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[Soft music]
When it comes to meals on campus, there’s one place where the line always seems to have enough people to pack a classroom.
Sure, MOD Pizza patrons may extend as far as the bookstore, and Cafe Bergson, Cafe Coralie, and Starbucks split the burden of the caffeine-craving masses. But Shake Smart has them beat. Located in Norris University Center, it’s the home of smoothies, acai bowls and maybe one of the most dedicated customer bases at Northwestern.
We asked students how long they’d be willing to wait for their favorite Shake Smart fix. The answers? A mix of logic, love and loyalty.
Isaiah Thomas: I love Shake Smart. I will come here as many days as they’re open.
That was Isaiah Thomas, a first-year in Weinberg. He waited in line with Moni Adeosun, a first-year in McCormick. Showing no signs of impatience despite the nearly 20 unmoving people in front of them, it was clear they were dedicated fans.
But the magic question …
“How long exactly are you willing to wait for the line?”
Moni Adeosun: Solid 20 minutes.
Isaiah Thomas: 12.
Moni Adeosun: 12? Solid 20 minutes. I come to Shake Smart when I don’t have class after.
Isaiah Thomas: I’m blessed to come here when the line’s pretty short. Right now, I would call this pretty short with 20 people.
And if 20 people doesn’t sound short to you, well … it’s all about perspective.
[finding soundbite of laughter but otherwise nothing]
Some students say they’ll call it quits if the line gets too long, but others say they’ll wait longer.
Sharon Saint-Surin: Thirty minutes.
Charlie Cho: I feel like, yeah.
Sharon Saint-Surin: Yeah.
Charlie Cho: I feel like if I’m talking with someone, I’m usually willing to wait because it’s more about students waiting with somebody. But I feel like if I was alone, probably like, I don’t know. 15 minutes?
That was McCormick first-year Sharon Saint-Surin and Weinberg second-year Charlie Cho, who added that waiting in line can also be … kind of freeing.
Sharon Saint-Surin: If I’m alone, I guess I go on like TikTok or Instagram.
Charlie Cho: Respond to texts.
Sharon Saint-Surin: Yeah.
Charlie Cho: Yeah.
Sharon Saint-Surin: Just like anything, I don’t know.
Charlie Cho: Yeah. Started reading Chainsaw Man, so that was fun. Kind of scary.
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For Elishia Yeh, a first-year Bienen and Weinberg student from Hawaii, Shake Smart feels familiar.
Elishia Yeh: I use maybe like two of my meal swipes every week on Shake Smart. Two to three. // I’m from Hawaii, so like, smoothies and acai bowls are pretty much like a pretty common thing.
And the wait is worth it.
“How long is too long of a line for you? How long are you willing to wait?”
Elishia Yeh: I think too long is past the Norris center desk. // I’ve waited like from 30 minutes to 45 minutes before. // I say it’s worth it. I mean, given what kind of mood you’re in for.
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If you’re looking to join the Shake Smart fan club, well … get in line. Whether you’re hungry, homesick or just in need of a post-class pick-me-up – for many students, it’s worth the wait.
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Reporting from Norris, Micah Sandy, WNUR News.
Music by Bensound
License code: GGPLC7KCHZH0GK3F
