University Center

I think this is a great spot for college students and people in the area. They literally have a little but of everything to offer, no matter what you’re feeling. If I’m driving by, this is the place I’ll stop into. It’s very quiet in the mornings, but once noon hits, all the college students come flossing in. There’s also an in n out just right next to the area. Parking gets really crazy around noon, so just plan accordingly!

Huge improvement over what it was years ago — sadly, Lee’s Sandwiches is gone… I didn’t care much for their food — but their iced coffee was awesome for Finals week… and their massive seating area was great considering the amount of students in the area.
The issue I have with UTC is that sometimes there are serious parking beasts roaming the area (I had another word in mine, but it’s less friendly). They literally watch you walk from your car to whichever restaurant you’re going to. Yes, I get that there are students that will park here in the lot and cross the road over to UCI — taking up valuable parking space that’s otherwise for the use of the center’s customers — but you don’t want to watch everyone like a hawk and potentially leave center customers a bad taste.
After I left In n out, I spotted the parking beast lady and waved my receipt at her wildly. Just returning her psycho hawk gesture/​demeanor.

This would be a great place to have non chains, something special from independent owners, for the students… Irvine Company instead jacks up the rent since it is next to UCI and sets business requirements that encourage chains to move in. The parking is absolutely horrendous, but that affects the non-​students more. It is very popular…

This is a popular lunch spot. There’s a ton of great food options here: Slapfish, Chipotle, In and Out, Yogurtland, Le Diplomat. They have a diverse selection of food ranging from lobster rolls to yogurt to Japanese to shave ice. You’re bound to find something to eat.
There’s outdoor tables which is cool for meetings or taking a break. They even have a Trader Joes here. I wish we had eating options like this on our college campus (University of Hawaiiat Manoa).
One drawback is parking. Parking can be challenging at prime times like on the weekends and at lunch time.

University Center is a popular lunch spot in the heart of Irvine.
Likes: Diverse selections of cheap yummy food. Convenient location next to UCI and near many Irvine businesses.
Dislikes: Crowded parking and unsafe drivers. Please come before 11:30 to avoid long wait.

One of my favorite places in OC for a relaxed evening — eat at Veggie Grill or Tender Greens, boba at Cha For Tea and relax (play backgammon) at a table by the fountain, catch a movie at the theater.

Every time I come to this center (mostly in search of pizza, hello Blaze), I am blown away by how much awesome stuff is in here. The students at UCI and University High are lucky to have so many awesome, affordable eateries so close. There’s In ‘n Out, Blaze Pizza, Chipotle, Yogurtland, Cha for Tea, Tender Greens, Nekter, Chick-​fil-​A, etc. There’s also errands kind of places — Trader Joes, dance studio, etc. There’s lots of parking, you might just have to circle a bit or walk. There’s also outdoor seating for group meetings or homework, with quite a few outlets.
Overall, excellent center booming with business, with enough choice to please everyone. Great for local workers and students.

This place is awesome. They have valet parking that is complimentary. Many places to eat and close enough to work to be in and out for lunch without a problem. I will definitely make this a Tuesday or Friday stop.

I love this plaza. It’s near my work and this place just has so much stores to offer. They have a Trader Joes, Independent Movie Theater, Gastropubs, Yogurts & Ice Cream Sandwiches, Foods like: Korean, Japanese, Sandwiches, Mediterranean, Lobster Rolls, Pizza, Shaved Ice and so much more. They also have a Tea House, Candy Shop, Dance Studio and etc.
If you have indecisive friends who can’t decide on what they want to eat. Take them here and then we can all go our seprate ways and meet back up and eat together in the many tables outside. Love this place!

The UTC has definitely stepped its game up since I was a freshman here at UCI. Going into my Senior Year as an ‘Eater, I have been a frequent visitor to this plaza and while I do miss Lee’s Sandwiches for the cheap but filling banh mis and Vietnamese coffee… I can’t complain about all the options within walking distance from the campus.
Yes, parking IS a struggle during peak hours and you’re going to have to be vulture and circle around to find a spot, but this just doesn’t surprise me. There’s so many lunch options and you’re near 1) a university and other public schools in close proximity to the UTC and 2) so many businesses, so many. Also, park at your own risk if you’re trying to be all sneaky sneaky and you’re a UCI student that doesn’t have a parking permit best of luck to you. There’s also valet now here too… which I think is pointless but I mean whatever floats your boat.
There’s also plenty of seating available. Chairs and tables as well as on the edges around the trees and benches. It can get packed and hard to find a seat sometimes too, but that’s with any place. Also, not sure if they turn them on still but near the bridge leading to the UCI Campus there’s these bougie lights on the ground. Interesting, cool, but also in my opinion — unnecessary.
OKAY. But in terms of choices! The UTC has got you covered. Yeah, you might have to wait a little while cause this is a big lunch spot for business folk and students alike, but patience is a virtue! There’s pizza options, ramen, milk tea places, Korean barbecue, Japanese, froyo, healthy cafeteria style foods, etc. There’s bound to be something here for you to munch on!

