A "beer and burger joint" operated by The Q-Shack restaurant will replace Rick's Diner in the fall, officials said this week.
Set to open in October, the location will be called "Tommy's... Rubs, Grubs and Suds," and offer traditional Q-Shack-barbecue fare in addition to salads, hamburgers, cheesesteaks and a variety of other cooked-to-order foods.
"We're going to do some things that probably haven't been done before," said Tom Meyer, Trinity '91 and owner of The Q-Shack.
Students often complained that Rick's was unsanitary with poor food.
Meyer said he personally will be on location two to three days per week to ensure overall quality stays high.
"I really feel a connection to Duke and I've always wanted to have my own place on campus," he explained.
The restaurant will be open for dinner seven days a week, closing at 10 p.m. on Sunday, midnight on weekdays and 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
By arrangement with Dining Services, McDonald's will extend its hours to replace Rick's as the 24/7 dining location on campus.
A significant part of the Tommy's experience will be its 12 beers on tap and weekly wine tastings.
The tapheads will rotate periodically to include domestic, imported, craft and local brews, Meyer said.
"It should be better than anything you can find off-campus," he said, emphasizing that he has been in the restaurant business since 1990.
"[Tommy's] will always include a lot of fun," Meyer added.
The feasibility of having on-campus drinking destinations is at stake, depending on student reaction to Tommy's, acknowledged Jim Wulforst, director of dining services.
Armadillo Grill had its liquor license suspended this summer after underage students were found drinking on the premises.
"I'm trying to meet all the demands and requests," Wulforst said, noting that Larry Moneta, vice president for student affairs, suggested a wine bar in the Bryan Center, which Wulforst said was not feasible.
"We're going to do a reasonably good job so far as carding," Wulforst said.
"I don't think drinking will be the primary motive for the location," he added.
Still, Duke Student Government President Elliott Wolf, a junior, said he's "thrilled" at the addition of another campus bar.
"We would like to see the social scene back on campus and having alcohol associated with dining on campus is a great way to do that," Wolf explained.
Meyer said he's not seeking to promote "irrational drinking" and believes his restaurant will be defined more by its "fair price, good portions and great taste" than by alcohol.
No item will cost more than $7.95 except for ribs, and there may be more upscale options such as risotto certain days of the week.
The restaurant, located in the McClendon Tower, will undergo a physical transformation in the coming weeks.
There will be six to eight televisions-including a 52-inch plasma-with darts, games and "great music playing," Meyer said.
He added that there will be an expanded outdoor seating area as well.
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