Each year, many students come to UIS from either out of town, out of state, or out of the country. Many of these students do not have the ability to return home for the holidays and most restaurants close in recognition of the holidays. With that being said, it is important to know the few restaurants that do stay open and are available to those confined to campus. This article lists restaurant options for students unable to travel home for the holidays. It also provides restaurant options for those with restrictive diets.
Flavor of India: For those with Kosher diets, the options are very limited, as Flavor of India, located at 3124 Montvale Drive, will be the only restaurant available to you. They are open for their usual business hours, from 10:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and then from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Domino’s Pizza: If pizza delivery or pick-up for the holidays is what you crave, Domino’s has multiple locations but limited hours on Christmas day, from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. They are limited in their restricted diet options, but vegetarians can build their own vegetarian pizza. For vegans, there is the option of pasta with tomato sauce and your choice of veggies or the Mediterranean Veggie sandwich without cheese.
IHop, located at 2600 Sunrise Drive, will be open for its usual 24-hour business hours on Christmas day. They appear to have a good number of vegetarian options and a few vegan choices. If you would like to view the vegetarian/vegan menu, click on the embedded link in the text.
Star 66 Café, located at 3752 Camp Butler Road, is another restaurant with limited business hours on Christmas day. Business hours are usually 24 hours, but on December 25 they will be open until 3 p.m. They do not have a specified vegetarian/vegan menu, so, for those with restrictive diets it is important to ask about your options. If you would like to call ahead to make sure they have what you want their number is 217-523-0611, or you can click the embedded link to check out their menu.
Brewski’s Pub will be open for regular business hours, from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. They have a large menu but do not have a specified vegetarian/vegan menu, so, again, you may call ahead to 217-670-1462 to figure out your options, or click the embedded link to view the menu.
Hibachi Madness is located at 2811 North Dirksen Parkway and 4318 Wabash Avenue. They plan to stay open for their regular business hours on Christmas day, from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Click the embedded link to select your preferred location and view the menu.
Mariah’s Steakhouse and Pasta recently listed its holiday business hours, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.They are located at 3317 Robbins Road. They will have a limited holiday menu but have yet to release the Christmas dinner list, but their Thanksgiving list included prime rib, ham, turkey and pasta with house side dishes, served with house salad and mini-French baguettes. They also offered drinks and dessert specials. It is likely their Christmas menu will entail similar items. You must call ahead for reservations at 217-793-1900.
California Kitchen, located at 1132 N. Ninth St., will remain open for special drive-thru hours, from 10am to 4pm. Aside from their garden salad, there are not any vegan or vegetarian options, so this is specifically a place for those without dietary restrictions.
