By Christian Thomas | Script Editor-in-Chief

The usual crowd of students at the university Chick-Fil-A shifted over to the newest spot on the block, Milked.

A crunchy, sugary, and savory trifecta is sure to shake things up at Hampton University’s Student Center.

On Jan. 12, students rushed to be the first to try a selection of sweet and salty treats from HU’s newest restaurant, Milked.

From velvety milkshake blends and salty bacon, to sweet buttermilk waffles, students got to satisfy their sweet tooth with a few of the restaurant’s delectable flavors.

At Milked’s first tasting event, students were invited to try the goods.

There were cereal bars, novelty milkshakes, and waffle sandwiches.

“We wanted to be able to give a little bit of balance between healthy, comfort options as well as some fun options to round the variety,” said Daniella Smallwood, Vice President of Marketing and Programing at Thompson Hospitality. “There was space to have a little bit of fun.”

Milked will join Chick-Fil-A, Pizza Hut, and BRB.

“It’s super exciting,” Smallwood said. “We’re glad to have it. This is the third HBCU that we’ve been able to put this concept in and it has been going well. We’re glad to bring it to Hampton.”

Since Thompson Hospitality partnered with HU on June 30, the company has worked to improve the university’s dining experience through cafeteria renovations, menu diversity, and food accessibility initiatives. 

Over the winter break, the food service provider worked alongside HU construction partner, Bernhard Construction, to bring life to the previously vacant HU coffee shop.

“This is one of our restaurants that we consider to be a whimsical, kind of fun place to break the monotony up,” Smallwood said.

The restaurant’s vibrant hot pink, blue, and yellow design exaggerates its quirky assortment of sandwiches, cereal bars, and milkshakes.

“Milked, we call ‘Waffle and What nots’ because you have a little bit of everything,” Smallwood said. “It’s anchored by our waffle sandwiches. You can build them how you want to. If you want to treat yourself, you can make a waffle sandwich. That’s where the ‘waffle’ comes from and for the ‘what not’ we have novelty milkshakes.”

Despite its sugary persona, Milked also offers healthier alternatives like its turkey and veggie sausage proteins, gluten-free peanut butter protein bars, and cherry, strawberry, and crushed pineapple toppings.

At Friday’s tasting event, students shared their surprise with the unique flavors.

“The ice cream machine is broken in the cafeteria,” Jasmine Brockington, a second-year journalism student, said. “It’s cool that we have an ice cream place now.”

Still, students felt the new flavors may not justify the prices. 

“Some of the prices are a little high,” Brockington said. “Like $9.99 for a milkshake when at Chick-fil-A it’s like $5. It might be a touch and go.”

Darah Derios, a second year journalism major, agreed,

“I think the waffle sandwiches are fine, but as far as the milkshakes, the specialty milkshakes are $10,”  Derios said. “On one hand they’re specialty, you get a whole slice of cheesecake with one, with one you get cotton candy. I’m not going to come here everyday, but if I want to spoil myself, I wouldn’t mind paying the $10.”