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Cafeteria
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
119 7th AveNew York, NY 10010
Neighborhood: Chelsea
(212) 414-1717
- Nearest Transit:
-
18 St (1, 2)
14 St (F, M)
14 St (A, C, E)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 6 am
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
1034 reviews for Cafeteria
Review Highlights
"Mac-n-cheese and pancakes were worth the wait."
(in 132 reviews)
"my fav out of the 3 was the smoked Gouda and bacon."
(in 27 reviews)
"For dinner I usually go with the chicken and waffles."
(in 75 reviews)
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1034 reviews in English
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Review from C M.
New York, NY
1/25/2012
Way more hip than the website let on to be -- this is a solidly inoffensive restaurant with a fantastic menu selection. A friend and I went on Thursday night around 10 pm - we sat at the bar for a couple minutes but were seated pretty quickly after that. The porcini risotto balls with truffle oil aioli are incredible. They were as good as the ones you can get for 1€ at tavole calde in Rome, except unfortunately these cost more thnat 1€. The tomato soup is also very good - very hearty and thick, could make a meal in and of itself. My friend got the fried chicken on a waffle and said it was great.
We also had ordered a carafe of some mixed drink - a blood orange mojito or some sort of sangria, I don't remember - it was good, and was $30, I think, and ended up being a fine deal because you get a solid 3 or so glasses each out of it. The servers were very attentive, nearly to the point of being too attentive.
If I could rate Cafeteria somewhere between 3 and 4 stars I would, because I wasn't blown away by all of it, but those risotto balls merit one whole star on their own. I'd definitely go here again if the chance came up. -
Review from Arielle C.
Manhattan, NY
2/9/2012
Okay, so I honestly have a huge problem with this place. Granted, I've only been a few times, but I was unbelievably disappointed each time. I have several issues with Cafeteria, but they can all somehow be traced back to its ridiculous level of pretension.
And, yes, I understand. It's in the heart of Chelsea, a neighborhood that's filled with the martini-lunch crew during the day and is booming with the meatpacking district clubbers in the evening. I get that this place appeals to a certain clientele.
But it's not the pretension that bothers me so much as the fact that its so undeserving of it. Pretension when it's deserved is so much less obnoxious. But this place is just...the food really isn't that great, the waitstaff is indifferent at best, and the hostesses couldn't care less if you have a reservation because you're going to be waiting anyway.
Then, the bill comes. I ordered a scotch the last time I was there (and it will absolutely be the last time), which was $15. Not that big of a deal, because I ordered a really nice scotch. The problem? They charged $1 for the ICE in the glass. I've heard of places doing this before, so it's not just Cafeteria's problem, but when I asked the waiter about it, he had no idea why. Because, let's face it, it's tap water. They're not paying for it. Charge me $15 for a glass of scotch, fine. You can even charge me $1 for the ice if you don't break it out on the bill because, hey, I'll never know. But if the bill says:
$14 Chivas Regal
$1 Rocks
I'm going to have a huge problem.
Folks? Avoid Cafeteria. Avoid it like the plague. -
Review from Jen C.
Manhattan, NY
1/21/2012
Went here last night with a couple of girlfriends. Upon making the reservation we were informed we better be on time because they will only hold a table for 5 minutes. Ok no big deal. Then when they called to confirm I was reminded of this again. Last night when my friend arrived 1 minute before our reservation she was told that the rest of the party better get here quick or they will give the table away. Ok we got it!!! Luckily we arrived at 8:31, only a minute past reservation time.
On to the food. This place is mediocre at best. Ideally I'd like to give it 2 1/2 stars but that's not possible. It wasn't bad but it wasn't anything special. I started with the tomato soup. It was tasty but a little too rich for me. It had a drizzle of basil oil (I think that's what it was) which was a nice touch. Next I ordered the mussel app for my entree. The broth they were in was not very good...lacked in flavor. The mussels themselves didn't taste too fresh either. I tasted some of the Mac and cheese my friend had and it was just ok. I've had better Mac and cheese in the city for sure. This just wasn't that flavorful. She had the Mac attack so I had a bite of all three...none of them knocked my socks off. Another one of my friends had the salmon and she said while it was cooked well it was blah and was nothing special. I was surprised bc the description of it sounded very yummy. All in all the food was a disappointment. Maybe their breakfast food is much better.
