Cat Cavern

1 Reviews on “Cat Cavern”

• Chuck Bradley

  Caribbean Jerk Chicken!. This is my first return visit since fall term started. When I scoped out the menu on-line this morning and saw Caribbean Jerk Chicken Quarters, my lunch decision was made. If you’re a Jerk Chicken fancier, you may know that the only other place in Salem it can be found is the Broadway Cafe on those rare occasions when Greggery Peterson offers it there. Otherwise, it’s Portland or Eugene.I arrived about 11:45 AM and there was a line of students and faculty backed up, but it moved quickly and soon my order was placed. The way it works at Cat Cavern is; the servers take your order and name. When it’s ready they shout out your name and you pick it up. My Hind Quarter was boned and came with buttery Red Beans and Rice with a silky texture and delicate flavor. Surprisingly, I did not miss the spice in this unusual version of this side. The Chicken was just spicy enough with the Jerk Rub to hold my interest and take me back to my first exposure to Jerk Chicken in Ocho Rios Jamaica many years ago.As I was finishing my meal, the chef came to my table and asked if I was pleased with my Chicken. I gave him well deserved praise and told him what a treat it was to find this dish on his menu and that the seasoning was perfect.I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Cat Cavern, Goudy Commons and Kaneko Cafe, on Willamette University Campus are three little-known-to-the-public gems and exceptional values! Keep ’em under your hat.29 Aug, 2011The WU eateries are open…….. For fall term! The assumption by many seems to be that they are for students only. Such is not the case. The only thing I don’t like about summer in this beautiful valley is that these great restaurants are closed.SWMBO and I dropped by for lunch today. She had a Turkey-Mushroom Burger on their in-house-baked bun with all the fixin’s. I had a Chicken Quesadilla with Pinto Beans and Seasoned Rice. It turned out to be a great choice although I was tempted by a fantastic looking Club Sandwich they had on display. The fresh Salad bar looked mighty good too. We’ve been to all the Bon Appetit operated eateries on Willamette’s campus. We’ll soon be trying the Bistro, which is entirely student operated. More to come.20 Jan, 2011I think I’ve exhausted. All the new lunch possibilities available on the Willamette/Tokyo International Universities campus. And I plan to make all three regular haunts. All are open to the public! The Bon Appetit Management Company deftly manages and operates them. The ingredients are as fresh, local, natural and sustainable as is practicable. The food preparation is first rate. I haven’t been a college student for almost half a century, but nothing remotely like this was available back in the day! Cat Cavern is located on the second floor of the University Center building. They have a great looking Salad Bar, Soups and Sandwiches. The Sandwich Bread is sliced right from the loaf. Today I had a Reuben Sandwich and a cup of Whole Grain Vegetable Soup. The hearty Corned Beef and Kraut was sandwiched between two slices of Swiss Cheese and thick slabs of home-made-style Rye Bread. This neat trick prevented the juice from the Kraut saturating the bread. (An all-to-common problem with Reubens.) It was delicious. The Soup was very flavorful (for vegetarian) and loaded with Veggies, Barley and (I think) wheat. The young scholars here are very lucky to have these wonderful places available to them. And the prices are scaled to fit a student’s budget. My compliments to The Bon Appetit Management Company and my special thanks to Mr. Marc Marelich, Director of Food Service at Willamette University, for patiently answering my questions about these restaurants and their public availability.I recommend trying any or all of them. You will not be disappointed!

  January 15, 2013, 8:49 pm

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