Montclair State University converts Sam’s Place concept to food hall

Montclair State University in New Jersey last month debuted a new food hall on campus, revamping its Sam’s Place eatery with some modern twists. “We wanted to create a space in which our students felt as though they are dining at a trendy neighborhood restaurant coupled with the comforts of eating at home,” Bill Heslin, senior director of residential dining, said in a statement.

Food Hall at Sam’s Place is home to nine branded stations as well as a grab-and-go market. Read on for a peek inside the updated space.

The new eatery, managed by Chartwells Higher Ed, highlights farm-to-table and made-to-order fare, with special attention paid to the themes of sustainability, global flavors and seasonality.

The space’s Pure Eats concept focuses on foods that are free of nine major allergens, as well as gluten, and houses separate prep space to avoid cross-contamination with other products served in the hall. This station offers two hot entrees each day as well as a variety of sides and desserts.

The Homestyle station channels the vibe of a barbecue restaurant, serving a range of rotisserie meats and sides such as coleslaw, mac and cheese and jalapeno cornbread.

Concept 100% Vegan is squarely focused on plant-based dishes, which include vegan omelets and desserts, and crab cake analogues made from hearts of palm.

The Innovations station offers a rotation of trendy dishes such as TikTok ramen and monthly themed menus around cultural events such as Diwali and Hispanic Heritage Month.

Students can use their declining balance or Red Hawk Dollars to buy a number of convenience products at the Market at Sam’s Place, including bottled drinks, pints of ice cream, chips and candy.