About Us | Sustainability | Memberships | Awards | Our Dream
In the News
San Diego Union Tribune articles
- La Gran Terraza "providing fine fuel for its scholars"
- "Colleges spice up dining options"
Foodservices Equipment Reports
- Pavilion Dining and it's state-of-the-art facilities pdf
About Us
Dining Services is a not-for-profit auxiliary set up to serve the students, faculty and staff of the University of San Diego. USD Dining annually allocates earnings back to the University of San Diego and students.
We are passionate about the food we provide for you each day. Our team includes staff who have been serving
the USD community for as many as 35 years; chefs trained at world-renowned
schools such as the Culinary Institute of America, Johnson & Wales, and the
California Culinary Academy; and a management team that is dedicated
to creating enjoyable meals and services for each and every customer.
Our nationally recognized, award-winning dining program includes a variety of unique retail locations, La Gran Terraza Restaurant, Tu Mercado (Natural Foods Grocery Store), Pavilion Dining Room, Athletic Concessions, Vending and the USD Catering department. We are proud to also provide conference services and meals for the Manchester Child Development Center.
Sustainable Services
USD Dining Services is dedicated to meeting the challenge of offering fresh, wholesome foods and to do so in a way that supports local food sources, considers the environmental impact of our decisions and guarantees healthy alternatives in each of our restaurants. We look forward to working with students and faculty as we move forward in meeting this challenge.
Weekly Farmer's Market
During the academic year (Sept-May) shop the Farmer's Market every Wednesday, in front of the UC (Plaza Menor)
from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and experience the fresh local produce of San Diego's farmers. Be Blue, Go Green and shop local. Shopping locally helps to reduce your carbon foot print and supports the local community and a healthy lifestyle.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
All cardboard is recycled, all napkins within the dining units are made from recycled content. All dining print pieces are printed on recycled paper. Dining Services is also part of the university-wide committee to address the need for additional recycling options on campus. Recyling info: on-campus and off-campus.
Trans-Fat Free
Dining Services has been trans-fat free since 2005. We use a unique zero-trans fat, canola-corn oil blend that is low in saturated fat, has no greasy aftertaste and contains zero grams of trans-fat per serving. The used oil is recycled, and much of it is also turned into biodiesel. Press release
Coffees with a Conscious
All dining locations feature alumni-owned, locally operated, Ryan Bros. organic, certified Fair Trade coffees and teas.
What does Fair Trade mean?
Fair Trade occurs when the grower receives a fair price for his/her coffee. Fair Trade growersalso must meet the following criteria: (1) high quality product, (2) workers are treated, housed, fed, educated, and paid above average levels, and (3) the surrounding environment is treated with the respect it deserves.
Memberships:
- National Association of College & University Food Services (since 1982)
- California Restaurant Association (since 1997)
- National Association of College Concessionaires (since 2000)
- College and University Resource Board/HPSI (since 2000)
- National Association of Convenience Stores (since 2001)
NACUFS Awards
National Association of College & University Food Services
| Award | Dining Area | Category/Employee | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
Loyal E. Horton Dining, 2nd Place Silver |
La Gran Terraza | Retail Sales - Multiple Concepts | 2012 |
Loyal E. Horton Dining, 2nd Place Silver |
Torero Tu Go (food truck) | Retail Sales - Single Concept | 2012 |
| Loyal E. Horton Dining, 2nd Place Silver |
Pavilion Dining | Residence Hall Dining - Special Event | 2011 |
Loyal E. Horton Dining, Grand Prize |
Tu Mercado | Retail Sales - Multiple Concepts | 2010 |
| Loyal E. Horton Dining, 1st Place Gold |
Tu Mercado | Retail Sales - Multiple Concepts | 2010 |
| Best in the Business | Tu Mercado | Incorporating Sustainability | 2010 |
| Loyal E. Horton Dining, 1st Place Gold |
Pavilion Dining | Residence Hall Dining - Multiple Concepts | 2010 |
Loyal E. Horton Dining, 1st Place Gold |
Missions Cafe | Retail Single Stand Alone Concept | 2009 |
Loyal E. Horton Dining, 2nd Place Silver |
Catering | Catering Special Event | 2004 |
Loyal E. Horton Dining, Grand Prize |
Catering | Catering Special Event | 2002 |
Loyal E. Horton Dining, 1st Place Gold |
Aromas | Retail Single Stand Alone Concept | 2001 |
Loyal E. Horton Dining, 2nd Place Silver |
Catering | Catering Special Event | 1999 |
| Student Employee of the Year Award | Torero Grille | Christopher Brusca | 1997 |
Loyal E. Horton Dining, 1st Place Gold |
Aromas | Specialty Restaurant / Shop | 1996 |
| Student Employee of the Year Award | Main Dining | Noelle Starek | 1993 |
Loyal E. Horton Dining, 1st Place Gold |
Main Dining | Residence Hall Dining Standard Menu | 1991 |
| Dining Idea Exchange, Grand Prize | Marketplace & Torero Grille | Retail Cash Sales Standard Menu | 1990 |
Dining Idea Exchange, 1st Place |
Marketplace | Specialty Restaurant / Shop | 1990 |
| Dining Idea Exchange Grand Prize | Catering | Catering Standard Menu | 1989 |
Dining Idea Exchange, 1st Place |
Catering | Catering Special Event | 1989 |
Additional Distinguished Awards and Honors: |
|||
| Award | Employee/Area | Title | Year |
| Bronze Medal - Pacific Region Culinary Challenge, National Association of College & University Food Services | Heather Lang, Pavilion Dining | Sous Chef | 2011 |
| Premier Inc. Illuminating Excellence - Foodservice Director of the Year Finalist | Andre Mallie | Director, Auxiliary Services |
2010 |
| Ralph B. McClure Craftsmanship | UC and SLP Dining Locations | - | 2010 |
| California Restaurant Assoc. Manager of the Year | Ruth Silva | Manager | 2005 |
| Thomas F. Burke Employee of the Year (USD Staff) | Mariana Djaja | Unit Leader | 2004 |
| Thomas F. Burke Employee of the Year (USD Administrator) | Rudy Spano | Director, Dining Services | 2004 |
| Administrator of the Year | Rudy Spano | Director, Dining Services | 2001 |
| USD Employee of the Year | Te Thiessen | Executive Assistant, Dining Services |
1997 |
| USD Employee of the Year | Lupe Cardenas | Assistant Cook | 1993 |
| California Restaurant Assoc. Employee of the Year | Jose Cardenas | Principal Cook | 1992 |
| Cordon Bleu Food & Wine Society of London England (La Jolla Chapter) | Finest Dinner of the Year Award | Catering | 1992 |