Service was fine....waiter was neither unfriendly or friendly but he got the job done. I don't think I'll be going back here again. It was just ok and there are so many other great restaurants in the city. -
Review from Janine C.
1/12/2012
I really wanted Cafeteria to blow me away, mainly because I had gotten such rave reviews about it from friends and had been looking forward to this meal for weeks. Unfortunately, between what I think may have been some bad menu choices on our part, some average service and the woman sitting next to us with an obscene laugh, our meal left much to be desired.
The decor, I must admit, is quite nice--decidedly "trendy" and I'm sure even more fun during the summer/spring when they have tables outside. It does get a little bit noisy during peak dinner hours so be prepared to have to talk loudly.
We ordered the calamari, the beef sliders and the braised short rib tacos. I am sad to say that I was disappointed with each item. Although the calamari dish was good, it was average. Despite a well-executed frying job, there was nothing very exciting about the calamari and the dipping sauces were a little bit bland. The beef sliders, again, were very average and at $5 a pop, I really thought I'd get more bang for my buck flavor wise. And finally, the tacos were a whopping disappointment. The toppings didn't mesh very well. Although the meat was very tender, the flavors of the sweet potatoes, corn, red onions and mystery veggies were competing for attention and the result was not appetizing.
Overall, this was a very expensive meal with unremarkable service and food. I think it's probably best to swing by during the summer/spring, get a cocktail and the mac n' cheese. -
Review from Mark T.
Stanford, CA
1/12/2012 2 photos
I'm a pretty big fan of the Cafeteria, perhaps because I'm a frequent New York tourist and its a fun place to visit with friends, perhaps because I like the atmosphere and it being packed 24 hours a day.
I'm a huge fan of macaroni and cheese, and the Cafeteria has three kinds, each unique enough to allow you to really appreciate the difference of cheeses. I believe they know have a tasting tray with each, but my friends and I usually each order our favorite and try a small of each others (I'm personally a cheddar and bacon fan, so it's always an easy choice for me). The last time I visited, I had their chicken and waffles, which while good, was not the greatest waffle I've had (a bit crusted) nor the greatest fried chicken I've had (had to add hot sauce).
Still, on the whole, the atmosphere is lively, and it's a fun stop to make at 4:30 a.m. when you know you'll be too tired to wake up for either breakfast or lunch the next morning. I've only been to a few restaurant/club feel restaurants (the others in SF), and I found this one to be far more successful than their counterparts. There is often a wait, but it's usually manageable.
The Cafeteria is a place that I think New York locals and tourists like alike; my friends who live in the city reserve their trips to when I visit because of the memories we've built there late at night! -
Review from Gary R.
I'll be honest, when the prospect of going to Cafeteria was first presented to me, I wasn't exactly jumping in fits of hysteric excitement. I just couldn't understand the curious sparkle in this person's eye when he was explaining how good Cafeteria was. The restaurant's name, for me, connotatively inspired images of customers carrying plastic trays, lining up buffet style to be served spoonfuls of cafeteria-esque food out of metallic trays seated on propane warmers by overweight, disgruntled, scowl-faced kitchen staff. Indeed, my cafeteria experiences as a youth in junior high and high school left an unpleasant, lasting impression on me. Thankfully, Cafeteria in New York's Chelsea neighborhood is the antithesis of that aforementioned imagery.
When we arrived, I was completely bowled over by the contemporary aesthetic of the restaurant. It was obvious that we had walked into an extremely energetic, modish setting that was chock-full of locals engaged in lively chitchat and noshing. Everywhere I turned I spied individuals dispatching American comfort food classics, prepared with a creative twist, down their gullets with animated fervor. Had I found my new favorite restaurant in NYC?
