Big changes have come to campus dining this academic year, including expanded dining hours, new meal plan formats and more diverse food offerings.

These changes follow a major restructuring that places all campus dining, both residential and non-residential, under the Housing and Dining Programs umbrella.

“We’re now over all dining on campus,” said Associate Vice President Sean Grube, with the exception of a few coffee shop outlets.

With the change, the U’s dining team is aiming to improve accessibility and guest satisfaction for all U diners.

“Our vision is to deliver efficient, nutritious and convenient dining options all over campus,” Grube said. “No matter where a student is, they’ll be able to both use their meal plan as well as get a quick bite to eat or a sit-down that’s proximal to where they spend time.”

Many of these changes were based on student feedback, particularly regarding expanded hours and variety.

“One of the biggest changes is operating hours,” Grube said. “We’ve definitely heard feedback that students want options that are open later at night.”

“In response, Urban Bytes at Kahlert Village and United Table at Peterson Heritage Center (PHC) are now open until 9 p.m.,” said Kyle Suerth, resident district manager with Chartwells Higher Ed. “For students and guests seeking a more casual atmosphere, they can get breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday.

City’s Edge will also introduce a new late-night menu and stay open until 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and offer service from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Additionally, Panda Express has extended its closing time to 8 p.m.

New dining concepts to bite into

“We want to have everything that you could possibly want here on campus as we continue enhancing campus dining. —national, regional, etc.,” Suerth said. “Our goal is to offer guests a diverse range of cuisines and more local, regional and national flavors—and we’re excited to bring those to the table.”

The U community will see several new dining concepts in Gardner Commons,  Peterson Heritage Center (PHC), Christensen Center (CRCC) and the Union.

In an effort to boost foot traffic and build excitement, Gardner Commons welcomes Iron Waffle and Cupbop to its culinary lineup. Utah-based Cupbop, featured on Shark Tank, was a popular campus food truck in past years and will now have a dedicated spot in Gardner Commons.

“They started as a small food truck, and are in seven states and internationally now,” Suerth said. “They want to come back to the U to be part of it.”

Iron Waffle features thick, warm waffles topped with sweet and savory choices like caprese or s’mores.

In response to student demand for more paleo options, fresh and sustainable food, the dining team has opened a new station in PHC called FUEL that features lean proteins, spaghetti squash and zoodle options, build-your-own bowls, wraps and salads inspired by Mediterranean flavors.

The Bok Choy station and FYUL at Kahlert Village will feature similar vegetable-based alternatives as part of their rotating offerings, too.

With the addition of a custard and bingsu (shaved ice) machine, students dining at PHC can now enjoy a wider variety of dessert options too.

Another local small business is the addition of El Tonga Tacos inside the Union.

Inside CRCC, Seagull Sunrise will celebrate all things breakfast—from a cereal bar with mega bowls, French toast sticks and cinnamon buns with assorted frostings.

“We’re excited to offer students the comforting, homestyle breakfast favorites they know and love,” said Suerth.

Hot handhelds, huevos rancheros, shrimp and grits and other rotating offerings will also be on the menu.

The changes are all part of the U’s long-term “2030 Destination Dining” strategy.

“With the U’s support, we’re implementing a destination dining strategy across campus, where each location will offer distinct menu items and culinary experiences,” Suerth explained. “If you want the best burger, here’s where you go. If you want an excellent breakfast, here’s where you go. If you want comfort food, here’s where you go.”

Meal plans changes for students and staff

Student feedback has also seen the U move away from traditional block meal plans that required semester-long budgeting.

“We’ve moved to weekly plans,” said Grube, explaining that available dollars renew each Friday. “You’re not going to be in a situation where you’re out of meals for an extended period of time.”

Students can also continue using meal swipes at retail locations across campus through the transfer system, said Suerth. “You get a monetary equivalent of a meal ($8.75) that you’re able to spend at retail locations.”

With the addition of more satisfying dining options on campus, faculty and staff will be able to take advantage of a new UCard meal plan option rollout this fall, with future payroll deduction capabilities coming soon. It will function similarly to a student meal plan, linked to the UCard system and usable at most dining locations.

“I think that’s going to grow our dining program for faculty and staff pretty considerably,” said Grube.

College Town Magic dining begins

These changes are a progressive effort to make campus dining at the U more accessible and delicious over the coming years.

“Food is one of those things that brings people together. It helps form community, certainly for our students who are eating at dining halls, but also just grabbing a bite to eat on the way to class and talking with your friends,” Grube said. “I believe strongly in the power of food and being able to just enjoy not only the campus but the community. Our goal is to improve the student, faculty, staff and guest experience.”

Expect additional dining updates throughout the fall.