Much like Starbucks and their secret menu, Hillsdale employees have their own tricks to make the most of on-campus dining and coffee options. Each month, Study Break will profile an employee from an on-campus coffee shop, so you can make the most of your morning, or evening, joe. First up is senior Faith Witkowksi.
Q: How many years have you been working at AJ’s?
A: This would be my fourth year working here since my first semester of freshman year.
Q: What are the best times to go to AJs?
A: I would say from 5:30-7:30 are the best times because it is pretty dead. These times are probably the slowest, but anytime after meals is pretty hectic.
Q: When do new ice cream flavors come in?
A: It depends on the popularity of the old flavors. As soon as one tub is empty, a new one will come. If you keep your eye on a tub that is low, where you can see the soft top, fresh ice cream will be there.
Q: What tips do you have for people in search of a new item to try?
A: There is one specific button that we have on the register that people don’t really know about. It’s two eggs and toast. What I like to do is do two eggs and toast, but have avocado toast, which you can add on for 50 cents. I then put egg on top of it.
Q: Is there a secret combination you like to create for yourself?
A: I really like honey cinnamon lattes, so honey and raw cinnamon, which is called a miel. It means honey in both French and Spanish.
Q: What is the most common secret menu item?
A: I think it is a trend on the basketball team especially, where they order cream cheese on their breakfast sandwiches, either on the side or on it. They have regular cheese included but they want cream cheese on it. I have tried it before, and it is amazing.
Q: What food item would you recommend people to try?
A: The turkey club on naan, instead of regular bread. Maybe switch up which type of bread you get.
Q: What drink would you recommend for people to try that is not on the AJs menu?
A: Laura Williamson, a former student, used to be into the raspberry white chocolate mocha and that was really popular. Adding fruit flavored syrups to white chocolate cannot go wrong.