There was about a 10 or 15-minute wait for a table. As such, we headed to the bar to kill time with a cocktail. I had been depriving my liver of tequila for far too long, so I opted to try the Rude Margarita. This cocktail is composed of Tanteo Jalapeño Tequila ,St Germain (my favorite!), and fresh lime juice. So good! In fact, I believe this is the best cocktail I had during my entire trip. Unfortunately, the drink was made by a douchebag bartender who was way too into himself. Notwithstanding, the drink was so stellar that it made his bitchiness and arrogance tolerable.
We were seated shortly thereafter. After perusing a menu that sports so many appetizing dishes, I decided on the Spinach Benedict Sliders, in addition to a side of Cafeteria's Cheese Grits. Served atop cheddar grit cakes, the spinach and poached eggs with Hollandaise sauce were exquisite and ambrosial. The cheese grits didn't take a back seat to the sliders, either. They were equally palatable and reminded me that the world isn't as cruel and disappointing that I often perceive it as. My travel companion had the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with french fries. Sublime!
Our waiter was friendly, swift and efficient. I loved the experience here and will certainly have Cafeteria on my must-do list on all future visits to the city. Thank you, BK! :)Listed in: Masticating The Big Apple
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Review from Adaora G.
Bronx, NY
1/16/2012
I love it here, plain and simple. It's just a cool, laid-back, great place to go with friends or on a date.
The menu is pretty extensive, and the food is great. As everyone else mentioned, the mac and cheese is delicious. Also, the crowd here is so fun and diverse. Every time I come here, I either spot a celebrity or meet/make friends with the people sitting next to me. Its a pretty fun place to come and hangout. Plus its open 24 hours.
The only downside is that the wait time can be pretty long, being that they accept walk-ins and they do not let you make reservations the day of (has to be at least 24 hours in advance). But they have a bar where you can wait and have a couple of nice, strong drinks. -
Review from Melanie R.
Manhattan, NY
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
Amazaballs!! It was very crowded and crazy but our server was awesome! He was sweet and funny and flat out cool. All together it was a wild experience and we did go at like 3 in the morning lol. Table next to us was on something and singing show tunes lol! Just a good time!
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Review from Zvia S.
1/11/2012
I've been eating at Cafeteria for over 5 years now, and I gotta say, something has changed. The place is still a really great choice, seeing that it is open 24/7 and has a plethora of dishes and cuisines on the menu. However, subtle differences, detectable only by their most loyal clientele are noticeable. For example, the breakfast offerings are slightly changed: tampering with my silver dollar pancakes and eggs Benedict.. gasp!
You can still eat well here, but not as well as once... -
Review from Katie P.
New York, NY
1/29/2012
Cafeteria is one example of why I love New York. Where else can you satisfy a craving for both French toast and a croissant in one amazing meal? The croissant French toast was possibly the best breakfast I've had in a long time. You have to be in the mood for a very sweet breakfast, and it doesn't come cheap at $14. They pack you in to maximize space, so be prepared to sit very close to the table next to you.
The service was ok. They brought me a water glass with lipstick on the rim and our server was very apologetic about it. He kept coming back to refill our coffee but disappeared for about 20 minutes after he gave us our check. Overall it was a pricey breakfast, but with really unique and delicious food. -
Review from Tiffany T.
SOUTH OZONE PARK, NY
2/6/2012
The BEST mac n' cheese, hands down. Their Berry Vodka Lemonade is delicious. In the late night hours it can get VERY crowded and at that time, the wait is can exceed 45 minutes. The rest of their food is okay, nothing fancy.
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Review from James L.
Hoboken, NJ
1/27/2012
Good for 2pm brunch the day after drinking. There will be a wait but the food is good and so is the bar. Get the biscuits! Yum!
