Every once in a while, do you find yourself getting a little tired of Café Mac? I know we do. That is why we love to venture to the other great options Macalester has to offer. Scotty’s, the Loch and the Atrium are delicious choices for Macalester students. All three of these options are a great way to grab a quick yet nutritious lunch which you can eat while getting some work done.

Scotty’s is similar to Chipotle or Qdoba Grill in its burrito bar style. A meal is offered in the form of a burrito or a burrito bowl and there is an abundance of ingredients to choose from. Personally, I prefer the burrito option because I love the warmed tortilla that the food comes in.

You start out by choosing a meat or veggie option, rice and the type of beans you want. I normally get rice, veggies (sautéed peppers and onions) and black beans. Then you move on to the toppings which includes a variety of different options. Cheese, sour cream, guacamole, lettuce and five different types of salsa are available. They also have all of the classic beverage options (the same sodas that are available at the Atrium) to complete your meal swipe. The ease and deliciousness of Scotty’s makes it one of our favorite alternatives to Café Mac.

The Loch is another great alternative on campus. Although there is less variety in the food options available, it is still a great lunch or dinner choice. In the Loch, you can find calzones, hoagies, Caesar salad and ice cream. The veggie calzones are tasty — filled with cheese and tomato sauce and served with a side of Caesar salad and a cookie — making them a delicious alternative to Café Mac. Another great feature of the Loch is the ice cream. It is hand-dipped rather than soft serve ice cream and it is stellar. There is typically caramel, cookie-dough, vanilla and sherbert to name a few. The perfect treat to help get you through the day.
Finally, the Atrium is a third satisfying option. Although there is sometimes an excruciating line, many think it is worth the wait. There are many variations for your sandwich or wrap, including different types of bread and tortillas, different meats, spreads and veggies. In addition to the often quite large sandwich, you get chips, a cookie and a drink.

If you have some time to spare, this might be the perfect addition to your day.