An Allergen-Friendly Destination
At SDSU, we prepare all food with the highest standards of care and cleanliness. However, please be aware that cross-contact may occur, as many of our vendors are third-party and independently operated. We advise individuals with food sensitivities or allergies to please be mindful when enjoying our offerings.
While we strive to minimize cross-contact, please note that certain foods from Aztec Markets, UTK, The Garden Restaurant, and our third-party vendors are considered gluten- and dairy-friendly, not gluten- and dairy-free. Students with food allergies or celiac disease are encouraged to meet with the Aztec Shops Dining and Hospitality Registered Dietitian Amanda Nazario (aashbynazario@sdsu.edu) for additional information and support.
Aztec Aware Menu
Regardless of dietary restrictions, all students will be provided access to the Aztec Aware Menu. This menu of alternative meal options features customizable fresh meals, available year-round, made to order, that can fit all unique dietary needs. The Aztec Aware Menu contains a variety of food options meant to meet the needs of most students at SDSU, who have a wide and varying range of dietary restrictions. Click the PDF listed to view the Aztec Aware Menu: Aztec Aware Menu.pdf.
What to Do in an Emergency
While our team takes every precaution to prevent cross-contact and ensure accurate food labeling, it's important to be prepared for any situation that may arise. Being informed about what to do in an emergency will help ensure your safety. Please be aware that we do not carry epinephrine on site. We strongly recommend that students with epinephrine or other allergy medications keep their medications with them at all times, regardless of where they are dining, and check that their medications have not expired. In case of an emergency, our staff will contact 911.
Fostering Self-Advocacy & Safety
Moving away from home to attend college is an exciting yet sometimes overwhelming experience, marking students' first steps toward independence and adulthood. This transition can be especially challenging for students and parents, particularly if the student has a food allergy. When parents or guardians communicate with our Dining team on behalf of an SDSU student, we respond with the utmost care and concern. To ensure student-centered care, we prioritize direct and open communication with the student, which helps them develop self-advocacy skills while allowing us to meet their needs effectively. We are also mindful of FERPA regulations and can only share general information unless we have a release from the student. We strongly encourage parents to support their student in reaching out on their own, promoting their safety and success at San Diego State University.
Menu Tags & Symbols
Menu tags are a great way to select options that align with your dietary preferences and allergies while on the meal plan. Each item at UTK and the Aztec Markets will be labeled with symbols that provide important dietary information. You can find more nutrition, ingredient, and allergen details here.
Menu symbols on these tags include:
Contains Pork
Contains Shellfish
Contains Fish
Contains Egg
Contains Dairy
Contains Soy (either soy protein or soybean oil)
Contains Tree Nut
Contains Wheat
Contains Sesame
Vegan (contains no animal or animal-based products)
Vegetarian (may contain egg and/or dairy)
We Are Hungry for Your Feedback!
If you have suggestions or feedback regarding your dining experience at SDSU, please email aashbynazario@sdsu.edu. We welcome your ideas and insights to enhance our dining services!