Residential Dining
Residential dining at the UW is refreshingly different from the traditional dining programs you may find at many other schools. From our nationally-recognized sustainable dining program to our focus on culinary discovery, our program offers a distinct dining experience. And, with the ability to dine at any campus restaurant, café, food truck, market or espresso bar, students and parents alike appreciate the simplicity and convenience of our uniquely flexible dining plans.
Students are balancing the pressures of living away from home for the first time with a high level of academic demands, not to mention involvement in sports or organizations and often also holding down an after-school job. With all of that to manage, having to shop for groceries plus cook, do dishes, compost and recycle waste several times each day just isn't an option. That's where we come in. We are here to provide the student with a seamless dining experience so that they can keep focused on their studies.
Dining Levels vs. Meal Plans
Many schools offer “meal plans” that require the student to dine at specific residence hall restaurants during defined time periods. These plans give you a certain number of meals per week or “points” that you can use at specific residence hall restaurants during defined time periods only. These restaurants are often all-you-can-eat for one set price, so whether you want a cup of soup or a full meal with extra helpings, the price is the same.
UW’s residential dining program offers a range of Dining Levels instead of “meal plans.” Our program works more like a prepaid debit card. You choose the Dining Level that meets your lifestyle needs, and the funds are loaded into your Resident Dining Account. You can eat at any HFS restaurant, café, market, espresso bar and even most vending machines using your Husky Card to pay. Each time you make a purchase, you pay only for what you choose to eat. And, there are no set meal periods. If the place is open, you can eat there and use your Resident Dining Account to pay. 
Sustainability
We are leaders in the nation with our sustainable dining program, recognized for innovations such as our work with Coca-Cola and International Paper to launch the very first compostable soft drink cup. We compost all food and waste. Even our takeout packaging is 100% compostable, and our used fryer oils are converted to biodiesel. We have a dedicated Sustainability Manager who drives our sustainable food purchasing program, which sources products from local artisans, growers and manufacturers. Over 50% of our purchases are from within 250 miles of the UW, which puts over $5 million back into the local economy each year.
Cultural Education through Food
Our two residential dining restaurants—Eleven 01 and The 8—regularly feature special menus celebrating the culture and cuisine of a particular region of the world. Special attention is paid to the authenticity of menus to create a unique learning opportunity and cultural discovery that comes through experiencing the traditional foods served for generations. Keynote speakers, traditional dance, music and film often accompany the special menu, which is developed in partnership between our executive chefs and student groups such as the Foundation for International Understanding Through Students (FIUTS).
Healthy Dining
While all HFS restaurants on campus offer healthy options, Eleven 01 and The 8 pay special attention to ensuring there are plenty of healthy choices available at every meal. Our staff dietitian consults with our Executive Chefs on menu development, and every meal offered includes healthy choices for students. Our meats are baked or grilled only, our veggies are steamed without added fats, we use healthy olive oil for cooking and fried foods are fried in oils free of trans fats. Additionally, both restaurants have popular salad bars filled with fresh produce, legumes, tofu and healthy salad toppings. Even fast food combo meals can be made healthy upon request—swap fries for a salad, ask for double veggies instead of the side dishes offered, or have milk instead of soda.
Special Diets
HFS is dedicated to meeting students' special dietary needs. Dining staff are available to give kitchen and restaurant tours and suggest items to help students find dining choices. Students with medically-related dietary restrictions are advised to review the Disability Accommodation & Accessibility page.
Quick Facts About Residential Dining
- While students can use their Resident Dining Account at any restaurant, Eleven 01 in Terry Hall and The 8 in McMahon Hall are our residential dining restaurants. Visit our Restaurants page for a complete list of restaurants.
- Ian’s Domain in McCarty Hall, 2 Convenient in Terry Hall and The Nook in McMahon Hall are our residential markets. Students can eat at any HFS restaurant, café, food truck, market, espresso bar and even most vending machines using your Resident Dining Account.
- There are no set meal periods. If the place is open, you can eat there and use your Resident Dining Account to pay.