What’s New at Campus Dining in Fall 2025?

As students, faculty and staff are welcomed back to campus for the fall semester, Campus Dining is celebrating upgrades at several of its retail locations and introducing a new, health-forward station at Ernie Davis, responding to student feedback about dietary needs and preferences and fresh and clean ingredient choices.

Zest, A Protein-Forward Dining Station, Debuts at Ernie Davis Dining Center

With a menu developed by corporate executive chef Rick Leonardo and assistant director of nutrition management Ashley Leone, Zest will offer meals rich in high-quality proteins, wholesome grains and fresh vegetables, carefully curated to provide sustained energy throughout the day. The station was rolled out on Aug. 25 and will expand throughout the semester to offer a broader range of options.

Leone is quick to emphasize that while animal proteins will be available at station, Zest is really about plant-forward proteins.

Guided by the philosophy “Fuel Well, Feel Well,” Zest will offer a rotating menu of healthy, flavorful dishes designed to nourish students in both body and mind. Every dish is made without gluten-containing ingredients. All gluten-free food is prepared using dedicated equipment and utensils, and the potential for cross-contact is minimized as much as possible.

“I hear from students all the time—they’re looking for fresh, healthy ingredients, and they are increasingly paying attention to the amount of protein in their food,” says Leone. “Zest is our response to changing food trends and student feedback, and we hope students enjoy the new recipes available at the station.”

Upgrades and Changes at Campus Cafes and Goldstein Food Hall

Several campus cafes have significantly upgraded their menu offerings. Slocum Café, located on the ground floor of Slocum Hall, now offers a full line of Boar’s Head products, including sandwiches, flatbreads and breakfast options. Otto’s Juice Box—with locations at Goldstein Food Hall, the Life Sciences Café and at the Barnes Center at The Arch—has introduced three new smoothies, again focused on offering fresh, healthy ingredients for students looking to refuel quickly between classes.

Neporent Café in Dineen Hall is now offering a full We Proudly Serve Starbucks menu, joining The Canteen in the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building and the Goldstein Café and Bakery in the Goldstein Food Hall on South Campus. In addition to everyday favorites, the café will now offer a full line of seasonal beverages, Starbucks Refreshers, Frappuccinos and Nitro Cold Brew.

Visitors to Goldstein Food Hall will notice a change to their dinner options. The space where the old Tomato Wheel was located has become the campus’s second Tavola 44 location, following the successful launch of the concept in the Schine Student Center last fall. The hand-crafted pizzas are all 9.5-inch personal pies, which can be loaded with toppings of your choice.

’CUSE Cash Expands to Brooklyn Pickle on the Run

The newest off-campus restaurant to accept ’CUSE Cash is the much-beloved local sandwich shop, Brooklyn Pickle on the Run, which opened on Marshall Street in late August. It’s the restaurant’s fourth location in the Syracuse area.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to stop in, use their ’CUSE Cash, and enjoy the shop’s legendary overstuffed sandwiches, soups, salads and—of course—their pickles.

Establishing a ’CUSE Cash account is an easy and convenient way to pay at almost every point of sale on campus (and some off-campus locations). A ’CUSE Cash account can be established by any member of the University community, including faculty and staff. The funds are loaded via the GET app or website and are used via the Syracuse University I.D. card.

Visit the participating locations page on the Housing, Meal Plan and I.D. Card Services website for the most up-to-date list of locations that accept ’CUSE Cash.

Coca-Cola Products Now Available Across Campus

The biggest, boldest change on campus this summer? Probably the bright red trucks delivering Coca-Cola to every dining facility. As the University announced earlier this month, The Coca-Cola Company is now the official non-alcoholic beverage partner of the University and Syracuse University Athletics.

Coca-Cola products are now available at every Campus Dining location, including dining centers, retail cafes, convenience stores, Bistro 1926 at Drumlins Country Club and concessions stands at the JMA Wireless Dome. Members of the campus community should keep their eyes out for tastings, sales and giveaways sponsored by Coke throughout the year, as the partnership takes root across campus.