During the mid-year holidays, En Route underwent a major revamp. The popular student convenience shop and restaurant, which had been open since 2014, needed some improved equipment and a fresh look. Cilliers van Schalkwyk, current manager of En Route, said that there were “a lot of things that [were] giving in”. The most notable change is a rebranded logo and bright colour scheme inside and outside, contrasting its previous black and white aesthetic.
The burning question everybody is asking: What happened to the Birdie Burger?
“Prices did change but also the products changed,” Van Schalkwyk mentioned. The popular Birdie Burger, now known as the Cluckin’ Good Chicken Burger, is still on the menu, albeit at an increased price of R70, excluding chips. This is due to the Birdie Burger previously “going at a loss.” Van Schalkwyk also mentioned there is “a new chef that’s part of management” with the renovations and menu changes, also now including sourdough pizzas.
Many students have strong feelings about this new version of En Route.
Lana de Kock, a second-year BScAgric (Plant and Soil Science) student, said, “It’s so colourful and feels so much smaller. It makes me incredibly uncomfortable. Everything is R20 more expensive and the nice things are no longer on the menu.”
Sadie Booth and Erica Cronje, two first-year BA (Language and Culture) students, expressed their disappointment at the reduced availability of prepared meals at En Route now.
Cronje said, “I get that you can still go to the restaurant area, but that is more expensive and you have to wait for your food. There are still cold prepared foods, but who wants a salad in winter?”
However, Elca Zulch, a second-year BCom (Business Management) student, said, “I think the renovations are very cool and up to date with our generation. And I like the pop of colour they incorporated. It’s nice to drink coffee here every day.”
Van Schalkwyk said, “We want to increase our social media footprint so we can get feedback from [students]; what they like and what they don’t like.”
Students are encouraged to send feedback about the new En Route via Instagram (@enroutestellies).
En Route will be welcoming another manager at the end of August. He is a recently graduated student with the hope of making customers feel more heard.
By Jana Burger and Julian Gordon
