The 5 Must-Try Culinary Stations At UC Merced's Pavilion: A 2025 Deep Dive Into The Latest Menu & Prices
Planning your meals at the University of California, Merced, for the 2025-2026 academic year? The Pavilion Dining Center, often simply called "The Pav," remains the central hub for an all-you-care-to-eat experience, offering a diverse array of global and American cuisine. As of today, December 24, 2025, the facility continues its mission to provide fresh, nutritious, and affordable meals, with new student feedback suggesting an improvement in overall quality and variety compared to previous years, making it a key destination for students, faculty, and campus visitors alike.
The Pavilion, which was a centerpiece of the Merced 2020 Project's first phase, is more than just a dining hall; it’s a modern culinary destination designed to bring the campus community together. This guide breaks down the five core meal stations, the latest door prices for non-meal plan holders, and everything you need to know about dining at UC Merced's primary eatery.
The Five Global Culinary Stations at The Pavilion
The Pavilion’s strength lies in its concept of five distinct, permanent culinary stations, ensuring that students never have to eat the same thing twice in a row. Each station focuses on a specific cuisine, offering a rotating menu of fresh, chef-prepared items.
- Cascabel (Latin Cuisine): This station is your go-to for vibrant Latin-inspired dishes. Students often find classic Mexican fare like tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and fresh salsa, offering a spicy and flavorful break from the norm.
- Ciao (European Cuisine): Focused on Italian and general European flavors, Ciao delivers comfort food classics. Expect pasta dishes, fresh-baked pizzas, and other European staples that rotate seasonally.
- Lake Wok (Asian Cuisine): Catering to the demand for Asian flavors, Lake Wok specializes in stir-fries, noodle dishes, and other Asian-influenced meals. This is a popular station for customizable bowls and fresh ingredients.
- Rufus Grill (American Cuisine): The classic American grill station, Rufus Grill, offers staple dishes like burgers, grilled chicken, fries, and other comfort foods. It’s known for providing both meat and veggie options on the grill.
- Field of Greens (Local Farm Fresh Greens): Essential for a healthy diet, this station is the Pavilion's extensive salad and soup bar. It emphasizes local, farm-fresh ingredients, allowing students to build custom salads with a wide variety of toppings and dressings.
Dietary Needs and Nutritional Transparency
UC Merced Dining Services places a high priority on catering to all dietary restrictions. The Pavilion is well-equipped to handle various needs, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, which are clearly labeled throughout the stations. Students with severe allergies or specific requirements are encouraged to speak directly with the skilled staff or Executive Chef on duty.
2025-2026 Pavilion Dining Center Hours and Pricing
Understanding the hours and pricing is crucial for both residential students on a meal plan and campus guests. The Pavilion operates on a consistent schedule during the Fall 2025 semester, offering three distinct meal periods on weekdays.
Current Fall 2025 Operating Hours (Subject to Change)
- Monday - Friday:
- Breakfast: 7:00 am – 10:30 am
- Lunch: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Dinner: 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Saturday & Sunday:
- Brunch: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Dinner: 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Single-Entry Door Prices for Non-Meal Plan Holders (2025-2026)
For students without a residential meal plan, faculty, staff, or visitors, the Pavilion offers an affordable entry price for the all-you-care-to-eat experience. These prices are competitive for a university dining hall environment.
- Breakfast: $11.95
- Lunch: $12.88
- Dinner: $13.95
Payment at the door can be made using Cat Dollars, credit cards, or debit cards, offering flexibility for everyone on campus.
Comparing The Pavilion with Yablokoff-Wallace Dining Center (YWDC)
UC Merced’s dining ecosystem includes two main all-you-care-to-eat facilities: The Pavilion and the Yablokoff-Wallace Dining Center (YWDC). While both accept the same residential and non-residential meal plans, they serve different areas of the campus and offer slightly different atmospheres.
The Pavilion, being the newer and larger facility (with a 600-seat capacity), often serves as the main hub for the campus community and is known for its five distinct culinary stations. YWDC provides a complementary dining experience, ensuring that students in different residential areas have easy access to quality food. Students frequently debate which dining hall is superior, but having both options ensures variety and reduced wait times, especially during peak hours.
Beyond the Dining Hall: Other UC Merced Dining Entities
For those looking for options outside of the all-you-care-to-eat format, UC Merced Dining Services operates several other retail locations where students can use Cat Dollars or Meal Exchange options:
- Lantern Cafe: A popular spot for coffee, snacks, and quick grab-and-go items.
- Bobcat Snack Stop: Ideal for quick convenience store-style purchases.
- Fork In The Road (Mobile Concessions): Provides flexible, on-the-go food options across campus.
- Summits: Another retail location offering quick meals and snacks.
Student Insights: What’s Hot and What’s Not in 2025
Recent student discussions reveal a mixed but generally improving view of the Pavilion's offerings. While some students in the past have voiced concerns about food quality, more recent feedback indicates that the dining services team, led by Executive Chef Mitch Vanagten, has made significant efforts to enhance both the taste and nutritional value of the meals.
The customizable options at stations like Lake Wok and Field of Greens are consistently praised, giving students control over their meals. The variety provided by the five distinct stations is seen as a major advantage over traditional single-buffet dining halls. The availability of diverse cultural meals, such as special events like the Persian New Year Nowruz Lunch, highlights the Pavilion's commitment to culinary diversity and student appreciation.
For the best experience, students recommend visiting the Pavilion during off-peak hours (mid-lunch or early dinner) to avoid lines and ensure the freshest food from the rotating menu. Always check the official UC Merced Dining Services website for the specific weekly menu to see the day's offerings before you go.
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