Yella’s opened Jan. 12 inside the Memorial Student Center, replacing Steak ’n Shake.

The New Jersey-based, family-owned sandwich shop offers students, staff and visitors additional dining options, including burgers, tenders, wings, milkshakes and desserts alongside its signature hot and cold subs, like the Fat Angelo and the Lombardi.

Yella’s joins other campus dining options including La Famiglia, Starbucks and Chick-fil-A. The restaurant features an aesthetic inspired by the 1950s and 1960s, offering a unique dining atmosphere inside the student center.

Marshall Dining Services said the decision to replace Steak ’n Shake was based on low sales and the desire to expand menu variety.

“Steak ’n Shake didn’t have much business, and Yella’s had a lot more to offer,” said Michelle Clark, senior unit clerical employee with Marshall Dining Services. “We know students like subs from our 1837 location, so we thought it would be a good addition.”

Clark said students were not directly involved in the decision-making process, but all campus dining locations provide student employment opportunities. She said the success of Yella’s will be measured using 15-minute customer traffic counts, a standard metric across campus dining.

The restaurant proved immediately popular, selling out of sub rolls Thursday, Jan. 15, during the opening week, though staff quickly replenished the supply to meet demand.

Students said Yella’s variety, portion sizes and pricing left them with a positive first impression of the restaurant.

Student Sophianna Scruggs said the change initially surprised her.

“It kind of threw me off to see that we no longer had Steak ’n Shake,” Scruggs said, “but I really do like Yella’s. I haven’t tried everything, but so far, so good.”

Scruggs said she decided to try Yella’s because it offered something different from existing campus options.

“For $5, getting three jumbo tenders fills me up for the day,” she said. “The portions are good, and the prices are good.”

Student Savannah Phillips said she was initially skeptical.

“I was like, ‘Oh, another burger place,’” Phillips said. “I’m glad to see they had sandwiches as opposed to just burgers.”

Phillips ordered the Lombardi, a crispy chicken sandwich with mozzarella and peppers, and said she prefers Yella’s to the former Steak ’n Shake.

“I like it better than Steak ’n Shake,” she said. “I wasn’t a fan of the smash burgers.”

Student Kolton Olish said convenience influenced his choice.

“The Chick-fil-A line is really long,” Olish said. “I went over there and was pleasantly surprised with how good Yella’s chicken was.”

Olish said the portion sizes and prices stood out to him. 

“It was only five bucks,” he said. “I got three chicken tenders and couldn’t even finish them. They were huge.”

Student Jayden Ford said the restaurant’s branding and atmosphere caught his attention.

“I thought the bags and the design of the front were very appealing,” Ford said. “I liked the way their menu looked.”

Ford ordered a bacon cheeseburger and said it compared favorably to other campus dining options.

“It was a well-sized burger, and you get a big box of fries with a drink,” he said. “That’s pretty solid.”

Both Ford and Olish said they plan to return. Olish described the restaurant as “thick,” referencing the chicken tenders, while Ford summed it up as “quality.”

David Lozano can be contacted at [email protected].