New Dining Experience POP!s up on Ole Miss’ Campus

Ole Miss Dining opened a new dining location in Weir Hall this semester called POP! The new installation, that took the place of Dodo Pizza, features a revolving menu that changes each week.

POP! is located in Weir Hall on the Ole Miss campus and features a menu that changes each week. Photo provided.

“I was intrigued at the idea of developing a venue that was flexible and capable of changing thematically from week-to-week,” General Manager Chip Burr said. “Also, we wanted to create an experimental environment centered on fresh products to gauge the efficacy of our recipes and introduce our campus population to a variety of foods. Being that we have a very small footprint, we felt it was paramount to drive interest in the location by creating a true pop-up restaurant. So that’s exactly what we did.”

POP! tacos pair well with cilantro and lime cole slaw and black bean and corn relish. Photo provided.

So far this semester, students and faculty have enjoyed menus like ‘Broken Down Taco Truck’, a Mexican-inspired menu with three different types of tacos and sides like cilantro and lime cole slaw and black bean and corn relish.

Some of its future menus for this semester include ‘O-Town Originals’, which samples some of Oxford’s favorites like chicken on a stick; ‘Caribbean Queen’, a menu of jambalaya, plantains, and beignets; and ‘Smoke Shop’, which will feature options like pulled pork sandwiches and roasted veggie quesadillas.

The food is prepared by Chef Manager John Henry Fleming daily and catered to the Weir Hall location. Fleming came up with the menu for all 15 weeks of the semester.

“With the popularity of food trucks and street food happening right now, I was excited to jump in,” said Fleming. “I knew it would be something good and simple that still has the potential to deliver food that can pack a big punch of flavor.”

Photo provided.

One aspect of POP! students said they enjoy is the convenience. It is closer to classes than other dining facilities like the Student Union or Rebel Market.

Ole Miss senior Keller Albertson, who eats at POP! two to three times a week, said the food is quick and there is usually no line.

Another element of the location is, despite its limited menu each week, POP! has at least one vegetarian entrée. 

POP! is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to students, faculty, and the general public.

By Rachel Vanderford