MacDill smorgasbord big hit with Airmen Published March 30, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Michael Ellis 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- It's been almost a year and a half since MacDill Air Force Base transformed its food services to a campus style dining concept. With campus style dining, Airmen on meal cards are given the opportunity to choose between five different eateries on base: Surf's Edge Club, Diner's Reef Dining Facility, Bay Palms Golf Course, Ten Pins Bowling Alley and Seascapes Beach House. Previously, Diner's Reef Dining Facility was the only facility on base where Airmen could utilize their meal cards. Since campus style dining took effect around 300 Airmen on MacDill Air Force Base have been able to benefit from the change. Some Airmen who have come to MacDill after campus style dining never experienced the one option eating facility, which is traditional on most military installations. Airman 1st Class Karl Mehta, from the 6th Security Forces Squadron, arrived at MacDill early this year and has only been accustomed to campus style dining. "I couldn't imagine not being able to eat at all the different facilities," said Mehta, who rotates between the different facilities for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mehta compared dining on MacDill to when he attended college due to the many options and varieties of food to choose from. Diner's Reef closed Jan. 9 for renovations and upgrades as part of the Food Transformation Initiative. When the facility reopens March 31 patrons will notice more seating, faster service and more menu items to choose from. "I heard the new facility looks nice. There are new big screen televisions, more seating and I'm looking forward to it reopening," said Airman 1st Class Markeiz Ryan, 6th Force Support Squadron."Before Diner's Reef closed, I never really ate at other places on base," said Ryan. "Now it's like my eyes are open to all the different options and I'm glad about it. Campus style dining is a great concept and should be at all bases."