Campus Dining—Not What It Used to Be

Looking for a new restaurant? Here’s the lunch menu today at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign dining halls, by themed “stations.”

Before we check this out, about the picture: The University is trying to instill a waste-not, want-not awareness among students. The chart indicates little impact on student waste, sad to say—but it’s not for a lack of effort. When you enter, there are no trays and the plates are small. The idea is to prevent over-filling trays and plates and throwing food out, like I did in college.

Here’s how UIUC dining services recycles: Recycling Statistics

2016 Recycling Metrics (as of April 18, 2016)

• Glass Recycled - 40,809 pounds
• Nitrile Gloves Recycled - 1,080 pounds
• Coffee Grounds - 1,034 five-gallon buckets recycled
• Dining services helped deliver 145,902 meals to the Eastern Illinois Foodbank to benefit those facing hunger and food insecurity through the 220 relief agencies the Foodbank serves. Dining Services also stored and transported 16,240 lbs of white rice to local food pantries and programs,

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I met my wife and best friend for life in this dining hall system; and we returned today to enjoy the following menu items. Times have changed!  PS: Taxpayers don’t pay a dime for this food, nor for the facility. Users pay. The lunch buffet today cost us $11 apiece—well worth it!

Okay, what will you have?

Hortensia's

Lunch - 03/04/2017

Entrees Lemon Garlic Chicken Skewers, Grilled Calamari and Shrimp Salad, Tortilla Española
Salads & Salad Bar Tapas Platter
Starches White Rice 

Penne Lane

Lunch - 03/04/2017

Entrees Taco-Seasoned Vegan Crumbles , Chicken Breast , Chorizo Sausage , Scrambled Eggs
Salads & Salad Bar Spinach and Strawberry Salad
Vegetables Spinach Aglio e Olio , Sautéed Mushrooms , Sautéed Onions, Sauteed Peppers, Jalapeño Peppers , Black Olives
Cheeses Shredded Cheddar Cheese , Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
Starches Seasoned Potatoes
Sauces Mild Salsa, Sour Cream, White Cheese Sauce
Toppings Bacon Bits 

Dinner - 03/04/2017

Entrees Grilled Chicken Breast, Frito Misto
Salads & Salad Bar Spinach and Strawberry Salad
Breads Sliced Garlic Bread
Starches Rotini , Fettuccine
Sauces Roasted Red Pepper Sauce , Marinara Sauce 

Prairie Fire

Lunch - 03/04/2017

Entrees Bacon Tomato Onion Pizza, Three Cheese Thin Crust Pizza , Veggie Lover's Deep Dish Pizza
Breads Cheese Sticks 

Dinner - 03/04/2017

Entrees Bacon Tomato Onion Pizza, Veggie Lover's Deep Dish Pizza , Three Cheese Thin Crust Pizza
Breads Cheese Sticks 

Soytainly

Lunch - 03/04/2017

Entrees Butternut Squash & Rice Casserole, Taco-Seasoned Vegan Crumbles, Spicy Black Beans
Salads & Salad Bar Carrot, White Bean, and Dill Salad
Breads 6" Flour Tortilla
Vegetables Baby Carrots , Zucchini w/ Charred Onion & Lemon Vin
Starches Red Rice 

Dinner - 03/04/2017

Entrees Mousaka , Hummus on Pita Sandwich , Spicy Black Beans
Salads & Salad Bar Carrot, White Bean, and Dill Salad
Vegetables California Blend Vegetables , Corn on the Cob
Starches Red Rice 

Baked Expectations

Breakfast - 03/04/2017

Breads Blueberry Muffin, Chocolate Chip Muffin, Vanilla Donut
Desserts Red Raspberry Danish 

Lunch - 03/04/2017

Desserts Rocky Road Cookie, M&M Brownies, Almond Apricot Bar 

Dinner - 03/04/2017

Desserts Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake, Lemon Meringue Pie, Very Berry Pie 

Euclid Street Deli

Breakfast - 03/04/2017

Fruits Mullen's Applesauce, Navel Orange , Fruit Tray , Grapefruit Halves , Banana , Cantaloupe Wedge
Cereals Oatmeal
Starches White Rice
Others Yogurt Bar , Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese, Onion 

Lunch - 03/04/2017

Fruits Mullen's Applesauce
Soups Chipotle Bean & Barley Chili , Chicken Dumpling Soup
Salads & Salad Bar Red Pepper Hummus , Jicama and Green Apple Salad 

Dinner - 03/04/2017

Fruits Mullen's Applesauce
Soups Chicken Dumpling Soup , Chipotle Bean & Barley Chili
Salads & Salad Bar Red Pepper Hummus , Jicama and Green Apple Salad 

Gregory Drive Diner

Breakfast - 03/04/2017

Entrees Hard Cooked Eggs
Cereals Oatmeal
Others Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese, Onion 

Lunch - 03/04/2017

Entrees Turkey Corn Dog, Grilled Muenster on Sourdough, Boneless Buffalo Chicken Wings
Appetizers & Sides Carrot & Celery Sticks Platter
Vegetables Baby Carrots, Zucchini w/ Charred Onion & Lemon Vin
Starches Simply Gold Fries 

Dinner - 03/04/2017

Entrees BBQ Pulled Pork, Halal Baked Chicken w/ BBQ Sauce
Salads & Salad Bar Vinaigrette Cole Slaw
Breads Hamburger Bun
Vegetables California Blend Vegetables, Buttered Corn on the Cob
Starches Parmesan Garlic Steak Fries