Grill ’72 is preparing for its grand reopening at the Rathskeller, located on the lower level of the Kent Student Center. The Kent State community is invited to attend the event on Monday, March 31, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The celebration will include menu samples, Grill ’72 giveaways and a DJ. There will also be a sampling of Golden Flashes Swirl Ice Cream and Celsius.
With an updated kitchen and new aesthetic, Grill ’72 at the Rathskeller can better accommodate larger groups and events hosted in the space.
“The Rathskeller is one of the biggest programmatic spaces we have in the Kent Student Center,” said Ben Davis, director of the Kent Student Center and Involvement. “We’re really hoping to see more students going down there and grabbing dinner and staying for programs.”
Davis said that Grill ’72 will offer wings, burgers and new shareable items, such as an appetizer sampler, that will complement the programming experience at the location.
Kristin Burney, assistant director of retail for University Culinary Services, believes students will appreciate the expanded menu and improved carry-out experience.
“Getting your favorite items to go will be much easier,” she said. “Our packaging is going to be boxes that will fit the items better and ensure taking it upstairs or back to your room is more convenient.”
Davis said that Grill ’72’s new location will have a different atmosphere than the current places available on campus.
“It’s going to feel more like a restaurant,” he said. “That’s by design because students need a variety of different options for different times of the day.”
Davis is excited about this change as it will bring back life to the Rathskeller, which has a long history in the Kent Student Center. He said the space is one of the few that Kent State alumni always mention to him, often sharing stories about meeting their partners there.
“Everybody has memories about that space, so I think it is a key part of our campus,” Davis said. “I’m really excited for a new generation of students to see what’s going to be down there.”
He said that changes will continue at Rathskeller over the next few years.
“There’s going to be a whole new wellspring of life coming in from down there,” he said. “Students should keep their eyes on that space.”
Grill ’72’s previous location on the first floor of the Kent Student Center will not stay closed for long as Golden Habanero, Latin-inspired cuisine, is preparing to open later this summer.
“[Latin-inspired cuisine] is a popular concept in the world right now, so to bring that onto campus will really appeal to the students,” Burney said. “It’s something we don’t currently have in any of the retail spaces.”
Follow for updates on Grill ’72 and Golden Habanero.