Skip Navigation

ZagOn: Gonzaga's COVID-19 Response

Information on booster and testing requirements for the start of the Spring semester. Plus FAQs, dashboard, and more. Visit gonzaga.edu/ZagOn

  • University Navigation University Navigation
  • Search Button
Search Button
s
Close Menu

Gonzaga Home

  • About
  • Academics
  • Admission
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • myGU

College & Schools

  • Online Graduate Programs
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • School of Business Administration
  • School of Education
  • School of Engineering & Applied Science
  • School of Law
  • School of Leadership Studies
  • School of Nursing & Human Physiology

Info For

  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Military & Veterans
  • Parents & Families
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Our Community
  • Basketball Fans
Visit
Apply
Give
Close Menu
Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University
  • Search Button
  • Toggle Menu
News, Events & Stories Menu
  • News
  • Events
  • Stories
  • Publications
  • Galleries
News

News

Close Menu
Events

Events

Close Menu
Stories

Stories

Close Menu
Publications

Publications

Close Menu
Galleries

Galleries

Close Menu
  • Home
  • News, Events & Stories
  • Stories
  • Jay Jordan and Carusos helped by GU Community during pandemic

Serving our community one pizza at a time

Caruso's Menu Items

July 06, 2021
|
Luke Modugno ('22)

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, many immediately began thinking of ways to protect and support their family and loved ones. Jay Jordan, owner of Caruso’s Sandwiches and Artisan Pizza was no different.  

“The GU community is pretty powerful; they had my back during [the pandemic] so I have to return the favor,” Jordan said.  

Located at 1120 N. Division St. directly across from Kennedy Apartments, Caruso’s has been serving hungry Zags for nearly six years. Even before Caruso’s officially opened its U-District location, Jordan was enamored by the sense of community emanating from Gonzaga’s nearby campus. “I just fell in love with it. I could see the GU community from outside, I knew what was happening in the U-District, and my family really wanted to be a part of it,” Jordan said. 

 

Since then, Jordan made it his mission to become a helping hand to the school. From partnering with clubs on campus for fundraising events, to delivering hot and ready meals to traveling student athletes, Caruso’s is ready to provide a helping hand where needed. That included providing a meal to student-athletes on Christmas morning.  

Having been a college athlete himself, Jordan knows what it's like to finish practice and meal. When student athletes come in and call me by my name, it tells me they appreciate what I do for them,” Jordan said. 

Like countless other restaurants during the pandemic, Caruso’s had to navigate the ever- changing COVID-19 guidelines, fundamentally altering the way Jordan ran his business, including shutting one of his locations. “We had a really tough year in this industry. I don’t know what it would have been like without the relationships that we’ve established, but we are in very good shape,” said Jordan. “I’ve tried really hard to care for, value and honor the relationship [between us] and GU, and it's come back tenfold. We have had a lot of support from the administration, student body and athletics these past 18 months.” 

From making changes to the pollo pasta inspired by suggestions by athletes like Nigel William-Goss, to delivering food to Zags who weren’t able to go home during the holidays, Jordan and Caruso’s have become cornerstones of the GU community.  

“Knowing that students, and staff have a choice of going to other restaurants, but still choose us is pretty gratifying,” Jordan said. “I’m very grateful.” 

 


Share Story
Related Stories
  • Serving our community one pizza at a time
  • Pandemic Can't Stop GU Alumni From Giving Back
  • The Secret Sauce of Mike Roth
  • Choosing Joy

Categories

  • Student Life
  • Alumni
  • Alumni

Subscribe

Subscribe to Messages from Gonzaga University


First Name
Last Name
Email Address *

Get the latest news sent to you as soon as it is published. While the frequency of these emails varies, you’ll typically receive between two and five emails per week, depending on the time of year.

A monthly newsletter sent from August through June that highlights some of our best news, stories and events.


Back to Top
Visit
Apply
Give
Quick Links
  • Maps & Directions
  • Employment at GU
  • Emergency Information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Title IX
  • Consumer Information
  • ZagMail
  • Contact Us
  • Harassment & Discrimination Policy
  • Virtual Tour
  • myGU Intranet
Gonzaga University
502 East Boone Avenue
Spokane, WA 99258-0102
(800) 986.9585
A Jesuit, Catholic, Humanistic University
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube