Engrained – College Admission at Loyola

You Know You Go to Loyola When…

By | November 15, 2014

When you go to the 4th “greenest” school in the nation–the greenest in the Midwest– you learn a thing or two about leading an ecologically responsible life. During your time at Loyola you’re bound to pick up on some environmentally friendly quirks. Here are a few that apply to many students at LUC:

Disposable plastic water bottles make you cringe. In light of eliminating waste, Loyola students voted to have a campus that doesn’t sell bottled water. Instead everyone carries their own reusable water bottle and takes advantage of the water refill stations around campus.
You never leave the SLUG. The Study Lounge Under the Greenhouse is the perfect spot to channel your “greenest self”. This study space is steps away from Engrained Cafe and in the heart of the Institute of Environmental Sustainability. Which just so happens to be the largest building in the city run on geothermal energy. Your soul can rest easy here.
You know what bio-diesel soap smells like. The first time you use “BioSoap” it might throw you off. Using soap made from the byproducts of bio-diesel is a sweet way to not be wasteful and help the environment.
Going to the Loyola Farmers Market every week is a priority. From June through October you’ll be sure to take your reusable bags to the Market to stock up on locally grown, delicious produce.
You are a firm believer in the power of the CTA. You might have thought you’d miss having a car, but the convenience of Chicago’s public transportation changes that. Riding the bus or taking the train around the city also means reducing your contribution to air pollution. A win-win situation for you and the environment.

Loyola as a whole has made caring for the environment a priority. Loyola students and the earth alike are grateful for a University that is so committed to being green.

Don’t Miss Out on the Good Eats at Engrained Cafe

By | October 31, 2014

My freshman year at Loyola I made the mistake of only ever ordering coffee at Engrained. Don’t get me wrong the coffee is great, but Engrained is so much more than a coffee shop. With offerings ranging from a Loaded Grilled Cheese to the best cake balls you’ll ever eat, you need to explore the menu here.

At their location inside the Institute of Environmental Sustainability it’s appropriate that Engrained shares the same goal of running an environmentally friendly business. The waste from the kitchen is nearly 100% compostable. Eventually they hope the waste from the dining area will reach the same standard of eco-friendliness. A few other world-saving features of the cafe are found in things you normally wouldn’t think twice about. The chairs you sit on are actually 111 Coke bottles, the tables are reclaimed Chicago wood, and the floors are made of cork. Kudos to Engrained for stepping outside the box to help take care of the planet.

Engrained’s menu is completely unique thanks to their commitment to sourcing nearly all of their food within a 150 mile radius of their location. Their partnerships with local farms and businesses mean fresher food for you and I. So fresh in fact that they make their soup and other menu items in house every morning—the closest thing you’ll find to a home-cooked meal on campus. The most popular order at Engrained is the “Adult Grilled Cheese” with Tomato Basil Soup. Personally, I’m partial to the BLT or Grilled PB&J. Engrained carries a sweet line of baked goods from Chicago’s West Town Bakery that are the perfect way to finish off any meal. When you’re in the mood for a hot drink the cafe sells typical tea and coffee drinks, but if you’re looking for something a little extra special I recommend the hot chocolate or apple cider–by far the best you will find on campus.

So thanks to Engrained for keeping our stomachs full of good eats that keep us–and the planet–happy.