Dining in Downers Grove
On campus dining options available.
The Commons Café
The Commons Café, located on the upper level of the Commons, is the perfect spot to start your day or grab a meal between classes. Enjoy a delicious variety of options including hot entrées, deli favorites, breakfast items, fresh-baked cookies, and convenient grab-and-go selections. You’ll also find Copperhead Jacks, our Mexican-inspired concept featuring flavorful bowls, burritos, salads, and more - all made to order and packed with fresh ingredients.
The Commons Café keeps dining exciting with themed entrées, daily deals, and rotating combo specials designed to offer variety and value throughout the week.
It’s a welcoming place to share a meal with friends, connect with faculty and staff, or relax and study between classes.
Payment options: Card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Midwestern Dollars are accepted.
Delivery and pick-up options are available via Transact Mobile Ordering!
Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarter Dining Hours
- Breakfast: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
- Lunch: Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
- Snack: Monday through Thursday, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Dinner: Monday through Thursday, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Summer Quarter Dining Hours
The Commons Café will be open Monday through Friday for full breakfast and lunch.
- Breakfast: Monday through Friday, 7:00 - 10:00 a.m.

- Lunch: Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

- Dinner: Closed
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Commons Cafe Menu Options
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Enjoy made-from-scratch dishes inspired by global cuisine and crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients - plus, participate in our loyalty program to earn your 10th daily entrée free after purchasing nine.
Grill
Savor freshly prepared grill favorites featuring a variety of options, including vegan and gluten-free choices made to order.
Online Ordering
Customize your culinary experience by ordering online or through mobile ordering - build your own meal or have your favorites ready for convenient pick-up or delivery.
Common Grounds
Commons Grounds, located on the lower level of The Commons, is a We Proudly Serve Starbucks® location offering a cozy, café-style atmosphere and an informal alternative to cafeteria dining. Guests can enjoy a selection of Starbucks® beverages, along with fresh grab-and-go salads, sandwiches, wraps, snacks, and bakery items made in-house. Sandwich, wrap, and bakery offerings rotate regularly to feature fresh and seasonal favorites.
- Monday through Friday:
- 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Coffee shop closes between 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. for associate break)
- 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Sunday: Closed
Student Meal Plans
The convenience and flexibility of the É«ÀÇÉçÇø dining program makes it easy to enjoy meals and snacks while focusing on your educational goals. To provide the greatest value, É«ÀÇÉçÇø is proud to offer Midwestern Dollars as part of your campus dining plan.
- Midwestern Dollars function as a declining balance account loaded directly onto your student ID card.
- Students earn a 25% bonus at the end of each month for every $1 spent at on-campus dining locations.
- Bonus funds can be spent at any location on campus that accepts campus pay, including The Commons Café and Commons Grounds.
- Balances roll over to the next quarter, ensuring flexibility and convenience throughout the academic year.
- Students who are graduating or separating from the University may request a refund of any remaining balance, excluding previously awarded bonus funds.
Gourmet Grab 'N Go Options
The Farmer's Fridge is a gourmet vending machine which includes breakfast options along with sandwiches/salads. Available in the 24-hour room of Littlejohn Library. Get the Farmer's Fridge app and pre-order. Accepts credit and debit cards.
