Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Gonzales Mess Hall – San Diego
Gonzales Mess Hall - San Diego
Photo from Gonzales Mess Hall
Gonzales Mess Hall at a glance
San Diego Miramar
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 12 of the guests
#729 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#84 Restaurant out of 87 in San Diego
Poor
3.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
114
Reviews
32.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Value
- Breakfast items
Frequently criticized
- Food quality
- Atmosphere
The restaurant Gonzales Mess Hall in San Diego’s Miramar neighborhood offers a casual dining experience where you can enjoy everything from a quick bite to an all-you-can-eat feast. You’ll find a welcoming atmosphere perfect for any meal of the day, whether you’re grabbing coffee or settling in for dinner.
This spot is known for its diverse offerings, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Overview: Introducting Gonzales Mess Hall
Gonzales Mess Hall presents a mixed picture, where the overall dining experience is tempered by several notable drawbacks. While many appreciate the food for its specific offerings like fresh waffles and crispy hash browns, there are significant concerns about its consistency and seasoning.
The atmosphere also draws criticism, often described as unpleasant. Despite these challenges, the value offered, particularly for those with meal cards, is frequently highlighted as a positive aspect.
However, the service experience can be frustrating, with reports of slow lines and staff attitudes impacting the overall visit.
Poor
3.9
out of 10
114
Reviews
32.5%
Satisfaction
74
negative
3
neutral
37
positive
Gonzales Mess Hall registers an overall Restaurant Score of 3.9 out of 10, placing it in the poor category, and its Customer Satisfaction sits at a low 32.5%. This indicates that most patrons leave feeling quite dissatisfied.
With 114 opinions shared, including 37 positive and 74 negative, the feedback leans heavily towards areas needing significant improvement. Looking closer at the specifics, the Value (6.9) stands out as a clear strength, suggesting that for many, the price point is a redeeming factor.
However, other key aspects like Food (3.8), Service (3.8), and Ambience (2.9) all score poorly, reflecting widespread issues in these areas. This divergence between good value and poor execution in other aspects is quite pronounced.
What people like
- Great Value
- Fresh Waffles
- Crispy Hash Browns
What people don't like
- Inconsistent Food Quality
- Unpleasant Atmosphere
- Slow Service Lines
If you’re considering Gonzales Mess Hall, be aware that it’s a place with clear trade-offs. While the Recommendation Score of 3.8 suggests it might often disappoint, the strong value proposition, especially if you have a meal card, could be a significant draw.
It’s worth noting for specific breakfast items. However, prepare for potential inconsistencies in food quality, a less-than-inviting atmosphere, and potentially slow service.
It might serve its purpose for a budget-conscious meal, but don’t expect a consistently pleasant or high-quality dining experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Gonzales Mess Hall
Food (3.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to food, some diners found bright spots, praising the crispy hash browns and the option to make fresh waffles. Many enjoyed the breakfast omelettes, quality fruit, and the overall variety, especially the lunch selections. There are 23 positive remarks highlighting these aspects, suggesting that while the overall sentiment is challenging, specific items do hit the mark.
However, the food experience faces significant challenges, reflected in a low score of 3.8 and customer satisfaction at a poor 29.9%. Many of the 51 negative comments highlight mass-produced, poorly made food, often lacking seasoning. Issues range from undercooked or burnt chicken and bland rice to unsettling reports of foreign objects.
This feedback, from a total of 77 comments, suggests a culinary experience that often disappoints.
Food
77
Reviews
29%
Satisfaction
51
negative
3
neutral
23
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh waffles
- Breakfast variety
- Quality fruit
What people don't like
- Poor food quality
- Inconsistent cooking
- Foreign objects found
Often praised
- foodGreat food I can't wait for the next time
- lunchBreakfast and lunch are both great!
- Chef RatatouilleChef Ratatouille worked here because he is a good chef
- FoodFood:5
- breakfastBreakfast and lunch are both great!
- breakfast amuletBreakfast amulet made to order is always nice.
- chowhallsone of the best chowhalls I've visited
- fresh wafflesyou can make fresh waffles
- good foodIt's even free if you're on a meal card. My only advice is to get there early before they run out of the good food.
- hash brownsThe hash browns are crispy
Frequently criticized
- foodSeldom have I not been impressed by Sodexo. They take God's animals and plants and turn it into easily converted hatred for America's elite fighting force. You have to be hungry to eat it.
- chickenThe chicken varies on a steep slope between the most beautiful, succulent chicken you've ever had, to a level I would describe only as cinnamon challenge level dryness.
