California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
- Campus Dining

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California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo - Campus Dining - Campus Dining - College ProwlerCollege Prowler2.31

Campus Dining

Quick Stats

Meal Plan Available? Yes
Average Meals/Week 12
Average Meal Plan Cost $4339 per year
Freshman Meal Plan Required? Yes
Student Favorites
  • 19 Metro Station
  • Einstein Bros. Bagels

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Campus food is, well, campus food. It’s better than McDonald’s, but it’s not mom’s apple pie either. Since everyone comes from different culinary backgrounds, it’s impossible to please everyone. But, you become accustomed to it. There are many options to choose from: deli sandwiches at VGs, semi-fast-food at the Avenue, or packaged goods from the Campus Market. Cal Poly raises a lot of its own product (we have a large agriculture department), so all ingredients come from one place.

Freshmen are required to have a meal plan, but can choose from three. In each, there are a specified number of meals allotted each week, along with Plu$ Dollars, which work like cash on campus. With the meal plan, the more meals you get, the less Plu$ Dollars you receive. The trick is figuring out what kind of an eater you are. If you prefer three square meals a day, pick the plan with the most meals. If you are picky and like to snack here and there, pick the plan with the most Plu$ Dollars. If you don’t know, compromise and go with the in-between option. Campus dining also offers a meal plan for off-campus residents, but don’t bother, it’s more expensive to purchase the plan than to buy five meals with cash.

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Cal Poly Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Campus Dining at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

Cake

Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies '15

2.7
C+

Decent

Food is, in one word: decent. You can always find something to eat, but you may not enjoy it; it definitely gets old. My favorite foods to eat on campus are the breakfast bagels/sandwiches at The Sandwich Factory and the breakfast potatoes served at late night at VG's. Other than that, I would suggest spending all your plus dollars at the Campus Market buying food that you can heat up and eat quickly in between classes.

Apr 10, 2012

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Campus Dining at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

AliLopez06

Psychology '10

3.5
B

It's Campus Dining

Campus dining has improved over the years but still does not compare to off campus dining

Mar 26, 2012

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Campus Dining at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

anonymous55

Education '15

N/A

Dining

Dining is horrible. There are no healthy options and the hours are not great. Everything is high in sodium and very greasy and there are not many options. Fruits are canned and in thick sugary syrup. We have a great agriculture program, we really should have better food.

Feb 17, 2012

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User rating for California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo - Campus Dining is 3.5 out of 5 based on 40 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate campus dining on the following topics

Facts

24-Hour Dining None
Off-Campus Places to Use Flex Money None
Special Options The 5 Squares Dining Plan is offered to students living off campus or in Cerro Vista apartments on campus. To have your off-campus or Cerro Vista Dining Plan start at the beginning of a quarter, the school must receive payment two weeks before the quarter starts. It includes five meals each week, plus $687 Plu$ Dollars each quarter.
Did You Know? Campus dining works to accommodate students with special diet concerns such as vegan, religious, allergies, and others. It's also very easy to eat vegetarian on campus.

Dining Halls & Campus RestaurantsWhat's This?

19 Metro Station
Location: University Union
Food: Harris Ranch hamburgers, gourmet grilled sandwiches, hand-carved meats, home-style meals, wraps, salads, freshly prepared pasta, soups, breads, and desserts
Hours: Monday–Friday 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Sunday 5 p.m.–8 p.m.

The Avenue
Location: Dining complex next to the University Union
Food: City Deli, Chick-fil-A, Fusion Bowl (rice and noodles), Green Street (vegetarian), salad bar, yogurt bar
Hours: Monday–Thursday 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Friday 7 a.m.–3 p.m.

Backstage Pizza
Location: University Union
Food: Pizza (by the slice or whole), salad bar, free delivery on campus
Hours: Monday–Thursday 10:30 a.m.–9 p.m.(delivery 9 p.m.–10 p.m.), Friday 10:30 a.m.–12 a.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–12 a.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–9 p.m.(delivery 9 p.m.–10 p.m.)

Baja Surf
Location: South Perimeter Road
Food: Mexican specialties including burritos, enchiladas, nachos, tacos, taco salads, tortas, and other specials
Hours: Monday–Friday 11 a.m.–2 p.m., 5 p.m.–8 p.m.

Campus Market
Location: Corner of Via Carta and Highland Drive
Food: Convenience store, with pastries, coffee, deli, produce, pizza, sandwiches, burritos; grocery items such as cereal, trail mix, crackers, or chips; items produced on campus, such as cheese, jams, jellies, and chocolate
Hours: Monday–Thursday 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Friday 6:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–10 p.m.

Einstein Bros. Bagels
Location: Poly Canyon Village
Food: Bagels, coffee, sandwiches
Hours: Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–10 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 10 a.m.–10 p.m.

Jamba Juice
Location: Poly Canyon Village
Food: Fresh-squeezed juice, smoothies, yogurt
Hours: Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 9 a.m.–8 p.m.

Julian’s Patisserie
Location: Kennedy Library (2nd floor) and Campus Market
Food: Coffee, pastries, sandwiches, tea
Hours: Monday–Thursday 7 a.m.–10 p.m., Friday 7 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m.–10 p.m.

Lucy’s Juice
Location: Poly View Drive and the basement of Dexter
Food: Smoothies, juice
Hours: Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Lucy’s Juice Too
Location: The basement of Dexter
Food: Smoothies, juice
Hours: Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

The Park
Location: Dexter Building, all the Residence halls, engineering building, Health Center, and business building
Food: Vending machines (including ice cream and coffee machines)
Hours: Daily 24 hours

Peet’s Coffee & Tea
Location: Poly Canyon Village
Food: Coffee, tea
Hours: Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–10 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 9 a.m.–10 p.m.

Sage Restaurant
Location: Grande Avenue
Food: Upscale dining, contemporary and ethnic dishes
Hours: Monday–Friday 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m., 5 p.m.–8 p.m.

The Sandwich Factory
Location: University Union
Food: Sandwiches made to order, bagels, breakfast croissant, breakfast burrito, waffle, drinks, yogurt
Hours: Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–10:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

Starbucks Coffee
Location: University Union
Food: Coffee, drinks, pastries
Hours: Monday–Friday 6:30 a.m.–9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–7 p.m.

VG Café
Location: Corner of Deer Road and Grand Avenue
Food: Grill items, pasta, subs, specialties of chicken and beef, salad bar, desserts
Hours: Monday–Thursday 5 p.m.–7:30 p.m., 8 p.m.–12 a.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m., 5 p.m.–7:30 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m., 5 p.m.–7:30 p.m., 8 p.m.–12 a.m.

Village Market
Location: Poly Canyon Village
Food: Cal Poly and local produce, snacks, organic foods
Hours: Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 10 a.m.–10 p.m.

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