At a school replete with both visible and invisible social structures, Usdan breakfast stands in solidarity with its weekly nighttime counterpart Keg Co-op as a temporary space in which the hierarchy dissipates. The main difference between the two is that every Thursday eve, Keg Co-op draws in the partiers of each friend group, while every weekday morning, Usdan breakfast attracts the worm-getters of campus life—the early birds, if you will.

With this in mind, The Argus decided to investigate the social undertones of Usdan breakfast, to pinpoint what it is that keeps bringing back such a diverse, eclectic crowd.

Hoping to gain some insight into the student perspective, The Argus stumbled upon breakfast regular Andrew Dalton ’20. Riding solo with a plate adorned with scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes, and cantaloupe, it took a few minutes for the groggy Dalton to open up to us about the meaning behind this daily ritual of his.

“Breakfast pride?” Dalton thought to himself. “I don’t think I notice that because for me I kind of just like to sit alone at my breakfast, because I have not woken up yet. It’s hard to deal with people.”

Looking around at the numerous individuals scattered amongst the side deemed “loud” during lunch, dinner and weekend brunches, Dalton’s reasoning for opting to eat alone seemed to be reflected in his peers’ seating patterns. The side of Usdan that is otherwise loud during the later hours of the day was then filled with more subdued sounds. There’s the occasional chatter from groups of friends, but about a solid half of the students there eat at a table for one, eyes glued to laptops, and books open. It almost has the feel of a more chatty, casual section of Olin Library.

“So not that I’ve noticed, [but] I think there’s a very particular kind of person who appreciates breakfast and then a different kind who doesn’t,” Dalton said. “But I don’t know if the kind who does appreciate breakfast is necessarily united.”

Dalton delved deeper into this assessment of his fellow dayspring wayfarers of the Usdan marketplace, analyzing what it is that keeps the regulars coming.

“Willpower maybe?” Dalton inquired above the murmurs of neighboring diners. “To get up early enough? I don’t know. I think schedule is a big part of it. I think it’s whether you’re the person who hits snooze one more time or whether you’re the person who gets up, tries to get some energy, and then goes to class instead.”

Finally, Dalton—a loyalist of neither the quiet nor loud side coteries of Usdan—placed himself in one of the many niches of Cardinals who attend breakfast.

“I’m a get-myself-a-hot-cup-of-coffee man, and some eggs, and I’ll be fine,” Dalton said. “I guess I’m not the best to ask about that.”

On another hazy mid-February forenoon, The Argus approached a school of first years, floundering about in their morning meal revelry. These self-described regulars and quiet-side stalwarts discussed the true meaning of breakfast, whilst wiping the sleepies fromst their eyes.

“This is the time when I see the most athletes in my day,” Maia Rubin explained. “This is where we cross over. It is kinda beautiful.”

“It’s like what I know, but it’s mirrored,”quiet-side loyalist Peyton Millet said.

“I like to come to Usdan this early because usually there aren’t a lot of people here,” Stephanie Ades chimed in. “Everyone’s having their own time. People are doing work, and it’s a nice low-key gathering.”

Bon Appetit Resident District Manager Michael Strumpf, who’s worked for the company since 2000 and on campus for the past ten years, offered comment on the people behind the various stations, who make this hidden gem of a meal happen. During the morning shift, outside of the numerous main kitchen workers in the basement, a utility person works the dishwasher, a cafe attendant wipes tables, a beverage stocker manages the coffee and drink machines, a line server takes orders by classics, and a grill cook serves up the various orders that come and go during the daybreak hustle and bustle. Together, they create the base of the magic that is Usdan breakfast.

“The workers are the backbone,” he said. “The company has a vision. We’re here, we manage people, but if the workers don’t buy into it, if they don’t respond to it, then it doesn’t come across the same way.”

While Bon Appetit strives to implement sustainable practices and maintain a level of autonomy for their chefs, Strumpf stressed the integral part these tireless workers play in cooking up dishes and maintaining the marketplace mission.

“We want to serve students good, healthy food,” he said. “Make sure they’re nourished and make sure they’re able to get through the rigors of the educational process here and move on into society and do great things.”

Usdan breakfast is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. (for the early birds among us) to 10:30 a.m. It offers a series of delectable options and easter egg-type deals. For instance, if you can manage rolling from your slumber and into the marketplace before 10 a.m., you can order eggs any which way you’d like from line cook Missy, who passes orders on to grill cook Jen.

“Missy and Jen are the most visible and have the most interactions with students,” Strumpf said. “They’re two very sharp ladies, who know Wesleyan students’ names who come every day, have a good idea of what they’re gonna eat everyday before they even order it.”

“Jen is a darling,” Millet agreed toward the end of the interview.

If you’re not one to rise at the crack, not to worry. Oatmeal, pancakes, peanut butter and jelly, scrambled eggs, bacon, waffles, cereal, coffee, and assorted fruit await in abundance until 10:30 a.m.

“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise,” the late Ben Franklin once said.

Mr. Franklin might have it right, but you’ll just have to come on down and see for yourself. After all, the truth is in the pudding.

 

Emmet Teran can be reached at eteran@wesleyan.edu and on Twitter @ETerannosaurus.

Camille De Beus can be reached at cdebeus@wesleyan.edu and on Twitter @cdebeus.