Make the most of your dining experience with clear guidance and support for your dietary needs. We provide menu transparency and allergen management, along with other dietary options. Learn how we can help you navigate your meals with ease and confidence. We emphasize the importance of reaching out to our UHD registered dietitians to discuss how we can best meet your dining needs.
Menu Transparency
We offer a wide variety of food options in our dining venues across the Forty Acres, including menu items to support vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and halal diets. The menu offerings at each dining venue change daily, but guests can stay aware of what’s available with our online dining menus. Menus are published online and available one week prior to service.
Our online menu is especially helpful for students with special dietary concerns, since it provides nutrition facts, ingredients and allergen information. To access full ingredient listings and nutrition facts (calories, protein, sodium, etc.), simply click on the “Nutrition” tab near each menu category, then select any menu item for detailed information.
Food Allergen Identification
We identify the nine major food allergens – peanuts, tree nuts (including coconut), fish, shellfish, milk, eggs, soy (including soybean oil), wheat, sesame and gluten – in menu offerings at all of our dining venues. In addition, foods commonly avoided for religious or lifestyle preferences are also labeled. Be on the lookout for these icons on the digital menu boards above each serving line in the residential dining venues, as well as on the online menu and on prepackaged grab-and-go foods in the retail venues.
Food Allergen Labeling and Icons
University Housing and Dining makes every effort to identify the top nine major allergens that can cause allergic reactions for individuals with food allergies. Menus are published online and available one week prior to service. In addition, allergen icons are available on digital menu boards above each serving line in the dining locations.
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| Beef | Pork | Vegan | Vegetarian | Halal-friendly | |
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Ingredient and allergen information is based on food manufacturer provided data and the possibility exists for manufacturers to change the formulation of their products at any time, without notice to our facilities. It is important for guests to be aware of this risk and to make dining decisions accordingly.
Allergen Management
We are committed to providing equal and integrated access to dining services for all qualified persons with disabilities, including food allergies and celiac disease. The management staff in our dining halls receive in-depth training on food allergies, FAST training held by our UHD registered dietitians, and are Serv-Safe allergen certified through the National Restaurant Association. Read below to learn about the Fresh and Simple Tastes (FAST) dining options available, which can help mitigate concerns with self-management of your diet on campus.
Fresh and Simple Tastes Line
The Fresh and Simple Tastes (FAST) Line at J2 Dining is specially designed with allergen accommodations in mind. Each dish on our FAST Line is crafted exclusively with ingredients that do not contain the top nine allergens – peanuts, tree nuts (including coconut), fish, shellfish, milk, eggs, soy (including soybean oil), wheat, sesame and gluten. All the food served here is exclusively shipped, prepared and produced in that space to eliminate cross-contact, so guests with allergies can eat with peace of mind. However, anyone is welcome to dine at our FAST Line, as accommodations are not necessary.
Please note that this option cannot accommodate special requests, so it is important to review menus online in advance.
Fresh and Simple Tastes Pantry
The Fresh and Simple Tastes (FAST) Pantry at Kins Dining offers top nine allergen-free meals in a dedicated space to prevent cross contact. The FAST Pantry is also regularly stocked with basics including gluten free bread, bagels and waffle mix, as well as dairy free milk and a dedicated toaster.
Students who have allergies or special dietary needs can access the pantry using their UT ID card whenever the dining hall is open. To add FAST Pantry access to your UT ID card, please follow the steps below:
Email our registered dietitians at dietitian@austin.utexas.edu to request access. Be sure to include your UT EID in your email.
You will receive a follow-up email with a direct link to our FAST Pantry training. The training takes about two minutes to complete and includes an acknowledgement statement that you will use the FAST Pantry appropriately and safely.
Shortly after completing the training, you will gain access to the FAST Pantry via your UT ID card.
Please note that only students with FAST Pantry access may utilize this option. It is not intended for guests or students who have not personally completed the required training.
Dietary Options
Our goal when crafting dining menus is to provide offerings that align with the trending foodservice landscape while aiming to satisfy the wide range of special dietary concerns and needs commonly seen in our campus community. If you have any questions regarding a particular menu offering or would like to schedule a consultation with our registered dietitians, please email us.
Plant-Based Dining
Vegetarian and vegan options are readily available at every meal in the dining halls, with options easily identifiable by either a vegetarian or vegan icon. We encourage you to review dining hall menus before visiting the dining hall and to read menu signage carefully when making selections. Never hesitate to ask for help from staff if you have questions or need assistance.
We aim to provide transparency in our labeling so guests can identify vegan and vegetarian products quickly and with confidence. Please utilize the criteria detailed below to help you make informed dining decisions when selecting plant-based options.
Items are not labeled as Vegetarian if they contain any meat, fish, shellfish or by-products of animal slaughter, such as E120, E542, gelatin or rennet/rennin.
Items are not labeled as Vegan if they contain any meat, fish, shellfish, dairy or dairy by-products, eggs or egg products or animal-derived ingredients, such as gelatin, honey, keratin, rennet/rennin, trypsin, E120, E542, E631, E901, E904, E913, E966 or E1105.
Please note that items labeled as Vegetarian or Vegan may contain ingredients that have been manufactured on shared machinery and/or contain ingredients that are vague in their source, such as amylase and vitamin D3.
Religion-Based Dining
Students with religious dietary needs should consult with our registered dietitians prior to signing a housing contract to determine if and how their needs can be met on a residential dining plan. Some religious dietary requirements, such as maintaining a vegetarian or vegan diet, can be accommodated in the dining halls. However, students with highly specific or complex restrictions may find that their needs cannot be met through a residential dining plan.
Disability-Related Dining Accommodations
Students who have a food-related disability, such as a food allergy or celiac disease, and wish to apply for housing that requires a meal plan may request a dining accommodation if they feel the current meal plan and self-management resources do not meet their individual needs. This determination should be made after consultation with the UHD registered dietitians. Students should begin the dining accommodation request process before signing a housing contract for an existing condition or as soon as a new diagnosis is made during the academic year.
Depending on the nature of the disability and/or requested accommodation, our team may consult with Disability and Access (D&A). Because of this collaborative process, requests can take time to complete so please plan ahead to ensure timely processing prior to housing contract deadlines. Students who may need accommodations in other areas of the University because of their disability should contact D&A directly to discuss documentation and registration requirements.