Have you ever wondered just how many dining options are available to fuel your academic journey at Northwestern University? Well, get ready to embark on a culinary exploration of one of the nation's top universities! Northwestern prides itself on providing diverse and inclusive dining experiences, ensuring that every student finds something delicious and nourishing to keep them going.
Let's dive in and uncover the impressive array of dining halls and other meal locations that make up Northwestern's vibrant food scene.
Step 1: Discovering the Core – How Many Dining Halls Are There?
Are you ready to unveil the number? Northwestern University boasts five residential dining halls on its Evanston campus. These are your primary go-to spots for all-you-care-to-eat meals, offering a wide variety of choices to suit different tastes and dietary needs. Think of them as your home base for campus dining!
Step 2: Getting to Know Each Dining Hall
Now that you know the magic number, let's take a closer look at each of these vital dining establishments. They are strategically located across both North and South Campus to provide convenient access for students living in various residential areas.
South Campus Dining Halls: A Hub of Flavor
South Campus is home to three of Northwestern's dining halls, often buzzing with activity due to their proximity to many first-year residence halls.
Allison Dining Hall: This is a spacious and popular dining hall that offers a wide selection of food, including a dedicated Pure Eats section for allergen-free and gluten-free options. Allison also features a certified kosher station, providing a selection of kosher food daily (except during Shabbat and Jewish holidays). This makes it a fantastic choice for students with specific dietary needs.
Foster-Walker Complex (Plex East & Plex West): This unique complex houses two distinct dining halls right next to each other, offering a dual dining experience.
Plex East: Primarily focuses on Pure Eats, offering dishes free of common allergens and gluten, especially during the latter part of the day. This provides a safe and delicious option for those with sensitivities.
Plex West: Operates during regular hours and offers a broader range of selections, including a popular breakfast omelet bar, fresh fruit and salad bars, a cereal section, and a variety of desserts. It's a great spot for a classic dining hall experience.
North Campus Dining Halls: Diverse Delights
Head up to North Campus, and you'll find two more fantastic dining halls, each with its own special offerings.
Elder Dining Hall: Known for its inclusive options, Elder also features a certified kosher station similar to Allison, catering to observant students and anyone interested in kosher cuisine. It also boasts a street food section that offers different, exciting dishes daily, bringing a global flair to your dining experience.
Sargent Dining Hall: Similar to Allison in its extensive selections, Sargent Dining Hall is notable for its Planet Eats station, which emphasizes local, sustainable, and plant-forward options. This is a great choice for environmentally conscious diners and those looking for healthy, plant-based meals.
Step 3: Beyond the Dining Halls – Retail Locations & Meal Exchange
While the residential dining halls are the heart of campus dining, Northwestern also offers a significant number of other retail locations and meal exchange options, providing even greater flexibility and variety. These spots are perfect for grab-and-go meals, a quick coffee, or a more casual dining experience.
The Norris University Center: A Foodie Hub
The Norris University Center is a central spot for retail dining, with several popular options for meal exchanges and dining dollar purchases.
MOD Pizza: Offers fast, individualized pizzas and salads.
Buen Día: Serves up delicious tacos, burritos, and bowls.
847 Burger: Your go-to for classic burgers, fries, and sandwiches.
Wildcat Deli: Provides fresh, made-to-order sandwiches and wraps.
Starbucks (Norbucks): The campus Starbucks, perfect for your daily caffeine fix and quick bites.
Market at Norris: A convenient spot for snacks and refreshments.
Other Campus Cafes and Late-Night Options
Beyond Norris, you'll find other convenient spots scattered across campus:
Lisa's Cafe (North Campus): A great option for late-night dining, staying open until 1 a.m.
Fran's Cafe (South Campus): Another excellent choice for late-night meals, also open until 1 a.m.
Tech Express (Technological Institute): Offers quick bites and coffee in the academic hub.
Café Coralie (Pancoe Life Sciences Pavilion): A lovely spot for coffee and light fare.
Protein Bar (Henry Crown Sports Pavilion): Ideal for healthy, on-the-go options after a workout.
Step 4: Understanding Meal Plans at Northwestern
To make the most of Northwestern's dining offerings, it's crucial to understand the meal plans available.
