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-operated 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.
What is the Aspen Grille?
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 seeks 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.
What food does it serve?
The Aspen Grille serves fresh, local, American bistro cuisine with a new 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.
The Aspen Grille is a member of the Green Restaurant Association, which is a U.S. nonprofit organization that provides certification for restaurants to become more environmentally responsible. The Aspen Grille proudly supports locally made products from Hazel Dell Mushrooms, Jumping Good Goat Cheese, Bay State Milling Flour, Bee Squared Honey, The Welsh Rabbit, Seattle Fish Company, Aspen Bakery, Haugen’s Mountain Grown Lamb, Tenderbelly pork products, and socially conscious coffee roasted by Colorado State University alumnus-owned company Cafe Richesse.
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. 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.
Aspen Grille specials
The Aspen Grille has special events throughout the semester for limited-time dishes and discounts. A special Duck Prosciutto Banh Mi sandwich was served on Oct. 5 and Oct. 6. The staff members of Aspen Grille are also in the process of planning a special to honor Native American Heritage month, and will be serving those dishes on Wednesday, Nov. 8 and Thursday, Nov. 9.
The Hospitality Management program is in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
