Food deal apps and discounts at UChicago, compared

There are five ways to pay less for food around campus, and they don't overlap much. One is an app built for UChicago, one is your ID card, two come with your student account and one is a city-wide directory. The table shows what each one gets you and the catch on each. I built Pool, so keep that in mind when you read its row.

1. Pool

Pool is a food deals app for UChicago students. It is free right now, through January 17, 2027, and it checks your uchicago.edu email once. Most deals work the same way. You order two and the cheaper one is free. For most, you book a window in the app, show the pass at the counter and pay the restaurant for one. The deals are 2-for-1 12 oz açaí bowls at Deep Purpl (from October 8), 2-for-1 subs at Subway 53rd Street, 2-for-1 half chicken plates at Nando's PERi-PERi (from October 8), 2-for-1 Philly sandwiches at B'Gabs Comfort Cafe (from September 30), 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 (from September 29), a free third taco or a free drink with a Taco Dinner at 5 Rabanitos, 2-for-1 Indian combo meals at Rajun Cajun (from October 1), 2-for-1 chicken and waffle bites at Dawn A.M. Eatery (from October 1), 2-for-1 lattes at Sweet Drip (from October 1) and 2-for-1 sushi, pizza and more at The Sit Down Café & Sushi Bar (from October 1), from Monday, September 28.

The catch is that each deal works once every 30 days, so you can't use it every day.

2. Your UCID

A short list of Hyde Park places give 10 to 20 percent off when you show the card. Welcome to Hyde Park lists 10 percent at Ja' Grill, Saucy Porka and Kilwins, 20 percent at Sit Down, and a discount on handcrafted drinks at Capital One Café. Confirm at the register. The discounts guide has every row with the date it was last checked.

Ten percent off a $12 lunch is $1.20, so it's worth asking.

3. Fourth Meal and Dining Dollars

Fourth Meal is the late dining hall service, Monday to Thursday from 9 pm to midnight, starting week 3. It's dine-in only. Dining's menu site shows which hall runs it. Dining Dollars replaced Maroon Dollars this year. They roll over by quarter and only work on campus, so use them at the campus cafés. They won't work on 53rd.

4. Grubhub's student plan

Through the university's deal with Grubhub, you get the student plan with a $0 delivery fee through graduation, and you can pay with Phoenix cASH. The bursar's page says additional fees may apply. It's useful on nights you don't want to leave your room.

5. 312Deals

312deals.com is a Chicago-wide deals directory. It's free and you don't need an account. Confirm each deal with the restaurant before you go.

What about UNiDAYS, Student Beans, Yapa

UNiDAYS and Student Beans verify you are a student and list discounts from national brands. I use them when I'm buying a laptop or a pair of shoes. We haven't checked Yapa, so it isn't in the table.

The order to use them in

If you're on a meal plan and it's Monday to Thursday before midnight, from week 3, start with Fourth Meal. Use Pool when you're going to Deep Purpl or Subway anyway, once a month each. Show your UCID at the places on the discounts guide. For the rest of the city, check 312Deals, and use Grubhub on nights you stay in.