Back in the “before times” I was making one of my annual treks through Iowa, and the route took me thru Fairfield, population 10,000 and home to Maharishi International University (MIU), is a private university in Fairfield, Iowa. It was founded in 1973 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and features a “consciousness-based education” system that includes the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique.
The “University” was founded in 1973 when the group purchased the bankrupt Parsons College. The University’s influence on the town has grown and added to its population and economy.
As a lark, I decided to eat at one of their two cafes open to the public. The “Golden Dome” referred to is in relation to one of two huge twin structures dedicated to group meditation.
The cafe was on the second floor of a small organic-centered market; most everything I saw on the shelves were the normal organic/vegetarian brands you see in groceries, but at a higher price (captive audience).
I was there at lunchtime, and the cafe had a very small cafeteria-style offerings, point and it will be put on your plate. Prices are by weight of your plate. Makes accounting simple, I guess.
It appeared most of the help were students. It appeared most of the help did not welcome strangers. There was a pitcher of cool water and paper cups, with a sign indicating said water was for diners only. Reflecting on my visit, there were a lot of signs around the campus. A lot of rules.
I had $9.00 worth” of food, nothing to write home about. Vegetarian lasagna was OK.
Asked if I could peek inside the Dome and was med by a resounding “NO!” and a security guard led me away from the entrance.
Fairfield, itself, is cute, a typical small town in Iowa, with stores and (a disproportionate number of ethnic) eateries surrounding a town square.
So I enjoyed the town, but not the people or cafe at the University. Bland and overpriced. (Cafe food, can’t say about the people).
They had hopes of building a housing subdivision with all the amenities. It’s just outside of town. There were less than half dozen homes completed.
Golden Dome Cafe Review
Golden Dome Cafe Review