Dining in Downers Grove
On campus dining options available.
The Commons Café
The Commons Café, located on the upper level of the Commons, offers daily specials, hot entrees, deli specials, grab 'n go options, homemade soups, and fresh baked cookies. There are periodic specialty theme entrees at the café, daily combo meals, as well as Chef Specials to maximize your dining dollars. The Commons Café currently is only accepting contactless payment (no cash).
The Commons Café is a great place to enjoy a variety of meal options with friends, talk informally with faculty and administration, or study for your next class.
Delivery and pick-up options available!
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
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, 2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Dinner*: Monday through Thursday, 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
*Snack and dinner hours - online orders only
Commons Cafe Menu Options
Daily Entree
Enjoy our made from scratch entrée of the day focuses on global cuisine and seasonal ingredients.
Grill Options
Our daily grill menu has options for everyone including vegan and gluten free items.
Order Online
To fully customize your culinary experience order online (in the student portal) and create your own customized meal made for you and ready for pickup or delivery.
Common Grounds
Located in the lower level of The Commons, Commons Grounds is a full Starbucks ® location. It offers an informal alternative to cafeteria dining. Commons Grounds offers a variety of pre-made meat and vegetarian sandwiches and wraps, salads, coffee, espresso drinks, snack items, and fresh bakery items made in our own kitchen. Sandwich, wrap, and bakery options change on a rotating basis.
- Monday through Thursday:
- 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Closed 10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)
- 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Student Meal Plans
The convenience and flexibility of the Midwestern University dining program helps take care of your dining needs so you can concentrate on your educational goals. In order to provide the greatest flexibility, Midwestern University is proud to offer MWU Munch Money for your campus dining plan.
- MWU Munch Money is used as a declining balance option on your student ID card.
- By taking advantage of this benefit, students will receive an extra 15% bonus of MWU Munch Money added to their student ID. The Plan rolls over to the next quarter.
- MWU Munch Money can only be used at both Chartwells food locations: The Commons Café or Commons Grounds.
- Students who are graduating or separating from the University can request a refund of any money left over on this account, minus the 15% bonus money that was added by MWU.
Gourmet Grab 'N Go Options
Smart Market
The Smart Market is located next to Commons Grounds on the lower level of the Commons Building. This is a 24-hour vending option which includes fresh grab-and-go sandwiches/salads along with other typical vending options. Accepts credit and debit cards.
Farmer's Fridge
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.
