This spring semester brings a lot of exciting changes and updates to Mason’s dining program. Mason Dining is excited to announce the official opening of The Halal Guys and FLIP Kitchen, both in the Johnson Center, enhanced dining experiences at Starbucks locations and Einstein Bros. Bagels, along with the introduction of Kosher menu items at Southside dining hall.
The Halal Guys journey started in 1990 in New York City, where the orginal founders started selling “American Halal Food” to Muslim taxi drivers via a hot dog cart. Today, the company operates in 17 states and at five international locations. The Halal Guys menu includes various platters; such as beef gyro, chicken, and falafel, as well as sandwiches and desserts.
FLIP Kitchen is Freshëns latest fast-casual restaurant, that offers a dynamic menu that consistently “flips” into multiple pop-up food platforms such as; noodle bowls, pasta bakes, “crunchadillas”, and artisan melts. These “flip” menu items are offered in addition to the standard menu that consists of; global rice bowls, flatbreads, salads, smoothies, and acai bowls.
The Starbucks location in Northern Neck will offer Nitro Cold Brew, and both Starbucks locations (Northern Neck and Johnson Center) will integrate the Starbucks Connect App to include mobile ordering and redeeming Starbucks rewards, both of which were not previously available.
Einstein Bros. Bagel, in the lower level of Merten Hall, has also undergone a renovation during the break. Einstein’s will re-open this semester with a fresh look, new furniture, an enhanced self-serve coffee station, and newly installed digital menu screens for easier visibility. 
A collaborative partnership between the Chabad at George Mason University, Mason Hillel, Char Bar restaurant, Sodexo, and Operations & Business Services (OBS), will lead to introduction of Kosher food at the Southside dining hall at the start of the spring semester. The “Mason Mensch” Kosher food cart will offer a rotating menu of Kosher meals to students from 6 pm-8 pm, Sunday – Thursday, all under the strict supervision of a Mashgiach – an expert Kosher supervisor.
“We are excited to begin the semester with these new and improved dining options,” said Pascal Petter, Executive Director of Auxiliary Services – OBS. “We know these updates and enhancements to our program will help create a better and more inclusive dining experience for the Mason community.”
The Halal Guys, FLIP Kitchen, Einstein’s, Starbucks, and the “Mason Mensch” will all be ready to serve students, faculty and staff at the start of the spring semester.