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Review from Briana H.
Brooklyn, NY
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Breakfast all day drew me to Cafeteria, but I don't think it's worth waiting for. We got one of the side tables and were pretty much ignored by our server, who never brought water even though she told us she would twice. The spinach benedict sliders were good, but the cheese grits were on the weak side. Not quite salty and cheesy enough. The food was also kind of tepid by the time it got to our table. The place was very busy, but our server also spent a good deal of time chatting with the table next to us. It was quite drafty, so definitely avoid it on a cold day. Cafeteria feels like the pop music they play far too loudly: overplayed.
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Review from Brittan B.
Brooklyn, NY
12/23/2011
I had a very late dinner at this place at 12:30 am the second day I moved to NYC and loved it. It felt like a club/diner in a GOOD way which sounds weird and potentially awful but it's NYC, so it's extremely cool somehow.
The decor, vibe, music and presentation of food combine for great ambiance. We had a drink at the bar because we have to wait about 10 minutes for a table (but were told 35).
The Mac-n-Cheese Spring Rolls were awesome. So was my Veggie Burger, mainly due to the aged provolone it came with which was incredible. My boyfriend got Fried Chicken and Waffles that he raved about it.
I am confident I will eat here a lot. -
Review from Fernando M.
Whitestone, NY
1/27/2012
My crew and myself was hungry and in the mood for great food for a decent price. We came across Cafeteria. it was packed last night and peeking though the outside windows the food had to be good just by the way the food was getting plated and the class of people inside. Over all the food was great and a place i will return every now an then.
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Review from Allysa P.
South Ozone Park, NY
12/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
-it must be called cafeteria because of all the tables being squished together like you're having school lunch in elementary school. That concept doesn't really work in the night time because the lighting is very dim and it feels like I'm on an intimate date with the strangers sitting next to me.
-Biscuits with honey butter are delish.
-The mac attack is YUMMY and very filling as an entree even though its an appetizer
-The chicken and waffles is a lot...a lot of chicken which was good. Got to take it home in a cute carryout bag :)
-Open 24hrs or really late...something like that during the week because almost everything in that area closes early. -
Review from Hetty W.
12/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
open 24/7, but breakfast only til 5pm? whyyyy?!
Anyhoo. So I settled for the much raved about mac attack, which was a pretty good substitute! I'd definitely go for either the truffle or the bacon and gouda--we actually left the plain one unfinished because there wasn't anything really special about it. Truffle lovers won't be disappointed by the strong but not overpowering truffle flavors, and gouda lovers (aka me) will get easily addicted to the yummy gouda savoriness paired with bacon.
We also tried the pumpkin seed encrusted salmon served over some sort of squash. I couldn't quite taste the pumpkin seed, but the salmon was cooked well. Be prepared for a wait--or you can just eat at the bar!
Will be back for dessert. -
Review from Grace P.
Davis, CA
12/27/2011
Cafeteria is an ideal lunch spot. Food was tasty, but nothing particularly special.
The service and outdoor seating were the highlight of my meal.
The half soup half sandwich deal is a good option for starving artists/students. -
Review from Chris W.
Manhattan, NY
12/27/2011
Cafeteria is fun and can be charming. However, it's a little over- rated and I feel like it's somewhat over-run by tourists. The food is not bad, nor is it mind-blowing amazing. The Mac &Cheese is great.....however, I have had better Mac & Cheese down the street at Tipsy Parson. The ambiance is nice on days when it's not too busy, but the place can get very loud. The outside accommodations can also be relaxing and entertaining when brunching with friends and family.
Overall, Cafeteria is not bad - there are just better places to go to in NYC. -
Review from Mikey G.
