Find a local college restaurant near you
College of DuPage
Waterleaf
Where: 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn (in the college’s new Culinary & Hospitality Center), (630) 942-6881, cod.edu/w/waterleaf.htm
Culinary specialty: French
Hours: Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday; Sunday brunch: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; dinner: 5 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday, 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday
Reservations: Recommended, by phone or online
Seats: 150
Price range: Lunch $7-$24, dinner $7-$34, plus extensive wine list
Elgin Community College
Spartan Terrace
Where: CAC1 on the main campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, (847) 214-7382, elgin.edu/spartanterrace
Culinary specialty: Upscale small plates and entrees, including vegetarian and gluten-free dishes
Hours: Open during the academic year from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. most Tuesdays and Thursdays and 6 to 7:30 p.m. most Mondays and Wednesdays
Reservations: Strongly recommended
Seats: 125
Price range: Lunch $4-$10, dinner $5-$10, plus wine available by the glass
McHenry County College
Sláinte
Where: Employee dining room at McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Route 14, Crystal Lake. Go to the flagpole entrance, building B, continue through to the back of the cafeteria. (815) 479-7800 or mchenry.edu/slainte.
Culinary specialty: Tapas. Chef stresses sustainability, and students use ingredients from their own vegetable garden at Woodstock North High School.
Hours: Closed for the semester; will reopen in spring 2012 for dinner from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays
Reservations: Recommended, either online, phone or email slainterestaurant@mchenry.edu
Seats: 60
Price range: Average price per person is $20
Tech Center of DuPage
Bistro 301
Where: 301 S. Swift Road, Addison, (630) 691-7588
Culinary specialty: American, with seasonal and regional food, including fish raised in their own tilapia farm.
Hours: Only open when class is in session, for lunch from noon to 2 p.m.
Reservations: Required, and must be a party of six or more. Students also willing to escort guests to their tilapia fish tanks and discuss their landscape management program.
Seats: 60
Price range: Around $14 per person for a three-course menu
Harper College
Harper College dining room
Where: Room A238, Building A, on the main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. (847) 925-6426 or, after 11 a.m. on weekdays, call the dining room directly at (847) 925-6580.
Culinary specialty: Varies
Hours: When school is in session, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Monday through Thursday
Reservations: Suggested
Seats: 50
Price range: Fixed price of less than $7 for a full meal, including soup or salad and an entree (two or three choices daily). Desserts cost $1.50.
Triton College
HIA Dining Room
Where: B-201 on the main campus, 2000 Fifth Avenue, River Grove. (708) 456-0300 ext 3387. No website.
Culinary specialty: International
Hours: spring and fall lunch: Tuesdays and Thursdays: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; dinner Wednesdays 5:30-7 p.m.; summer lunch Wednesdays 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Reservations: recommended.
Seats: 75
Price range: Lunch $8-$10, dinner $10-$15, plus beer and wine available during dinner
Robert Morris University
Eyrie
Where: 128 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, robertmorris.edu/eyrie
Culinary specialty: Contemporary American
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
Reservations: Recommended, online
Seats: 28, plus a counter
Price range: $30 or less
Kendall College
The Dining Room at Kendall College
Where: 900 N. Branch St., Chicago, (312) 752-2328, kendall.edu/diningroom
Culinary specialty: Fine dining, plus special culinary programs
Hours: Vary with dates. See website for details.
Reservations: Recommended, online or by phone
Seats: 200
Price range: Prix fixe menus are $18 for lunch and $29 for dinner
Le Cordon Bleu
Technique at Le Cordon Bleu
Where: 361 W. Chestnut, Chicago, (312) 873-2032, techniquerestaurant.com
Culinary specialty: Continental
Hours: Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; dinner: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday
Reservations: Recommended, by phone or opentable.com
Seats: 50
Price range: Three-course lunch $10, three-course dinner $12, four-course dinner $15