Popular today among Ivy-league colleges Princeton, Yale, and Harvard, eating or dining clubs originated in the 19th century as social organizations which meet regularly for dinner, conversation, or other events. They were largely replaced by the modern Greek Life system. Often, membership is required to participate and meals may be provided by an outside entity such as a private chef. According to Trinity College, participation in a meal plan is mandatory except for “students who are living off campus or members of Trinity’s authorized eating clubs (St Anthony’s Hall, Alpha Delta Phi and Psi Upsilon).”
City Hotel was an eating club that existed at least from 1873-74.
College Hall was an eating club that existed in 1873.
The MMC was an eating club that at least existed in 1875. They only identified their members through a series of numbers. Its motto was “I cannot eat but little meat/My stomach is not good:/But sure I think that I can drink/With him that wears a hood.”
Mutual Benefit Eating Club was an eating club that existed in 1874. Its headquarters were located in Jarvis Hall. It had nine members in 1874.
Organized in 1861, its motto was “C.C.C.” and little else is known about it.