Merrick, NY
1/24/2012
IF U CAN DEAL WITH WACKADOO'S THAT WORK THERE AND DINE THERE ,THEN U WILL DISCOVER THE CHEF AND HIS CREW ARE SOME OF THE FINEST AROUND!Bleu cheese burger is insane exploding with taste on huge toasted bun made to perfection sure to please!if u r a mac and cheese fan u cant go wrong w sampler,its is delish!and my personal fav..the tomato soup!it is outrageous wuth lil' pieces of grilled cheese atop!the best i ever had,trust me its a meal in itself!make this spot a must try anytime ure in the city..open 24/7 its great anytime!everything on menu is fantastic!lil pricy but worth every peny!
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Review from Gaby R.
New City, NY
2/2/2012
i used to love cafeteria and their mac & cheese... i don't know what happened to them.. they are not the same. the ambiance is great though very chic and sleek.
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Review from Debra E.
Came here last night with one of my girl friends for a late dinner before a night of drinking. We were seated quickly outside because it was gorgeous out. Ok so onto the food & drinks. I had a blackberry mojito and she had a margarita, it was delicious with a kick.
Staff: attentive and quick there was always a waiter around to fill-up the water. Great staff really makes or breaks a place. My friend thought she lost her earring at the table and the manager and our waiter took a min out to look for it.
The food: The portions were generous two appetizers filled me up not to mentioned the bread was addicting. I had the peppered yellowfin tuna. It came with 4 slices over arugula with a raspberry vinaigrette and slices of mandarin orange and grapefruit. I loved the touch of avocado. Unfortunately, I inherited no spice tolerance from my parents but I survived. It had kick without me needing to chug down down water every 10 seconds. Now onto the meatballs (3), light and the sauce wasn't heavy either. My friend had the friend calamari and a steak sandwich. The fried calamari wasn't heavily breaded or too fishy no need for lemon overload. Her steak sandwich looked good, there was spinach and something else on it. I didn't sample it.
The Bill: $75.. not bad each appetizer was $10-$12, the drinks..I think were $10 a pop. Not sure how much her sandwich was. Not bad at all.
Can't wait to go back. -
Review from Amber O.
Bronx, NY
12/17/2011
This is my second time coming here. The first was on date, and last night was Girls Night!
Okay so the decor is the first thing that makes it look pretty cool. The outside is decked in white lights dangled around what look like pine trees.It being Christmas time, gave it a little flare. We stepped into the the place and it has a romantic, swanky feel. Almost to say, hey are you hip? you must be if you're here. I could dig that. I tell the hostess who's crammed by the door, party of 4 and we are told to sit at the bar. It turns out okay, because we wait 5-10 minutes tops. We are seated and are promptly given a basket of DELISH biscuits and our water was filled all night.
Our waitress on the other hand, was comparable to a troll. She asked us what we wanted and we weren't quite ready and she left to give us more time looking annoyed and disheveled. whatever. When we were ready to order, my friend wanted the soup and sammie. the waitress told her that was a typo and that the soup only comes by itself. WHAT KIND OF MENU HAS A WHOLE ITEM AS A TYPO?!
Anyway, she decides to go with the classic burger and fries, which were just okay. I got the gouda and bacon mac & cheese which was AMAZING! and the salmon Blt which was also pretty good. I like the fries because they have a little tang to them, not sure what it is. My other friend got just the parmesan fries and the cheddar and fontina mac as she wasn't that hungry. My other friend, who clearly was PMSing got nothing (WHY the hell did she come?!)
Overall, the ambiance of the place is nice, dim-litted and perfect for dates. The staff though, is plain ridiculous. I saw my waitress only when taking the order and giving us the check ( which she counted immediately) ugh!
The only reason cafeteria gets 4 stars is for the ambiance and that amazing Mac ! Once they clean up that staff, 5 stars will be waiting for them. -
Review from Cassie C.
Manhattan, NY
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Croissant french toast stuffed with strawberries and blueberries is the best brunch I've ever had.
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Review from Amanda D.
11/23/2011
Love, love, love this place! Cafeteria is the place to go for great food and great atmosphere! It's always packed so you will need to wait a couple of minutes before sitting down. The food is delicious and the portions are very generous.
