Residential Dining Guide

Dining Services: Resident Meal Plans

CSULB Residential Dining Services offers a quality and diverse food service program designed to meet our residents' dietary needs.  Residents are required to purchase a meal plan when they enter into a contract with Housing.

Guests

Family, friends, and all other guests are welcome to enter any dining halls by paying the guest rate at the door.  Each resident is also given three (3) free guest meal swipes per semester in which they can bring in guests. The resident must be present to swipe in their guest for entry. All guests must be present at the time the resident swipes them in. Residents are also responsible for their guests inside the dining hall.  In consideration of the dining hall access for all residents, a maximum of four (4) guest meals may be purchased during any one meal period.

Dining Hall Entry

All residents must have their valid CSULB ID Card present to be swiped by the dining hall checker to verify your meal plan to receive dining hall access. Residents must remove their CSULB ID Card from any holder, case, covering or lanyard and hand it to the checker to swipe for entry. All CSULB ID Cards must have a clear visible picture of the resident on the card to gain access. Any CSULB ID Card that has been defaced or damaged will not be accepted for entry into the dining hall. 

All meal plans are non-transferable. It is prohibited for the resident to permit an unauthorized user to use their CSULB ID/meal plan to gain entry to the residential dining areas. Any unauthorized users caught using someone else's CSULB ID Card will have the card confiscated until the owner comes to claim the card from the dining hall manager.

Policies and Procedures

To ensure resident’s health and safety, the University asks that the following dining hall policies and procedures be followed.

• Shoes, shirt, and pants must be worn at all times inside the dining halls.  Pajamas/lingerie, bathrobe/towel as cover ups and bathing suits are also not allowed in the dining halls.  All residents and guests must be dressed appropriately for a dining establishment.
• No bags, large purses or backpacks are permitted in the dining halls.  Do not leave any valuables in the dining hall cubbies/lockers.
• The dining halls are not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
• Only Service Animals are allowed inside the dining halls.  Emotional Support Animals are not allowed inside the dining halls.
• Residents are not permitted to bring their own food, mugs, cups, sports bottles, containers and outside food into the dining halls due to sanitary and health reasons.
• Please take a clean plate every time you get your food.
• Residents are not allowed behind the sneeze guard areas.
• Please use tongs to pick up your food where indicated.

We have an allergen identification program on our menu boards to assist our residents in making their food selection.

Allergen Statement:
We strive to provide a large selection of products for customers who have special dietary needs.  The information on our menu items contains the most common allergens based on the information provided by our suppliers.  Our normal kitchen operations may involve shared cooking and preparation areas.  Because of this, there may be trace amounts of peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, dairy, eggs, soy, shellfish, fish, sesame seeds or other allergens in menu items.

Residents are to bus their own plates, cups, utensils to the dish return station before leaving the dining hall.  We ask that you dispose of the trash in the marked trash and compost receptacles.

This is an “all you care to eat” meal program and we ask you be mindful of waste.  You are welcome to eat as much as you like with the exception of steak night.

Residents are not permitted to take food out of the dining hall.  All food must be consumed inside the dining hall.  If you are not able to dine in the dining halls, you may take a meal to go by participating in our Green Beach To-Go Program.

Green Beach To-Go Program

Tokens are provided to each resident when they enroll into the program. The tokens are used to redeem a Green Beach To-Go Container and Cup.  They are the only containers that are available to take to-go meals. When using the Green Beach To-Go Containers, you are not allowed to dine inside the dining hall.  You are taking your meal to-go. Soiled boxes and cups can be exchanged for a clean set when entering the dining hall.  There is a $5 charge for lost box or gold token, and $3 charge for lost cups or black token.  All to-go boxes, cups and tokens are to be returned to the dining hall and residents are to unenroll at the end of the spring semester.

In addition:

• Please be respectful to all food service staff. 
• Please be mindful of using the specific indicated serving utensil when getting your food to prevent cross contamination.  We have many residents with food allergies.
• The dining hall menus are posted online for each semester.  Some menu items may be subject to change.
• Dining hall hours are also posted online.  Residents may choose any of the three dining halls to dine at for any meal period throughout the week.  See posted signage for any closures during holidays.
• Allowing another person to use your Campus ID Card to enter the dining hall is not permitted.  Your Campus ID Card may be confiscated by the dining hall staff until the original owner comes to claim the card.
• All meal plans are not transferable, and any unused meals are not refundable.
• Residents are to swipe or pay each time they are to enter the dining hall even if you are not going to eat.
• Swipe at the end of your meal if you plan to use the Green Beach To-Go Meal Program for your next meal period.  You are not allowed to dine in if you have a Green Beach To-Go Container.
• In consideration of the dining hall access for all residents, a maximum of four (4) guest meals may be purchased during any one meal period. All guests must be present at the time the resident swipes.
• Dining halls do not allow any horseplay or throwing of food, napkins, or plates inside the dining hall.  Decorum related matters will be addressed with University Student Conduct Process.

