Original Burger opens in SUB II

Malinda Fernando, previously a manager at the Johnson Center, will oversee operations in the newly-opened Original Burger dining location.   (Jake McLernon)

After hitting a list of roadblocks including construction delays and multiple health inspections, the long-awaited Original Burger dining location opened Wednesday in the newly renovated Student Union Building II. The opening was not announced ahead of time, though recent "soft openings" and coupon deals hinted it wasn't too far off.

Earlier reports said the location would officially open when students returned from spring break. 

Although the location has long looked serviceable to the casual eye, the Fairfax County Health Department had to approve of the facility before Sodexo could even place a food order. "We're not allowed to bring a speck of food in there until they approve," said Denise Ammaccapane, Sodexo resident district manager. The project hit a roadblock on Feb. 15 when the health department found a discrepancy between the equipment in Original Burger and health department regulations.

Before the recent roadblock, and until this semester, a sign that said "Coming soon!" had been hanging at the location for over a year. Delays in the SUB II renovation project slowed the location's opening, much to student sadness. After several months, one student had taken a sharpie and wrote "How long?"

The construction of a new facility, such as the one for Original Burger, involves an "extensive" list of regulations designed for food safety. In the Original Burger facility, the three-compartment sink in the kitchen was not plumbed correctly according to these rules. In order to fix the plumbing, Ammaccapane said, proposals for fixing the plumbing needed to be brought by the construction company to the health department and approved before the correction could be made – a time-consuming process.

When the final inspection was completed around two weeks ago, employees training was able to begin begin.

Now officially open, Original Burger offers reasonably priced burgers built with an assembly-line style similar to Sub Connection's. A quarter-pound burger with a selection of cheese, veggie and relish toppings and sauce will cost $3.19. Diners can pair it with fries or onion rings and a fountain drink for an additional $1.99. Chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, chili, salads, and breakfast options will also be on the menu.

Pending the arrival of an extra ice machine from the Einstein Bros. Bagels facility opening soon at Mason's Arlington campus, Original Burger will also offer milkshakes.

The location of Original Burger means that students living in Potomac Heights, President's Park, and Liberty Square will have daytime food options closer to their dorms. Sophomore anthropology major Gabriela Galeano likes the idea of having dining locations in SUB II. "It's great because I'm an RA in President's Park, so if it's not 9 p.m. yet – to go to, say, Ikes – I can come over here. It's closer than the J.C.," she said.

A vegetarian, Galeano was glad to hear that veggie burgers will be offered on the menu.

Others were also enthusiastic.

"It's pretty cool," said Paul Hackett, a junior IT major. "There are more options now instead of just the JC."

Original Burger is a recent Sodexo concept. Mason will be the fourth school to open an Original Burger. Like the Auntie Anne's and Red Mango opening in the fall, Original Burger is meant to fill an open niche in Mason's dining system, according to Ammaccapane.

This week Original Burger will be open from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., and after spring break will be open from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Once the Corner Pocket game room opens the hours will increase to 11 a.m. - 10 p.m..