MSU Bakery Moving, Moe’s Taking Its Location

STARKVILLE, Miss.–The State Fountain Bakery at Mississippi State soon will be relocated next door in the Colvard Student Union.

Moe’s Southwest Grill is taking its place at the north end of Perry Hall, according to officials of the university’s Division of Student Affairs and Aramark, the campus food provider.

In a national survey conducted this year by Restaurant Business Magazine, the Atlanta, Georgia-based Mexican food chain is ranked No. 1 by consumers.

Bill Broyles, interim student affairs vice president, said MSU students have been rallying to bring Moe’s to Mississippi State for the past three years.

“We are excited to be able to deliver them the fresh new option to the MSU meal plan they have requested,” he said, also emphasizing that the classic State Fountain bakery treats still will be readily available.

“Bakery chefs will continue baking in the same location they have operated since 1921 in the lower level of Perry Cafeteria,” he added.

An MSU alumnus, Broyles said campus patrons, returning MSU graduates and visitors soon will find the State Fountain’s renowned goods, including dog bone sugar cookies, as well as campus-made ice cream and other MSU dairy products in the union’s first-floor Gaddis Hunt Commons food court. The State Fountain also will serve panini sandwiches on fresh-baked bread.

Plans call for the bakery to be in its new location just after Memorial Day, while Moe’s is scheduled to open by the fall semester’s August student move-in day.

According to the restaurant’s website, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, currently has the Moe’s location closest to Starkville.

Jason Nall, MSU Dining Services executive director, echoed Broyles’ remarks, saying university officials have been “working so hard to bring Moe’s to Starkville.” Also Aramark’s senior resident manager, he described the chain as “a new Southwest concept that offers craveable, cost-friendly menu items that are customized to unique dietary needs.”

Renovations to the current bakery location will include the addition of an all-weather patio in front that Moe’s will share with the Subway restaurant location next door, Nall said.

During much of the 20th century, the bakery was a campus dining staple located where the MSU Florist now operates. It was moved to the north end of Perry during the 1976-85 presidential administration of James D. McComas.