Frequently Asked Questions

• **Biodegradable Single-Use Containers: ** The "Choose to Reuse” recyclable container program at Grand and Reinert is currently on hold in favor of the use of biodegradable single-use containers, in order to maintain the highest possible level of sanitation - unlike the reusable containers, these containers are never reintroduced into the kitchen or dining environment (i.e. not cleaned, since they are not reused), but still allow you the convenience of taking a meal to-go from Grand Hall, to accommodate your busy lifestyle as a campus community member.
• Grand Hall NEW: Elimination of self-serve. In order to expand our sanitation procedures, we have eliminated self-serve at the food stations and beverage machines. This is too ensure our patrons are as safe as possible. Dining Stations are now served-only to prevent accidental self-serve contamination, and beverage stations are replaced by sterile unopened bottles and canned drinks. Gateway Deli has added Halal options.
  

Our award-winning "Simple Servings" station continues to offer new and changing allergen-safe dining options for those with food allergies, gluten intolerance or those who prefer simpler foods. Simple Servings offers lean proteins, vegetables and side dishes free from common allergens: peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, wheat, soy, milk products and eggs. All options are also free from gluten-containing ingredients. Simple Servings staff members are carefully trained and AllerTrain certified to avoid allergen and gluten cross-contact. The dedicated staff members who prepare and serve the food get to know students with dietary restrictions, and work to ensure they are not only safe but socially included in the dining experience.

Should you have further concerns about the menus, or your diet, or just how to eat healthier, we have a dedicated Nutritionist on hand just for you! Ask for Kaley and she will be happy to speak with you or set up an appointment to meet.

• Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh: Garbanzo is back open in the Billiken's Lair. It is a fabulous, simple Mediterranean cuisine using old world, family recipes and unaltered ingredients that make meals stand out in a pure, authentic fashion. Garbanzo is proud to serve Halal meat.
• Special Events: To find out about upcoming special events, holiday celebrations, just-for-fun theme meals, and prizes and sweepstakes; and many other announcements, follow us on social media, @DineSLU on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. What better way to stay connected to your DineSLU and future CaterSLU events!
• Customer engagement and data collection: Throughout the academic year DineSLU will be working with the university community to gather data and feedback to determine future dining services. Please take the time to participate in surveys, polls, focus groups, etc. to help form new and enhanced offerings and make your voices heard

**Meal Plans and Purchasing Additional Flex:**Additional bonus flex can be added by visiting your mySLU Portal. Residents receive a 25% bonus and Apartment/Commuters receive a 10% bonus.

Meal plans for anyone living on campus are included in your room and board rate. Off-campus or commuter meal plans are billed to your student account each semester; you can select the FLEX 300, the FLEX 600, or the FLEX 300 PLUS 5-DAY ALL ACCESS.

Yes, your meal plan auto renews. Meals expire at the end of the semester and flex will carry over from fall to spring but does expire at the end of the spring semester. Bonus flex does not auto renew and does not expire as long as you are a Saint Louis University student or a faculty/staff member.

Changes to your meal plan can be made through the first three weeks of each semester. After that point, the meal plan chosen is your meal plan for the entire semester. First-year students do not have the option to request a meal plan change

Flex dollars come with your meal plan (if applicable) and are used to purchase food at any DineSLU retail location. Unused flex at the end of the fall semester will carry over to the spring semester. Flex expires at the end of the spring semester.

Bonus flex dollars are just like flex dollars, with three exceptions:

1. You buy them in addition to your meal plan.
2. They do not expire at the end of the spring semester.
3. They are eligible for promotional matching bonus dollars that can only be used to purchase food.

Running low on flex dollars? Add bonus flex. Purchase resident bonus flex and receive a 25 percent bonus with any flex dollar purchase in addition to your meal plan. On campus apartments, commuter students, and faculty/staff receive a 10 percent bonus when purchasing bonus flex dollars. Bonus flex dollars do not expire. Visit your mySLU portal to purchase.

Visit your mySLU portal – eAccounts. Here you can track your meal plan, check your flex balance, and view transactions. In Person – Bring your SLU ID to Parking and Card Services in the Wool Center or swipe your SLU ID at any of the four kiosks located on campus to retrieve your card balance. Kiosks are located in Busch Student Center, Pius XII Memorial Library, the Medical Center Library, and in the Vincent C. Immel Law Library. If you ask for a printed receipt, you will find your dollars printed on the bottom. Need more? Just ask, we can help you!

If you run out of meals or flex dollars you can always add more. Additional Flex dollars can be purchased by logging into your mySLU portal.

Meals expire at the end of the semester and flex will carry over from fall to spring but does expire at the end of the spring semester; unused bonus flex does not expire. A portion of unused flex dollars will be donated to help feed the hungry. Sodexo prides itself on giving back to the community and has a program called “Flex to Feed” to help those in need.

Flex dollars can be used at any of the DineSLU locations on campus. This includes Subway, Qdoba, Jamba Juice, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, Mein Bowl, Saint Louis Bread Company, Seasons, Simply to Go, Starbucks, Einstein’s, Marinara by Sodexo, Ameren Café, Union Café, Fresh Gatherings, Reinert, Billiken Club and Grill, and Grand Hall.

Meals can be used at the Grand Hall Dining Hall and Reinert To Go.

Meals can be exchanged at The Billiken Grill, Mein Bowl, Quesera, Subway, Qdoba, and Garbonazo on Monday through Thursday from 5-10pm; and at Fresh Gatherings and Cafe Fresh on South Campus, Monday through Friday from 11am-1pm.

On-campus apartment and commuter students will automatically receive the Flex 300 plan at the start of each semester. They can choose to upgrade their plan to the Flex 600 plan to double their available Flex Dollars, or upgrade to the Flex 300 PLUS 5-DAY ALL ACCESS plan which allows the student to also use Meal Exchanges, and to eat Meals at the state-of-the-art Grand Dining Hall, with their residence hall friends.

Yes. Grand Hall accepts all forms of payments, including credit cards, debit cards, and cash and flex dollars.

Students-on-the-go can make purchases from any of our conveniently located retail locations featuring entrees, freshly made salads, sandwiches, snacks, sides and more. In addition, guests in Grand Hall can “Choose to Reuse;” a reusable container program designed to let students take a meal to go. This program is designed to reduce waste by replacing single-use disposable food and beverage containers with reusable containers while accommodating the busy lifestyles of the campus community.

Yes. You can view menus online via the Everyday app or by visiting the SLU Dining website: dineslu.com

Grand Hall will feature an exciting new menu offering old favorites along with exciting new selections. Sodexo’s dining program is dedicated to accommodating customers who have food allergies or other special dietary needs with a variety of safe, healthy and delicious options to please every palate. Our award-winning Simple Servings station located in Grand Hall offers an allergen-safe dining option for those with food allergies, gluten intolerance or those who prefer simpler foods. Simple Servings offers lean proteins, vegetables and side dishes free from common allergens: peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, wheat, soy, milk products and eggs. All options are also free from gluten-containing ingredients. Simple Servings staff members are carefully trained to avoid allergen and gluten cross-contact. The dedicated staff members who prepare and serve the food get to know students with dietary restrictions, and work to ensure they are not only safe but socially included in the dining experience.

We offer many healthy selections including vegetarian and gluten-free options. If you are uncertain about what we offer or have specific dietary needs talk to a manager or to our nutritionist Richelle by scheduling a consultation at nutrition@SLU.edu

We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Please contact our office at 314-977-2887 or cell 314-365-3453 or e-mail: marianne.rogers@sodexo.com

For more information visit the Saint Louis University Meal Plan Website.