Einstein Bros. Bagels to arrive in April

The Einstein Bros. Bagel spot, opening April 1, will be located on the atrium level of the Nyugen Engineering Buidling. (Jake McLernon)

The upcoming arrival of a new Einstein Bros. Bagels to the Fairfax campus marks the beginning of an expansion of dining options near the Southeast neighborhood.

The bagel eatery, set to open April 1 in the Nyugen Engineering building, will offer a full menu of soups, salads and bagel varieties while doubling as a coffee shop.

Mark Kraner, executive director of campus retail operations, said the new dining option comes in response to an expressed need for more dining facilities close to President’s Park.

“A couple of years ago we did a major study with focus groups and one of the things they noted was that that area of campus in particular was lacking any [food] service,” said Kraner. “There are over 2,000 students that line the [Southeast] neighborhood [...] we need to expand in that area.”

The late night diner Ike’s is currently the only dining option open in the southeast area of campus.  Einstein Bros. Bagels, will be open for breakfast through dinner meals, with limited hours on weekends.

There will be only four stools available for seating in the restaurant itself, although there is ample seating available in the Engineering Building atrium. There are also plans to add additional tables and benches to the patio outside the building, according Kraner.

“This will help build dining options on the side [of campus] closer to President’s Park,” said Ram Nabar, Sodexo resident district manager.

Nabar said the opening of Einstein Bros. Bagels will provide a convenient option for commuters with classes in that part of campus and for crowds at swim meets held at the nearby Aquatic and Fitness Center.

The longer-term expansion plan includes converting Ike’s into a full service, 24-hour, 325-seat dining hall.  Ike’s will close when construction begins next January, and the project is slated to finish by fall 2014.

Kraner said the decision to expand dining in the area was motivated in part by plans to construct a new Southeast neighborhood residence hall. He said there also plans to expand meal options in the area of the Whitetop and Rogers residence halls by 2015.

A separate full-service Einstein Bros. Bagel location has been planned for University Hall.