Restaurants

Restaurant Menus

• Lavu Culinary Kiosk - Carryout Menu

  Lavu, our culinary kiosk on the ground floor of the City Center Campus, is open for carryout orders Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., serving items such as:

  • Paninis
  • Salads
  • Soups
  • Bakery goods
  • And more!

• Saveur Menu

  To Order Carryout or Make a Reservation: 

  • Please call (815) 280-1200.
  • Open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

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  Saveur Menu 

  Tuesdays and Thursdays 11am-12:45pm - Spring 2026

  Little Cravings (antojitos) 

  Crispy Carnita Bunuelos (Mexican Doughnuts) Slow Cooked Pork, Creamy Tetilla Cheese, Red Pepper Cream, Honey Dust. 7

  Sweet & Sour Crispy Brussels Sprouts Pickled Golden Raisins, Pistachio, Manchego Cheese, Raw Honey-Sherry Vinaigrette. 6

  Chicken Mole Lollipop Achiote Marinated, Smoked Chicken Wings, Mole Negro, Saffron Rice, Sesame Seeds. 7

  Tapas

  Scallop Datiles Pan Seared Scallops, Organic Medjool Dates stuffed with Marcona Almonds & Wrapped in Bacon, Sweet & Sour Yellow Bell Pepper Sauce, Petite Frisee Salad, Leek Tuile. 7

  Pulpo a la Parilla Char Grilled Octopus, Mango, Chili Crisp, Pork Rinds, Frisee, Queso Fresco. 8

  Soup & Salad

  Lobster, Crustacean & Green Chili Bisque Fire Roasted Corn, Hatch Green Chilies, Cilantro Crème Fraiche, Cotija, Crispy Tortilla. 6

  Spanish Style Caesar Baby Gem, Marcona Almonds, Spanish Cantabrico Anchovy, Serrano Ham, Shaved Parmesan Cheese, Sourdough Crisp, Saveur Dressing. (may omit anchovies). 9

  Sandwich

  Mexican Fat Burger Grilled Burger stuffed with Oaxaca Cheese, Guacamole, Pico di Gallo, Crispy Onion Strings, Butter Toasted Bolillo Roll, Fries. 11

  Carne Asada Patty Melt Charcoal Finished, Marinated Hangar Steak, Chihuahua Cheese, Mojo Verde, Garlic Aioli, Charred Shishito Peppers, Grilled House Made Sourdough, Fries. 12

  Pasta

  Mexican Mac & Cheese Fresh Extruded Pasta, Adobo Grilled Chicken, House Made Chorizo, Roasted Poblano Peppers, Red Bell Peppers, 3 Cheese Mac Sauce (Cheddar, Chihuahua & Pepper Jack). 13

  Entrees

  Pescado Citrico Citrus Cured Atlantic Cod, Spicy Potato Noodles, Orange-Saffron Butter Sauce, Avocado Crème Fraiche, Shaved Radish, Orange & Watercress. 13

  Pork con Patatas Fritas Smoked Pork Belly, Charred Romanesco, Chorizo, Skinny Fries, Red Chimichurri, Lime-Cilantro Butter. 13

  Desserts

  Romeo y Julieta Goat Cheese Cheesecake, Walnut Granola, Guava Gelee, Charred Grapefruit, Cajeta (Mexican Caramel).

  Blackberry Brown Butter Custard Bunuelos Tart Shell, Tamarind Gelato, Pickled Blackberries, Nance Compote.

  Prix Fixe - 

  (1) Entree and any (2) other Courses for $22

• Thrive Menu

  To Order Carryout or Make a Reservation: 

  • Please call (815) 280-1201.
  • Open Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
  • Open Thursdays, 6 to 7:30 p.m. 

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  Thrive Lunch Menu

  Wednesdays 11 am - 12:45 pm - Spring 2026

  Small Plates

  Crab in Crispy Brioche Lemon herb espuma/petite asparagus salad. Red pepper jus/toasted shellfish oil. 8          

  Asian Duck Meatballs Sweet and sour blueberry choeng glaze. Ginger lime cream/five spice duck fat lace. Peanut coconut puree/Fresh herbs. 8 GF

  Italian Flatbread Creamy whipped ricotta/hot honey drizzle. Parmesan reggiano/shaved fennel arugula salad. Balsamic dried cherry vinaigrette. 8  V

  Smoked Chicken Mac-n-Cheese Pulled smoked chicken/roasted red pepper/basil. Three cheese sauce/garlic and smoked chicken skin fun crunch. 8          

  Italian Greens and Farro Salad Dried cranberries/toasted hazelnuts/parmesan Reggiano/crispy fun crunch/whipped honey ricotta. Balsamic parmesan dressing/shio koji. 8  V

  Tomato Basil Soup Grilled cheese foam/basil oil. Parmesan tuile. 6   GF/V 

  Baby Romaine Salad Poppy seed dressing/honey candied walnuts. Pickled strawberries/feta panna cotta. 6  GF/V

  Entrees

  Peppers and Pesto Smash Burger Sweet and spicy pepper relish/pesto spread. Shredded romaine/shredded mozzarella. House-cut fries/homemade ketchup. 13

