DINING SERVICES

Nutrition, satisfaction, and convenience are all top priorities of the unparalleled dining experience at Mercyhurst Dining facilities. Guests can enjoy diverse menus, including from-scratch cooking and fresh, locally sourced foods, and coupled with our friendly service, dining at Mercyhurst is truly more than just a meal. Our Laker students and community value quality, variety, and hospitality, and we offer it all in a meal plan that makes sense. Freshman and sophomores are required to have the Laker Unlimited Plan, which gives them anytime access to Grotto Commons and the 501 Grille. Junior and seniors have the choice of the Hurst Unlimited Plan (anytime access), the Green Plan (225 meals per semester), or the Blue Plan (150 meals per semester). Meal plan rates for the current academic year can be found on our Campus Housing and Meal Plans webpage.

Modern On-Campus Dining Experience

Mercyhurst Dining has continued to invest in improving campus dining offerings, so Lakers can get the most out of their meal experiences. These improvements include flexible order-ahead and grab-and-go options, and greater variety in offerings. Based on student feedback, we’ve revamped menus to serve more of the foods students want, including more healthy options. Lakers are always on the go, and sometimes schedules limit their availability at traditional meal times. Our flexible venue schedules mean students can access the full complement of dining options and time-appropriate breakfast/lunch/dinner menus.

As students progress with their Mercyhurst education, their Residence Life and Dining experience grows with them. Non-unlimited meal plans are available for juniors and seniors, as well as flexible options that make use of their growing independence and the kitchen and food prep areas in campus residences. These options include a weekly pantry box, with student-favorite staples to stock the fridge and cupboards in their campus residence, or a convenient meal prep kit, with ingredients so students can prepare and cook a delicious meal with enough food for them and up to two friends or roommates. 

Under this program, on-campus dining venues can become a kitchen, a coffee bar, a study group meetup spot, and a late-night hangout. No more deciding whether it’s worth it to grab a coffee — stop by anytime for a full meal, a quick snack to go, a morning pick-me-up, or a late-night snack!

Primary Campus Dining Venues

Grotto Commons Dining Hall

Grotto Commons is an all-you-care-to-eat dining facility. Grotto Commons is our largest food facility on campus, and is located in Egan Hall. Grotto Commons has seven food stations, including: the Daily Dish, the main serving line filled with a variety of comfort foods; the Oven, which serves hand-tossed, homemade pizza baked in our stone oven; Bravissimo, our chef-run station that prepares restaurant-style dishes right before your eyes; the Grill station, which has hand-pressed burgers and fresh-cut fries daily, along with a rotation of several different menu items; the Deli, offering a variety of freshly sliced meats and cheeses that you can get pressed; the Salad Bar, with more than 70 items prepared fresh each day; and the Clean Plate, which caters to guests with allergies and food sensitivities. Equipped with its own certified kitchen, the Clean Plate offers a diverse menu with items that are free of seven major allergens. Accepts cash, meal plans, Dining Dollars, Bonus Bucks, and credit cards.

Hours of Operation 

• Monday through Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Friday through Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

501 Grille

The 501 Grille is our all-you-care-to-eat location in Ryan Hall. The 501 Grille serves restaurant-style dishes prepared in our European kitchen. A smoker, rotisserie, authentic wok, grills, and a fryer create the base for our menu selection, with five service points surrounding the equipment allowing for Asian-inspired dishes, smoked wings, pasta, or burgers. Enjoy the salad bar with two daily soups, as well as a full dessert bar featuring Perry’s ice cream. Accepts cash, meal plans, Dining Dollars, Bonus Bucks, and credit cards.

• Firehouse Grille: American grilled classics with a concept of smokin’ hot rubs and fire sauces.
• Slo Smok BBQ: A variety of slow-smoked food including brisket, pulled meats, chicken, pork, slow-smoked sauces, and sides including baked beans, mac salad, corn bread and more!
• Billy’s Coop House: Fried or grilled chicken options for lunch and dinner.
• Hello Bistro: Fresh made salads and dressings. 
• Corner Mercantile: Hand-crafted sandwiches with big flavors.
• Leaf & Grain: A crafted bowl concept with a mix of greens, grains, and proteins.
• Pastasciutta: Fresh pasta with signature sauces.
• Hot Tomato Pizza: Neighborhood favorite pizzas.
• Cinco Cantina: A variety of taco bowls, quesadillas, chips, cheese, and more.  

Hours of Operation

• Weekdays, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Other Services

Hello Hurst Meal Kit

Be your own chef. Each Hello Hurst Meal Kit contains two servings of ingredients ready to be prepared by you at home! Order through the GET app, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and our chefs will prepare your customized Hello Hurst Meal Kit to be picked up that day at The Roost until closing time. Juniors may order one kit per week using the Erie Anytime Meal Plan through the GET app. All others may purchase the kit using the GET app with payments of credit card, Dining Dollars, and Bonus Bucks. 

Anchor Bag

No time to get to a local grocery store? Let us take the stress out of shopping for you! Choose from more than 100 items in our Anchor Bag shopping cart. From fresh whole fruit to snacks and toiletries, you will have access to all of your grocery needs without ever leaving campus. This option is for juniors with the Erie Anytime Meal Plan and can be ordered through the GET app.