As previous posters said, parking can be a challenge. I have always been able to find a spot though. My biggest complain is: No water fountains! Some restaurants may give free cup of water, TJ sells cheap water bottles. I still wish there were more water fountains and more bicycle racks. There’s free WiFi, tables, chairs, benches, lawn, variety of food and snack options including ice cream shops. My son likes comic book store. Good place to hang out while waiting for your kid to finish class.

One star bc parking’s a bitch here. I see lot of UCI students parking here and I never see any enforcement or anyone getting towed for that matter. I go to the gym here, but they probably don’t like me since I’m not spending money at the plaza. I’ve seen lot of road rage and fights over parking spaces. if you have lot of time on your hands to circle around the lots looking for parking, go for it. This center’s tenants are mostly big franchises, so you’d be better off going to different locations. I am looking for another 24 he fitness location more convenient now.

I love utc. There is huge variety of dining to try!

While Im waiting for my brother to get out of class, I tend to park in this complex and explore the many wonders that the University Center has to offer (by which I mean hot Asian chicks lol jk…). Cha tea and Blaze pizza are both here and both are delicious. Its a great place for students to go and socialize, study and do whatever students do…
The parking lot is plentiful but it can get packed. Luckily, during my time spent in Asian neighborhoods such as Bolsa and Westminster, I have mastered a tolerance for terrible drivers.
Overall the Center provides students with additional choices of comfort (food wise). Too bad I didn’t go to UCI, as I would have dropped by daily. Though until my brother gets a car I will be here occasionally to enjoy the many nice eateries here… and of course Asian chicks: D

Great shops, but I give it 2 stars for the horrible parking situation. I was given a warning for not having an employee placard, but there were no signs that the parking space I was in was designated for such. All I see is no UCI parking. Even though I wasn’t towed, I was pretty pissed. And a whole row of cars got tickets, too. I mean, c’mon! Don’t rip off the consumers here and make it clear which spaces are designated for employee parking.

This plaza is a great place to eat, talk, people watch, and overall great chill out spot. From taking a break from your studies or just need to get out and take a stroll for some boba, froyo, or some Le-​dip this is the area to be at. I must warn the public though, keep in mind there are lots of UCI students here and some of them apparently do not shower regularly so keep a safe one arms distance or else you will discover a whole new level of stink. Other than that, it is a cool place to go.

In-​n-​out, Cha for Tea, Nekter, Trader Joes, Chick-​fil-​a, Chipotle, Tender Greens, Blaze Pizza. UTC has definitely improved from when I was going to UCI as a freshman.
The only thing I’d have to complain about this place is the parking. It is absolutely terrible, especially at night, or Friday-​Sunday nights. Oh man, if possible, steer clear and you will save yourself some trouble.
If you’re thinking of parking at UTC to save yourself some money with UCI parking, then all I have to say is park at your own risk. I hear there are people that stalk UTC parking.
There’s valet parking now for $ 4.

Wow this place is actually cool now!
Coming from a UCI student that graduated 3 years ago, the University Center today has gone through a complete 180 degree turn. It used to be very boring back in the day, with very little restaurants and shops that homo sapiens would ever want to go visit. It was pretty much a deserted area, almost analogous to the setting of the hit TV series: «The Walking Dead» (minus all the killer zombies).
But now… its completely packed from head to toe. Its almost as packed as a rave ground ran by Insomniac!
Some of the highlights of the stores/​restaurants that they have now:
–Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza
–California Gogi Korean Grill
–Chik-​fil-​A
–Chipotle
–Nekter Juice Bar
–Snoflakez
–Tender Greens
–Yushoken
Sigh…why couldn’t I have had these places when I was still at UCI. With the replacement/​addition of these new listings, there will no longer be a FRESHMEN 30, itll be a FRESHMEN 60 now!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
UNTIL THEN! ^-^

I’ve been coming by here on occasion for years. The mall is very up and down and the vendors change. There is nothing really anchoring it, except for Trader Joe’s. They do, however, have a Veggie Grill here and the Farmer’s Market on Saturdays. They also have a Lees, an In ‘N Out, and Steelhead Brewery.
Very geared towards a College crowd. Some good restaurants, but overall, just OK. Nice little courtyard, though.

Unilocal directed me to the University Town Center (UTC) for some quick trendy bites in the area. UTC houses some well known and not so well known named restaurants, fast food, and grocery places. These places ranges from cheap, affordable, pricey, and expensive.
I like UTC because it can be a one stop shop if you NEED it to be, with Blaze Pizza for Italian, In-​N-​Out, Lee’s Sandwich, and Berkley Dogs for American, and Cha Tea that can cater for both Asian and desert. They also have a Trader Joe’s which is a nice touch especially if you don’t want to drive somewhere else for little odds and ends.
Overall
The UTC has some nice and useful places, that cater especially to students, but to be honest it is essentially a mini strip mall. Convenient but not fantastic.