The Carle Foundation Hospital kitchen and cafeteria will close 12/28 for extensive renovations. Construction continues through winter 2021 but many food options remain available for staff, patients and approved visitors.
| Location | Hours of Operation | Offerings | Payment Methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Star Café | 24/7 | Artisan pastries, soup, salad, sandwiches, brick oven pizza, Starbucks coffee, Grab-and-Go items | Cash, Credit |
| South Clinic Coffee Bar | M – F 6:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. |
Breakfast pastries, Starbucks coffee, Grab-and-Go items | Cash, Credit |
| Grab and Go Central | M – F 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
Sandwiches, salads, sushi, snack cups, parfaits and bottle beverages | Cash, Credit |
| Carle Virtual Café; Pick up at yellow sun elevators | M – F 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
Comfort foods (scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, soups, sandwiches, grill items) | Grub Hub app |
| Carle After Hours Kitchen; Pick up at North Star Café |
M – F Weekends |
Entrees (pot roast, meatloaf, chicken tenders, burgers, omelets, biscuits and gravy) | Grub Hub app |
| Food Trucks | M – F at lunch, hours varies by vendor | Payments accepted vary by individual food trucks |
The renovations will expand offerings at Carle Foundation Hospital (CFH) in Urbana to include daily wellness choices and a cook-to-order chef station featuring Mexican or Mediterranean cuisine, customizable pasta dishes or stir-fry. Construction in the cafeteria will close the dining room, the servery, providers’ lounge and the main kitchen through 2021.
By closing the entire area at one time, it shortens the construction timeline and lessens service interruptions.
Repurposing existing areas paired with Grubhub mobile ordering technology will allow the Food Services team to provide favorites to visitors and employees. Patient meal service will operate uninterrupted.
Meals like traditional comfort food entrees, burgers, subs and pizza from a ghost kitchen require patrons to order ahead through the mobile app and then pick up their order.
A ghost kitchen is a professional food preparation and cooking facility set up for the preparation of delivery-only or pick up meals. This type of kitchen contains the equipment and facilities needed for the preparation of restaurant meals but has no dining area for walk-in customers.
Kevin Steffes, Food Services director said his team has been offering creative solutions to make sure people continue to find their favorite foods quickly and easily. Additionally, staff, patients and visitors can visit local community food trucks who will serve during the lunch hour Monday through Friday in the Park St. circle drive.
“We know that food fuels the soul. As a 24/7 operation, on demand options are a must – whether it’s a new parent in need of coffee or a family member saying goodbye to a loved one who needs a little comfort food,” he said. "We're taking steps to ensure employees and visitors can find new and traditional items every day at convenient locations throughout the hospital.”
Categories: Community
Tags: cafeteria, Champaign-Urbana, construction, coronavirus, COVID-19, facilities, visitors