University of California, Irvine
“UCI has two dining halls on campus which have a variety of stations and dishes that change every meal. All stations have an electronic board above the station with the names of each dish, whether it is gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian. It also indicates whether there are any of the top 9 allergens in the dish or pork (for those who cannot eat pork). There is also a top 9 allergen-free station at one of the dining halls. The chefs at the dining halls are approachable and happy to answer questions about cooking processes for allergens as well as ingredients. There are also a number of on-campus restaurants and convenience stores, along with a town center that has grocery stores and boba shops and places to eat. In student housing, residents have access to a kitchen for each floor/building. Residents are also required to fill out a roommate agreement, on which there are questions about allergies and each resident advisor meets with residents to review their agreement and encourage there to be a plan for managing allergies. There is also a 24-hour emergency line that can connect residents to resources and medical services if they are needed.”
Breakfast Republic
“The waitstaff was accommodating and understanding when I said I had a shellfish allergy. They said they could prepare it separately, and when asked to remove walnuts from a dish, they also asked whether it was a preference or allergy. The food is also delicious!”
Jamba Juice
“The on-campus Jamba Juice it is great for smoothies, snacks, and fruit bowls. When you order a smoothie and ask for it to not include one of its ingredients, (example: without bananas) the staff typically asks whether it is a preference or allergy. They also indicate whether each item has one of the top 9 allergens. I also recommend checking their online website for a full list of ingredients. This is a delicious and great place to eat, with kind and helpful staff members.”
Cha For Tea
“This is a wonderful boba shop that has a great variety of drinks and also some plates of dishes. I really like their taro milk tea and crispy chicken. The menu does indicate which items have any of the top 9 allergens. It does seem like different blenders are likely used for each drink just from observing, but do double-check.”
In-N-Out
“This is a great place for a hamburger and the staff are very accommodating and kind when it comes to removing items from a burger or making changes.”
Brandywine Commons
“This is a buffet-style place to eat that has a dedicated top 9 allergen-free station, and every station has a list of the food items available, whether they are vegan or vegetarian, and also indicates if there are any of the top 9 allergens in a food item. Do be careful and ask about cross-contact.”
