Any Celiacs/gluten intolerant students at Loyola Marymount that can vouch for their gluten free options and dining experience? I heard that they use Sodexo for dining services, which I hear is trained in preventing cross contamination, and I’ve seen LMU listed on several websites as a top school for gluten free students, but I wanted to know what actually students think about it. As a possible incoming freshman, I need to know this before I make my final decision.
My daughter is a current sophomore, and last year she did not have a good experience with the food. There were very little GF options for her. That being said, there was a huge issue with someone getting sick from the food last year and they have supposedly totally revamped the menu and they may have even changed the food services company. She is currently studying abroad so I wish I could give you more details but she’s not there. I would call and speak to someone and ask specific questions about the GF menu to be sure you will have enough options.
@marg928 that’s really sad to hear. We’ve only ever heard good things about their gf options and that is one of the reasons my D planned to apply there next year. It seems crazy to list food as a factor in where to apply, but it’s really important to her that she be able to safely eat on campus and not worry about meals all the time. Thank you for sharing!
Hi! I agree that the food, including gluten free options, looked great “on paper” like on the website and the dining flyer that we got at orientation. My GF daughter’s experience was also less positive in practice. She is not overly sensitive, so I cannot tell you if there were ever any cross contamination issues. Her issues were more with variety of options. There is gluten free bread available, and new this year, zucchini noodles which as been a nice addition. They also made some changes to breakfast this year which made it more a la carte which is a good thing if you don’t want all the bread. From my visits, I feel like at the Lair (the main dining hall itself) there are a lot of options, from the made-for-you salad station to the veggie/rice bowl station to the grill. But my daughter felt like her options weren’t great. Sometimes I wondered if the problem lied more in my daughter not wanting to ask about for special options that weren’t on the menu, or just being in a rut, or just being bored with eating in the same place every time. So I wonder if the downside lies more in that there is really only one food court (there is a diner, but I’m not even sure if it is open right now I think it’s being turned into a subway or something) and it just gets old after a while.
The dining services people were always very responsive and helpful when I emailed, but the next step would have been for my daughter to contact them with questions or suggestions, and she never did.
I will say that the bakery is able to make a gluten free birthday cake if you order ahead!