Special Dietary Needs

Any resident with special or restrictive dietary needs are encouraged to speak with the Residential Dining Managers or the Residential Dining Dietitian.

Illness and Injury Online Dining Hall Request Form (Meal Delivery)

Residents who are not feeling well or are unable to come to the dining hall due to physical injury or illness may contact their Village Service Center or their Building RA to access the Illness and Injury Online Dining Hall Request Form.  Orders must be placed before 6 am for same day delivery.

Our 5-week cycle menu offers a great variety of options and combinations.  We also offer a vegetarian and/or vegan entrée every day and carry many dairy and meat alternatives.  All dining halls have these options available at all times.  Menu items may be subject to change.

• Cereal Bar with a variety of cereals, milk, and milk alternatives.
• Deli Bar where residents can make their own sandwiches and wraps with a variety of deli meats, meat alternatives, cheese, veggies and condiments.
• Salad Bar with a large selection of vegetables, fixings, salad dressings and even a soup selection.
• Beverage Stations where you can enjoy teas, coffee, fountain drinks and juices.
• Made-to-order requests allow residents to order grilled chicken breasts, cheese quesadillas and grilled cheese sandwiches at any time during lunch and dinner.
• Ice Cream Novelties are available after 11am.

Main Campus Residential – Hillside & Parkside Dining Halls

Parkside and Hillside Dining Hours

Beachside Dining Hours

Transitional Mealtimes
There will be some transitional meal periods whereby the dining hall staff needs to transition from one meal period to another. Therefore, all menu selections will not be available.

Hillside and Parkside
Breakfast: 10 am - 11 am
Lunch: 2:30 pm - 4 pm
Brunch: 1:30 pm - 4 pm

Beachside
Breakfast: 9 am - 11 am
Lunch: 1:30 pm - 5 pm
Brunch: 1:30 pm - 5 pm

Note: Only one dining hall is open on the main campus during University holidays & campus closures.

Green Beach To-Go Program

All residential dining facilities offer a Green To-Go Box and Cup for all students who are short on time or do not wish to eat in the dining hall.

• In order to participate in the program, students MUST enroll each semester into the Green Beach To-Go Program, which may be completed at any residential dining hall using their Beach ID card.
• Green Beach To-Go Tokens will be provided upon registration.  
• Program registration is available during move-in day and may be utilized immediately after registration.

How It Works:

1. Present tokens at any residential dining hall to receive the to-go box and/or cup. Containers may be filled as much as desired, but may not be used to dine-in.
2. When finished, rinse the empty containers and return to the check in cashier at any residential dining hall.  In exchange, tokens for the next visit or clean containers will be provided.
3. Repeat, over and over!

*Prior to the end of each semester, students MUST UNENROLL from the Green Beach To-Go Program.  One week prior to the end of each semester, please return to any residential dining hall with your Beach ID and all tokens and/or containers to close the account.  Any accounts remaining open after the last day of the semester will be charged a fee of $8.00.

Meals To-Go

If you are unable to make it to a meal during serving hours, you may prepare a meal to-go.  The checker will deduct a meal swipe when you use the Green Beach To-Go Box and/or Cup.  Only one Green To-Go Box per meal period is permitted.  If you are using the Green To-Go Box or Cup, you will not be able to stay in the dining hall to eat.

Dining Menu Meal Plans

Our 5-week cycle menu offers a great variety of options and combinations for seven (7) days a week including breakfast, lunch and dinner items on weekdays and brunch and dinner items on weekends and University holidays.  We also offer vegetarian and/or vegan entrees.  In addition to the cycle menus, you will find a list of items that are included in your menu every day.  

10 Meal Plan

This plan allows 10 meals per week at any residential dining facility anytime during the posted hours of each location.  Residence hall students may enter any dining facility once per meal period and eat as much as they want, up to 10 meals per week.  This meal plan is non-transferable, and all unused meals are not refundable.

19 Meal Plan

This plan allows 19 meals per week at any residential dining facility anytime during the posted hours of each location.  Residence hall students may enter any dining facility once per meal period and eat as much as they want up to 19 meals per week.  This meal plan is non-transferable and all unused meals are not refundable.

