Meal Plan FAQs

Check out answers to frequently asked dining questions.

What is an All-You-Care-to-Eat Meal?

An All-You-Care-to-Eat-Meal is just that! Utilize The Table at Irvine Commons just as you would your personal kitchen. Stop in to enjoy a meal with your friends, or grab a hot meal to-go. Once you swipe your card you can enjoy an All-You-Care-to-Eat-Meal without having to worry about budgeting for individual dishes.

What are Weekly Plans?

Weekly Plans come with a set number of weekly meals that can be used in two different ways. They can be used at The Table at Irvine Commons as an All-You-Care-to-Eat Meal or a select number of meals per week can be used as a Meal Exchange at certain on-campus retail dining locations. Weekly meals refresh each week, but do not rollover week to week. What’s a Meal Exchange? Don’t worry, we’ll explain!

If I have a Weekly Meal Plan, do unused All-You-Care-to-Eat meal swipes roll over to the next week?

In this type of plan, each week begins with the same set number of All-You-Care-to-Eat meals available to you. Unused meal swipes do not roll over from week to week.

What are Block Plans?

Block Plans have a set number of meals that can be used throughout the year. They can also be used both as All You Care to Eat Meals at The Table at Irvine Commons or as Meal Exchanges at select on-campus retail dining locations. Instead of being distributed weekly, these meals are distributed at the beginning of each semester, and can be used throughout the year. These Block Plans expire at the end of the year, before May Term begins.

What are Meal Exchanges?

A Meal Exchange is a set retail combo that can be used at certain on-campus dining locations. You can typically get an entrée, side, and drink. Select dining locations on-campus offer Meal Exchange, so variety abounds!

What are Dining Dollars?

Dining Dollars** are included in your meal plan, and even though you no longer have to worry about spending these dollars at our All-You-Care-to-Eat dining location, The Table at Irvine Commons, you may still want a snack or a cup of coffee at one of our campus dining locations. Dining Dollars are perfect for this type of purchase, allowing you to save your Meal Exchanges for full meals at our dining locations. Dining Dollars roll over between semesters, but expire at the end of the Spring semester. These dollars are built into the price of your plan.

What About May Term Plans?

Don’t worry about missing your Meal Plan during May Term! Special May Term Plans are available for purchase. May Term Plans come with 50 Block Meals and $75 in Dining Dollars.

If I’m in a hurry, can I get carry out at The Table at Irvine Commons?

Yes, you can get a to-go box instead of dining on-site at The Table.

What food venues will be available on-campus when students arrive in the Fall?

  • The Table at Irvine Commons
  • Bulldog Java & Juice, (formerly known as the Bulldog Café)
  • The Plaza, adjacent to The Table at Irvine Commons

Additional venues will open after renovations, including:

  • Launch | A Test and Guest Kitchen, a new offering that will be located in the current Plaza area beginning in January 2020; this space will host guest chefs, vendors and student workshops.
  • The Den at Redlands, a casual eatery that will open in the location of the former University Club adjacent to Hunsaker Plaza next to Colton Avenue. Throughout the fall semester, watch for opportunities to taste test food and beverage items off the new menu, which can be found here.

Are there requirements for certain Meal Plans?

Students Living on Campus

If you are a student living on campus, you are required at minimum to have the 10 Meals per Week Plan.

Students Living in Campus Houses or Apartments

If you are a student living in campus houses or apartments, you are required at minimum to have the 100 Block Plan.

The 75 Block Plan

The 75 Block Plan is for off campus students only.

May Term Plan

The May Term Plan is required for all students living on campus enrolled in a full four-week May Term course.

What are some important dates to keep in mind?

Fall Semester

  • Fall semester meal plans begin with brunch on Sunday, September 1.  This means if you have permission to return to campus prior to Sunday, September 1 and you are not part of a sponsored group of early arrivals (new first-year students, NCAA student athletes, orientation leaders, etc.), you should be prepared to pay cash or credit when dining on-campus until the official meal plan period begins.
  • Dinner on Saturday, December 14 is the last meal served as part of fall semester meal plans.
  • Limited service will be available during Fall Break (October 5–8). Thanksgiving week (November 27–December 1) will include some days of limited service and some days when all venues will be closed. More information will be shared at the start of the semester so students can plan accordingly.

Spring Semester

  • Spring semester meal plans will begin with dinner on Sunday, January 5, 2020. This means if you have permission to return to campus prior to the dinner hours on Sunday, January 5, and your are not a member of a sponsored group, you will need to pay cash or credit when dining on-campus until the meal plan starts.
  • Lunch on April 18, 2020 is the last meal served as part of spring term meal plans.

What is the plan for Spring Break?

  • Limited service will be available the week of Spring Break.  Details will be shared at the start of the semester so students can plan accordingly.
  • Dining Dollars remaining at the end of the spring semester will expire at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2020. 

May Term

  • May Term plans will begin with dinner on Sunday, April 26, 2020. The final meal will be lunch on Thursday, May 21, 2020. Any remaining Dining Dollars expire that day at 5 p.m.

How long do I have to adjust my fall semester meal plan?

  • Final meal plan selections must be made by Friday, September 13.  No changes will be permitted after that date.

Can I switch meal plans between semesters?

Yes, there will be a period in the late fall when you will be able to change your plan for the spring semester using MyRedlands Housing Portal.

Are guests allowed to eat in The Table at Irvine Commons? Can I host guests using meal swipes or Dining Dollars?

Guests are certainly welcomed to eat at all dining venues, including The Table at Irvine Commons. Meal swipes cannot be used for guests to gain entry to The Table at Irvine Commons; however, Dining Dollars, cash, and credit are accepted.

What are door rates for The Table at Irvine Commons?

Walk-up prices for guests at The Table are:

  • Breakfast: $11.50
  • Lunch: $13.50
  • Dinner: $13.50

Will food options address the needs of those who have allergies, special dietary preferences, and/or dietary restrictions?

Harvest Table Culinary Group at Redlands is committed to the unique dietary needs of out guests. Made without gluten, vegan, and vegetarian options will always be available, there will be interactive technology to guide healthy choices, and food options will be labeled. A nutritionist is a member of our team, and works closely with our chefs and directors.

What if I need to be on campus outside these dates as part of my Bulldog varsity athletic activities?

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will manage meal plans for student-athletes required to be on campus outside of the meal plan dates noted above—early arrival fall student-athletes on campus prior to September 1, 2019; winter sport student-athletes remaining on campus during the winter holiday break; and spring sport student-athletes remaining on campus after April 18, 2020. Specific information will be provided to team members at the appropriate time.

What food service will be available over school breaks for other students staying on campus?

Limited service will be available during Study Days and Spring Break. Thanksgiving week will include some days of limited service and some days when all venues will be closed. Although no meal plans are active over May Break, the week between the end of spring semester and the beginning of May Term, there will be limited service for those seeking meals for purchase with Dining Dollars, cash, or credit cards. Details will be shared at the start of each semester so students can plan accordingly.