# What's on the Menu at Your Workplace Cafeteria? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 20, 2005, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335 "2005-07-20T19:18:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hyperelastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Hyperelastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hyperelastic)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/1 "2005-07-20T19:18:06Z")
Our cafeteria has had two winners in two days - yesterday, one of the main dishes was “Taco Salad with Cajun-Fried Chicken Tots” (wins due to sheer inventiveness and an audacious attempt at fusion cuisine), then today they served “Vegetarian Beef with Barley Soup” (no animals harmed in the making of this soup?) So what’s on tap at your cafeteria? ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/2 "2005-07-20T19:21:38Z")
I’m a vagabond cosultant so I’m wherever my company sends me and the lunch facilities vary a lot client to client. I’m at a large financian institution’s headquarters in Florida now and they have an excellent cafeteria. I had meatloaf, rice, broccoli and cauliflower today. Nationwide in Columbus had an excellent cafeteria too and DHL in Langen Germany shared a nice cafeteria with a Dell distribution center. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/3 "2005-07-20T19:30:29Z")
That remind’s me of the time the Harvard Freshman Union was serving “Meatless Chili con Carne.” We don’t have a cafeteria, but there’s a trailer that stocks drinks, snacks, packaged sandwiches and so forth. It’s called the Tidbit Palace. Really. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/4 "2005-07-20T19:32:29Z")
The main entries for the week: Stir-fry: Coriander Curried Chicken Served on Coconut Sticky Rice Wok Charred Tofu, Vegetables with a Ginger, Chili Hoisin Sauce on White Rice (Vegan) Black Bean and Garlic Beef with Assorted Vegetables Served on Jasmine Rice Thai Basil Lime Vegetable Stir Fry Served with Tempeh (Vegan) Mongolian B.B.Q. Pork, Broccoli, Yellow Onions and Spicy Cilantro Fried Rice Thai Red Curry Vegetable and Pineapple Stir Fry (V) Sweet Chili Chicken, Bok Choy, Peppers and Onions Served on Lo-Mein Noodles Vietnamese Peanut and Vegetable “Salad” Stir Fry (V) Stir Fried Shrimp, Fish, And Vegetables with Asian Pesto and Sticky Rice Noodles Honey Lemon Ginger Soy Tofu and Vegetable Stir Fry (V) Specialite du Jour: Crispy Skin-On Chicken Breast, Heirloom Tomato Fennel Broth with Sweet Corn and Tarragon Risotto Blackened Hawaiian Blue Marlin, Ginger Sherry Rice, Spicy Soy Mustard Beurre Blanc and Ponzo Vegetables Braised Leg of Lamb, Faribault Amblue Cheese Spoon Bread, Rosemary Aus Jus and Roasted Root Vegetables B.B.Q. Pulled Pork over Crispy Yucca Cake, Smoked Black Bean Sauce, Mango Ginger Coulis and Braised Asian Hot Mustard Greens Philly Cheese Steak, Thinly Sliced Beef, Onions, Peppers and Mushrooms on a Hoagie Bun Served with Waffle Fries Little Italy: Meat Lover’s with Pepperoni, Sausage and Ham White Alfredo Pizza with Chicken Kalamata Olives, Tomatoes and Basil (V) Little Italy Pasta Bar Features Assorted Pasta, Sauces and Toppings Daily. _Featuring a Zesty Meatball Sandwich_ Carving Board: Peppercorn Crusted Pork Loin, Brandy Mustard Cream Sauce, Roasted Garlic Whipped Purple Potatoes and Fresh Vegetable Du Jour Kalamata Olives, Tomatoes and Basil (V) Carved Jumbo Pulled Chile Chicken and Pinto Bean Tamales, Red Beans and Rice Salads: Smoked Turkey, Daikon, Carrot, Napa Cabbage, Cucumbers and Red Peppers on Mixed Greens with Sesame Ginger Soy Poached Shrimp, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives and Feta Cheese on Romaine with Dill Vinaigrette Grilled Chicken, Fresh Strawberries, Toasted Almonds and Brie Cheese on Boston Bibb Wedge with Raspberry Vinaigrette Baby Arugula, Toasted Pine Nuts, Heirloom Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, Red Oak Leaves with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette (V) House Smoked Salmon on Romaine with Cucumber Sour Cream and Dill Salad ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Hermit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Laughing\_Hermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Hermit)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/5 "2005-07-20T19:35:52Z")
Damn and double damn…Where do you work? Anyone need a gopher to do meaningless shitwork, just so I can get into that cafeteria? ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/6 "2005-07-20T19:44:57Z")
We have 2 eating locations: #1 Entree: Fried Chicken Vegetarian Option: Vegetable Fritters with a Thyme Aioli Sides: Mashed Potatoes / Corn on the Cob Salads: Caesar / Organic Field Greens Dessert: Boston Cream Pie #2 Hot Special: Vegetable and Cheese Frittata Deli Special: French Dip Soup: Corn Chowder Special Salad: Spinach, Pecan, Mandarin Orange, and Strawberry with Orange Balsamic Dressing Grab & Go: Chicken with Provolone and Marinara on a Baguette I never check the menus because I bring my lunch every day. ---
