Where to Eat

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.

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 palette.

Location
The LeRoy Neiman Center
37 S. Wabash, floor 2

Hours
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

Come check out the 280 Café for rotating breakfast options, a wide-array of sandwiches & salads, stir fry, choices from the hot frill, grab and go options, and tasty desserts. and most notably chef-designed dishes such as pad Thai, fried rice, and lo mein.

Location
280 Building
280 S. Columbus Drive, floor 2

Hours
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

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.

Location
MacLean Center
112 S. Michigan Ave., floor 12

Hours
Closed for the summer; will reopen with fall hours.