My favorites - the Mac Attack! (Best mac and chese I've ever had - I order it everytime I go there), the fish tacos (Soooo good and I'm not even a fan of fish!) , and the sliders (absolutely delish!)
In all, the service is very friendly, the food is great, and the ambiance is trendy! One of my favorite spots to take out of towners! -
Review from Annette M.
New York, NY
11/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Normally, when I see a menu with a million options, I start to feel overwhelmed... and like I'm at the Cheesecake Factory. Not so at Cafeteria. Here's I fully appreciate the numerous tasty options, mostly because I can easily indulge my urge to eat foods from different meals. Kinda want breakfast, kinda want lunch? Start out with an order of the mac & cheese sampler (which, really, you should be doing anyway - it is divine) and then have a main course of lemon ricotta pancakes. Just want lunch? There's a wide variety of delicious salads and sandwiches. The drinks are excellent as well.
My primary complaint about Cafeteria is that it is completely impossible to get reservations at any sort of reasonable time (thanks, but I want to stop by at times other than 3:30 on a Tuesday). As in, I have looked weeks in advance and there are never any reasonably reservation times, leading me to believe they block out most of their schedule on Open Table. Lame, Cafeteria - if your reservation policy were as good as your food, I would be stopping in much more frequently. -
Review from Jimmy M.
12/29/2011
The food here is terrible. Almost tasteless. I know I've been there in the past and it was at least average, but this recent visit was awful. It's a scene if that's what you're looking for after a night out...
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Review from Soraya S.
Brooklyn, NY
12/5/2011
Heyyyyyy,
Soooooo One of my Favorite diners in nyc - Cafeteria!!!
Perfect ANYTIME of the day!!! The atmosphere is almost always busy, expect a wait especially for dinner and Overnight. During the Spring and summer, the outdoor seating is a must!!
They just completed a MUCH NEEDED renovation to their restrooms, and added a private space for large parties (nice touch peeps!!).
Soooo for a few of my faves.... I usually go for the salads. The ceaser Salad with Salmon, or the Cobb salad with Hanger steak.... Soooooo Delicious!! The portions are ENORMOUS (this brings me joy!). My friends usually go for the burgers, and they love it!! The normal breakfast entrees are really good especially after a night of partying!! The drinks are good as well.
FINALLY- THE MAC AND CHEESE!! HOLYYYYYCAMOLLLYYYYY!!! UMAZZZINNNNNGGGGGGG, especially straight out the oven!! Oh the cheese, and bacon on top, you will love it!! Try the "Mac attack", it' gives you three different types of Macs!
Great place for a couple or a group! I would totally recommend. Hope this helps...Chao!! -
Review from Kelly G.
Manhattan, NY
11/11/2011
Food here is definitely hit or miss. Loved the biscuits put out in the beginning of the meal (instead of bread). I was disappointed with the Mac & Cheese spring rolls - didn't think the Mac & Cheese filling was very good. I ordered the Braised Short Rib Sandwich as an entree and thought the meat and apple salsa was delicious but the bun wasn't very good (maybe the Short Rib Tacos would've been better). We had fried oreos for dessert which were delicious, but how could they not be? The sangria also tasted a little weird.
Overall, the restaurant has a great atmosphere and some of their food is really great. I'd probably go back. -
Review from Denise L.
Was excited to dine here, and we had reservations for a Friday night. However, my friend got there right on time, me and my other friend, 20 minutes late. Our table (booked through Open Table) was given up, and we had to wait another 40 minutes or so. headed for the bar, and this place was beyond packed, but we managed to squeeze in on the bar stools. My friend got the recommendation, some sort of fall drink, and it was realllllly good!
We were finally seated in the dimly lit restaurant, everything white, and it was so loud with all the talking, and were given cheese biscuits. I thought it was so dry, and almost choked on a piece. Gave it to my friends, first time I didn't gorge into the carbs before dinner.
