MIT Lincoln Laboratory Cafeteria

I’m sure the first review was written to be tongue in cheek or at least to give the patrons of this establishment, a good laugh. Sadly I have to eat there 5 days a week because I’m not organized enough to bring a lunch from home. And I always hold out hope that the food will be good. Alas, it usually costs me around $ 10 for lunch and it’s no better than the $ 1.50 school lunch my kids get. It’s the only place I know that can serve a ceaser salad rollup that delivers 750 calories. And the main entrees run about 1600 calories. High in fat and sodium. Very sad. But there is nice outdoor seating in the summer!

Not quite as bad as it gets but close. Menu is stuck in the 60s, with mostly standard American favorites, high in fat and salt, and portions that are too big for a daily lunch. Prices are high for what you get and they keep on climbing far faster than inflation. Food is not hot enough when served so it needs to be microwaved after buying. Which does nothing for the fries; already terrible to begin with.
The by-​the-​ounce specials are ricidulously overpriced.
The sandwich station has so many arbitrary rules about what you can and cannot have on your sandwich, that I have given up on it.
The grill station tries to push their pre-​made soggy burgers and fries, and it seems to annoy them when I order a fresh burger or fries.
Dessert section is extremely limited and always runs out well before lunch hour is over. Mediocre cookies that always seem stale, gelatinous pecan pie with hardly any pecans, cake slices smothered with kool-​whip, etc.
Coffee is absolutely undrinkable.
I recommend you stay away and bring your own lunch. That’s what I do in all but the most desparate situations.

While friendly, the cashier staff still seem to be operating under the auspices of the Cold War mentality that existed during the early years of the Lab’s existence. The practice of ‘trust but verify’ is often employed on cardboard takeout boxes to ensure that all materials that leave the cafeteria are accounted for. Despite this out-​of-​date practice, the exhibition station usually serves up some delectable food fare.

This gem hidden in the bowels of a government contracting facility betrays its fundamental devotion to culinary arts, as well as the care taken to provide delicious and healthy meals to the lab population. This is exactly the type of nourishment needed after a long morning of science.
Let’s start out with breakfast. There is a grill that makes the usual breakfast fare, which is very much a hand-​crafted and artisanal collection of the classic American favorites. Choices of proteins and breads are definitely one of the distinct calling cards. Top that off with an aromatic coffee in a choice of 8 strengths and you have a recipe for a good morning.
Lunch starts up promptly at 11am, and the staff are pulling the hat trick of good service, excellent food, and a friendly demeanor throughout. It is not uncommon for them to learn your name while preparing a healthy treat. They are even willing to make dietary accommodations for you. Today instead of the special hot dogs with gelatinous cheese sauce and onions, I chose the nachose with gelatinous cheese sauce and chili fixins’. Most days you can get the «chile con carne» which is a spicy ethnic treat made from the daring haute cuisine of Wolf Brand Chili. Compared to the previous contractor running the café, the chicken actually has Authentic Real Chicken Flavor!
During the day there are cookies, delicious chocolate candy bars, and overall a great environment for discussing the latest gossip and rumors from the front lines of science and freedom.