The University of San Francisco offers a vibrant dining experience that goes far beyond standard campus food. Managed by Bon Appétit, an on-site restaurant company with a strong commitment to sustainability, USFCA dining serves made-from-scratch meals featuring seasonal ingredients from local growers and producers .
From the new Lone Mountain Dining Hall with its panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay to convenient grab-and-go options across campus, students have access to a diverse range of dining choices. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of USFCA dining, including eatery locations, meal plan information, dietary accommodations, and the sustainable food philosophy that sets Bon Appétit apart.
Campus Eateries and Locations
USFCA dining operates six eateries across campus . These locations range from full-service dining halls to cafés offering quick meals and snacks . Daily menus for each café can be accessed online at usf.cafebonappetit.com .
Lone Mountain Dining Hall
Lone Mountain Dining Hall is USF’s newest dining space, offering views that span downtown San Francisco, the Bay, and the Pacific Ocean . It provides a contemporary dining environment with diverse meal options.
Market Café
The Market Café serves as a central dining hub on campus, hosting special events throughout the academic year. These include Chef Wars, where executive chefs compete for student votes, Black History Month dinner series in collaboration with the Black Student Union, and Moonlight Munchies events with breakfast for dinner served late at night .
Gleeson Café
Located near the library, Gleeson Café offers breakfast items, fresh salads, artisan flatbreads, and sandwiches. Menu highlights include a warm power bowl with miso-sesame tahini dressing, a seasonal salad featuring Star Route Farms greens, and a prosciutto flatbread with hot honey .
Faculty and Staff Dining Room
The Faculty and Staff Dining Room provides lunch options for faculty, staff, and students, featuring global flavours and seasonal ingredients. Recent menu items include seared chicken with masala spices, paneer cheese with tomato and ginger, basmati rice with saffron, and naan bread with garlic and cilantro .
Open Door Café
Located at Lone Mountain, this café offers additional dining convenience for students in that area of campus .
Additional Options
Vending machines are available throughout campus for on-the-go snacks and beverages. Coca-Cola products are the contracted beverage provider, and Canteen provides snack machines at locations including residence halls and the library .
Sustainability and Food Philosophy
Bon Appétit, which manages USFCA dining, was the first food service company to establish comprehensive sustainability commitments :
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Supporting local agriculture with a defined purchasing target since 1999
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Reducing antibiotic use in farm animals since 2003
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Serving rBGH-free milk since 2003
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Serving cage-free eggs since 2005
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Striving to serve only seafood that meets Seafood Watch sustainability guidelines since 2002
The company’s Farm to Fork initiative prioritises purchasing seasonal ingredients from small, owner-operated farms and ranches within a 150-mile radius . This commitment to local sourcing means students enjoy fresh, high-quality ingredients while supporting regional food systems.
Dietary Accommodations
USFCA dining is designed to accommodate a wide range of dietary needs and preferences .
Special Diets
Guaranteed vegetarian options are available at ALL meal periods, with an average of five vegan specials served per meal period . Gluten-free options are labelled “made without gluten-containing ingredients” on menu items and can be filtered through online menus . A dedicated toaster is available for items made without gluten-containing ingredients .
Food Allergies
Bon Appétit staff are trained in food allergy awareness and offer a number of options for students with food allergies and coeliac disease. This includes:
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Communication about and modification to existing menu items
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Special preparation of menu items
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Access to special products as agreed upon with students
Top-9 allergens are included in menu names and descriptions whenever possible . Students can also schedule a personalised dining tour with the regional wellness manager or resident district manager to learn how to navigate the cafés and identify meals that meet their needs .
For questions about dietary accommodations, students can contact:
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Allen Plouffe, Director of Operations: allen.plouffe@cafebonappetit.com, (707) 291-5210
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Student Disability Services: sds@usfca.edu, (415) 422-2613
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Regional Wellness Manager Melanie Berdyck, MS, RD, CSOWM, LDN, CDCES: melanie.berdyck@cafebonappetit.com
Meal Plans
Questions regarding meal plans should be directed to Bon Appétit Business Services, with information available on the Flexi Meal Plan page . Meal plan options are designed to accommodate different student needs, from full-time residents to commuter students.
