THE SECOND INSTALLMENT OF A SERIES ON LESSER-KNOWN ON-CAMPUS ASSETS—
If you have a little extra time in your morning from 9 – 10 a.m. and a few Terrier Bucks to spare, “Mr. Thomas” Clark would love to serve you at Zach’s.
You read that right: Zach’s serves breakfast.
“I don’t want to toot my own horn, but if you talk to the other students, they’ll tell you about my breakfast. It’s awesome,” says Clark.
Senior Elizabeth Satterwhite is one of the few students who know about breakfast at Zach’s, and she’s been enjoying Clark’s cooking since her freshman year.
“An upperclassman told me about it… and I went a lot [as a freshman]. Now I go once every week or two since the trek from the village is a little more time consuming.”
Clark has been working in Dining Services for five years, but says that not many members of the Wofford community know about Zach’s breakfast hours. “On a heavy day, I get maybe ten or twelve [customers]. It’s not a lot.”
What’s on the menu? Clark serves bacon-egg-and-cheese sandwiches and sausage-egg-and-cheese sandwiches, which can be made with various types of bread. He’ll also make eggs “any way you want,” including omelets.
Prices are around three dollars for a sandwich, says Louise Shiman, whose first breakfast visit was this week. “My sandwich was freshly made and delicious,” she says.
While the window for breakfast at Zach’s is slim, students who have tried it agree that it’s worth the effort and the Terrier Bucks. “It’s a hidden gem,” says Satterwhite. “It’s great when you have a little extra time.”
Mr. Phil High, a Wofford employee who regularly visits Zach’s for a delicious breakfast sandwich was eager to praise Clark’s cooking. “It’s excellent,” he says, giving two thumbs up. High is one of many Wofford faculty and staff who comprise Clark’s customer base.
Clark hopes to cook for more students in the future, and encourages students to come try his cooking.
“I love to cook, so I’m ready for it,” says Clark. “I would love for more people to know about it. I don’t mind. The kids will tell you; I love to feed them, and even at lunch, when I make them a patty melt and they say, ‘Oh, Mr. Thomas, that was SO good!’ it is an ego-boost for me. It makes my job a pleasure.”
For those days when Burwell just doesn’t sound appetizing, Clark urges students and staff alike to come try Zach’s.
“You have to experience one of these breakfasts. I guarantee you’ll enjoy it,” says Clark.
Note: Tune in next issue for another installment of “Places and spaces you wouldn’t know about unless someone told you.” Got an idea for a place or space that needs to be shared? Let Old Gold Black and Gold know by emailing the editor at [email protected].
— Sarah Madden