Complete Guide to SDSU Campus Dining Locations and Hours

Complete Guide to SDSU Campus Dining Locations and Hours

Whether you're a freshman navigating meal plans or a transfer student exploring options, this guide covers accurate, up-to-date details about SDSU campus dining locations and hours. From buffet-style halls to grab-and-go kiosks, we’ve compiled everything you need to fuel your academic journey.

1. SDSU Campus Dining Overview

San Diego State University (SDSU) offers a dynamic dining scene tailored to students’ diverse tastes, schedules, and dietary needs. Key locations include:

The Garden Restaurant: Flagship buffet-style dining with global flavors.
Aztec Market: Coffee, snacks, and fast-casual eats in high-traffic buildings.
Cuicacalli Dining Hall: Residence-hall hub with comfort food and late-night bites.
Student Union Food Court: International cuisine hotspots like Panda Express and The Halal Guys.
East Commons: Central campus spot near the Student Union and Bookstore.

Most locations accept meal swipes, credit cards, or flex dollars. Let’s dive into each!

2. Detailed Dining Location Guide

The Garden Restaurant

Location: Student Services East Building (5500 Campanile Dr), 1st Floor.
Hours:

Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM – 8 PM
Sat: 9 AM – 6 PM
Sun: Closed (Check for holiday hours).

Food Type: Buffet-style with rotating stations:

Rotisserie: Carved-to-order meats (try the herb-roasted turkey).
Pasta Bar: Fresh-made pasta with vegan alfredo sauce.
Vegan/Vegetarian: Daily plant-based entrees (e.g., quinoa-stuffed bell peppers).
Chef’s Table: Interactive cooking demos on Thursdays.

Special Features: Halal-certified proteins, gluten-free desserts, and a “build-your-own” salad bar.
Student Tip: Arrive early on Fridays to avoid lunch crowds.

Visual Suggestion: Insert photo of The Garden’s buffet line with labeled stations.

Aztec Market (Multiple Locations)

Locations:

Storm Hall: 1st & 3rd floors.
Love Library: Ground floor.
Engineering East: Near Parking Structure 3.

Hours:

Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM – 8 PM
Sat-Sun: Limited hours; check online.

Food Type: Starbucks coffee, Subway, Chipotle, and pre-packaged meals.
Must-Try Items:

Shake Smart: Protein smoothies (e.g., “The Aztec Fuel” – banana, peanut butter, oats).
Subway: $5 footlongs during finals week.

Special Features: Vegan Beyond Meat options at select vendors.

Cuicacalli Dining Hall

Location: Cuicacalli Hall (5525 Campanile Dr), Main Campus near residence halls.
Hours:

Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM – 9 PM
Sat-Sun: 10 AM – 6 PM

Food Type:

Taco Bar: Build-your-own tacos with house-made tortillas (try the “Aztec Burger” topped with guacamole and pickled jalapeños).
Grill Station: Smash burgers and Philly cheesesteaks.
Late-Night Bites: $2 pizza slices and nachos until 1 AM on weekends.

Special Features: Popular during finals week for late-night study snacks.

Visual Suggestion: Add an image of the Aztec Burger or Taco Tuesday bar.

Student Union Food Court

Location: Student Union Building (5500 Campanile Dr), 1st Floor.
Hours:

Mon-Fri: 10 AM – 8 PM
Sat: 11 AM – 5 PM

Food Type: Global flavors including:

The Halal Guys: Famous for gyro platters and lemonade ($9.50 combo).
Panda Express: Orange chicken and chow mein (perfect for a quick bite).
Tacos El Gordo: Authentic Mexican street tacos ($3–$5).

Special Features: Ideal for group hangouts or quick bites between classes.

Visual Suggestion: Insert photo of The Halal Guys’ menu board or Panda Express line.

East Commons

Location: East Commons Building, directly west of the Student Union.
Hours:

Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM – 9 PM

Food Type:

Daily Hot Entrees: Rotating dishes like BBQ ribs and vegan lentil stew.
Grab-and-Go: Pre-packaged sandwiches and salads.
Coffee & Pastries: Peet’s Coffee espresso drinks and fresh-baked cookies.

Special Features: Perfect for commuters needing a pre-class caffeine fix.

Visual Suggestion: Include a photo of East Commons’ cozy seating area.

3. Hours of Operation Table

| Location | Mon-Fri | Sat | Sun |

|------------------------|----------------|----------------|--------------|

Note: Hours may change during holidays/finals week. Check [SDSU Dining](https://dining.sdsu.edu/) for updates.

4. Interactive Campus Map

Explore SDSU’s dining locations with this [official interactive campus map](https://map.sdsu.edu/). Zoom in to view each spot’s exact location, operating hours, and menu links.

5. Meal Plans Overview

SDSU offers flexible meal plans for residents and commuters:

Premier Plan: Unlimited access to The Garden + $150 flex dollars/month.
Value Plan: 14 meals/week + $100 flex dollars.
Commuter Plan: 5 meals/week + $150 flex dollars.

Best for:

Residents: Premier Plan (includes housing and dining).
Commuters: Commuter Plan (use flex dollars at Aztec Market).

6. Dietary Needs & Inclusivity

SDSU prioritizes inclusivity:

Vegan/Vegetarian: The Garden’s plant-based station and Aztec Market’s Beyond Meat options.
Halal: The Halal Guys (Union Food Court) and Cuicacalli’s halal proteins.
Gluten-Free: Dedicated labeling in The Garden; GF buns available at Aztec Market.

7. Real-Time Updates & Alerts

Follow @SDSUDining on Instagram or visit their website for:

Last-minute closures.
Special events (e.g., “Taco Tuesdays” at Cuicacalli).
Nutrition guides and allergen info.

Conclusion

With this guide, navigating SDSU campus dining locations and hours is stress-free. Whether you’re craving a hearty breakfast at The Garden or a late-night taco at Cuicacalli, SDSU’s dining options have you covered. Bookmark this page for finals week hours and seasonal updates!

Got a favorite spot we missed? Share it in the comments below!