According to many UW brochures and campus catalogues, the 1101 Cafe and the 8 at McMahon are the signature on-campus eateries located in the residence halls. However, students with the nocturnal munchies have yet another, more subtle option when looking to satisfy their sweet tooth.

Arguably one of the best-kept secrets in the residence halls, the ground floor of Haggett Hall veils Rick’s Cafe, a student-run ice cream shop, open Sunday through Thursday nights, from 8 - 11 p.m.

Desserts include various flavors of ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes and Italian sodas. The café contains a piano to complete an old-fashioned, classic theme.

Rick, as it turns out, isn’t a volunteer scooping ice cream for customers or counting change behind the register; the title refers to Rick Blaine, the protagonist and romanticist of the 1942 classic, Casablanca.

This year, Rick’s Cafe is run by Sam Guyer, Robert Perez, Ashley Farnsworth and Albert Chiu, student coordinators from HPC (Haggett People’s Council).

“Rick’s is specifically appealing because McMahon has 8, McCarty has Ian’s [Domain] and we have something too,” said Guyer, a freshman and cafe volunteer coordinator. “It’s also really nice to have something that you are in charge of something that’s of your making.”

Customers should not expect ordinary, run-of-the-mill service just because the café is student-run. These volunteers said they take their jobs seriously.

“As a representative for HPC and Rick’s, I let everyone know what’s going on at Rick’s Cafe, like any events that are coming up,” said sophomore Perez, Rick’s Cafe representative. “I take care of the storage and keep connections with the larger community. In terms of Rick’s Cafe itself, I order everything, make the financial deposits and keep records.”

Volunteers serve their customers with utmost individual respect, while recognizing the need for a relaxing atmosphere.

“It’s more of a community than anything else,” Perez said. “We have tons of regulars that come in there. I know I haven’t been in once without seeing a friendly face. Also, it’s the best place on north campus to get cheap ice cream, and since it’s volunteer-run, it’s all very laid back.”

Most recently, Haggett Hall changed its entrance access policy so that any on-campus resident can swipe his or her Husky Card to enter Rick’s Cafe during its open business hours. This policy coincides with the policy for other dining facilities, like the 8 at McMahon and 1101 Cafe in Terry-Lander Hall.

In addition, HPC, along with Capital Projects Committee (CPC) and Housing and Food Services (HFS), is working to purchase soft serve ice cream machines for the upcoming school year.

“We’re working with CPC and HFS to buy a machine that isn’t too expensive, and we hope to have it by the end of this year or early next year,” Guyer said.

As time has gone by, what might have begun as a volunteer opportunity has led to a popular resident attraction.

“It’s a fun place, and we have board games so you can come down with your friends to hang out,” Guyer said. “You can take a break from your schoolwork and busy day. It’s really separate from the rest of the building — it’s like you’re not in Haggett anymore.”

Reach reporter Vicky Yan at news@thedaily.washington.edu.