If you are a hungry student looking to grab a bite to eat at the Griffin Center before class this semester, you may be surprised to find that the Griffin Grill is no longer there. Large deficits from running the grill since its opening in November 2023 led the college to part with the vendor, Genuine Foods, in search of cheaper, more accessible food options for students.
According to Grossmont Interim President Dr. Pamela Luster, the vendor had struggled to keep up with labor and food costs, even trying to offset its losses by offering catering services. Though there were plenty of hungry students on campus, the volume wasn’t enough to keep the grill in business.
Luster said the school had to shell out as much as $150,000 some semesters to subsidize operating costs and keep the grill on campus. Meeting over the summer made it clear that there was no way to continue the vendor’s contract with the school.
“I couldn’t keep throwing money at something that was running us a deficit.” Luster said. “You could take that $150,000 and feed everybody.”
To compensate for the loss of a dedicated eatery, Luster and campus leaders have hired food trucks to serve on campus. Currently, trucks are on campus Tuesday through Thursday, but Luster said this could change as the school evaluates the days with the most student traffic.
The food truck service, run by Curbside Bites, features a wide range of vendor options from burgers and hot dogs to sushi and Caribbean food.
The vendors are on a rotating schedule visible at curbsidebites.com/grossmont-college. The website can also be accessed through Grossmont’s website and displays the vendors for each day they are on campus.
Another option available to students this semester in the Farmer’s Fridge vending machines, which serves wraps, sandwiches and other fresh food. Luster said not only are the food options cheaper than the food trucks, but free food from the machines is also available to qualifying students through Gizmo’s Kitchen.
Perhaps the biggest news for food accessibility going into the semester is the revival of the Java Market. the new Griffin Grind will be operated by Lemon Grove Coffee, offering food and drink options from its established menu.
Though new vendors on campus may provide food to students who can afford it, other students may be left with limited options, especially those who relied on meal vouchers to obtain food at the Griffin Grill.
Luster said she hopes to expanded Gizmo’s Kitchen, which is replacing the Griffin Grill, will accommodate students with varying needs without making them rely on a vendor that might charge higher prices than some fast-food restaurants.
Gizmo’s Kitchen provides food, clothing and other basic necessities to Grossmont students. Previously located in a small room on the second floor of the Griffin Center, Luster said relocation to the former grill spot will provide facilities and space necessary for additional services, including more items for students.
There are also plans to use the expanded Gizmo’s Kitchen to include more affordable meal options. Luster said the college is looking to partner with Everytable, a food vendor known for its scratch-made and health-conscious meals.
Luster said “the dream” is to have Everytable set up a storefront in the Griffin Grill and allow students with EBT to use their credit to buy food for themselves and their families.
“It’s a ways away, likely, but now that we’re in that space, the capacity issue is gone,” she said.
ASGC President Lu Tri “Vi” Huynh has been working closely with Luster to advocate for students’ needs during this transitional period. Having been involved with Gizmo’s Kitchen and providing students with basic needs, he said dialogue has been vital to helping students understand the benefits of the change.
In response to criticism about the loss of the grill, Huynh said, “We’re gonna make your food free, actually free, and we’re gonna try and find some replacements.”
While the new Gizmo’s Kitchen has already benefited many, some students are less than thrilled about the “replacements.”
One student, Ahmed Abdelrahmam, who frequented, the former Griffin Grill, said: “I really did enjoy that. It’s kind of sad that it’s gone.”
He said his main grievances are the lack of old food options he was familiar with and the price of the food trucks that replaced them.
“Fifteen bucks for a meal,” Abdelrahmam said. ” I mean, it makes sense, but alos, I think people don’t want to pay $15 every day for a hot meal.”
Despite some student frustration, Luster said the current strategy is to evaluate as many options as possible and use feedback to determine the most effective way to serve them.
“We’re going to keep seeing how people like it…or don’t like, and, you know, do our best,” she said.
