Where to Eat
Where to Eat
Chicago is known for its wide array of diverse and exceptional dining. From steak to vegetarian fare, hot dog stands to five-star restaurants, and pizza to pad thai, there is something in Chicago for everyone. There are literally hundreds of restaurants just a short walk or cab ride away from SAIC.
Looking for something on campus? Below are on-campus dining options available to you when visiting SAIC.
On-Campus Dining Update
Every few years, SAIC reassesses its campus dining and completes a thorough review process in order to ensure we have a comprehensive meal plan that best serves our community. After a months-long search process, we are excited to announce that we have selected HandCut Foods to provide dining services across campus. Please note, there will be no change to the cost of SAIC’s meal plan, café hours, or account access.
HandCut’s commitment to sustainability, excellent service, and locally-sourced items made them the clear choice for SAIC. The selection process involved a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students as well as a visit to dining halls at Loyola University and Northwestern University—colleges that are HandCut clients. HandCut is a local Chicago company under the Compass group, which serves many other colleges, including Loyola, Northwestern, and the University of Chicago.
HandCut will begin serving our community on June 17. Campus cafés will be closed until then for upgrades and improvements.
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Why are we transitioning to a new food service vendor?
Every few years, SAIC reassesses its campus dining and completes a thorough review process in order to ensure we have a comprehensive meal plan that best serves our community. We selected HandCut as a result of this proposal process.Why was HandCut selected?
HandCut’s commitment to sustainability, excellent service, and locally-sourced items made them the clear choice for SAIC. The selection process involved a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students as well as a visit to dining halls at Loyola University and Northwestern University—colleges that are HandCut clients. HandCut is a local Chicago company under the Compass group, which serves many other colleges, including Loyola, Northwestern, and the University of Chicago.When will they begin serving campus?
June 17.What are the café hours?
Summer cafe hours are below. Fall hours will be announced in August.
Sharp Building–the LeRoy Neiman Center
Generally, the café is open from June 17 through August 9: Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 11:30 a.m.– 6:00 p.m. Exceptions are listed below.
June 19 (Juneteenth): 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
July 4: 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
August 9–20: 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; closed weekends
August 21: Start of fall hours (to be announced)
Closed: June 29, July 13, July 27, August 3, August 4
280 Building
Generally the café is open from June 17 through August 16: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; closed on weekends. Exceptions are listed below.
August 17–27: Closed
August 28: Start of fall hours
Closed: June 19, July 4
MacLean Center
Closed for the summer; will reopen with fall hours.Will the cost of the meal plan change? Will how I access my account be different?
There will be no changes to account access or meal plan cost. We are still using TransAct and the residential student meal plan payment and process will remain the same.
I have food allergies and/or dietary restrictions. Will Handcut offer options for me?
HandCut’s robust food allergen management program is modeled after Food Allergy Research and Education, the national leading allergy advocacy group. Their menus are clearly labeled and will include a wide variety of options that best fit the needs of SAIC’s community, including many vegan and gluten-free foods. -
Cafés are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as snacks and late evening dining. All of our cafés are cash-free. Residence hall students are able to dine on campus with SAIC's meal plan. All cafés take credit and debit cards, as well as ARTICard. Add funds to your ARTICard at various locations around campus.
Grab & Go foods are premade and prepackaged meals and snacks offered as an alternative and quick way of dining in our cafes. Grab & Go meals offer a variety of high-quality, diverse, and delicious options. A few examples are fresh fruit cups, yogurt parfaits, salads, sandwiches, chicken tenders, French fries and much more.
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The Campus Center Café is located on the second floor of the Neiman Center and features a wide array of options from specialty coffee drinks to daily specials at the hot buffet. From rotating dishes like authentic Japanese ramen and sushi, to pizza, specialty sandwiches, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes and international specialties, there is sure to be something for every palate.
Menus:
Grill menu
Deli menu
Hot Grab & Go menu
Barista menu
Location
The LeRoy Neiman Center
37 S. Wabash, floor 2Monday-Thursday (8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.)
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.—Breakfast
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.—Lunch (Hot Lunch Line)
4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.—Dinner (Hot Dinner Line)
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.—Grab & Go onlyFriday (8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.)
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.—Breakfast
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.—Lunch
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.—Grab & Go OnlySaturday: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.—Grill, Deli, Grab & Go, and Small Salad Bar
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.—Grill, Deli, Grab & Go, and Small Salad Bar
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The 280 Café is located on the second floor of the 280 Building and features a wide array of options from specialty coffee drinks, rotating breakfast options, and a wide-array of sandwiches and salads.
Menus:
Grill menu
Deli menu
Cantina menu
Location
280 Building
280 S. Columbus Drive, floor 2
Hours
Mon–Thurs: 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. (grab and go after 6:00 p.m.)
Fri: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (grab and go after 3:00 p.m.)
Sat/Sun: Closed -
The MacLean Center Café offers breakfast items, sandwiches, specialty coffee drinks, and many grab-go offerings. A perfect place for before or after class, or for your mid-class break.
Menus:
Hot Grab & Go menu
Deli Menu
Barista menuLocation
MacLean Center
112 S. Michigan Ave., floor 12
Hours
Mon–Thurs: 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. (grab and go after 5:00 p.m.)
Fri: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (grab and go after 3:00 p.m.)
Sat/Sun: Closed
Order Through Your Phone
With mobile ordering, you can place your order ahead of time and pick it up at a location outside of the café service and payment lines. Download the Transact Mobile Ordering app from Google play or the App Store. Select "SAIC Mobile Ordering" and sign in with your SAIC email address. The app takes both ARTICard payment (e.g., your meal plan) and credit cards.
Cater Your Next Event
Having an event on campus? Consider catering through HandCut. Create customizable menus, including holiday menus, outdoor barbecues, and menus for themed events. If you have any questions, please email saic.catering@handcutfoods.com.
HandCut Foods
HandCut Foods creates access to wholesome, nutritious meals made-from-scratch and with healthy foods and ethically sourced, sustainable ingredients. Their menus are designed in collaboration between chefs and nutritionists and made by people who care about food. They embrace localized agriculture, as well as technology and innovation, to transparently source quality ingredients and produce menus that accommodate all ages, taste palettes, and dietary restrictions.
Contact Us
Director, Campus Life
Laura Lamb llamb@saic.edu