Study Hall shows promise with concept
As of Sept. 26, USC’s newest sports bar and grill, Study Hall, opened its doors to the Trojan community. Conveniently located on the corner of Hoover and 29th street, this restaurant is a dynamic new dining option for students.
Versatile · The restaurant is able to serve as a coffee shop, sports bar, brunch locale and late night munchie destination. This versatility is a boon for a restaurant located next to a college campus as it can satisfy many needs. – Ralf Cheung | Daily Trojan
Study Hall was conceived when the sports bar, The 29th Street Cafe, came under new ownership. It inhabits the old location, but many changes are evident, making this the newest USC hotspot.
The outside has been remodeled to emulate a quaint cottage giving the feeling of a “homestyle” dining experience. Ample seating is provided outside on a partially covered patio. The inside also offers a well-situated assortment of tables in addition to as a small bar tucked aside. The size is perfect for a large group lunch and game viewing or a quiet weekday meal.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Study Hall is its ability to alternate between sports bar, coffee shop, brunch destination and late night munchies spot. The restaurant is conveniently open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to midnight and on weekends from 11 a.m. to midnight. Within Study Hall, there are multiple televisions perfect for game viewing as well as quiet alcoves for studying.
Study Hall has an open, friendly atmosphere and an attentive staff. They are receptive to customers, making them feel like regulars. It is this quality that will have students and others coming back again and again.
As for the menu, Study Hall hosts breakfast, lunch and dinner. Among the options there is something for everyone to enjoy. Their breakfast menu is filled with creative options, rivaling those of Jacks N Joe. The French toast features brioche, cinnamon-roasted apples and smoked almonds, topped with Mexican hot chocolate whipped cream.
Other breakfast favorites are the breakfast sandwiches and burritos. Those looking for a health conscious first meal of the day will find satisfaction with the “Waist Watcher.” The wide array of options will certainly fill tables, especially on the weekends.
Living up to the sports bar reputation which precedes it, there is a selection of pub grub available for hungry tailgaters. Among the crowd favorites are the chili cheese fries doused in spiced pork chili and smoked mozzarella. Wings are offered in a variety of styles such as classic buffalo, crispy, BBQ and maple-glazed.
Those looking for hearty lunch and dinner can certainly count on Study Hall to suit their needs. A wide selection of sandwiches, burgers and sliders are offered to hungry customers. The “Why Not” burger has been featured on their Facebook page and Yelp. The Angus patty, pile of pastrami, sunny side up egg, provolone, crispy shallots, onion marmalade and mustard aoli satisfy the spectrum of taste buds. All burgers are also served with a side of Study Hall-made herbed Kennebec fries.
It is to be said that Study Hall brings in more points for concept than for actual execution on a lot dishes. Many of the plates are lacking in certain areas, an issue noted by another diner who felt that the mac and cheese could’ve used some more cheese, and the sliders were underwhelming without sauce. The diner was quick to add, however, that the food was a great start to a promising business.
The Study Hall prices are comparatively fair to the surrounding competition. Starters range from $2 to $10 and no entree exceeds $14. It is the perfect spot for a cost effective fix at anytime of the day.