Of course, being the mac and cheese fan, got the sampler of the regular, smoked gouda and bacon, and of course, the truffle. For dinner, I settled on hanger steak, which came with a white bean salad and polenta fries.
the mac and cheese came out and we dove in! My friends told me to try the truffle last, as it would ruin my pallette for the others. The regular one was good, the bacon and gouda was so watery, so I didn't care for that (I know! Passing up bacon!), and the truffle was by far the best. Amount of truffle was perfect, and not overwhelming.
I also ordered a white grape martini, and it was good and not overly sweet, recommended by our waiter.
Onto the hanger steak. Took a bite, OMG, did I just eat cubes of salt? SO SALTY. i could not hang, and it was a waste. Had my friend try, as I tend to like blander food sometimes, and she concurred. Yuck. The polenta fries were delicious though, wish there was more than 3. The white bean salad, gave to my friends as I'm not a fan of beans, and they liked it.
All in all, it was decent, but not stupendous! I can't believe theyre open 24 hours! -
Review from Brian m.
10/8/2011 1 photo
I used to be such a fan of the food at this place, that I completed tolerated the ridiculous attitudes thrown my way by the hosts at the entrance. Eyeing guests up and down as if this was Studio 54 and they held the velvet rope; the way they flatly report the wait time, without a hint of kindness or apology.
What a difference a couple of years make ... all bets are now off. My favorite things on the menu (the stuffed dates app, salads and the streak sandwich) have been tweaked for the worse - soft almonds in the dates, wilted greens, poor new bread choice for the sandwich. Even the "salad instead of fries" request was served with must've been a drip of dressing and was $2 more.
Beyond this though, Cafeteria has its work cut out for them in terms of their staff. I should mention that I'm a gay man, and that what I'm about to write may sound hurtful, but these "boys" really need to lose their attitudes. From our waiter who rolled his eyes at my visiting friend when she asked if there was any garlic in her sandwich (which she's allergic to), to the hosts who seemed frustrated by everyone who walked through the door ("Party of three? Three? Oh, okay, umm ... let's see." when the restaurant was half full).
It's simple math really: LOSE the 'tudes, IMPROVE the food. KEEP your customers. -
Review from K D.
New York, NY
1/8/2012
Had a late brunch here with a friend and waited almost an hour to be seated. The food was alright, but it took a long time to get to us and the steak in my sandwich was mostly gristle. The decor is nice enough, but that doesn't really explain the popularity of this place.
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Review from Jenn G.
11/2/2011
Do yourself a favor:
1. Order the mac and cheese and enjoy every gooey moment of gluttony that ensues
2. Stuff your face with the red velvet cake and never look back.
I can't vouche for much else here, but these two items alone are practically organsmic and worth coming back for. I don't know what you're waiting for - go order yourself some delicious. -
Review from Ernesto M.
Manhattan, NY
Updated - 1/11/2012
One of the worst service experiences I have had in this city! The host was rude, unprofessional and just downright mean. We were seated at a table, had ordered drinks and he told us we had to move tables with apology. And he publicly made a scene about the move. We left and honestly will not go back. Cafeteria used to be one of my favorite places. Not anymore because of this rude host. We were seated in the new downstairs . This happened at 12:50 on Saturday, January 7, 2012. This host needs a reality check on customer service! I hope management reads this and deals with him!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/7/2012
One of the worst service experiences I have had in this city! The host was rude, unprofessional and… Read more »
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Review from Evan A.
11/8/2011
Solid 4 stars.
After all of the ho hum places we ended up here and I couldn't have been happier with my last meal in NYC.
Now at 4PM on a daylight savings Sunday is the time to go. It was 5PM on our stomachs...time for dinner!
I got the chicken and waffles. YUM!! It did take some work the get all of the chicken but it was tasty and filling. What more could I ask for? -
Review from Elizabeth J.
