by Melissa Martin
Aspiring Journalist
JONESBORO, Ark. —
The new Fall 2015 semester brought along some exciting new changes to the Arkansas State University campus.
On Aug.24, an Einstein Bros. Bagels opened on the first floor lobby in the new College of Humanities and Social Sciences building on. The lobby of the Humanities and Social Sciences building makes for a great meeting spot for students to relax in between classes with the multiple sitting areas provided inside and outside.
The Arkansas State University dining options website describes Einstein Bros. Bagels as “a counter-service chain offering coffee, bagels, egg sandwiches, soups, salads, baked goods and a variety of bagels.” The operation hours are as follows: Monday – Thursday: 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday: closed.
“I was so happy that Einstein’s came to our campus! I had eaten at Einstein Bros. on a few occasions at different locations. I go to the Einstein’s on campus at least twice a day. Bagels are a staple for me, and no one can beat their chicken noodle soup,” said Tina Urban, a senior Economics Pre-Law major, from Mountain Home, Ark.
For college students, cheap eats are key when they choose what to chow down on. “I think Einstein’s is an economical choice for students who have meal plans that include flex. However, paying with cash would definitely make me go broke! My favorite item to order is the Nova Lox, at $7.99,” said Urban.
“I had never eaten at an Eisenstein’s before I went to the one on campus. I’ve eaten there four times, but I often stop for just a Diet Coke. The food tastes great. The bagels are good, obviously, but the muffins are even better. I’ve ordered muffins and bagels; so both are worth the price,” said Sarah Cooper, a junior English major from Jonesboro, Ark.
One complaint of many students is that since Einstein Bros. Bagels is the newest place on campus for students to grab a bite to eat, there has been some pretty long wait times.
“The wait sucks! Especially the times when I just want something to drink,” said Cooper
“While the line is usually long, I don’t mind, because I love the food. I think that’s the reason the line is so long to begin with. Students see the great options, and decide the line is worth it,” said Urban.
Aside from the dining services in the Reng Student Union food court and the Simply to Go kiosk in the Dean B. Ellis Library, the Einstein Bros. Bagels is the first eating option that’s located in an actual college building. Many students just have classes in certain buildings, so they are unable to make the trek to Student Union. This trend of dining services in the college buildings helps them out.
“I think it would definitely be helpful if other buildings had placed to eat as well. It’s a long walk to get to the Union or the Humanities building if you’re coming from the College of Business,” said Urban.
“I personally only have class in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences building so it really benefits me. If there were food options in other buildings it might help to cut down on people coming from surrounding buildings and reduce the wait time. I’d be all for that!” said Cooper.
Compared to the other dining services located on the A-State campus, which stay open until 8 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and 4 p.m. on Fridays, Einstein Bros. Bagels’ hours are relatively short.
“I feel like Einstein Bros Bagels isn’t open nearly enough. I would love if they would extend their hours,” said Urban.
With the closing time on Monday-Thursday before 3 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Fridays, some students have not gotten a chance to even try Einstein’s yet. With the long lines in the morning
“The operating hours are strange. If they were open longer that might also help with the long wait,” said Cooper.
This addition to the campus has the potential to benefit not only the university students, but citizens of Jonesboro, Ark. as well. According to the Einstein Bros. Bagels website’s store locator, there are only three of their bagel shops in the state of Ark.. The other two are also located in colleges, the first being at the University of Central Ark. in Conway, Ark. and the second being located in Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. This makes the Einstein Bros. Bagels at Arkansas State University the first one to make an appearance in Northeast Arkansas.
Students are certainly thankful for a new food option on campus.
“Besides opening up a second line to make things run more smoothly, I don’t think there is anything else they could do to improve the already great experience,” Urban said.
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Arkansas State University Dining Services http://www.astate.edu/a/dining/locations/ (Last accessed: 9/22/2015)
Einstein Bros. Bagels http://www.einsteinbros.com/ (Last accessed: 9/22/2015)
Sarah Cooper, junior English major, Arkansas State University; sarah.cooper2014@gmail.com, (870) 819-6783
Tina Urban, senior Economics Pre-Law major, Arkansas State University; tina.urban@smail.astate.edu
Melisa Martin Photography 
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