Food Pantry and Additional Support
For students experiencing food insecurity—defined as having limited or uncertain access to a sufficient quantity of food—USF offers a Food Pantry . The pantry is available to all enrolled undergraduate and graduate USF students and is open twice monthly . Located on the lower level of Gleeson Library, Room G04, it provides an intermediate solution for students in need .
Community Events and Culinary Experiences
USFCA dining goes beyond daily meals with special events that bring the campus community together .
Chef Wars
Executive chefs from multiple universities compete to create the most delicious offerings, with students acting as judges and deciding the winner .
Black History Month Dinner Series
In collaboration with the USFCA Black Student Union, the dining team showcases recipes from celebrated culinarians throughout February .
Cooking Education Series
Students can attend workshops on culinary skills, including making stocks, soups, and comfort foods .
Boba Pop-Up Shop
The Market Café occasionally hosts pop-up events featuring bubble tea .
Spaghetti Night
The Faculty & Staff Dining Room hosts all-you-care-to-eat spaghetti dinners for $20 per person .
USF Market Day
Students can shop for free produce from Star Route Farms while sampling local products, with sustainability resources and student engagement activities .
Off-Campus Dining Options
Beyond campus dining, the USF area offers numerous restaurant options. OpenTable lists 16 to 29 restaurants near the University of San Francisco, including Italian, Californian, and Peruvian cuisine. Local favourites include Nopa, Che Fico, Sociale, House of Prime Rib, and Spruce .
Key Takeaways
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USFCA dining is managed by Bon Appétit, a sustainability-focused food service company committed to local sourcing, cage-free eggs, and sustainable seafood
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Six eateries operate across campus, including the new Lone Mountain Dining Hall, Market Café, Gleeson Café, and the Faculty and Staff Dining Room
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Dietary needs are well-supported with guaranteed vegetarian options, vegan specials, gluten-free labelling, and allergy training for staff
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Special events throughout the year include Chef Wars, Black History Month dinners, cooking education workshops, and boba pop-ups
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A Food Pantry provides an intermediate solution for students experiencing food insecurity
Frequently Asked Questions
What dining options are available at USFCA?
USFCA has six eateries across campus, including Lone Mountain Dining Hall, Market Café, Gleeson Café, Open Door Café, and the Faculty and Staff Dining Room. Vending machines are also located throughout campus .
Who manages USFCA dining?
Bon Appétit, an on-site restaurant company, manages all USFCA dining operations. They are known for their sustainability commitments, including supporting local agriculture and sustainable seafood practices .
Are there options for students with dietary restrictions?
Yes. Guaranteed vegetarian options are available at all meal periods, with vegan specials served daily. Gluten-free options are labelled and can be filtered on online menus. Staff are trained in food allergy awareness and can modify menu items or prepare special dishes .
How can I contact USFCA dining services?
For meal plan questions, contact Bon Appétit Business Services through the Flexi Meal Plan page. For food allergy accommodations, contact Allen Plouffe, Director of Operations, or Melanie Berdyck, Regional Wellness Manager .
Does USF have a food pantry?
Yes. The USF Food Pantry is available to all enrolled undergraduate and graduate students experiencing food insecurity. It is open twice monthly and located in Gleeson Library, Room G04 .
What special dining events does USF offer?
Events include Chef Wars (culinary competitions), Black History Month dinner series in collaboration with the Black Student Union, cooking education workshops, boba pop-up shops, spaghetti nights, and Market Day featuring free local produce .
What is Bon Appétit’s sustainability commitment?
Bon Appétit supports local agriculture, reduces antibiotic use in farm animals, serves rBGH-free milk and cage-free eggs, and sources sustainable seafood. They prioritise purchasing seasonal ingredients from farms within a 150-mile radius .
Conclusion
USFCA dining offers a thoughtful and inclusive approach to campus meals, combining sustainability, dietary accommodation, and community engagement. Bon Appétit’s commitment to local sourcing and made-from-scratch meals ensures that students have access to fresh, high-quality food that aligns with their values and dietary needs. From the panoramic views at Lone Mountain Dining Hall to late-night events and cooking workshops, dining at USF is an integral part of the university experience.
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