Dining Services
Nutrition, satisfaction, and convenience are all top priorities of the unparalleled dining experience at ˽ֲ Dining facilities. Our guests can enjoy diverse menus including from-scratch cooking with fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Coupled with our friendly service, ˽ֲ dining is truly more than just a meal.
Our Laker students and community value quality, variety, and hospitality, and we offer it all in a meal plan that makes sense. First and second year students are required to have the Laker Unlimited Plan, which gives them anytime access to Grotto Commons and the 501 Grille. Third and fourth year students have the choice of the Hurst Unlimited Plan (anytime access), the Green Plan (225 meals per semester), or the Blue Plan (150 meals per semester). Meal plan rates for the current academic year can be found on our Campus Housing and Meal Plans webpage.
Modern On-Campus Dining Experience
˽ֲ Dining has continuedto investin improving campus dining offerings, so Lakers can get the most out of their meal experiences. These improvements includeflexible order-ahead using the GET app, grab-and-go options, and greater variety in offerings. Based on student feedback, we’ve revamped menus to servemore of the foods students want, including more healthyoptions.Lakers are always on the go, and sometimes schedules limit their availability at traditional meal times. Our flexible venue schedules mean studentscan access the full complement of dining options and time-appropriate breakfast/lunch/dinner menus.
As students progress with their˽ֲeducation, their Residence Life and Dining experience grows with them. Third and fourth year students have access to flexible meal options thatmake use of their growing independence and the kitchen and food prep areas in their campus residences. These options can include a weekly pantry box, with student-favorite staples to stock the fridge and cupboards in their campus residence, or a convenient meal prep kit with ingredients so they can prepare and cook a delicious meal with enough food for them anda friend or roommate.
Under this program, on-campus dining venues can become a kitchen, a coffee bar, a study group meetup spot, and a late-night hangout. No more deciding whether it’s worth it to grab a coffee — stop by anytime for a full meal, a quick snack to go, a morning pick-me-up, or a late-night snack!
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Primary Campus Dining Venues
Grotto Commons Dining Hall
Grotto Commons is an all-you-care-to-eat dining facility. Grotto Commons is our largest food facility on campus, and is located in Egan Hall.Accepts meal plans, Dining Dollars, Bonus Bucks, flex points, cash, and credit cards.Grotto Commons has nine food stations:
- Clean Plate: Caters to guests with allergies and food sensitivities. Equipped with its own certified kitchen, Clean Plate offers a diverse menu with items that are free from the top nine allergens: milk, eggs, soy, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and sesame.
- Daily Dish: The main serving line focuses on a variety of comfort foods and home cooked meals.
- Bravissimo: This is our chef-run station that prepares restaurant-style dishes.
- GC Grille: Serving hand-pressed burgers, hot dogs, and fresh-cut fries daily, along with a rotation of specialty sandwiches, chicken, chili, cheese sauce, and much more for lunch and dinner. Breakfast features customizable omelets daily.
- Salad Bar: Our salad bar features more than 70 items prepared fresh each day.
- Deli: Sandwiches and wraps customized the way students like.Our deli offers a variety of freshly sliced meats, cheeses and salads. Want a hotsandwich? Our panini press will crisp and warmsandwiches upon request!
- The Oven: This station serves hand-tossed, homemade pizza baked in our stone oven, as well as pasta all day with two homemade sauces.
- The Breakfast Nook: The stationis stocked with nine different cereals, a variety of milks, a waffle station, breads and bagels with a variety of toppings.
- Desserts: A variety of homemade desserts including cookies, brownies, cupcakes, bars, Perry’s Ice Cream, and Northern Scoop Ice Cream.
Hours of Operation
- Monday through Thursday,from 7 a.m. to 9p.m.
- Friday through Sunday, from 7a.m. to 8 p.m.
501 Grille
The 501 Grille is our all-you-care-to-eat location in Ryan Hall. The 501 Grille serves restaurant-style dishes prepared in our European kitchen. A smoker, rotisserie, authentic wok, grills, and a fryer create the base for our menu selection, with five service points surrounding the equipment allowing for Asian-inspired dishes, smoked wings, pasta, or burgers. Enjoy the salad bar with two daily soups, as well as a full dessert bar featuring Perry’s Ice Cream. Accepts meal plans, Dining Dollars, Bonus Bucks, flex points, cash, and credit cards.
- Firehouse Grille: American grilled classics with a concept of smokin’ hot rubs and fire sauces.
- Slo Smok BBQ: A variety of slow-smoked food including brisket, pulled meats, chicken, pork, slow-smoked sauces, and sides including baked beans, mac salad, corn bread and more!
- Billy’s Coop House: Fried or grilled chicken options for lunch and dinner.
- Hello Bistro: Fresh made salads and dressings.
- Corner Mercantile: Hand-crafted sandwiches with big flavors.
- Leaf & Grain: A crafted bowl concept with a mix of greens, grains, and proteins.
- Pastasciutta: Fresh pasta with signature sauces.
- Hot Tomato Pizza: Neighborhood favorite pizzas.
- Cinco Cantina: A variety of taco bowls, quesadillas, chips, cheese, and more.
Hours of Operation
- Weekdays, from 7 a.m. to 9p.m.