Manhattan, NY
10/7/2011
Ready for a 'scene' at 5am? Why do we feel the need to come here and order a full meal at this time is beyond me.....with that said it always seems to happen with my friends, especially those on 'Cali time'.
Pro's: The food is super tasty!!!
Cobb Salad -is huge! And fantastic
Tomato Basil soup- incredible
Mac'n'cheese- will stop your heart, but is damn tasty to share
Burgers- nice cheese, cooked perfectly, super messy
Con's ( the Ho's that work there) : Mean mean hostesses' and I say hostesses not hosts, even though they are all men! These ladies are bitchy--come on ladies you work at a 'late night food spot' stop being jealous of the drunkards
Service: wow, slow to sucky
Wait: Why the heck is there a wait at this time? And why are they so rude about it??? Also, make sure your whole party is there or they won't seat you. Or 'Under Estimate" the amount of ppl to be safe -they are crazy about this rule
Lunch? Been here once for lunch, do yourself a favor and GO ELSE WHERE -the menu is exactly the same!! Dear Cafeteria -you really need to have a different lunch menu, or at least lunch specials!! Wayyyyy to expensive for lunch.
The food is good but the service is shitty --so if you go here expect that!! Maybe management will start reading some reviews and clean up there staff -hint hint -
Review from Rahul K.
New York, NY
11/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cafeteria is a staple in Chelsea. Food is consistently delicious, its always open, and the atmosphere is fun
Oh its 5am and you want truffle mac & cheese? you know where to go -
Review from Christopher M.
Hermosa Beach, CA
10/6/2011
My friend and I went here last week on a whim after asking someone for a recommendation of a good place to eat and drink that was open late. In hindsight, we should have dressed nicer, in that everyone there looked much sharper than we did.
But anyway, yes the food. I ordered the Short Rib Tacos and they were absolutely HEAVENLY. The Truffle Parmesan Fries were an excellent counterpart as well, and it also was really nice that our friendly and attentive waiter kept the Lagunitas IPAs a-flowing.
The food of course is a little pricey, but don't kid yourself. This is not your run-of-the-mill late night food joint. This is a pleasant and rewarding experience all in its own, and you undoubtedly get what you pay for. -
Review from Louis R.
9/27/2011
After getting smashed at Automatic Slims (you can't really chill in there if you are sober due to the B&T factor), we hit up Cafeteria.
See, the problem with this place is that it has TOO MANY uber-trendy dope-lookin patrons that when you order the mac & cheese, you are so distracted by the hotties, that the cheese gets cold and its not as hot and gooey as you would have hoped.
Great date spot if you want to impress your soon-to-be bf/gf...BUT there is also potential that he/she may wanna "trade up" and hook up with a hottie that's just chillin in there. jus sayin
I prefer the bar area where the eye-candy mingle. I don't care that the cocktails and beers are pricey, its worth it.
I have yet to make it downstairs...I mean, I have yet to stumble downstairs. -
Review from Cynthia G.
Brooklyn, NY
11/11/2011
It was around 12am and me and my friend were desperately looking for a place to eat and have a nice meal in. Everything was closed until we started walking towards Cafeteria. From the outside it kinda looks like an unfinished department store. It was only until we got in front of it that we saw the masses of hipsters inside. Once we got in we were seated right away. The seats are pretty squished together if you don't get a four person table so beware. You will be hearing the people's convo next to you for the duration of the meal but hey it's New York.
They give you these delicious biscuits with honey butter for starters. I decided to go with the Tomato Basil soup. It was surprisingly good! Flavorful and thick with little pieces of hard bread. My friend got the 3 Mac combo which proved to be too much for her. She couldn't finish her Chicken and Waffles dish which, just to warn yall, is HUGE! I had the fish and chips. The fish wasn't crispy enough for me and just fell apart. The tartar sauce was good and the "chips" were good enough.
Overall it's a nice place but I don't know if I'll go back. Maybe when I'm wandering around in the area again I'll visit.
