Simon's Café has been a staple at Austin Community College since 1996, but principal of Simon Burger, LLC Jae Park said the food vendor's contract with the college is due to expire.
Park graduated from the University of Texas in 1994, then opened his first ACC cafe two years later at Pinnacle campus. At the time, the establishment was known as Krack A-Jack. In eight years time the name changed to Simon's Café and is now at several campuses including Pinnacle, Eastview, Cypress Creek, Northridge, Rio Grande and Riverside. Simon's cafe attempts to offer a wide range of ethnic and American cuisine, Park said, and to service over 30,000 ACC students. The diverse food is related to the diverse population at ACC, and according to the Simon's Café website, they are always open to suggestions for new items on the menu.
Park did not release any specific details on when the food vendor's contract will expire, and said he was hesitant to discuss future plans for the cafe.
Park said nothing is set in stone as to any plans of relocating his business, but he did say the contract is expiring. Student Mackenzie Michaels said in her early years at ACC she would eat at the cafe quite often, but has not done so in a very long time. She said the reason is because the food is always the same and the quality of the food is poor.
Kevin Marshall, also a student, said, "The food was unsatisfying and overpriced." He now brings his lunch to school. Reflecting their unhappiness with Simon's Café, Michaels and Marshall both said a change in food vendors would get them to frequent the student common areas more often.
Shane Manning, director of communications for the Student Government Association, said SGA believes that student opinion should hold merit in the decision-making process.
is a member of the 
4 comments