Before Campus Gyro arrived at EvCC on January 20, the Parks Student Union (PSU) cafe was almost always empty. Expensive vending and Just-Baked machines sat glowing in a darkened seating area, while the kitchen itself remained unused. Students had few options when it came to hot food, many having to go off campus to find a suitable meal.
But now, nearly four months later, that has all changed.
Osama Al-Ramahi, one of the owners of Gyro One (called Campus Gyro here at EvCC), had said in early January, “Everyone has … (a) chance to support the student(s) in different ways, but this is my way to support them.” Osama and his wife Nisreen have continued to uphold that.
Nisreen admitted that when they had first been planning on setting up, she had been worried. The cafe sitting area was empty much of the time, and so it was difficult imagining students coming through to eat. The idea of constant traffic didn’t seem realistic — but not anymore.
When walking through the doors of PSU into the cafe sitting area, the atmosphere feels completely different. The smell of Mediterranean cuisine and sounds of frying meat fill the space. Students can be seen looking at the menu on the screens, standing in line ready to order or just talking with friends. The seating areas are filled with some small groups and individuals working on homework, many with a gyro, burger or container of greek fries in front of them.
Osama can be seen putting together wraps or cutting meat from off a vertical spit, as it slowly revolves. He quickly moves back and forth, exchanging words with his wife, while continuing to prepare the meals with care. Nisreen stands at the end of the counter, also greeting students with a smile, and takes their orders.
As the students grab their food, she always thanks them with another smile before they leave.
When asked about their experience so far, Osama replied, “I love it. I love it so much.” He reemphasized the fact that he had already been excited to serve EvCC before setting up. “But since we’ve been here, we have [had] the experience — [the] real experience.”
Nisreen agreed, saying, “I love it too … the students, they’re really nice — you feel like you’re doing something for your community.”
They both said that everyone had been very supportive, and that in the beginning they were checked on often until they could handle things on their own. This quarter they also have more help in their kitchen which has relieved some of the workload.
Candice Eng, a student sitting in the cafe, could be seen enjoying a large gyro. “I’m glad that they have this option … and I’m really glad that they brought in having drinks too,” she said.
But there was something else that Eng appreciated even more.
“I really like it ‘cause I got the EvCC Eats card, so it really helps with me being able to not struggle with having food and being able to go to school too.”
Nisreen Al-Ramahi said that many students have benefitted from the EvCC Eats gift card. She pointed out, though, that “it’s good for both of us.” Students in need receive discounts on quality food, while Nisreen and Osama receive many of the students coming back for more.
Students, with or without discounts, just can’t seem to get enough.
For the ones who come by often enough, it’s gotten to the point where “we’ve memorized what they want, and we ring them [up] before they even order,” Nisreen said.
One such student is Brian-Acheron Hedgepeth, who said that he comes by about three times a week. As he stood in line waiting to order, he said, “First, the service is freaking awesome. And the food is great. It’s super healthy — great portion size.” Hedgepeth stated that it was really helpful, especially with having to work and take classes at night.
With students returning again and again, Nisreen said, “It feels like we are friends, not just serving food.”
Osama said that it’s become so popular among students, that some have even taken food home for their family to try. And professors, seeing the food students brought to class, couldn’t help but stop by as well. According to the couple, a woman even called them over the phone, after trying the food, and said, “I want to give you an extra tip.”
Osama Al-Ramahi said that although he had primarily run the Gyro One restaurant in Marysville, he brought his wife along to EvCC to help with running this operation. They had both tried to take orders, but with Osama busy preparing the food, it became easier for Nisreen to handle that part. Because of this, he said that his wife noticed a lot more, when it came to how the students liked the food, and what they tended to buy.
“Every day it is different…I feel like they want to try everything on the menu,” Nisreen said. She saw how much the students enjoyed the variety of food. And this got her thinking.
The menu currently has gyro plates/wraps, falafel, salads, burgers, fries and now fountain drinks. But based on what Nisreen saw, she decided that the students deserved more.
“She is working on bringing more choices,” Osama said.
The upcoming expansion of the menu is her way of not only providing more options for students, but also as a way to thank them for their business. As Osama said, “they’re not forced to come here, they love to come here to eat food.” And both him and Nisreen want them to love it even more.
When asked how long they could imagine themselves serving students at EvCC, Osama Al-Ramahi said without hesitation, “as long as they need us here.”
