Wedged between Furnald and the School of Journalism, Brad's Cafe, a new campus eatery has opened to serve the nutritional needs of Columbia students.

"We try to do things differently than big established corporations or companies," explained Jeremy Wladis, President of The Restaurant Group. "What we try to do is really make everybody feel special. We're trying to ingrain within the people that work that the most important thing is to be friendly, outgoing, and do everything possible for the guest."

While other off campus eateries have left campus, students are hoping that the new cafe will offer competition.

"Hopefully, it will add a little bit of healthy business competition and maybe drive the prices down at the Blue Java places."

"I think it's a good idea. It's going to stimulate the competition between the food that is actually provided by Columbia and the food provided by the outsiders."

Although the eatery is open to undergraduates, Brad's has yet to accept Flex or Dining Dollars.

"If it doesn't take flex dollars or dining dollars, I probably wouldn't go but if I ran out of dining dollars and got sick of the meals, I probably would start going."

"If they offered flex of dining dollars, Columbia students would be more likely to go the because it's so much more convenient. But if the food's good and it's cheap, then people might be willing to go there with cash."

"As far as the dining dollars, we've contacted the University and begged and pleaded and asked that we really want to take this dining dollar and they've told us flat out: No."

"The first thing I try to do when I come to Brad's and try and ask people if they're enjoying everything and seeing what we can do differently and making sure our team is smiling and is and keeping our price point as low as possible and keeping our quality as good as possible."