“One of the great things about this concept is that Soldiers can obtain all of the items at the café by using their meal card.”
— Chief Warrant Officer 3 Henry Thomas
By Scott Prater
Mountaineer staff
Soldiers will soon have an alternative dining option at Fort Carson.
Starting June 17, 2016, the Carson Café will open for business in building 2061 near Magrath Avenue and Yano Street.
Designed on the grab-and-go concept, the new facility will offer convenience foods and a comfortable lounge area for meal-card holders.
The Carson Café will offer items such as sandwiches, wraps, burritos and chips, according to Chief Warrant Officer 3 Henry Thomas, 4th Infantry Division food adviser. Customers will also find assorted juices, sodas, milk, pre-made salads and healthy choice items.
“One of the great things about this concept is that Soldiers can obtain all of the items at the café by using their meal card,” Thomas said.
The direction for the new facility came from a Department of the Army execution order, which was issued roughly six months ago. Since quality service was a major consideration, food service personnel provided by 4th Inf. Div. brigades will manage the facility.
“It’s a great concept for Soldiers, because now they won’t need to run all the way to a shoppette to pick up these types of items,” said Gregory Joell, Fort Carson food program manager. “We’re also offering things like hot dogs, bratwurst, tornados and taquitos right there in a convenient spot in the heart of the post.”
Facility designers have added to the grab-and-go concept by installing televisions, free Wi-Fi and comfortable chairs. Convenience was also the driving factor for the café’s hours — 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. Soldiers should keep in mind that they are still held to three meals per day on their meal card as authorized under the Army food program.
“Soldiers can either grab and go or grab and lounge,” Joell said. “It will be a nice place to relax, and, even when the post’s dining facilities are closed, they can still find a place where they can use their meal card.”