Commons Dining Hall Menu
1. Bagels & Breakfast
Bagels with cream cheese, breakfast sandwiches, coffee, and pastries.
2. Salads & Wraps
Fresh garden salads, chicken or veggie wraps, and custom salad bowls.
3. Grilled Cheese & Mac
Classic grilled cheese, specialty sandwiches, and mac and cheese bowls.
4. Asian / Stir-Fry
Mongolian stir-fry, noodles, rice bowls, and chicken, beef, or tofu options.
5. Chicken & Wings
Fried chicken strips, buffalo wings, fries, and various dipping sauces.
6. Sushi
Hand-rolled sushi, nigiri, and bento-style meal options.
7. Tex-Mex
Burritos, quesadillas, and authentic street tacos.
8. Pizza
Personal pizzas with cheese, pepperoni, or custom daily toppings.
9. Mediterranean
Gyros, shawarma, rice bowls, and falafel wraps.
10. Grab-and-Go
Pre-made sandwiches, healthy snacks, drinks, and assorted desserts.
Commons Dining Hall Hours
The Commons Dining Hall provides all-you-care-to-eat service throughout the day, featuring rotation-based stations including the grill, pizza oven, fresh salad bar, and international deli.
| Meal Period | Standard Daily Hours |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM |
| Lunch | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Dinner | 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Full Facility | 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM (Midnight) |
Important Disclaimer
"Commons Dining Hall" is a generic name used by many universities. Specific operating hours can vary significantly between campuses and during academic holidays or spring breaks. Always check your specific university’s dining portal for live updates.
Entrance Prices & Menu Value
At many universities, Commons Dining Hall operates as an all-you-care-to-eat buffet. You pay a single entrance price which grants unlimited access to all food stations and beverage dispensers.
| Meal Period | Door Price (Entrance Fee) |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | $10.50 |
| Lunch | $16.00 |
| Dinner | $18.00 |
| Late Night | $18.00 |
| Weekend Brunch | $18.00 |
Scrambled EggsIncluded in Entry
Pancakes & WafflesIncluded in Entry
Breakfast SausageIncluded in Entry
Hash BrownsIncluded in Entry
Bagels & Cream CheeseIncluded in Entry
Fresh Fruit & YogurtIncluded in Entry
Cheeseburger / Grilled ChickenIncluded in Entry
Fresh Pizza SlicesIncluded in Entry
Custom Pasta & SauceIncluded in Entry
Full Salad BarIncluded in Entry
Beef Stir-fry / Asian NoodlesIncluded in Entry
Tacos & QuesadillasIncluded in Entry
Mac and CheeseIncluded in Entry
Desserts (Cakes & Ice Cream)Included in Entry
Important Dining Policy
Dining halls do not list individual dish prices because of the buffet-style format. Once the entry fee is paid, guests are welcome to visit any combination of stations—including the grill, pizzeria, and international deli—as many times as desired during that meal period.
How Meal Plans Work
Understanding the difference between Meal Swipes and Dining Dollars is essential for maximizing your campus dining experience. Most university plans utilize a combination of both systems.
Meal Swipes
- Grants entry to Commons and other buffet-style dining halls.
- One swipe equals one full entrance; eat as much as you want inside.
- Typically bundled in semester-based packages (e.g., 14 per week or 200 per semester).
- Expiration rules vary: some reset weekly, while others roll over until the end of the term.
Dining Dollars
- Prepaid credit loaded directly onto your student identification card.
- Functions like a debit card with a 1:1 dollar value ($1 = $1).
- Accepted at campus cafes, retail locations (like Starbucks or Subway), and convenience stores.
- Useful for purchasing guest meals or snacks between standard meal periods.
Usage Tip:
Always check if your plan follows a "use it or lose it" policy. Weekly swipes often expire on Sunday nights, whereas Dining Dollars may carry over from the Fall to Spring semester at certain institutions.
Food Served at Commons Dining Hall
The Commons is a buffet-style environment where students can access multiple culinary stations for a single entry price or meal swipe.
