A Guide to Ball State University Dining
Ball State University offers a diverse range of dining options and meal plans to cater to the needs of its students and employees. From classic comfort foods to customizable creations, there's something for everyone on campus. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Ball State's dining services, including meal plans, dining locations, and special programs.
On-Campus Dining: A World of Options
Ball State University is home to a variety of dining locations, each offering unique culinary experiences. Whether you're in a hurry or looking for a leisurely meal, you'll find something to satisfy your cravings.
The Tally: A haven for salad lovers, The Tally boasts an extensive salad bar with fresh greens and over 20 toppings, including cauliflower, kale, olives, lean meats, cheeses, almonds, mango, and cranberries, all priced by weight. Three soups are also available daily, priced separately. For those with a sweet tooth, the salad bar also offers options to build a fruit cup or a yogurt parfait topped with cookie crumbles or locally baked granola. A create-your-own snack mix station is located at the end of the salad bar.
Homestyle: If you are looking for comfort foods, look no further because your favorite comfort foods are on the menu at Homestyle, with offerings changing daily. From chicken parmesan to meatloaf to green beans, you won't walk away hungry.
Woodworth Dining: Situated inside the Woodworth Complex, Woodworth Dining offers a diverse selection of cuisines. Here, you can find custom ramen and poke bowls, fresh sushi, filling donburi, hearty Italian entrees, colorful spinning salads, panini sandwiches, brick-oven pizzas, grill and homestyle favorites, and a fresh fruit selection boasting more than 15 varieties. Brick oven pizzas, hearty lasagnas, Tuscan vegetables, and vegetarian pastas entrees make this Italian station a student favorite. The grill serves up hamburgers and chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, vegan burgers, and fries, along with daily sandwich specials. The sushi station allows you to choose from many colorful and fresh options of sushi or order a custom poke bowl. Patisseries has all kinds of sweet goodies, from cookie bars to cheesecakes to gluten-free and vegan cupcakes. Menus change daily and you can check for vegetarian and vegan entrees, which frequent the menu. If you're looking for a meal on the lighter side, check out Deli World's custom salads. Choose your favorite combo of greens, meats, veggies, fruits, and nuts, and enjoy a homemade salad dressing. From down-home, authentic barbecue to hip, artisanal treats and pastries, this state-of-the-art dining hall offers culinary experiences aimed to exceed the nutritional needs and expectations of our community. In-house bakery- Doughnuts made fresh daily, cheesecakes, desert bars, cookies, cobblers and crisps, breads…something for every sweet tooth. Boar's Head Deli- Create your favorite sandwich, wrap, flatbread, or salad from a large variety of premium Boar's Head meats and cheeses. Pair it with a bowl of piping hot soup or a bag of baked chips. Need your sandwich gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan?
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The Atrium: A central hub of activity in the Art and Journalism Building, the Atrium offers foods college students love. Whether you want a custom-made salad, pizza, burrito, or vegan burger, you can find it here. The Atrium is a one-trip “all-you-can-fit” style eatery. You pay up front and receive your food container and a 16 oz. beverage cup. Your food container lid must close upon exiting after you have helped yourself to the many options. Additionally, you can bring your own drink container (up to a 32 oz. Relax in the sunlight filled atrium looking out onto McKinley Avenue or take your meal to go. Load your bed of fresh greens with toppings like cauliflower, olives, lean meats, cheeses, almonds, cranberries, and other items. Enjoy tacos, nachos, and all your south-of-the-border favorites, built just the way you like it from an array of perfectly seasoned meats and fresh veggies. And just down the hallway… Create your favorite sandwich, wrap, flatbread, or salad from a large variety of premium Boar's Head meats and cheeses. Pair it with a bowl of piping hot soup, mac-n-cheese or a bag of baked chips. Need your sandwich gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan? If you are looking for a quick option between classes, the Atrium Cafe is the perfect choice for microwavable entrees, grab-n-go sandwiches or salads, convenience snack items, and bottled drinks.
Other Favorites: For those craving familiar fast-food options, Chick-fil-A is also available on campus, serving up its famously delicious chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, and waffle fries.
Meal Plans: Tailored to Your Needs
Ball State Dining offers convenient meal plans designed to fit the needs of on-campus students, off-campus students, and Ball State employees. All students who live in a residence hall on campus during the academic year must hold a meal plan. You will select your meal plan when completing your online housing/dining contract. Have you decided the meal plan you signed up for isn't the right one for you?
Residential Meal Plans: As an on-campus student, you will choose a meal plan that provides 10, 14, 18, or 21 meals per week. Are you gone a lot on weekends? The Any 10+ might be for you. The 21+ plan is the default setting if you do not specify a meal plan on your contract.
