Guides to Hyde Park for UChicago students
How to eat, study and get around Hyde Park as a UChicago student. Written by Victor Hardt, who lives in Hyde Park. Prices are on the page wherever we have them.
On Pool this quarter. The app is free right now.
- 2-for-1 12 oz açaí bowls at Deep Purpl
- 2-for-1 subs at Subway 53rd Street
- 2-for-1 half chicken plates at Nando's PERi-PERi
- 2-for-1 Philly sandwiches at B'Gabs Comfort Cafe
- 2-for-1 jerk or honey wings at Ja' Grill
- 2-for-1 Wagyu Steak Frites at Chemistry
- 2-for-1 wraps, salads and bowls at Litehouse Whole Food Grill
- 2-for-1 chicken shawarma wraps at Cedars
- a free refresher with any treat at StruggleBeard Bakery
- a free third taco or a free drink with a Taco Dinner at 5 Rabanitos
- 2-for-1 Indian combo meals at Rajun Cajun
- 2-for-1 chicken and waffle bites at Dawn A.M. Eatery
- 2-for-1 lattes at Sweet Drip
- 2-for-1 sushi, pizza and more at The Sit Down Café & Sushi Bar
Live Monday, September 28. StruggleBeard Bakery starts Tuesday, September 29. B'Gabs Comfort Cafe starts Wednesday, September 30. Rajun Cajun, Dawn A.M. Eatery, Sweet Drip and The Sit Down Café & Sushi Bar start Thursday, October 1. Deep Purpl and Nando's PERi-PERi start Thursday, October 8.
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How internship recruiting works at UChicago
Banks recruit for the third-year internship in the fall of second year, consulting in spring and tech in late summer. Dates, clubs and first-year moves.
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How Metcalf internships work at UChicago
Career Advancement says Metcalfs are open to College students, with some limits by year and posting. The standard full-time stipend is $4,000, and the grant for unpaid internships opens February 1, 2027.
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UChicago finance and investment clubs
The Blue Chips runs a $200,000 portfolio. Maroon Capital does quant, with 200+ applicants a year. LTF, where I'm a general partner, is a student-run VC fund.
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UChicago consulting clubs and when they recruit
Prism and Eckhart recruit undergraduates every year, and campusCATALYST does nonprofit work. When each club recruits and when consulting firms hire.
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How to get funding for a startup at UChicago
The College New Venture Challenge's 2026 winner received $85,000 in investment. LTF, where I'm a general partner, gives non-equity grants to early student projects, and Polsky has separate terms.
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How to do startups at UChicago
Go to a Polsky event, join a club or two, then build something students use. Written by a UChicago student who shipped an app on this campus.
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How the College New Venture Challenge works
Kickoff is in October and applications close in November. How the CNVC and its Winter class work, and what Paytera won in 2026.
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UChicago startups from the New Venture Challenge
Slideflow Labs won the 30th New Venture Challenge and Paytera won the College track. What the 2026 winners won, and earlier ones like Grubhub and Braintree.
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UChicago startup and VC clubs for undergrads
The UChicago startup and VC clubs undergrads can join. LTF, where I'm a general partner, writes non-equity checks, Edge and ILC are for founders, and Midway consults.
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Things to do in Hyde Park as a UChicago student
Your UChicago ID is the Arts Pass, so the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, the Art Institute and the MCA are free. Plus the walk to Promontory Point.
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UChicago clubs and how to join one
UChicago has more than 400 RSOs. Which ones take everyone, which run competitive applications and how to prepare, and how club sports and intramurals work.
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Where to study near UChicago
Where to study near UChicago, with hours for the four student-run campus cafes and the libraries, and four places that have closed.
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UChicago swimming pool hours, Ratner and Myers-McLoraine
The UChicago pool is Myers-McLoraine in Ratner, 5530 S Ellis. Lap swim hours, autumn 2026 closings, who can swim, guest rules and membership prices.
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UChicago dorms, all seven ranked
UChicago dorms ranked: Campus North, South, Max P, Woodlawn, Snell-Hitchcock, B-J and I-House, with room types, all 48 houses, AC and the 2026-27 cost.
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UChicago dining halls, ranked
Cathey, Baker, Bartlett and Woodlawn Dining Commons ranked, with hours, the four 2026-27 meal plans and prices, fourth meal, and whether the food is good.
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How to eat cheap in Hyde Park as a UChicago student
How UChicago students eat cheap in Hyde Park, with the meal plan math, the streets to learn first and the habits that save money.
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UChicago O-Week 2026 schedule and dates
Every O-Week event and its time, September 22 to 27, plus move-in, meal plans, U-Pass, the deadlines around it and where to eat.
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How to find free food at UChicago
Free food at UChicago starts with the events calendar, then the regular spots, five meal swipes from Student Support Services and four pantries.
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UChicago ID discounts in Hyde Park
The UCID discounts in Hyde Park as listed, the 2-for-1s on Pool and the university programs for students, each with the date it was last checked.
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What is open late in Hyde Park
Late night food in Hyde Park, starting with Subway on 53rd (listed as open 24 hours, 2-for-1 on Pool), plus places whose own sites show them open after 9 pm and campus spots open until 1 am.
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Food deal apps and discounts at UChicago, compared
Pool, your UCID, Fourth Meal, the Grubhub student plan and 312Deals, side by side, with what each one gets you in Hyde Park and the catch on each.
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How to get UChicago students into your restaurant
Where students walk, what they already paid for, why a 2-for-1 draws more than 10 percent off, what it costs you, and the dates in the quarter that matter.
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The UChicago calendar for Hyde Park restaurants, 2026-27
Move-in, O-Week, Family Weekend, Thanksgiving, finals and winter break on one page, with what each date means for a restaurant on 53rd, 55th or 57th.
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What you can cook in a UChicago dorm
Your own fridge or a combo fridge and microwave unit, never a standalone microwave. Which appliances are allowed, which are not, and the community kitchens.
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Where to buy groceries in Hyde Park
Trader Joe's, Jewel, Target and Whole Foods with hours and walk times, which Hyde Park grocery stores have closed, and the dorm delivery rule.
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