coconut).
549 River Ave
Providence, R.I. 02918
(401) 865-2452
This is for every senior who will never eat at Raymond Café again after May 21. This is for every senior who's really, really bummed about it.
Actually, I was supposed to review one of the really great sushi places on Wickenden Street, but snow and unforeseen events this weekend prevented me from making the journey. Instead, I ate at Ray, as I have 11-15 times a week, 35 weeks a year, for the last four years. Every time a hot meal. Every time as much as I could eat.
I have eaten approximately 700 turkey wraps from Raymond Café (maybe the one I ate tonight made it 701). Turkey, American, lettuce, tomato. Probably 400 of those were made by Sue (again, after tonight, maybe 401), another 200 by Mary Ann. About 20 of those were not excellent-more often than not because the wrap had gone stale. I think I can rest my case on the quality of the deli. Even if the meat isn't exactly Boar's Head, it gets the job done.
The secret to eating at Ray is knowing all the little secrets. If you are getting a hamburger or hot dog, toast the buns in the big toasters near the entrance. It takes 30 seconds, and they taste twice as good. Put vanilla soft serve ice cream in the hot chocolate or in between two cookies. Put strawberry jam from the toast section on the white pizza. Experiment with mayonnaise. Take apples and peanut butter packets home with you so that you don't have to spend $7.50 on a Domino's large later that night. Wait in line for the omelets-they're worth it. Never skip turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. If all else fails, make a quesadilla out of a wrap, shredded cheese and lettuce: Microwave it and take advantage of the salsa and sour cream that's always out there. Never eat the chicken unless it's fried.
A lot of people complain about Ray. I won't go the guilt angle-you should be happy with what you have, children in Afghanistan don't have access to all you can eat dining facilities with seven different stations. . . etc. Nah, you should be grateful first and foremost that you are receiving a $30,000 education; the $3,000 meal plan is just icing on the cake (speaking of icing, the Ray cakes are delicious, as long as they're not coconut).