New Lejeune Mess Hall Debuts

Marine Corps mess halls are not known for their tony ambience, but that is changing. Leathernecks who use the remodeled French Creek Mess Hall 420 at Camp Lejeune, N.C., can now dine in a setting more akin to a mall food court than their forebears could imagine. The facility, built by Sodexho Corporation, offers a diverse menu that includes salads, as well as Mexican and Asian cuisine. Some food can be cooked to order; soon, diners can watch flat-screen TVs while they eat as well. And the hours have been expanded as well: Mess Hall 420 is open Mon.-Fri. from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays. The changes came about in response to recent surveys of the hall’s users. Marines at other bases can expect to see similar offerings in coming months.