oChef » City Eats – San Francisco » City Eats – San Francisco – Reviews
City Eats - Reviews
Dining Center, 1600 Holloway Ave, 94132 San Francisco
All reviews at a glance
111
Reviews
48.6%
Satisfaction
36
negative
21
neutral
54
positive
What people say about City Eats
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Visit Type
Service Type
Meal Type
Price per Person
Group Size
Noise Level
Wait Time
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Best Food on Campus, Shame About Timing
My experience at this restaurant was overwhelmingly positive, making it the best place to get food on campus. I've eaten everywhere else on campus, and this place is the clear winner. They offer healthy food compared to other options, with multiple options to choose from.
A significant plus is that you get to have as much as you need. The only downside is that lunch is scheduled during my class time 😭. What's not to love?
😭😭😭
- food10
- multiple options9
- as much as you need10
- lunch3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Loud
9
More Than Just a Meal at City Eats
My experience at City Eats, the dining hall at San Francisco State University, was unexpectedly meaningful. While its nickname might suggest otherwise, the dining hall is actually very good. The key to keeping things interesting and healthy is improvisation and creating unusual combinations.
I eat there almost every day, and although the food is consistently chaotic, the people behind the counter are the real story. I met Maria at the omelet bar in 2023. Despite her husband having passed away the year before, she greeted every student with warmth.
Before winter break, she gifted caramels, nuts, and sweets to her regulars. I brought her flowers from Trader Joe's the next morning, which made her cry. Feeling bad, I started bringing her flowers every few weeks.
Before Maria left City Eats to start her own food truck, Brazuca Grill, her daughter created a Mother's Day tribute video, and I was featured in two photos. City Eats may not be gourmet, but it fed more than just students; it provided one of the most unexpectedly meaningful connections I've had in college.
- omelets8
- tacos8
- food quality7
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Great variety and friendly staff
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic. They offer an all-you-can-eat selection with a great variety of food available at all times of the day. This includes a sandwich bar, pasta, salad bar, and various entrees/sides.
The staff were also super friendly. I really love this place!
- all-you-can-eat9
- great variety9
- sandwich bar8
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Awful Food, Avoid Unless Forced
My experience at this restaurant was largely negative, primarily due to the food, which was mostly awful. The staff, at best, were okay. I would avoid it all costs unless you are forced into the meal plan.
- staff5
- food1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
7
Impressed by Vegan Options, Want More Variety
I'm really impressed by the diversity in food and how they have vegan options. I wish they could have more vegan options. It would be nice to see vegan Asian food, vegan Italian food and vegan Filipino food.
Recipes can be found in IG by searching #veganrecipes then hopefully that gives you some ideas.
- diversity in food8
- vegan options8
- vegan Asian food6
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Pathetic Service and Payment Issues
My experience at this restaurant was incredibly frustrating. I had to wait a good 30 minutes to get my food. To make matters worse, when it was time to pay, I was informed that their card machine didn't work and they couldn't accept cash.
This was a PATHETIC end to the meal.
- wait2
- card machine1
- cash payment1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Decent Buffet Value in SF
My experience at this restaurant was surprisingly better than expected. While it's not as bad as some reviews suggest, there's ample seating. Most of the food looked decent, though the selection is limited for a buffet.
Fortunately, there were still options, including vegan and vegetarian foods. The service model varies, with some food being self-service and other items made to order. The Transact Mobile Ordering app allows for ordering ahead, but the selection is restricted to a handful of dishes.
For those without a meal plan or not students, the entry cost is around $14, though I'm not entirely sure about that. Overall, it's very good value, especially considering it's one of the few all-you-can-eat places in San Francisco. The location itself was very clean, and the staff were very kind and helpful in answering my questions.
- ample seating8
- vegan and vegetarian foods7
- self-service6
- selection is limited4
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Cafeteria Food: Average and Overpriced
My experience at this restaurant was pretty much what you'd expect from a cafeteria. The food was average, and the price was high. If you can avoid the meal plan, I wouldn't recommend eating here.
- food5
- price3
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
7
Good Healthy Food, Limited Variety
My experience at the restaurant was centered around its great healthy food. However, I can see how students might get tired of eating there almost every day after a while because the variety is limited.
- healthy food8
- variety4
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Impressive Campus Dining Experience!
It was my first time dining here on campus and I was really impressed! I was expecting ho-hum American food and was pleasantly surprised to find a lengthy salad bar with a large variety of toppings, Starbucks brand coffee, cereal, and two different skillet areas where they fresh prepare hot foods for students to order. Oh my goodness, I took out the dessert bar!
I love their soft serve machine and they had vegan jello and even a healthy chia, oatmeal superfood ball thingy that was super tasty. The restaurant had a really warm but minimalist vibe that made me feel welcome, yet felt very clean at the same time. I could eat, study, or hang out there any time.
Plus they have heating. Their salami and chicken was really good quality and so juicy too. The salami tasted like the expensive type my mom bought a couple of times as a kid, and I wish I could take some extra home.
- salad bar9
- Starbucks brand coffee8
- skillet areas9
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