The House side of the Capitol complex is getting a major overhaul of its restaurants, with vendor Sodexo out after a 10-year run.
Beginning in August, Metz Culinary Management will take over, bringing a slew of new eateries with it, according to an email sent to staffers — with online ordering available at each location.
Construction will start that month, but “rest assured that Members and staff will still have options for grabbing breakfast, lunch and coffee throughout the construction process,” the memo continues.
There has been a long push for expanded brand-name food options as Sodexo’s generic cafeteria options, combined with low staffing levels, drew complaints from lawmakers and staff.
The changes come after two major renovations, with Dunkin’ being closed for an extended period of time and &Pizza, which shuttered last August, to be replaced by a renovated coffee shop.
“The incoming vendors represent a broad range of food service operators who will deliver diverse and popular food options,” according to the email from the office of the chief administrative officer to staffers.
The most controversial move appears to be that Starbucks will replace Dunkin’ in the Longworth House Office Building. The impending demise of Dunkin’ sent shockwaves through the offices of the Massachusetts delegation. (The state is, after all, where the coffee-and-doughnut institution began.) Massachusetts Rep. Lori Trahan’s deputy chief of staff jokingly decried the switch as a “hostile and political attack.”
The move also frustrated lobbyists who frequent Dunkin’.
“There’s plenty broken in Congress but the food options — especially the Dunkin — aren’t it,” one health care lobbyist texted.
Panera Bread will replace Au Bon Pain in the Cannon House Office Building, and acai bowl joint Freshens will replace Jamba Juice in Longworth. Jimmy John’s will replace Subway in Rayburn, with PX Tacos and Java House replacing the current Common Grounds coffee shop in that building. Steak ‘n Shake will leave Rayburn in favor of CHA Street Food, an “American-influenced Asian” restaurant.
In addition, fast-casual Mexican joint Qdoba will be added to the Ford House Office Building, and Black Crown Collective will also take over the Common Grounds coffee cart location.
Other changes include in-house catering being taken over by Trade Center Management Associates and Monumental Vending Inc. taking control of micro-store and vending locations.
Lisa Kashinsky contributed to this report.
