A Guide to Eastern Illinois University Dining Options
Choosing the right dining options is an important part of the college experience. Eastern Illinois University (EIU) offers a variety of choices to suit different needs and preferences. This article provides a comprehensive overview of EIU's dining services, including meal plans, dining locations, special dietary accommodations, and more.
Meal Plans at EIU
EIU offers several meal plan options to suit different lifestyles and eating habits. When selecting a meal plan, you may consider the All-Access plan. On-campus students receive Dining Dollars upon purchasing a meal plan. The university offers five main meal plan options ranging from the Unlimited Plan (unlimited meals plus $250 dining dollars) to the Flex Block 100 (100 meals per semester plus $200 dining dollars).
Dining Dollars
Meal plans come with Dining Dollars, but you can always add more. Students can also choose to purchase Dining Dollars for the semester. Dining Dollars are pre-loaded funds included with meal plans that work like campus cash at any dining location. They’re tax-free and can be used at food courts, convenience stores, and coffee shops. Importantly, Dining Dollars roll over from fall to spring semester.
To add Dining Dollars to your account or purchase online, bring your Panther Card into the Housing and Dining Services Office in the MLK Jr. Union Lower Level. EIU accepts debit/credit cards and checks, or you may bill your student account.
Choosing the Right Plan
When deciding on a meal plan, consider your eating habits and where you plan to eat, whether at dining centers, the Food Court, or a mix of locations. Understanding your consumption habits will help you choose the most cost-effective plan.
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Dining Locations on Campus
EIU boasts a diverse range of dining locations, each offering a unique culinary experience. You may use Dining Dollars to purchase meals/items in any of the dining centers, Marketplace Convenience Store, Panther Pantry, Food Court, and Java B&B.
Residential Dining Halls
Meal plan swipes work at residential dining halls (Thomas, Stevenson, Taylor) for all-you-care-to-eat service. This school year dining halls are returning to their normal serving style.
Thomas Dining Center: Thomas Dining Center operates Monday-Friday from 7:00 AM-10:00 AM (breakfast), 11:00 AM-2:00 PM (lunch), and 4:30 PM-7:30 PM (dinner). Weekend hours feature brunch service from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM.
Stevenson Dining Center: The Stevenson Grill has a similar setup to the Deli with self-serving drink fountains and multiple sides, but what they serve as entrées makes them different.
Taylor Dining Center: Here you can find an array of pasta options, made-to-order pizza, and other diverse food options. When the other dining halls are closed, you can always check out their late-night pizza that is open Sun.-Fri.
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The Union Food Court
The Union is different from the other dining halls beyond their food options; rather than meal swipes, they take dining dollars or debit/credit cards. Leila Lawson, a senior biology major, enjoys lunch while she eats Chick-fil-A with her friend, Sihile Mwalongo, a senior economics major. They both say the union is their favorite place to eat on campus. The eiu dining dollars included with your plan can be used at all retail locations including Chick-fil-A Express, Freshëns, Java B&B, and Panther Pantry.
Dining Experience
The eiu dining menu offers a balanced blend of taste, nutrition, and variety, making EIU dining a reliable choice for students and visitors alike. With flexible eiu dining hours, rotating eiu dining hall menus, and convenient eiu dining dollars, the dining experience remains smooth and satisfying.
Menu Variety
The eiu dining hall menus feature rotating specialties including Fried Chicken Monday, Taco Tuesday, Fresh Catch Friday, and carved meat on Sunday Family Dinner. Information includes calories, protein, carbohydrates, fats, sodium, and allergen warnings.
Special Dietary Needs
Yes, the thomas eiu dining menu offers extensive accommodations for special dietary needs. Options include gluten-free stations, vegetarian and vegan selections daily, halal and kosher meals by pre-order, and allergen-free preparation areas.
EIU allows students to take meals to-go from the dining centers.
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Additional Information
Panther Card
You need a panther card (with money on the card) to use a panther card. If you lost your panther ID, you can get a new one from the Panther Card Office in the Student Services Building.
Bringing Guests
Students can bring guests to dine with them in the dining centers. Guests may use Dining Dollars, or credit/debit.
Employment Opportunities
EIU Dining Services offers various employment opportunities, from wait staff to office assistants and managers throughout Panther Dining.
Conferences and Special Visitors
EIU Dining Services caters to conferences and other special visitors if they choose to do so.
Checking Your Balance
You can check your meal plan balance each week, as well as how many Dining Dollars you have left for the semester. You can visit Dining Services in the lower level of the Martin Luther King Jr.
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