About Us
Rankings
- Ranked #7 ... Best College Food, and an A+ rating, Niche Rankings, 2021
- Ranked #19 ... Best Campus Food by Princeton Review, 2019-20
- Ranked #6 ... Best Dining Halls (Top 10) College Magazine, 2018
- Ranked #18 ... Best Dining Halls Best Colleges, 2018
- Ranked Top 30 ... Best On Campus Food Business Insider Nordic/This Is Insider, 2018
- Ranked Top 30 ... Best Campus Food Delish, 2018
- Ranked #37 ... Best College Dining Halls Best Value Schools, 2017-18
- Ranked #16 ... Best College Food Town & Country, 2017
- Ranked #32 ... Best College Food Daily Meal, 2017
Articles
- USD among Best U.S. Colleges for Food
- Aromas Coffehouse Goes High Tech
- O'Toole's Lounge featured
- Millennial Food Trends featuring USD's Chef Bobby
- "Providing fine food for scholars" La Gran Terraza
- "Colleges spice up dining options" Pavilion Dining
About Us
USD Dining 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.
Within the Auxiliary Services division, our nationally recognized, award-winning campus dining program encompasses a variety of unique retail locations, La Gran Terraza bistro and pub, Tu Mercado (natural foods grocery store), Pavilion Dining, athletic concessions, vending and USD Catering. We are proud to also provide meals for conference services and the Manchester Child Development Center.
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)
Awards
National Association of College & University Food Services
| Award | Dining Area | Category | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loyal E. Horton Dining, 1st Place Gold | Catering | Catering Special Event - Founders Gala | 2018 |
| Loyal E. Horton Dining, Grand Prize | Aromas | Retail - Single Concept | 2017 |
| Loyal E. Horton Dining, 1st Place Gold | Aromas | Retail - Single Concept | 2017 |
| Loyal E. Horton Dining, Grand Prize | Catering | Catering Special Event - Founders Gala | 2016 |
|
Loyal E. Horton Dining, 1st Place Gold |
Catering | Catering Special Event - Founders Gala | 2016 |
|
Loyal E. Horton Dining, Grand Prize |
La Paloma | Retail - Single Concept | 2014 |
|
Loyal E. Horton Dining, Grand Prize |
La Gran Terraza | Retail - Multiple Concepts | 2014 |
|
Loyal E. Horton Dining, 1st Place Gold |
La Paloma | Retail - Single Concept | 2014 |
|
Loyal E. Horton Dining, 1st Place Gold |
La Gran Terraza | Retail - Multiple Concepts | 2014 |
|
Loyal E. Horton Dining, 2nd Place Silver |
Catering | Catering Special Event - Founders Gala | 2014 |
|
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 |
Bosley 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 Honors
| Award | Employee/Area | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas F. Burke Employee of the Year (USD) | Cinthia Salas, Retail Dining | Manager | 2019 |
| Silver Medal - Pacific Region Culinary Challenge, National Association of College & University Food Services (AFC) | Robert Garrity, Pavilion Dining | Cook | 2018 |
| Silver Medal - Pacific/Continental Region Culinary Challenge, National Association of College & University Food Services (AFC) | Rob Frackler, La Paloma | Cook | 2016 |
| Bronze Medal - Pacific Region Culinary Challenge, National Association of College & University Food Services (AFC) | Heather Lang, Pavilion Dining | Sous Chef | 2011 |
| Premier Inc. Illuminating Excellence - Food Service Director of the Year Finalist | Andre Mallie, Auxiliary Services |
Executive Director |
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, Dining Services | Director | 2004 |
| Administrator of the Year | Rudy Spano, Dining Services | Director | 2001 |
| USD Employee of the Year | Te Thiessen, Dining Services |
Executive Assistant |
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 |