  Mahi Mahi Roll Fish Taco Style Coconut panko mahi mahi/queso fresco/pineapple jam. Chipotle spread/hibiscus pickled onions. Grilled flatbread/house-cut fries/homemade ketchup. 14

  Italian Braised Beef Pizza Rich braised beef/peppers and onions/mozzarella. Red wine tomato sauce/parmesan cream/basil. Red pepper giardiniera. 14        

  Eggplant Parmesan Stromboli Lightly breaded eggplant/parmesan. San Marzano tomato sauce/basil/mozzarella. Oregano and garlic olive oil. 13   V

  Sauteed Salmon Cannelloni of smoked salmon and potato. Red pepper coulis/Herb butter spring vegetables. Pistachio aillade/Basil and caper vin blanc. 14

  Sauteed Chicken Milanese Lightly breaded chicken breast/garlic cream/parmesan. Fried parmesan potato/braised chicken peperonata. Lemon brown butter jus/arugula. 13  GF

  Prix Fixe Lunch Option: 1 Entree and any 2 other courses $22

  Thrive Dinner Menu

  Thursdays 6 pm - 7:30 pm - Spring 2026

  Small Plates

  Crab in Crispy Brioche Lemon herb espuma/petite asparagus salad. Red pepper jus/toasted shellfish oil. 8          

  Asian Duck Meatballs Sweet and sour blueberry choeng glaze. Ginger lime cream/five spice duck fat lace. Peanut coconut puree/Fresh herbs. 8 GF

  Italian Flatbread Creamy whipped ricotta/hot honey drizzle. Parmesan reggiano/shaved fennel arugula salad. Balsamic dried cherry vinaigrette. 8  V

  Smoked Chicken Mac-n-Cheese Pulled smoked chicken/roasted red pepper/basil. Three cheese sauce/garlic and smoked chicken skin fun crunch. 8          

  Italian Greens and Farro Salad Dried cranberries/toasted hazelnuts/parmesan Reggiano/crispy fun crunch/whipped honey ricotta. Balsamic parmesan dressing/shio koji. 8  V

  Tomato Basil Soup Grilled cheese foam/basil oil. Parmesan tuile. 6   GF/V 

  Baby Romaine Salad Poppy seed dressing/honey candied walnuts. Pickled strawberries/feta panna cotta. 6  GF/V

  Entrees

  Italian Braised Beef Pizza Rich braised beef/peppers and onions/mozzarella. Red wine tomato sauce/parmesan cream/basil. Red pepper giardiniera. 14        

  Eggplant Parmesan Stromboli Lightly breaded eggplant/parmesan. San Marzano tomato sauce/basil/mozzarella. Oregano and garlic olive oil. 14  V

  Sauteed Salmon Cannelloni of smoked salmon and potato. Red pepper coulis/Herb butter spring vegetables. Pistachio aillade/Basil and caper vin blanc. 22

  Sauteed Chicken Milanese Lightly breaded chicken breast/garlic cream/parmesan. Fried parmesan potato/braised chicken peperonata. Lemon brown butter jus/arugula. 17   GF

  Grilled Strip Loin Potato Torte with dill cream and black garlic. Potato sponge cake/wild mushrooms/onion jam. Creamed spinach/red wine peppercorn sauce.  27

  Prix Fixe Dinner – 2 Small Plates, 1 Entrée and 1 Dessert:

  Pizza or Calzone - $27

  Chicken - $30 Salmon - $34

  Strip Steak - $40
   

About our Restaurants

Please note that JJC's student restaurants are only open on select days during the fall and spring semesters.

• Saveur

  Fall & Spring Hours

  Tuesdays and Thursdays
  11a.m. to 12:45p.m.

  Reservations are suggested and encouraged. Please call (815) 280-1200.

  Summer Hours

  Closed

  More About Saveur

  One of two restaurants run by the students in the Culinary Arts Program, Saveur features a journey of tastes and textures through contemporary American and International cuisine all prepared from scratch by our talented culinary students.

  Saveur is a full-service restaurant, providing table service with a friendly atmosphere. The restaurant will be open at the City Center Campus located at 235 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL on the second floor. All proceeds go directly to the Culinary Arts Department. 

• Thrive

  Fall & Spring Hours

  Wednesdays 
  11a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
  
  Thursdays
  6 to 7:30 p.m.

  Reservations are suggested and encouraged. Please call (815) 280-1201.

  Summer Hours

  Closed

   

  More About Thrive

  The focus of Thrive is to craft elegant and imaginative cuisine, showcasing fresh ingredients. All pastas are produced in house, as well as cheeses, breads and more to create a menu both classic and approachable that is simple yet flavorful. Thrive is also run by the students in the Culinary Arts Department.

  Thrive Restaurant is located on the first floor of the City Center Campus, facing Chicago Street. 

• Lavu Culinary Cafe (kiosk)

  Monday through Thursday
  9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

  Lavu Culinary Cafe, located on the main floor of the lobby next to Thrive Restaurant, is available for carryout featuring coffee, breakfast items, sandwiches, soups and desserts.