More than five new restaurants have sprouted up near campus since the end of the last academic year, but only a few will allow students to charge meals to their DU flex accounts.
Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, a new fast-food restaurant located next door to Spicy Pickle, accepts flex dollars, as does University Sports Grill.
“Since students came back to school, there has been a lot more [Pioneer Card flex] usage,” said University Sports Grill manager Dave Seubert.
The Pioneer, a Mexican restaurant at 2401 S. University Blvd., and Jason’s Thai, located next to The Border, still have not implemented flex use in their restaurants. Both restaurants would like to implement it but do not know the process of creating a flex account with DU.
“We get a lot of students who ask [about using Flex dollars],” said T-Roy Adamos, executive sushi chef at Jason’s Thai. The Pioneer’s management has a meeting with DU next week to discuss Pioneer Card usage.
“I think flex is a great option for students. I do not only go to restaurants that take flex, but if I have money in my account and I’m at a restaurant that accepts it, I’ll use it,” said senior Laura Stone.
“I don’t use flex. I would probably just use my credit card [at a restaurant],” said freshman Elizabeth Yovich.
Aroma Café and Grill, an Indian restaurant that opened up at the corner of East Evans Avenue and South University Boulevard, does not currently charge flex accounts, but does give students with DU IDs a 20 percent discount. The Carl’s Junior at 1535 E. Evans Ave. also offers DU student discounts.
Other restaurants near campus that have recently implemented the flex payment option are Little India at 2390 S. Downing St., Mustard’s Last Stand at 2081 S. University Blvd., and India Oven at 2390 S. Colorado Blvd.
The flex account is a debit account available with a Pioneer Card.
ID cards can be used to spend previously-deposited funds on and around campus for a variety of merchandise and services. Funds are secure, as account balances are maintained on a central database in the university’s main computer room.
