Food Services - Providing Patient & Guest Meals

Food Services manages all cafeteria, catering and patient meal services, offering a range of healthful, nutritious foods for patients, families, visitors and medical center staff members.

Executive chef Adam Gilley trained at the Culinary Institute of America and has cooked in a number of prominent restaurants. He is constantly developing new menus and dishes to offer a wide selection of meal options in all of our venues.

In addition, all of our menu items are reviewed by registered dietitians, who adapt many recipes for special dietary needs such as low sodium or low fat content.

Patient Meals

Food and Nutrition Services provide patient meals, guest meals and
nutritional counseling.

UC San Diego Medical Center

• Breakfast: 7 a.m. – 9 a.m.
• Lunch: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Dinner: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Thornton Hospital and Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center

• Breakfast: 7 a.m. – 9 a.m.
• Lunch: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Dinner: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Guest Meals

Family and friends may order guest meals to eat with patients in their rooms. Guest meals are available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and are served with the patient’s tray. To order, please call one of the following numbers before 7 a.m. for breakfast, 11 a.m. for lunch and 4 p.m. for dinner:

• UC San Diego Medical Center: 619-543-3420
• UC San Diego Thornton Hospital: 858-657-7007

Payment for guest meals is accepted in cash only and will be collected by food service personnel before the meal. Breakfast is $5, and lunch or dinner are $6.50.

Café Services

Visitors are welcome to dine in our cafés, located on the first floor. Our
cafés are open continuously from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., with peak service
times as follows:
Arbor Café in UC San Diego Medical Center

• Breakfast: 6:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
• Lunch: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Dinner: 4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Late Night Service: 11 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Thornton Hospital and Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center

• Breakfast: 6:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
• Lunch: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Dinner: 4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Late Night Service: Not Available

Vending Machines

Food and drink vending machines are located next to the cafés and
are open 24 hours a day. Drinks, ice cream, snacks, sandwiches and
microwave meals are available.