210 Block Plan

This plan allows 210 meals per semester.  Meal plan information is stored on the Beach ID Card, and residents “swipe” their Beach ID Card every time they enter the dining halls at any residential dining facility anytime during the posted operating hours of each location.  This meal plan is non-transferable and all unused meals are not refundable.  This meal plan allows you to bring in a maximum of three guests per meal period. The meal plan card holder must be present to swipe them in and must accompany them inside the dining hall.  All guests must be present with the Beach ID card holder before swipes are taken.

All Unused Meals Are Not Refundable.

Flex dollars are included with some meal plans and allow students to purchase food at any Beach Shops dining and convenience store locations.  Flex dollars are non-refundable.

Guest Meal Rates

Guests may enter the residential dining areas by paying the guest meal rates.

• Breakfast $10.70
• Lunch $13.00
• Brunch $13.00                                     
• Dinner $14.90

Meal Plan Guidelines

• Regardless of the meal plan chosen, a meal plan holder may bring three (3) guests per semester without any additional cost.
• All meal plans are non-transferable.  You are not allowed to give another person your Campus ID Card to swipe for a meal or gain entrance into the dining hall.
• All Campus ID Cards must have a clear visible picture of the resident accessing the dining hall.  
• Any ID Card that has been defaced, damaged or covered up will not be accepted for entry into the dining hall.
• You must swipe your ID Card or pay each time you come into the dining hall, even if you are not going to eat.
• You are not allowed to stay in the dining hall if you are using the Green Beach To-Go Meal Program. 
• In consideration of dining hall access for all residents, a maximum of four (4) guest meals may be purchased during any one meal period.

Guest Meal Rates

Guests may enter the residential dining areas by paying the guest meal rates.

• Breakfast $10.70
• Lunch $13.00
• Brunch $13.00                                     
• Dinner $14.90

The Commuter Meal Plan allows the student, faculty, or staff to have any 40 meals of their choice. Plan will be effective 5 days after payment due to payment processing. The meal plan may be used anytime during the year and can be repurchased as desired. This option allows more flexibility for students to purchase multiple meals within a meal period. The Commuter Meal Plan is non-transferable and may only be used by the applicant. Sharing this privilege with others will result in termination of the plan without a refund. A Commuter Meal Plan is valid until the participant's Campus ID expires or after one year of inactivity, and is redeemable only at residential dining halls.

Learn more about the Commuter Meal Plan.

Lost or Damaged Campus ID Card

If you lost your Campus ID Card or your Campus ID Card is damaged that the dining hall checker cannot verify your meal plan, you must get a replacement in order to obtain access to the dining halls.  The ID Card Services Office is located inside the University Bookstore.  You may contact the ID Card Services Office (562) 985-7388 if you have any additional questions.

In the event the Campus ID Card Services Office is closed, you will need to obtain a Dining Hall Authorization form from the Housing Service Center.  The Housing Service Center will verify if the student is a resident of the halls.  The authorization form will allow the resident to temporarily access the dining hall for meals until the campus ID Card Services Office is open (for example: on weekends).

If the resident loses his Campus ID Card, the resident must present a pictured government issued ID or picture ID with their name to verify that he lives in the halls.  A Dining Hall Authorization Form may also be obtained from the dining hall supervisor to temporarily gain entry to the dining hall for meals.  This also applies to Campus ID Cards which may be damaged, or the dining hall cannot verify the meal plan.

Each resident is given three (3) occurrences in a semester in which to gain entry into the dining hall without a valid CSULB Campus ID by using the Dining Hall Authorization form.  After the resident has exhausted all three occurrences, the resident will not be allowed to access the dining hall until they can provide a valid working Campus ID card.  If the resident cannot provide a valid working Campus ID card, the resident may purchase a meal by paying guest rate at the door.  If the resident does not want to purchase a meal, the dining hall will provide a sack meal for the resident.

Beach Shops is committed to doing our part in protecting our environment.  While you dine with us, please help us reduce waste by only taking what you can eat and only taking the utensils and napkins that you will use.  We do our part by supporting initiatives that preserve our Earth’s limited resources, and continually researching and trying new products that support our commitment to the environment.

Work right next to where you live and with the hours that work best with your class schedule and lifestyle.  We offer flexible hours in a fun and upbeat environment.  You may qualify for a scholarship or promotion when you work with us.

Apply Online at Jobs@Beach Shops.