On Campus Food Options

See below for the best dining Rice University can offer:

Sammy's Cafeteria

Sammy's is the default for food on campus and has a fairly basic cafeteria setup. The main serving area offers a few options for the main plate, some veggies and sides, and bread. This section always includes a vegetarian option.

Sammy's also has a permanent menu of burritos, baked potatos, burgers, soup, etc.

The food is affordable, but don't expect a $5 meal, especially if you get a drink. See their menu.

13th Street

13th Street is located in the Student Center, nearly across the hall from Sammy's, and, like Sammy's, is run by Rice's Housing and Dining. 13th Street features cheap, but tasty and sizeable, sandwiches and panini, as well as breakfast tacos and burritos. They also offer a selection of premade meals and Smoothie King smoothies.

Included in the same space is a convenience store with snack foods such as muffins, candy bars, yogurt, 'food drinks', and much more. You can also come to 13th Street for basic needs such as aspirin.

Dirk's Coffee

Dirk's is the little kiosk located in the Brochstein Pavilion. Not a place to find good values, they serve coffee as well as traditional pastries, pre-packaged snacks, and small panini sandwiches. If you'd like to enjoy the ambiance of the Pavilion, feel free to bring in food from elsewhere on campus. Watch out - while attractive, the trellis will not protect you from rain! 

Valhalla

Valhalla knows what grad students need - a cheap, filling meal without lines or a hassle. Valhalla offers a $5 sandwich/chips/drink meal deal. The sandwiches are made each morning at the local Jersey Mike's. The sandwiches often sell out, so don't show up at 12:58pm expecting to get the type of sandwich you want.

For you night owls, Valhalla also carries a selection of cheap, frozen (microwavable) foods, such as cheese/pepperoni pizzas, corndogs, and Hot Pockets. 

The one caveat: Don't expect to use a credit or debit card, so bring cash or a check.

Faculty Club

The Faculty Club is located in the Cohen House, down by the Allen Center, and generally has the best food available on campus. You need a membership to eat here. Faculty pay an initial fee for a membership, but graduate students can get a 'sponsored' or 'certified' membership for a relatively low yearly fee.

Coffeehouse

The Coffeehouse is a student-run coffee shop located in the student center. They serve fair-trade coffee and other hot and cold for good prices. You can also get the usual types of snacks available at coffee shops. During the summer, if you show up when the coffeehouse is closing, you stand a decent chance of getting some free coffee. For group events, look into the Coffeehouse's catering options.

Willy's Pub

You can find Willy's Pub in the basement of the student center, across from the Grad Lounge. Willy's is a student-run bar and also serves Quizno's subs for lunch. They have a decent selection and the sandwiches come toasted, but you'll have to wait a few minutes while the sub is in the oven. The sandwiches are priced okay, but drinks can add a bit to the cost.