Renovated, historic Perry Food Hall reopens for a new era of MSU Dining

MSU admin in front of perry for ribbon cutting — Celebrating MSU’s historic Perry Food Hall, newly renovated with fresh concepts, on Friday [Aug. 15] are, from left, Aramark Vice President for Collegiate Hospitality Alisdair MacLean; MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt; MSU President Mark E. Keenum; Student Association President Cameron Cummings; Resident District Manager for MSU Dining Services James Jankowski; Chef Dominic Towe; and Starbucks Manager Santana Jones. (Photo by Grace Cockrell)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—For more than 100 years, the arched wooden beams of Perry Cafeteria have watched generations of �� students pass through its doors.

Now, after a year of careful renovations, the beloved campus landmark begins its next chapter as Perry Food Hall—a new dining destination that honors its storied past while serving the next generation of Bulldogs.

“Perry is one of our most iconic buildings—it’s what many people think of when they picture ��. This renovation preserves that history and builds on it to create a truly special space and unique experience,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum said. “I appreciate the significant investments our dining partner Aramark has made in our university and its commitment to our students.”

students in Perry Food Hall — After a year of renovations, �� and Aramark officials celebrated the grand opening of Perry Food Hall with a ribbon cutting Friday [Aug. 15]. Built in 1921, the facility now offers a new dining experience featuring MSU favorites at 1921 Café, barbecue and smoked meats at Bark, salads, vegetarian and vegan fare at The Beet Drop, and the return of Moe’s Southwest Grill and State Fountain Bakery at the building's north end. (Photo by Grace Cockrell)

Built in 1921 and once the largest cafeteria in the U.S., Perry has long been more than a place to eat. It’s where students gathered for dances, shared meals and even ran plays during rainy-day football practices. As one of Mississippi’s officially registered landmarks, its Late Gothic Revival architecture remains on display with its exposed timber beams and nostalgic charm anchored in the heart of campus.

At the center of the transformation is 1921 Café—a nod to Perry’s founding year—where Southern comfort food meets Bulldog traditions like Fried Chicken Wednesdays and Catfish Fridays. Bark, a smokehouse-inspired venue, serves bold, slow-cooked barbecue classics. For a lighter bite, The Beet Drop offers build-your-own salads and plant-based meals for a vegan experience.

Video by Sarah Kirk

“The renovation and re-opening of Perry marks an exciting new chapter for our campus,” Vice President of Student Affairs Regina Hyatt said. “This beautifully reimagined space not only enhances the dining experience with more options and flexibility, but also creates inviting places for students and the MSU community to gather—whether for a meal, to study, or simply to connect with one another.”

With Starbucks relocated from the Colvard Student Union to Perry Food Hall, the space once again invites students to not just dine but stay. Whether working on a laptop, catching up with friends over coffee or simply enjoying the charm of a century-old building made new, Perry has returned to its roots as a central campus gathering place.

The newly refreshed north end brings the return of State Fountain Bakery to its original home, once again serving MSU ice cream, old-fashioned milkshakes and its iconic dog bone cookies. The space also will showcase a larger Moe's Southwest Grill, adding even more flavor to the campus dining scene. Renovations are complete with Starbucks, 1921 Café, Bark and The Beet Drop officially open and ready for its first customers. Moe's opens Saturday [Aug. 16] and State Fountain Bakery opens Wednesday [Aug. 20].

Visit dining.msstate.edu to learn more about dining locations, menus, meal plans and more. For information on Dawg Dollars, visit dawgdollars.msstate.edu.

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