Four restaurants on UK campus closing. Barbecue, more Chick-fil-A coming.
Big menu changes are coming to the University of Kentucky campus: Four chain restaurants are leaving.
But their replacements, including a local barbecue restaurant and a second Chick-fil-A, already are lined up.
Campus and the dining halls have been closed since March when the university shut down as the coronavirus pandemic hit.
UK is scheduled to reopen Aug. 17 for in-person classes for a compressed fall semester.
Here’s who is leaving from where, and who will be replacing them.
Dorm dining
Steak ‘n Shake, on the corner of Limestone and Euclid closed March 13 and won’t be reopening.
The popular burger and shake restaurant opened in 2016 as part of a wave of new dining options on the campus. Steak ‘n Shake went into the ground floor at the newly built Sarah Bennett Holds Hall at the corner of Limestone and Euclid.
Local barbecue restaurant House of ‘Cue BBQ and Catering is moving in.
In addition to traditional BBQ dishes, they’re known for barbecue tacos, pulled pork nachos, pulled pork egg rolls, wings, and fresh cut fries.
According to West Browne, one of the owners, House of ‘Cue is scheduled to open Aug. 11, pending inspections.
The Irvine-based restaurant also has had a concession stand at UK’s Kentucky Proud Park baseball stadium and two stands at Kroger Field last year.
House of ‘Cue also will offer event catering and delivery via GrubHub.
At The 90
UK also said that several changes are being made at The 90 dining hall in the center of campus, which has restaurants facing Hilltop.
The campus will get a second Chick-fil-A, which is moving into the corner spot where La Madeleine was.
Taco Bell, which also was part of that restaurant row, is closing, and the adjacent Wildcat Pantry will expand into that space.
And Zen Sushi will replace Aqua Sushi in the same row of restaurants.
According to a statement from UK, decisions on the restaurant lineup are made by Aramark, which has the contract for UK Dining.
“UK Dining’s continued passion and commitment to Kentucky and helping local business played a big part in the decision-making process, coupled with the declining popularity and sales of the brand,” the statement said. “At the end of the spring semester every year, UK Dining evaluates brands and make changes in collaboration with the university.”
This story was originally published July 6, 2020 at 3:33 PM.
