Cafeteria

Went to Cafeteria a few days ago, and although the atmosphere and ambience of the restaurant was nice, the food was not up to par as all the reviews say. The service was not as bad as most state. I was expecting to be served by pretentious waiters, but I was caught by surprise when they served no different than a regular restaurant. The staff was polite, but a bit slow and that may have been due to the fully packed restauant. As for the food, I ordered the macaroni and cheese with bacon because of the great reviews for it. I was fully disappointed by my order. It was an exceptionally creamy macaroni and cheese, but definitely nothing to write home about. I also ordered a side of green beans and garlic. At least this was up to par, but I'd like to think its difficult to screw up green beans. A friend of mine ordered the special for the day which was the fried catfish. The main protein was delicious. Perfectly breaded and seasoned. As for the the corn bread, collard greens, and whipped sweet potatoes that came with the catfish, I must speak highly against it. The corn bread tasted like some awful health food that was dry and without flavor. The collard greens were extremely salty. (Felt like I was going to have a spurt of hypertension when I tried them) And the sweet potatoes had no flavor except for what sweet potatoes taste like. I was expecting maybe a hint of butter or a hint of brown sugar, but it was definitely a disappointment as well. I'd say the restaurant is worth going to once just to experience it. But, I know I have no plans of returning again. I can find a much better restaurant with much better food for a better value.

Average food. Lackluster service. Lots of attitude. Don't bother.

I went here for a late lunch with friends, and was met by a standoffish hostess. When we were finally seated, we had to dodge a person mopping the floor to get to our table. The person then proceeded to mop under our chairs and table while we were sitting there, hitting our feet with the wet mop! She barreled by us without a word and did the same to all the other tables. It was like we weren't even there! I could see if we were there late-night, but it was 4 in the afternoon! The server was nice but slow, and let my friend salivate for 20 min waiting for his milkshake, only to then inform us they had no icecream. Service aside, the food was excellent. I had the tomato basil soup with grilled cheese/bac/tom. It was to die for.

My first time to NYC and our friends took us to cafeteria and I loved the atomosphere and the people around. The modern look Gave me so many Ideas. the food was great. especially the mac and cheese and grilled steak sandwich. I would go back to this place again and again.

It takes forever to get in, to take order, to food to come out. Poor service. It's 24 hours, so it will be a good place to go when you want some pancakes 2 in the morning. other than that, .... no.

we went here for dinner, around 7:30 or so, on a monday night, so it was not overly packed. which makes it strange, then, that we were denied both of the tables we asked for - one, because it was outside and two other groups were waiting for it (although where they were waiting, i have no idea since we were the only ones standing at the front by the door), and the other because it was for 'large parties', meaning 4 people. So, after they tried to squeeze us between two couples, we were finally seated at a 3 person table. other than the service, i would say the place is pretty good. i liked the mac and cheese, and the crab cakes (although the sides on the crab cake dish weren't that great). i would go back here if i was in the area, and maybe it was really late and i was hungry.

At first, the host gave us an attitude, when we requested a table outside. Then, we told them we are party of three and we were squeeze into a corner. (far from outside!) And they refused to give us additional chair and we were all squeezed into sofa. "There is plenty of space there!!!", he screamed. We asked a hostess today's soup. She was so hurt that we ask this question, she snap back, " I am NOT a waitress." The music was too loud to have any conversation. Then, our food arrived. Calamari salad smelled like a drunken tiger and chewy. (Is this sole of my grandfather's shoe??) B.L.T. for $9. Are you kidding me? My B.L.T. tastes better and it's FREE. Chicken ceasar salad looked like it was scooped up from the bottom of Hudson River. I am NOT going back there EVER. One of my most negative restaurant experiences in my 23 years living in the city.