When Notre Dame students venture off campus, their first stop is usually Eddy Street Commons. Just a short walk from campus, the Commons is filled with a variety of restaurants and shops. There are the “grab food and go” options, places where you can grab a quick bite to eat: Chipotle, Jimmy Johns, Blaze Pizza, Five Guys. There are also the “sit down and spend some time” restaurants: McAlister’s, The Livery, O’Rourkes. There are even ice cream parlors, coffee options, exercise classes and places to shop. While Eddy Street provides many food choices, I’ve heard a lot of friends and acquaintances complain about the lack of healthier options close to campus. Enter the newly established Purely Pressed.
Purely Pressed opened on Eddy Street in January, the second location of the family owned, cold-pressed juice bar and cafe. Its original location is in Granger, where students can find the same great menu at a less-than-convenient distance from campus. According to ABC57, owners Rachel and Ryan Blake and Reid Stichter decided to open a location on Eddy Street because they know a lot of their customers are students and faculty at Notre Dame. They hoped their new location — at a high traffic destination near campus — would be more accessible to students. Their hopes have been met. Since the new Purely Pressed opened, I’ve heard people talking about it all over campus, and I’ve seen perhaps too many Instagram stories of perfectly crafted açai bowls. With all the hype, I decided it was time I check it out for myself. I was immediately caught off guard by how busy it was — even more so when I realized many of the customers were people I knew from my dorm, from class or folks I’d just seen around campus. In addition to being closer to campus, the new Purely Pressed has more seating, allowing even more people to enjoy its products.
The menu includes smoothies, salads and açai bowls, all of which you can personalize with different ingredients. Everything is made with 100% organic ingredients. Although a little pricey, the quality of the products makes up for it. The food is healthy and filling, and the cafe itself is a fun place to go to with friends or even to study. It’s the perfect spot for students looking for healthy places to eat nearby. The new location has also added coffee to its menu. According to the South Bend Tribune, Blake and Stitcher have spent years perfecting their coffee recipe and are excited to make it “a main focus.”
Eddy Street has always been a popular spot for Notre Dame students. Many of the eateries on Eddy view proximity to Notre Dame as a serious asset. Purely Pressed definitely uses this to its advantage, offering students and faculty a comfortable, homey cafe with tasty and nutritious food.