- food qualityThey take God's animals and plants and turn it into easily converted hatred for America's elite fighting force. You have to be hungry to eat it. I rate it 1776 stars if I could.
- seasoningMy experience at this restaurant was marked by terrible quality food. The chicken was consistently under-seasoned and under-cooked. The only reason I eat here is because spending my own money every day isn’t an option.
- ricethe rice is routinely 90% perfectly cooked, 10% diamond cutting hard grains
- 1 piece of chickenmore than 1 piece of chicken
- Burnt ChickenRecommended dishes:Burnt Chicken
- bones in dishesbones where the dish shouldnt have bones
- burnt chickenThe food itself did not look appetizing most of the time and tasted bland. On some days, I encountered issues like burnt chicken or frozen strawberries.
- chicken nuggetwatched a man choke on a chicken nugget and die
If food quality is a top priority, you might want to manage your expectations. While you might find a decent breakfast item like fresh waffles, be prepared for inconsistency in seasoning, cooking, and overall taste. Its a gamble, so consider other options if a reliably good meal is what youre after.
Service (3.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 42% of the guests
When it comes to service, some customers have found the staff to be friendly and professional, even going above and beyond to provide the very best. A few positive remarks specifically highlighted the staff and overall service as being good, with some never experiencing an issue. However, the overall picture for service is quite challenging, with a score of just 3.8, which is poor, and customer satisfaction sitting at a low 29.4%.
Based on 17 comments, with 5 positive remarks against 12 negative ones, many experiences point to significant issues. Concerns frequently mention the service itself, manager lady, worker attitudes, and staff behavior, with reports of rudeness, long waiting lines, and a general crew attitude that leaves much to be desired.
Service
17
Reviews
29%
Satisfaction
12
negative
0
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, professional staff
- Best possible service
What people don't like
- Rude manager lady
- Poor worker attitude
- Slow waiting lines
Often praised
- staffThe staff work the best with what they're given
- ServiceService:5
- issueNever had an issue so far
- serviceproviding the very best service
Frequently criticized
- serviceEven the service, rated at a 2, couldn't salvage this experience.
- workerOne of the workers fabricated a story and told my sgtmaj to make me look bad.
- crew attitudethe crew always got an attitude
- hoursGuess they have their own hours
- lunch breakMarines on this base that only get a half hour to eat
- manager ladyManager lady is rude and obnoxious
- staffStaff works as if they’re the ones with 4 year contracts
- waiting linewaiting in line to sign in, the line is always horrendously slow and long
If you're considering visiting, be prepared for a potentially frustrating service experience, as the feedback is overwhelmingly negative. While a few have had good interactions, the majority suggest you might encounter significant issues with staff attitude and efficiency.
Ambience (2.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, a few bright spots did emerge from 3 positive remarks. Guests appreciated the provided WiFi and noted that the chow area was clean. Some even found the general atmosphere to be okay, suggesting there are small comforts to be found.
However, the overall picture for ambience is quite challenging, with a score of just 2.9 and a low 25% customer satisfaction. Out of 12 total comments, a significant 9 pointed to an unpleasant atmosphere, difficult parking, and poor quality trays and plates. Issues like a gross chow hall, locked doors, and inconvenient hours also frequently came up, indicating many areas need serious attention.
Ambience
12
Reviews
25%
Satisfaction
9
negative
0
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean chow area
- Free WiFi available
What people don't like
- Unpleasant atmosphere
- Difficult parking access
- Gross chow hall
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- WiFithey provide WiFi
- chow areathe chow area is clean
Frequently criticized
- atmospherethe atmosphere was equally unpleasant, rated at a 1.
- chow hallthe chow hall was very gross
- doorsall doors are locked
- hourshours have been changed to inconvenient times
- parkingParking:No where to park because of all the dirty flightliners
- parking spaceParking space:Difficult to find parking
- trays and platestrays and plates made of poor quality plastic
If youre considering this spot, be prepared for a challenging atmosphere. While there are minor positives like WiFi, the significant issues with parking, overall vibe, and facility quality mean it might disappoint. Its probably best to manage your expectations or look elsewhere if ambience is a priority.
Value (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 19% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 6.9, its clear many find the pricing quite agreeable. Customers often praise the overall price and the convenience of a meal card, with 6 positive opinions highlighting how cheap and great the food is, especially if youre on a meal plan.
Overall, customer satisfaction sits at a good 75%. However, not everyone is thrilled with the cost. Out of 8 total pieces of feedback, 2 opinions point to concerns about the paycheck impact and the Price per person being quite high.