**Author:** ![taxi78cab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47c2d/32.png) [@taxi78cab](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taxi78cab)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/7 "2005-07-20T19:48:39Z")
No cafeteria in my building. But we can always go across the street to the mall’s food court. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![MagicEyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@MagicEyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicEyes)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/8 "2005-07-20T19:50:45Z")
> [@Laughing Hermit](#): > > Damn and double damn…Where do you work? Anyone need a gopher to do meaningless shitwork, just so I can get into that cafeteria? Sign me up, too! We have potato chips, Cheetos, Snickers and other assorted junk food in the vending machine. And occasional leftovers from conferences (the feeding frenzies when it’s leftover time are very entertaining). ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/9 "2005-07-20T19:55:13Z")
We always laugh at our cafeteria’s menu, because they use fancy-schmancy words to describe everything. For instance, one week they were offering a bacon cheeseburger with onion rings, and it was described as an “Angus burger with thick-sliced peppercorn bacon and crispy onion sections” or something like that. What makes it worse is the evening cook is quite literally the reincarnation of Seinfeld’s soup nazi. Keep your head down, order right off the menu with no special instructions, and you’ll be fine. Add or change anything, or ask for more information, or anything like that, and you’ll be subjected to sneering sarcasm at best, or thrown food at the worst. Good times, good times. ---
**Author:** ![hende](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/aca169/32.png) [@hende](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hende)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/10 "2005-07-20T20:31:45Z")
Baked Potato Bar: Baked Idaho Potato, Butter, Sour Cream, Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Bacon, Chives, Green Onions, Pepper Grinder, Mushrooms, Broccoli/Cauliflower, Cheese Sauce Baked Potato, Sour Cream, Butter Sole Florentine (6 Grams of Fat), Spinach Rice served with a Confetti Salad: Cucumbers, Peas, Radishes, Asparagus, Celery, Watercress and Onion in a French Dressing W “California Wrap” Turkey, Avocados, Sprouts, Cucumbers, Radishes, Carrots, Tomatoes, Lettuce, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Herb Cream Cheese and Toasted Sesame Seeds Lasagna Roll (7 Grams of Fat) in Marinara Sauce served with Fresh Peach and Spring Greens Salad Tossed in a Peach Marmalade Vinaigrette Italian Pasta Toss: Italian Sausage, Vegetables with Choice of Sauce: Alfredo, Marinara or Pesto Tossed with LinguineTopped with Parmesan Cheese and served with Fresh Baked Parmesan Herb Breadstick “Senor Governor Nelson Beach” Omelet (Ground Beef, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Onions, Pinto Beans, Jalapenos, Cheddar, Cilantro, Taco Seasoning ) served with an 8 oz. Juice “Moroccan” Vegetable Stew: Butternut Squash, Eggplant, Green Bell Peppers, Onions, Tomatoes, Garbanzo Beans, Dried Currants, Parsley, Garlic, Carrots (7 Grams of Fat), Couscous served with a Summer Time Salsa (Verde Tomatillo, Green Onions, Cilantro, Jalapeno and Green Chilies) “Greek Wrap” (Gyro Meat, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Onions, Green Leaf Lettuce, Spinach, Kalamata Olives, Garlic, Sprouts, Feta Cheese, Cucumbers, Fresh Basil, Oregano) in a Greek Vinaigrette These all change daily/weekly, this is just a sample ---
**Author:** ![AsecretK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ab992/32.png) [@AsecretK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AsecretK)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/11 "2005-07-20T20:39:03Z")
> [@MagicEyes](#): > > Sign me up, too! We have potato chips, Cheetos, Snickers and other assorted junk food in the vending machine. And occasional leftovers from conferences (the feeding frenzies when it’s leftover time are very entertaining). That is the same as my work but we also have the wheel of death. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/12 "2005-07-20T20:46:15Z")
No cafe in our building, but there’s a small deli in the building behind us. They have sandwiches and wraps, hot dogs, soup, a salad bar, and one hot entree every day (typically comfort food like mac & cheese, meatloaf, spaghetti, pizza, baked chicken, etc.). They also have Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, baked on site every day, and they bake their own bread every day. There’s an ice cream case, and a limited selection of chips, candy, and drinks (I never need the latter, because my company provides free soda). The food is decent, and I have a fondness for their turkey club wrap with lite ranch dressing, but sometimes I’d kill for a burger and fries. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/13 "2005-07-20T20:51:00Z")
> [@Laughing Hermit](#): > > Damn and double damn…Where do you work? Anyone need a gopher to do meaningless shitwork, just so I can get into that cafeteria? Corporate offices of a nationwide chain of consumer electronics stores. Rhymes with, umm, “chest guy.” ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/14 "2005-07-20T21:24:35Z")
