FAMU Recreation Center opens new eatery

 

A Florida A&M alumnus has jointly opened Seven Hills Café, a restaurant that offers students a new place on campus to eat.

The restaurant, which is located in the lobby of the Hansel E. Tookes Sr. Student Recreation Center, offers students healthier options when it comes to grabbing breakfast, lunch or dinner on campus.

Alexis Higgins, a first-year pharmacy student, said the service is delightful, and she will definitely come back.

“I’m not used to restaurants on campus bringing my food to me,” Higgins said. “It’s refreshing. I bought the pineapple-mango smoothie, and like it because it has two of my favorite fruits.”

The Seven Hills Café menu consists of fruit smoothies, a variety of healthy snacks and an assortment of sandwiches that customers can select their own toppings for.

The restaurant is partially owned by Chef Anthony Manning, a FAMU alumnus with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Manning said the café has affordable products.

“Our daily specials let people try sandwiches at half price because we’re new, and it gives them an idea of what’s going on here,” Manning said. “The oven-roasted chicken breast wrap has been the most popular item on the menu.”

Despite not having a business background, Manning’s previous experience at the Wharf Seafood Restaurant has given him the insight to operating a restaurant. He said he looks forward to bringing a new dining experience to his alma mater.

“My love is actually cooking,” Manning said.

Asheleigh Grice, a cashier at Seven Hills Café, is optimistic about the restaurant’s on-campus location.12