Families  visiting  the  recently-opened  Kennedy  Outpatient Center at Erlanger Children’s Hospital will soon be able to experience the facility’s newest dining  option: Choo Choo  Cafe.  With  a  name inspired  by  Steam  Engine  349,  a  restored  19th  century  locomotive  situated  at  the entrance  of the  center,  Choo  Choo  Cafe  will  serve  breakfast  and  lunch  Monday  through  Friday  from  7 a.m.  to 4 p.m. beginning on Monday.

Procured  by  hospital  officials  from  the  Tennessee  Valley  Railroad  Museum,  the  goal  of  Steam Engine  349  is  to help  children  feel  less  anxious  when  arriving  for  treatment.  Choo  Choo  Cafe shares  that  mission,  offering  a welcoming, comfortable environment and tasty food for patients, families, and Erlanger employees to enjoy.

The cafe   will   offer   made-to-order   sandwiches   and   wraps   for   breakfast   and   lunch,   bagels,   gourmet   soups,   an interactive frozen yogurt machine, and grab-and-go options. It will also feature a coffee, tea, and soda bar as well as a kids’ menu. Customers can order ahead online or via a fast lane kiosk to keep service at a speedy clip. Another bonus when the weather warms up: Choo Choo Cafe will be the only restaurant in the vicinity with outdoor seating.

Making its debut at Choo Choo Cafe is Tennessee’s first and only Sally the Robot, which will  offer customizable salads  and  grain  bowls  to  customers via  touchscreen interface. Created  by  Silicon Valley-based  food  robotics company Chowbotics, Sally offers thousands of custom meal and snack options from any combination of up to 22 ingredients,  in  addition  to  chef-crafted,  pre-programmed bowls. Sally’s proprietary technology also reduces the risk  of  foodborne  illness,  as  ingredients  are kept  sanitary and separate. Each of Sally’s ingredients is replenished on a regular basis and contained within the robot, greatly reducing the potential for contamination.

“Sally is an ideal alternative  to  a  salad  bar,  especially  in  and  around  higher-risk  facilities such as hospitals,” said Dr. Deepak Sekar, founder and CEO of Chowbotics.

Choo Choo Cafe will donate $1 from every Sally meal sold through the end of the year to Erlanger Children’s Hospital, through the Believe Campaign.

Josh Patton, owner, said, “We are thrilled to be part of the region’s only children’s hospital, providing nourishment to those who need it most. In addition to our fresh, tasty menu, we pride ourselves on offering exceptional and quick service in a warm, friendly environment.”