Meal Equivalency: Your Ball State ID card serves as your meal card. There are two assigned meal time frames, one for breakfast and another for lunch and dinner combined. These are called meal time periods (whether you choose to have a salad or pancakes at that meal) and have an assigned dollar allowance called a meal equivalency. At a meal, you may purchase items that together total less than or equal to the meal equivalency. The academic year Dining week begins with breakfast on Sunday and ends with dinner on Saturday.
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Dining Plus: In addition to weekly meals, on-campus meal plans also include a debit-style Dining Plus account to supplement those meals. Dining Plus is a debit account of funds that comes with your meal plan to provide flexibility in how you purchase meals and snacks. Dining Plus may be used at any dining location, in any amount, at any time, and as often as you like, regardless of the meal time period or whether or not you've used (or plan to use) a meal during that period. To make a purchase entirely with Dining Plus, ask the cashier to use Dining Plus before the cashier swipes your meal card (your BSU ID). Any Dining Plus amount remaining at the end of the fall semester will transfer to the spring semester, but unused Dining Plus expires at the end of spring semester. If you go over the amount allotted, you may use Dining Plus or another form of payment to pay the difference.
Dining Cash: If you spend all your Dining Plus, you can purchase Dining Cash at a 10 percent discount. Dining Cash functions in the same way as Dining Plus, but it does not expire until you are no longer a student at Ball State. Are you worried about running out of the Dining Plus debit funds that come with your meal plan? You can load yourself back up by purchasing Dining Cash in any amount you choose. If you currently hold a meal plan, you will receive a 10 percent discount on your purchase of a Dining Cash account when you purchase in even hundred-dollar increments. Any student may purchase Dining Cash, but you must hold or have signed up for a meal plan-either a residential or an off-campus plan-at the time the Dining Cash account is purchased to receive the discounted rate. Merit scholarship funds can be used toward commuter meal plan Meal Blocks, but not for the Any-5-Meals plan. Dining Cash is a debit-style account of funds to spend in any way you like for meals or snacks. Purchases can be made in any amount and with no limits on frequency. Unlike Dining Plus, Dining Cash does not expire until you graduate or are no longer a Ball State student. If you currently hold an active meal plan, you will receive a 10 percent discount on your purchase of a Dining Cash account when you purchase in even hundred-dollar increments. If you are not on or signed up for a meal plan and use the first link above, a discount will be applied in error; the discounted amount will then be taken out of the value of your Dining Cash.
Commuter Meal Plans: Whether you commute to campus or stay in a residence hall during summer sessions, you have the same option available-Dining Cash. Dining Cash is a debit-style account you can use to spend in any way you like for meals and snacks at Ball State Dining locations. Purchases can be made in any amount and with no limits on frequency. It can even be used alongside meal plans during the academic year. If you are a student purchasing during the academic year, you may be eligible for a 10% discount. Orders are placed online. The Any-5-Meals plan lasts each week of the academic year when classes are in session.
Employee Dining Cash: Dining is pleased to offer Ball State employees the opportunity to dine on campus at a 10 percent discount with the purchase of Employee Dining Cash. Purchase Dining Cash online in $50 increments, and you'll immediately get the 10 percent discount. Your Ball State ID card is used to access your Dining Cash. You can use your ID to make purchases in any Dining location. Purchases can be made in any amount and as often as you like. 1. 2. Once selected, it will take you to the BSU sign-in page where you will need to enter your BSU username and password. Once the sign-in is complete, you should now be able to see your BSU meal plan information.
A Focus on Variety and Quality
Ball State Dining is committed to providing a wide variety of high-quality food options to meet the diverse needs and preferences of its community. From customized stir-fries to comfort food classics, the dining locations on campus offer something for everyone.
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Customizable Options: Weekdays for lunch you can have a customized stir fry of fresh ingredients chosen by you cooked while you watch. At our sushi station, choose one of the many colorful and fresh options of sushi or order a custom poke bowl. Boar's Head Deli- Create your favorite sandwich, wrap, flatbread, or salad from a large variety of premium Boar's Head meats and cheeses. Pair it with a bowl of piping hot soup or a bag of baked chips. Need your sandwich gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan?
Comfort Foods: Your favorite comfort foods are on the menu at Homestyle, with offerings changing daily. From chicken parmesan to meatloaf to green beans, you won't walk away hungry.
Healthy Choices: Everyone loves the salad bar at The Tally! Load your bed of fresh greens with toppings like cauliflower, kale, olives, lean meats, cheeses, almonds, mango, cranberries, and 20+ other items, priced by weight.
Important Considerations
The costs listed here are for the 2025-2026 academic year. Prices are subject to change each year.
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