If it’s been a while since you snacked or dined on campus, this may be the time circle back and try some of the new options, many of which are covered by the IU Employee Meal Plan. For monthly campus food info in your inbox, subscribe to the Inclusive Dining newsletter.
What’s new & what’s cookin’
Testing delivery robots
The robots are (maybe) coming! IU Dining & Hospitality is testing the feasibility of food delivery robots at IU Bloomington. Other schools already using delivery bots include University of Wisconsin-Madison, Purdue, and The Ohio State University. If adopted at IU, the robots can help fill the gaps in key areas of campus—and maybe even in our hearts. Stay tuned for updates and keep your eyes open for the cute little bots as they navigate their test routes!
Winner, winner tofu dinner
Congratulations to The Vault Pub, which serves what is arguably the best pork tenderloin around—and, as has now been confirmed, some of the best vegan options. The Vault participated in the City of Bloomington’s inaugural Vegan Chef Challenge and took home the Best Tofu Award with its winning Seasonal Grain Bowl, now a permanent menu feature! The Employee Meal Plan may be used for GrubHub carryout and includes a main dish, side, and (non-alcoholic) fountain drink.
Year-round refreshers
On Monday, Sept. 30, Sugar & Spice launched a new refreshing drinks station offering dairy-free milk teas, smoothies, iced teas, and lemonade for $5 each. Optional $1 mix-ins are tapioca boba, strawberry or mango popping boba, and freeze-dried blueberries. At a tasting event Friday, Sept. 27, people loved the Cream & Crimson Milk Tea with strawberry popping boba and the wide variety of smoothie flavors: mango, dragon fruit mango, strawberry, taro, Thai milk tea and salted caramel milk tea. Find your favorite by experimenting with different combos.
Impossibly yummy
Plant-based, gluten-free Impossible burgers are on the menu in *The Vault Pub and The Whitfield Grill. Visit before Nov. 1 to try the limited-time only Spicy BBQ Impossible Burger, topped with Hive bacon, pickled jalapenos, vegan American cheese, and BBQ sauce with a side of crispy fries prepared with the Vault’s signature seasoning blend. Hold the bacon to make it vegan!
At a late-September tailgate tasting event on the IMU patio, students, faculty, and staff sampled Impossible burgers and hot dogs, received free IU Football shirts, picked up Impossible swag, and entered to win prizes—all while learning about the positive planetary impact of increasing plant-based consumption. Use your IU Employee Meal Plan at either location (use GrubHub carryout for The Vault and choose a main dish/side and fountain drink).
Local restaurants on campus
Want local restaurant food without leaving campus? Stop by the Globe at the IMU and Eigenmann Hall Monday through Friday or Godfrey Café Monday through Thursday for lunch or dinner from a rotating array of local partners: Taste of India, Pili’s Party Taco, Tab’s Kitchen (Indian food), Amrit India, and Lotus Garden. Or design your own poke bowl from Sushi King at the Hodge Hall Campus Café at the Kelley School of Business. The IU Employee Meal Plan covers them all.