First and Second-Year Students: Open Access
The Open Access Meal Plan is automatically assigned to all first and second-year students. This plan provides unlimited meal swipes per week at any of the five residential dining halls. It also includes a quarterly allowance of Dining Dollars and guest meals. This means you can enter and exit the dining halls multiple times within any meal period, giving you maximum flexibility.
Upper Division Students: Flexible Choices
For upper division students, Northwestern offers a variety of meal plans to suit different needs and preferences:
Wildcat 14 Plan: Provides 14 meal swipes per week and Dining Dollars.
Paw 110 Meal Plan: Offers 110 meals per quarter and Dining Dollars.
Flex Pack 210: An option for students in Greek housing who also live in university housing, offering meals per quarter and Dining Dollars.
Lakeshore 90: Provides 90 meals per quarter and Dining Dollars.
Remember: Meal swipes typically expire at the end of each quarter, while unused Dining Dollars roll over to the next quarter but expire after dining halls close for the academic year.
Step 5: Navigating Dietary Needs and Inclusive Dining
Northwestern Dining is committed to providing an inclusive dining experience for all students, with a strong focus on accommodating various dietary needs and preferences.
Allergen-Friendly Options: As mentioned, Allison Dining Hall and Plex East have dedicated Pure Eats stations for allergen-free and gluten-free meals.
Kosher Dining: Both Allison and Elder Dining Halls feature certified kosher stations.
Halal Dining: Northwestern Dining offers a wide daily range of Halal options at all four dining halls and many retail locations. Look for the Halal identifier on menus.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options: Available at "Rooted" stations and throughout the dining hall programs. Sargent Dining Hall's "Planet Eats" station is particularly focused on plant-forward options.
Wellness Resources: Northwestern Dining provides wellness resources, including allergen guides and nutrition calculators, to help students make informed choices.
Step 6: Staying Informed – Menus, Hours, and Apps
To ensure you're always in the know about what's cooking and when, make use of Northwestern Dining's helpful resources:
Dine On Campus Website and App: These are your go-to tools for checking daily menus, hours of operation for all dining locations (residential and retail), and even interactive maps. The app is incredibly convenient for on-the-go planning!
Residential Meal Period Hours: Be aware that hours can vary, especially during academic breaks or special events. It's always a good idea to check the website or app before heading out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are 10 common questions about dining at Northwestern, with quick answers:
How to find the daily menus for Northwestern dining halls? You can find daily menus on the official "Dine On Campus" website or through their dedicated mobile app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices.
How to use my meal plan at Northwestern? Your meal plan is linked to your WildCARD, which you'll present to gain access to the dining halls for meal swipes or to use your Dining Dollars at retail locations.
How to change my meal plan at Northwestern? Upper-division students can typically submit a meal plan change form via the "Dine On Campus" website each quarter. First and second-year students are automatically assigned the Open Access plan.
How to accommodate dietary restrictions at Northwestern dining halls? Northwestern offers dedicated allergen-free ("Pure Eats"), kosher, and Halal options in various dining halls. You can also consult with the dining services team for specific dietary accommodations.
How to know the hours of operation for Northwestern dining halls? The "Dine On Campus" website and app provide up-to-date hours of operation for all residential dining halls and retail locations.
How to use Dining Dollars at Northwestern? Dining Dollars are a declining balance that can be used at all residential dining halls and numerous retail locations across campus, including those in the Norris University Center.
How to get late-night food options at Northwestern? Lisa's Cafe and Fran's Cafe are excellent choices for late-night dining, often open until 1 a.m. Check the Dine On Campus app for their current hours.
How to find vegetarian and vegan options at Northwestern? Look for "Rooted" stations in the dining halls, and the "Planet Eats" station at Sargent Dining Hall, which focuses on plant-forward meals. Vegetarian and vegan options are generally available throughout all dining halls.
How to add more funds to my Northwestern meal plan? Students can typically add additional Dining Dollars to their WildCARD account at any time through the Northwestern Dining website or designated recharge points.
How to find information on meal plan terms and conditions at Northwestern? Detailed terms and conditions for all meal plans, including rollover policies for Dining Dollars and guest meal information, can be found on the Residential Services section of the Northwestern University website under "Meal Plan Terms & Conditions."