Retail Dining Venues
The Roost Express
Located on the lower level of the Herrmann Student Union, The Roost Express provides in-house ordering or a fast mobile order dining experience with specialties in breakfast and lunch. This is an excellent area for students to study and relax.Accepts meal plans, the GET app, Dining Dollars, Bonus Bucks, flex points, cash, and credit cards.This store also accepts ""Swipe at Night"" from 9 p.m. to close.
For breakfast, students can enjoy fresh-made breakfast sandwiches, burritos for breakfast on the go, and omelets crafted three ways.For lunch, we offer chicken sliders, a hand-battered fish sandwich, The Rooster chicken sandwich, classic cheeseburgers, chicken wings, salads, and appetizers.Handcrafted beverages are also made to order, including Boba Tea and Crimson Cup smoothies. On The Go options include specialty prepared sandwiches, salads, fruit cups, yogurt parfaits, and more!
Hours of Operation
- Weekdays, from 10a.m. to3 p.m.
- “Swipe a Bite” accepted here.
The Roost
˽ֲ’s Irish heritage is celebrated at the Roost, a full-service, restaurant-style pub serving traditional Irish fare.
The Roost includes abar and restaurant staffed by employees of the university’s foodservice vendor, Parkhurst Dining, as well as an adjacent conversational area with a rustic stonefireplace anchored by plush leather couches. Named “The Playwright Snug,” this area features pictures of famousplaywrights adorning the walls along with eclectic items of Irish memorabilia.
Besides house cocktails like the Irish Mule, the Roost has both draught andbottled beers,along with wine. The menu offers reuben keg tots, fish andchips, the Roost burger, anassortment of create-your-own sandwiches, and much more, including decadent desserts like churros, cheesecake with Bailey's fudge or cherries,and traditional Irish coffee.
The pub is open to all guests, but will only serve alcohol to those 21 and older. Accepts the GET app, Dining Dollars, Bonus Bucks, flex points, cash, and credit cards.
Hours of Operation
- Wednesday through Sunday,from 5 to 10 p.m.
For reservations, please call 814-824-3637.
Anchor Express (in Ryan Hall)
Located in Ryan Hall, Anchor Express is open to all students and offers convenient grab-and-go food andgrocery items.
Accepts meal plans, the GET app, Dining Dollars, Bonus Bucks, flex points, cash, and credit cards.
Features include:
- Starbucks coffee, including specialty drinks and Frappuccinos.
- Cinco Cantina with tacos, bowls, burritos, and salads.
- Fresh-made personal pizzas,deli wraps, and sandwiches.
- Ben & Jerry’s pints and ice cream novelties.
- Fresh-baked pastries and desserts.
- Variety of sandwiches, salads, and fruit.
- Variety of snacks and candies.
- Assorted bottled beverages.
- Health and beauty aids.
Hours of Operation
- Sunday through Thursday,from 2 p.m. to midnight
- ""Swipe at Night"" from 8 p.m. to midnight.
- Friday and Saturday,from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- “Swipe at Night” from 8 p.m.to 1 a.m.
Bookstore Cafe
Located in the ˽ֲ Bookstore, the Bookstore Café is a great place to enjoy coffee and snacks while studying or visiting with friends. Accepts Dining Dollars, Bonus Bucks, flex points, cash, and credit cards.
Features include:
- Starbucks coffee, including specialty drinks and Frappuccinos.
- Fresh-baked pastries.
- Variety of sandwiches.
- Variety of snacks and candies.
- Local, fresh-made bagels.
- Assorted bottled beverages.
Hours of Operation
- Weekdays, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Other Services
Hello Hurst Meal Kit
Each Hello Hurst Meal Kit contains two servings of ingredients ready to be prepared by students at home! Order through the GET app, Monday through Friday, from 9a.m. to 3p.m. and our chefs will prepare customized Hello Hurst Meal Kit to be picked upthat day at The Roost until closing time. Third and fourth year students may order one kit per week using any of the meal meal choices through the GET app.All others may purchase the kit using the GET app with payments of credit card, Dining Dollars, and Bonus Bucks.
Anchor Bag
No time to get to a local grocery store? Let us take the stress out of shopping!Choose from more than 100 items in our Anchor Bag shopping cart. From fresh whole fruitto snacks and toiletries, students will have access to all of their grocery needs without ever leaving campus.This option is for third and forth year students with the Hurst Unlimited Plan or the Green Plan and can be ordered through the GET app.
Swipe a Bite and Swipe at Night
All meal plan options give students the opportunity to use one meal plan swipe per day at either The Roost Express, the Anchor Express, or 501 Grille.
The Roost Express — Swipe a Bite:
- Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Choose from a variety of breakfast and lunch options.
- Order in-house or using the GET app.
The Anchor Express — Swipe at Night Cinco Cantina (Weekly Food Themed Bars) or Deli:
- Monday through Thursday, from9 p.m. to midnight
- Friday, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Saturday, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Sunday, from 8 p.m. to midnight
- Order in-house or using the GET app.
501 Grille Pizza —Swipe at Night Pizza:
- Monday through Thursday, from 9 p.m. to midnight
- Friday, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Saturday, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Sunday, from 8 p.m. to midnight
- Customize a personal pizza using the GET app.
Contact Us
Lori Blakeslee
Senior General Manager
Phone: 814-824-2197
Email: lblakeslee@mercyhurst.edu