I just copied this off the internet, so it’s not real organized, but this is what they’re serving this week: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Kettle Classics Chicken Rice Cream of Mushroom Hearty Vegetarian Vegetable Mushroom Barley New England Clam Chowder Bistro Soup Soup Soup Soup Soup Ancho Corn Chowder Minnesota Wild Rice Chicken & Dumpling Cheddar Cauliflower Italian Wedding Sandwich Sandwich Sandwich Sandwich Sandwich Turkey Parisian Mississippi Pork Mediterranean Chicken Cancun Chicken Smoked Turkey Garlic Spinach Salad Salad Salad Salad Salad Classic Chicken Caesar Spring Berry Classic Chicken Caesar Salad Classic Chicken Caesar Salad Classic Chicken Caesar Salad California Avocado Club Spicy Buffalo Chicken Baja Chicken Tostada Mandarin Orange Chinese Chicken Buffalo Chicken Asian Market Sweet and Sour Chicken Beef and Asparagus Pork Won Ton Soup General Tao’s Chicken Mongolian Beef American Bounty Roast Inside Round of Beef Herb and Garlic Crusted Pork Loin Southern Fired Chicken Cumin Crusted Grilled Flank Steak BBQ Brisket of Beef Traditional Rotisserie Chicken Lemon Pepper Chicken Home-style Meatloaf Vesuvio Roast Chicken Stuffed Chicken with Broccoli and Cheddar Off the Coals Smokehouse Pulled Pork Stacker Smokehouse Pulled Pork Stacker Smokehouse Pulled Pork Stacker Smokehouse Pulled Pork Stacker Smokehouse Pulled Pork Stacker Charred Italian Sausage Charred Italian Sausage Charred Italian Sausage Charred Italian Sausage Charred Italian Sausage Grilled Cajun Chicken Grilled Cajun Chicken Grilled Cajun Chicken Grilled Cajun Chicken Grilled Cajun Chicken Boneless Stuffed Pork Chop Boneless Stuffed Pork Chop Boneless Stuffed Pork Chop Boneless Stuffed Pork Chop Boneless Stuffed Pork Chop Corner Grill Chipotle Beef Hoagie Spicy Szechwan Chicken Wrap Turkey Reuben Monte Cristo Tex Mex Tacos Tuna Avocado Melt Caesar’s Gyro Platter Buffalo Beef Wrap Caesar’s Gyro Platter Bène Pizzeria Panini of the week Big Mountain Beef Wrap Radiatori Pomodoro Blackened Chicken Pasta Farfalle Carbonara Cheese Calzone Vodka Penne Garlic Mushroom and Asparagus Pizza Sausage Pizza Pepperoni Pizza Deluxe Pizza Turkey Pita Flyer Ham and Cheese Stromboli Italian Deli Calzone Meatball Calzone southern Style Crispy Chicken Rolletto Chicken Parmesan Rolletto Green Pickle Deli Napa Valley Chicken Wrap All American Sub Roast Beef Pepper Jack Classic Italian Sub BLT Turkey Club ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/15 "2005-07-20T21:28:55Z")
> [@Hyperelastic](#): > > “Taco Salad with Cajun-Fried Chicken Tots” What’s a Chicken Tot? Wouldn’t that just be an egg? ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/16 "2005-07-20T21:31:06Z")
We have a cafeteria, but it’s closed for the summer. During the fall & spring semesters they have your standard deli sandwich line, with a daily special sandwich, plus a couple of uninspired choices on the hot line. It’s really boring, actually. The previous cook used to make fantastic crab cakes, but the new one we got last year didn’t make them anymore. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![JohnM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/848f3c/32.png) [@JohnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnM)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/17 "2005-07-20T21:40:55Z")
This is just for today, as the menu is posted as an image. Breakfast: Breakfast Tortillas with Bacon, Egg and Cheese Soup: Chicken Corn Chowder Cultural Cuisine: Made-to-order Sushi Bar with Chef Michael Ni Grill: Italian Roast Pork Sandwich Wild Greens: Cajun Shrimp Salad Wrapables: Mixed Cheese Hoagie Panini: Italian Stacker with Cappicolla, Ham, Proscuitto & Roasted Red Peppers Plus the always-available salad bar, burgers or chicken sandwiches, and pizza. ---
**Author:** ![YellowTail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/b5ac83/32.png) [@YellowTail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YellowTail)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/18 "2005-07-20T21:58:59Z")
I get tired of the faux fusion cuisine posing at our company’s cafeteria. If it was good, that would be one thing. But it’s just stuff in chafing dishes. If you don’t get there early everything dries out and is, literally, un-chewable. Today I had a warmed-over, pre-cooked chicken breast on a bun with something off-white squirted on it accompanied by canned fruit whose juice made the bun soggy. And it only cost me $5! They should stick with the basics. Roast turkey & sweet potatoes, salisbury steak, etc. I swear, one of these days I’m going to get responsible and start bringing my own lunch. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/19 "2005-07-20T23:01:05Z")
Wow. You guys get real food. Here, it’s all imported stuff - wrapped sandwiches, boxed salads and a smattering of roughly-handled fruit are available until 1:30. Junk food is always available from the vending machines as long as they’re not broken. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335/20 "2005-07-20T23:12:08Z")
your workplace cafeteria has a **sushi chef** on site. Not my workplace – I’m just in a small, 2 person office – but at my husband’s. Lucky dog. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-the-menu-at-your-workplace-cafeteria/313335.md?page=2)