When some students walk past the University Club on campus, they wonder: Is it a night club? Is an exclusive members-only area? Is it only for faculty and staff?
The truth is, the University Club is open to all.
The misconception has been around for a while, as reported by the University Times a few years ago.
Even, me, someone who is obsessed with finding good, healthy food, didn’t know about it until my fifth year at Cal State LA.
I used to walk by the restaurant, wondering about it. I generally like fresh, organic, natural and raw foods. At a restaurant, a warm and flavorful meal–with great taste and texture–is what I’m seeking. The kind of meal in which the moment you take the first bite is one to remember. So, in other words, my standards for food are high.
I now say with confidence that the restaurant is definitely a step up from the greasy, fast food offered by some other vendors on campus. I found, overall, that the University Club’s food is of high quality, it’s well-prepared and the presentation is Instagram-worthy.
Outside view of the University Club
The sit-down restaurant offers a variety of pizzas, salads, sandwiches, soups and starters–with prices ranging from as little as $10 for sandwiches and salads to as much as $17 for the ribeye steak plate. Although the hours of operation are limited–11 a.m. to 3 p.m Mondays to Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays–the club still manages to squeeze in a happy hour with discounted items and it even sells cocktails, wine and beer.
Besides the food, the service is stellar and very accommodating, even for those of us pesky vegans who have a lot of questions. My server went back to the kitchen a couple times to get answers.
It’s the only place on campus where you get a real restaurant experience. The tables are covered with linen cloth and a host awaits your entrance at the door. Essentially, the University is great for anything from a business meeting to a date.
I went with a group of friends, who ordered everything from pizza to pasta.
The University Club also provides vegetarian options, including: pasta with veggies, tomato basil soup and a quinoa and kale salad.
One of them, Erika Steele, a Cal State LA alumna who doesn’t eat meat, said it brought back memories:
“It has a very fun vibe and also offers delicious vegan and vegetarian options. I loved going there in between classes,” she said.
Vegetarian options include pasta with veggies, tomato basil soup and a quinoa and kale salad.
