University of California - Merced
- Campus Dining

Quick Stats

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

On-campus dining really depends on how picky a student is when it comes to food. There is only one main dining hall at UCM due to the small size of the campus, so there are not many other on-campus places to go to for food, except the library café, known as the Lantern, and the bookstore, which only sells snacks. However, the dining hall does offer some variety with its different food stations, some of which include vegetarian options: the Blue Plate (serving home-cooked options), Caliente, Paisano’s, Kung Pow, Grill, and the salad bar. Even though students appreciate the convenience of the dining hall, many complain of getting bored eating the same food repeatedly and wish there were more options. Students also complain about the dining hall hours of service, which pack students in at restricted times and aren't necessarily flexible with student weekend schedules.

Overall, though, dining at UCM is bearable, with the number of options being limited, but fair. Buying food at the dining commons is most convenient for on-campus residents, since their housing plan covers food. On the other hand, off-campus students tend to bring their own lunches, since they can make unique, cheaper meals at home, suited to their personal tastes. The price of the dining commons has been known to go up every semester, which shocks off-campus residents without a meal plan when they see the prices. The price change does not necessarily stop them from purchasing food items, though. Luckily, for students far away from home, the chefs do attempt to provide home-cooked options, catered to everyone’s needs, including those of vegetarians. The food is also healthier compared to other, larger universities, since there are not any fast food chains on campus.

UC Merced Student ReviewsWhat's This?

Sort by:

Most RecentMost PopularHighest GradesLowest Grades

Campus Dining at University of California - Merced

luis1026

Environmental Engineering '15

4.6

A

Good Food

I love the food at the Dinning Hall. There is a variety of choices to choose from, and the food is always fresh and available for the students.

May 17, 2012

Comment actions: Rate

12345

Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

Campus Dining at University of California - Merced

nance360

Biology '13

2.3

C

Dining Commons

There is no variety of healthy food. The food is sometimes not prepared well and the yogurt and fruit is left out where there is bugs/flies that can get on it which is not following food safety guidelines.

May 11, 2012

Comment actions: Rate

12345

Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

Campus Dining at University of California - Merced

Loofy18

Psychology '15

2.3

C

Dining Hall

A small dining hall where you can use your catcard if you have catdollars. Options include the Grill, where they serve hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, hotdogs, fries, chili cheese fries, veggie burgers, grilled cheese, chicken strips, and day special burgers, a pizzeria place with different types of pizza, a rice bowl area, and a mexican place. Also the Blue Plate which usually serves dinner that is different everyday but not differernet every week. Also snacks, such as fruit, ice cream, beverages, coffee, a little cookie cover and a salad bar which needs more vegetable selections.

Mar 04, 2012

Comment actions: Rate

12345

Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

What do you think of your school? Register to submit reviews to let others know what it's really like »

First

Previous

Page 1 of 7

Next

Last

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate campus dining on the following topics

Facts