Some feel the cost can be substantial, with mentions of significant deductions or a high price tag per individual, suggesting it might not always feel like a steal for everyone.
Value
8
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great price point
- Meal card friendly
- Cheap, good food
What people don't like
- High price per person
- Impacts paycheck
Often praised
- priceMy experience at the restaurant was positive. I found it to be a good, solid, healthy meal for a great price. It's even free if you're on a meal card.
- meal cardfree if your on a meal card
Frequently criticized
- Price per personPrice per person:$100+
- paycheckover $300 taken of my paycheck every month
If youre looking for a good deal, especially with a meal card, this place offers solid value that many appreciate. However, be mindful of the potential cost if youre paying out-of-pocket, as some find it surprisingly steep. It's worth trying if you prioritize affordability, but check the menu carefully.
How are the prices at Gonzales Mess Hall?
On average, you’ll spend around 30 per person – based on 12 guests. That places this restaurant in the $21–$30 category. For a Restaurant, thats comfortably mid-range, maybe slightly above.
While the average is 30, the individual prices are quite spread out. Most guests enjoyed a meal in the $1–$10 range, but a few opted for the more premium $100+ options. Its a real mix of budget-friendly and higher-end experiences.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 12 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Diego.
Given the interesting mix of pricing, we think it offers flexibility for different budgets. It seems fair for a Restaurant in San Diego, allowing both casual and more indulgent dining experiences.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Gonzales Mess Hall
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Plastic and Hair in Food - Never Again!
My experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. I found a piece of plastic and hair in my food, which was a truly unpleasant surprise. Due to this, I will not be eating here anymore.
My gosh!
- plastic1
- hair1
- food1
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
High-Quality Food for a Week-Long Stay
My experience at this restaurant was excellent, especially considering I was there for a full week. The food was of high-quality, which definitely improved my mood. I particularly enjoyed the full salad bar and the convenience of having quality fruit pre-cut for me.
Given the option to eat anywhere, I chose to dine here repeatedly throughout my stay.
- food10
- salad bar9
- quality fruit9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Culinary Catastrophe: A Meal of Regret
My experience at this restaurant was nothing short of a culinary hate crime. Every bite felt like a personal attack, as if the chef was working through their own unresolved issues by punishing us. Each meal was a reminder of every bad decision I’ve ever made, like a time machine to regret, only with worse seasoning.
The food was a disaster, and the atmosphere was equally unpleasant, rated at a 1. Even the service, rated at a 2, couldn't salvage this experience.
- food1
- seasoning1
- atmosphere1
1
Worker fabricated story, avoid this place
My experience at this restaurant was extremely negative due to the actions of one of the workers. This individual fabricated a story and told my sergeant major to make me look bad. I would not recommend this establishment.
- worker1
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Food and Atmosphere!
I'm not sure what the negative reviews are about, but my experience at this restaurant was great! The hash browns were perfectly crispy, and I loved that they offered fresh waffles. The lunch options were also excellent with good selections.
This place is definitely better than Pensacola and North Island.
- hash browns9
- fresh waffles9
- lunch8
What Gonzales Mess Hall offers
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- All you can eat
- Coffee
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What are the parking options at Gonzales Mess Hall?
Gonzales Mess Hall provides free street parking and a free parking lot. While finding a space can sometimes be a bit challenging, you have multiple options available for your convenience.
What dining options are available throughout the day at Gonzales Mess Hall?
You can enjoy a full range of dining options at Gonzales Mess Hall, including breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert. It’s a versatile spot for any meal you’re craving.
How does Gonzales Mess Hall rate overall?
Gonzales Mess Hall holds an overall score of 3.9, indicating a generally poor experience. While Value stands out at (6.9), Food (3.8), Service (3.8), and Ambience (2.9) all fall into the poor range.
What are the common issues with the food at Gonzales Mess Hall?
Diners frequently mention issues like inconsistent chicken quality, often being under-seasoned or dry, along with bland flavors and occasional hard rice or burnt items.
What should I expect regarding the atmosphere and service?
The atmosphere is often described as unpleasant, with parking difficulties and poor quality plasticware. Service can be slow, with reports of staff attitude and rude management.
Location
5500 Miramar Way, 92145 San Diego
Opening hours
Monday – Thursday
5:30 AM – 7:30 AM, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, 11:30 PM – 1:00 AM
Friday
5:30 AM – 7:30 AM, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM, 4:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM, 4:30 AM – 6:00 PM, 11:30 PM – 1:00 AM