San Franciscans shouldn’t have to choose between good government and good food — and they don’t, because the public has access to half a dozen cafeterias catering primarily to government workers (some at taxpayer-subsidized prices) right on Civic Center.
Topping the Lunch Miser’s list this week is the popular Federal Cafeteria, serving up fresh and grilled options five days a week to judges, secretaries, police and politicos. More than once, I’ve seen two ex-mayors lunching here the same day. Take the escalators on the left to the second floor after disrobing for the metal detectors (picture I.D. required) at the Golden Gate Avenue entrance (as the technology guarding the rear entrance on Turk Street runs much more slowly). The varied menu, which includes daily specials and a $3.50 quiche-of-the-day, is generally worth the hassle.
Mocha’s Café and Grill, with two locations (in the State of California Building on Van Ness Avenue, and in the Earl Warren State Building on McAllister Street), offers numerous breakfast lunch and dinner choices under $5. Peet’s coffee is served, and one may choose pancakes or waffles. Soups abound, as do burgers (ham-, cheese-, and garden-) as well as grilled sandwiches — all under $5. (Mocha’s also offers salads and wraps, but not within the Lunch Miser’s price range. The side salads and veggies are generally priced under $3.) Large indoor and outdoor seating areas allow diners to opt for group bonhomie or contemplative privacy.
On the lower level of the Civic Center Courthouse, Mint Cafe serves breakfast at lunchtime and (also under $5) a variety of fresh and tasty, if not particularly imaginative, lunch fare, including small salads, sandwiches (a “half” is within budget), and soups. For jurors or potential jurors unfamiliar with the neighborhood and mandated by the court to return within 45 minutes, grabbing a sure thing at the café may be a better bet than striking out for something more interesting in Little Saigon — and hoping to make it back it time. (Contempt citations have issued.) Regular readers, however, should consider trekking one block to the previously-mentioned Federal Cafeteria, where the offerings within budget are more interesting and varied.
In transition: City Hall Café. Located in the basement of the building whose name it bears, this longtime favorite of the Lunch Miser (for its proximity to the office, mainly) is temporarily shuttered. A handwritten sign near the cafe’s basement entrance (from the Registrar of Voters, proceed to the left, then around the corner) designates the “Future home of Mint Café” — who apparently are expanding from their location in the neighboring courthouse. Only the candy and coffee machines remain operative, but no true miser spurns the mechanical option when faced with lunchtime necessity. After all, vending machine prices tend to lurk in the more desirable range and, as every public servant is aware, sugar and caffeine fuel much of the bureaucracy’s best work.
Additional government-issue cafeterias near (but not actually on) Civic Center, include Terrace Café, located on the second floor of the State Compensation Insurance Fund building at Larkin and Market Streets, and the self-service cafe in the corner on the lower level of the San Francisco Public Library on Polk Street. Regrettably, in the former establishment only two items — the daily soup, and the bread pudding with raisin plum sauce — are priced under $5. And while the latter venue might otherwise afford a supremely literary and lunchable nook, the constant, odiferous restroom traffic that runs immediately alongside the dining area makes anything but take-out unthinkable.
-- the Lunch Miser
(Listed establishments are federal, state and municipal food vendors actually located on Civic Center. Except as noted, all open for lunch, Monday through Friday. For further information call the telephone number given or check the indicated website.)
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Cut and paste:
Federal Cafeteria
450 Golden Gate Ave
(no public telephone access)
Mocha’s Café and Grill
505 Van Ness Ave (415) 437-2233
www.mochascafetogo.com
Mocha’s Cafe
455 Golden Gate Avenue
(415) 864-6637
Mint Cafe
400 McAllister Street
415 431-6468
www.mintsf.com
