The future of feeding Airmen

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Bryan Gatewood and Airman 1st Class Michael Ellis
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Numerous locations, numerous choices best describe the dining options on MacDill Air Force Base since the advent of the Air Force's Food Transformation Initiative 18 months ago. Whether you're looking to get your day started with a hearty breakfast or calm that growling in your stomach with a filling, nutritious lunch the options are bountiful.

Breakfast
Breakfast; some call it the most important meal of the day. So who's serving breakfast on MacDill?

Diner's Reef Dining Facility opens its doors at 5:30 a.m. to cater to the early birds. You can choose to start the day light with some fresh fruit and a yogurt, or get pancakes and an omelet hot off the grill with your choice of meat.

Another place serving breakfast is the Bay Palms golf course clubhouse. Whether you're hitting the greens at dawn or just need to kick-start the day with a multi-entrée breakfast, the club is there. The golf club serves breakfast from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. and offers a hot food line or food ordering.

For those who feel it's too time consuming to get breakfast, the food trucks on base may be the option. There is a food truck at U.S. Special Operations Command from 6 to 8 a.m. There is a stationary food trailer at U.S. Central Command from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lunch
If you've been thinking about lunch since you finished your breakfast, here are a few quick suggestions on where to go for lunch.

When you don't have much time or are trying to cut back on gas consumption, a nearby food truck may be best. They are located around the base -- one near Marine Corps CENTCOM from 11 to 11:30 a.m., in front of Hangar 5 at 11:45 a.m., one at U.S. SOCOM from 12 to 1 p.m. and one at U.S. CENTCOM till 2 p.m.

Or if you're looking for sit-down-dining or grab-and-go, there's the Bay Palms Golf Course clubhouse and Ten Pins Bowling Alley.

Another great location, where one can enjoy the ocean breeze while dining, is Seascapes Beach House, which has a bar for those who don't plan on driving soon and are done working or are off for the day.

If you want to sit down and eat without waiting for your food, Diner's Reef Dining Facility may be the prime location. There are many options to choose from: a fruit and salad bar, pizza line, hot foods line, deli and more.

For those really hungry and know they'll be going back for seconds, the Surf's Edge club might be you're best choice. Surf's Edge provides buffet style dining, and if you still have room you can check out an assortment of desserts.

Dinner
Opened till 7 p.m. (Monday through Friday), Diner's Reef Dining Facility is cooking up supper. There's even a midnight meal from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. for shift workers and night owls.

Diner's Reef was recently renovated to provide more variety in food choices, expanded hours and expedited service. A weekly menu is available online at http://www.macdillfss.com/mainmenusub-dl.aspx?SectionID=260.

The MacDill Diner's Reef Dining Facility grand re-opening is scheduled for 3 p.m. April 20 to showcase the new, improved look and services. The Diner's Reef recently completed renovations that began Jan. 9.