Breakfast Station
- Scrambled eggs and omelets
- Pancakes, waffles, French toast
- Bacon, sausage, breakfast potatoes
- Bagels, toast, and pastries
- Cereal, oatmeal, and yogurt
- Fresh fruit and juice
Salads & Healthy Options
- Garden salad bar (lettuce, kale, spinach)
- Toppings: cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers
- Protein: grilled chicken, tofu, boiled eggs
- Cheese, croutons, and seeds
- House dressings and vinaigrettes
- Seasonal grain bowls
Hot Entrees & Grill
- Grilled chicken, beef, or fish
- Stir-fried vegetables and meats
- Burgers and veggie burgers
- Pasta with sauce and lasagna
- Rice and roasted vegetables
- Hot deli sandwiches
Pizza & Comfort Foods
- Cheese, pepperoni, and specialty pizza
- Classic macaroni and cheese
- Mashed or herb-roasted potatoes
- Chicken tenders and nuggets
- Soup of the day
- Made-to-order wraps
International & Specialty
- Tacos, burritos, and quesadillas
- Asian noodles and stir-fry
- Mediterranean: gyros and falafel
- Hummus and pita bread
- Sushi rolls (select locations)
- Global theme-night specials
Desserts & Beverages
- Fresh cookies, brownies, and cakes
- Ice cream or soft-serve stations
- Pudding and seasonal desserts
- Infused water and iced tea
- Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate
- Assorted soda and fruit juice
Key Dining Notes
Commons Dining Hall is an all-you-care-to-eat facility. Once you pay the entry price or use a meal swipe, all stations are included. While the exact dishes vary daily, students can generally expect 5–7 distinct stations serving hot entrees, international cuisine, and desserts.
University Commons Dining Hall Menu
Grill & Hot Entrées
Grilled burgers & chicken, chicken strips or tenders, stir-fried vegetables and meats, Mongolian grill bowls.
Comfort and protein-centered options.
Fresh & Customized
Salad bar with fresh veggies, toppings, proteins; Deli station for custom sandwiches or wraps; Make-your-own bowls (rice, grains, veggies, sauces).
Healthy and build-your-own options.
International & Specialty Stations
Mediterranean bowls (shawarma, falafel, hummus), Asian-inspired stir-fry or noodle dishes, tacos or burritos.
World cuisines rotate throughout the week.
Pizza & Comfort Foods
Fresh baked pizza, macaroni and cheese, and assorted pasta dishes.
Casual comfort classics.
Soups & Sides
Daily soups, steamed rice, roasted vegetables, and herb potatoes.
Seasonal and side choices.
Desserts & Snacks
Assorted cookies, brownies, cakes, fresh fruit, and yogurts.
Sweet treats included with entry.
Beverages
Water and infused water, coffee and tea, juice, soda, and milk choices.
Beverages offered at self-service drink stations.
College Dining Commons Food
University dining commons typically operate as all-access facilities where one meal swipe provides entry to various culinary stations. Below is a breakdown of the standard rotations available to students.
Breakfast Options
Scrambled eggs and omelets
Pancakes, waffles, and French toast
Bacon, sausage, and breakfast potatoes
Bagels, muffins, and pastries
Yogurt, oatmeal, and fresh fruit
Coffee, tea, and assorted juices
Salads & Healthy Choices
Full salad bar: lettuce, spinach, kale
Fresh veggies, cheese, and croutons
Grilled chicken, tofu, and boiled eggs
Vinaigrettes, dressings, and olive oil
Hot Entrées & Grill
Grilled chicken, beef, or fish
Stir-fry vegetables with rice/noodles
Burgers and veggie burgers
Pasta with seasonal house sauces
Tacos, quesadillas, and burrito bowls
Pizza & Comfort Foods
Cheese, pepperoni, and specialty pizza
Classic macaroni and cheese
Mashed or herb-roasted potatoes
Chicken tenders and nuggets
Baked casseroles and comfort dishes
International Stations
Mediterranean: gyros and falafel
Asian: teriyaki and Mongolian grill
Latin: tacos and cilantro-lime rice
Rotating global theme menus
Deli & Desserts
Build-your-own sandwiches and wraps
Chef's soup of the day
Cookies, brownies, and cakes
Soft-serve ice cream or frozen yogurt
Fresh fruit cups and seasonal pudding
Beverages
Water, iced tea, and lemonade
Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate
Assorted soda and fruit juice
What is a Commons Dining Hall?
A Commons Dining Hall is the central culinary hub of a campus, designed to provide high-volume, high-variety nutrition in a social environment.
Core Concept
A hybrid between a university food court and an all-you-care-to-eat buffet, offering multiple cuisines in a single location for maximum convenience.
Typical Operating Hours
Breakfast: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Lunch: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Dinner: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Late Night / Brunch: 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM (Varies)
Lunch: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Dinner: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Late Night / Brunch: 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM (Varies)
Estimated Meal Costs
While meal plan students use swipes, visitors and non-plan holders typically pay a flat door rate:
| Breakfast | $8.00 – $12.00 |
| Lunch | $12.00 – $16.00 |
| Dinner | $14.00 – $18.00 |
Common Food Stations
Grill & Hot Entrées
Burgers, grilled chicken, and seasonal protein bowls.
Pizza & Comfort
Oven-baked slices, mac & cheese, and rotisserie items.
Salads & Healthy
Full salad bar with protein add-ons and fresh fruit.
International
Rotating Asian, Mediterranean, and Latin-inspired stations.
Deli & Soup
Made-to-order wraps, sandwiches, and daily chef soups.
Desserts & Drinks
Soft-serve ice cream, baked goods, and full beverage bar.