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Meals Moments Magic

Dining on Campus

By UIC Creative & Digital Services

April 16^th, 2025

SodexoMagic at University of Illinois Chicago

At the University of Illinois Chicago, food is more than just fuel—it’s a core part of the student experience. Whether grabbing a quick bite between classes, catching up with friends over lunch, or finding comfort in a favorite dish from home, the dining experience shapes how students connect and thrive.

This collection highlights the vibrant food culture at UIC, powered by SodexoMagic. Together, they serve a campus community of diverse tastes and traditions with authentic, eco-conscious, and inclusive food experiences.

From bold global flavors to comfort classics, these moments offer a taste of what it means to eat, live, and belong at UIC.

Across campus, students can enjoy a diverse range of dining options at 605 Commons Dining Hall in Student Center East, JST Dining Hall in James Stukel Towers, and the Marketplace at West in Student Center West. Each location offers its own unique atmosphere and a wide variety of food and drink options, catering to diverse health needs, prepared by experienced chefs.

Entering one of the many dining locations on the UIC campus

UIC students enjoy flexible, convenient dining through a variety of meal plan options. Each plan includes meal swipes for access to all-you-care-to-eat dining halls, and many also include Flames Fare—tax-free dining dollars loaded onto their i-card.

With meal swipes and Flames Fare, students can enjoy meals at campus dining halls or choose from a variety of participating restaurants. For added flexibility, food can also be purchased with credit or debit, making it easy for all members of the UIC community to access dining options. Flames Fare balances carry over from fall to spring and spring to summer, supporting students' dining needs throughout the academic year.

UIC & SodexoMagic support the earth and a clean environment

UIC cares about the environment and offers composting in the dining halls to help prevent waste. Together with SodexoMagic, UIC does its part.

Self Cooking Stations

While experienced SodexoMagic chefs serve up fresh, flavorful meals across campus, students at James Stukel Tower (JST) also have access to a self-cooking station—an inviting, do-it-yourself space stocked with a variety of healthy ingredients. It’s a great option for those who want more control over their meals or enjoy the creativity of preparing their own food.

Room to Relax & Connect

Each UIC dining location offers spacious, comfortable seating—giving students a place to enjoy their meals, study, or catch up with friends. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or settling in for a conversation, there’s always room at the table.

Supporting Students in Need:U&I Care Meals:

At UIC, care goes beyond the classroom. Through the U&I Care Meals program, UIC Dining Services and the Office of the Dean of Students offer a limited number of complimentary meals each term to students experiencing urgent or unexpected needs.

This initiative is designed to provide immediate, short-term assistance during emergencies and reflects our commitment to student well-being and dignity. While not a long-term solution to food insecurity, U&I Care Meals offers a compassionate response when it's needed most.

Support is available if you or someone you know is facing food insecurity. Visit go.uic.edu/uandicaremeals to learn more or request assistance.

Nourishing More Than Appetites

At UIC, dining is about more than what’s on the plate—it’s about connection, care, and community. Through the partnership with SodexoMagic, students are welcomed into spaces that reflect their culture, support their well-being, and meet their everyday needs with intention and flavor.

Whether through global cuisine, sustainable practices, or emergency support like the U&I Care Meals program, UIC Dining Services is committed to creating a student experience that nourishes the whole person.

This collection offers just a glimpse of the stories unfolding every day—over meals, through moments, and around the tables that bring us together.

U&I Care Meals

UIC Dining Services

Footnotes

Photos: Michael Gomez, Hilary Domke // Video: Nathan Nager, Misha Ardichvili, Abel Juarez, Anup Raj Gudisse // Production: Adam Biba, Mike Fan // Creative Direction: Wayne Odle

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FootNotes

Photos: Michael Gomez, Hilary Domke // Video: Nathan Nager, Misha Ardichvili, Abel Juarez, Anup Raj Gudisse // Production: Adam Biba, Mike Fan // Creative Direction: Wayne Odle