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Where to Eat

Patient Anijah at the Kay Kafe cafeteria at St. Jude

The hospital cafeteria is on the first floor of the Richard C. Shadyac ALSAC Tower, the building next to and connected to the Patient Care Center. The main hallway on the north side of the Patient Care Center will lead you to Kay Kafe. Just before you reach Kay Kafe, you will see a Starbucks Coffee® stand and a group of vending machines, an ATM machine, and some tables and chairs.

Kay Kafe hours

Monday through Friday

  • Breakfast: 7–10 a.m. (Omelet line closes at 9 a.m. and hot food line closes at 10 a.m., but other breakfast options are available.)
  • Lunch: 11 a.m.–2 p.m. (Hot food line closes at 2 p.m., but sandwiches, salads and other options are available.)
  • Dinner: 4–7 p.m.
  • Kafe Express: 7-9 p.m.

Weekends and Holidays

  • Breakfast: 7:30–10 a.m.  (Hot food line closes at 10 a.m., but other breakfast options are available.)
  • Lunch: 11 a.m.–2 p.m. (Hot food line closes at 2 p.m., but sandwiches, salads and other options are available.)
  • Dinner: 4-7 p.m.
  • Kafe Express: 7-9 p.m.

The cafeteria accepts cash, St. Jude cafeteria meal accounts, St. Jude ClinCard, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Apple Pay.

Call Food Services: 901-595-3000.

Patient Meals

Seating in the Kay Kafe

St. Jude helps with meal costs for the patient and caregivers through a St. Jude cafeteria meal account

St. Jude cafeteria meal accounts

St. Jude activates cafeteria meal accounts based upon patients’ appointment schedules.

These accounts can extend for up to seven days in a row and for specific dollar amounts. You can use the cafeteria meal account at Kay Kafe for all meals. St. Jude cafeteria meal accounts cannot be used off campus.

Daily short-term stipend

St. Jude offers a daily stipend to patient families in Tri-Delta Place. 

The stipend is loaded on a reusable debit card. You can use that card to buy personal items that may be needed. 

Weekly meal stipend

St. Jude offers a weekly meal stipend to patient families in Ronald McDonald House, Target House, Parcels and patient-provided lodging.

The meal stipend is loaded on a reusable debit card. You can use that card to buy food, prepared meals and grocery items. Grocery items may include personal care toiletries such as toothpaste, soap or shampoo. You may not use the meal stipend for any other purchases, including alcohol, tobacco products, lottery tickets, or gambling.

St. Jude loads funds at its discretion, and balances may be subject to a cap. St. Jude may stop loading the weekly meal stipend when the cap is reached.

Caregivers in long-term housing may speak with a member of the Patient Services staff about receiving the weekly meal stipend.

Local patients and those staying in short-term lodging do not receive the weekly meal stipend.

Snack Bags

Snack bags are offered free for outpatients who are at St. Jude for treatment. You can pick up snack bag tickets in the Patient Services office when you arrive. Each snack bag contains three snack items and a drink.

Registered Dietitians

Registered dietitians are here to offer you advice and ideas about your child’s nutritional needs. They can also help you with food-related problems. You can reach the dietitian for your primary clinic by calling the Clinical Nutrition office at 901-595-3318.

Food Safety

You may eat your meals in the hospital room with your child, but opened food must be thrown out after one hour in a patient room. Bacteria that could be harmful to your child can grow on the food after an hour.

Food cannot be stored in your child’s room. Food attracts insects that can transmit disease. Food prepared outside the hospital and brought to your child’s room should be stored in the Nutrition Center refrigerator on each floor. Write your child’s name and the current date on each food container. Unused food will be removed every three days or right away if it is spoiled.

 
 
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