The Lory Student Center has a food court that feeds thousands of students and staff every day, but what some people don’t know is that upstairs and down the hall is a one-of-a-kind student-run restaurant.
The Aspen Grille is now open for the semester, offering students and staff tasty lunches in the heart of campus. The restaurant is open every week Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Take a peek at their menu for this semester or make a reservation to dine at this upscale, high-quality restaurant with reasonable prices.
Special menu with El Centro
The Aspen Grille has special events throughout the semester for limited-time dishes and discounts. The staff members of Aspen Grille are currently in the process of planning a special for Thursday, Oct. 18 and Friday, Oct. 19. They’ve developed a three course meal with the help of El Centro. The meal will be $13 and include one non-alcoholic beverage. For the first course, guests will enjoy Fideo, which is a Vermicelli noodle soup topped with cotija cheese. This will be followed by a choice of two entrees: slow-cooked Yucatan style Pibil Pork with a side of rice and beans, or Calabacitas with a side of rice and beans. Diners will finish with Dulce de Leche Flan for dessert. Reservations are recommended.
What is the Aspen Grille?
The Aspen Grille serves fresh, local, American bistro cuisine with an updated menu each semester that features seasonal produce. The restaurant also keeps fan favorites such as the Ramburger, BLTA and Cobb Salad on the menu year-round, and is a member of the U.S. nonprofit Green Restaurant Association that provides certification for restaurants to become more environmentally responsible.
The Aspen Grille serves as a hands-on student laboratory for the Hospitality Management program, while providing an exceptional dining option to the campus and community. Students who work in the Aspen Grille are usually part of the HM program, although the class is open to any major. The program strives to provide students with experience in food and lodging operations, and the hospitality management major uses food service coursework from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition.
How do I get there?
The Aspen Grille is located on the top floor of the LSC, through the University Club, in room 388. Seating is limited, so making a reservation is recommended, especially when Aspen Grille is serving a special. For same-day reservations, call the Aspen Grille from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at (970) 491-7006. Walk-ins are also welcome.
The Hospitality Management Program is in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
