Cafeteria at California Hospital Medical Center

One might cringe at the idea of hospital food. But this hospital serves up the best breakfast for chump change! They offer lunch too. They have 2 counters with separate menus. You can request food already made or ask for a special order, but either way, it’s not your typical hospital food. They have a salad and fruit bar, salsa bar, nice pastry selection, tons of drinks to choose from. The staff is friendly. You can be in and out of there fast if your on a time limit. They offer plenty of seating (the window is my favorite place to sit). And it’s conveniently located near the 10 fwy, Trade Tech, Friedman Occupational Center, and a bunch of other government buildings in DTLA.
Give it a try. I promise you’ll keep coming back.

I had the breakfast here while my mother was recovering from surgery at the hospital, and yea seriously it sucked. The sausages had a skin that were both burnt and dry. The eggs on the other hand were mushy and lacked any flavor. The only thing I enjoyed that morning was enjoyable was my Starbuck’s coffee. Don’t expect a lot from cafeteria and their food.

Friendly staff. Food is alright. Be prepared to pay $ 7 for parking EVEN on the weekends. Unless you have time and patience to drive around and find parking.

Cafeteria food! What can you say? It is what it is! Although, the salad was decent it’s a self serve deal. It was not bad at all. Also, my other items were ok as well. The sandwich and fries were ok with a side salad and a slice of carrot cake including a Pepsi for ten bucks was great!

I am giving this hospital cafeteria three stars as an average. I’ve had meals here that were five star (pozole, Indian food) and meals that were one star (no further comment.) When the coffee bar is open, they serve decent coffee and occasionally delicious pastries. However, it’s hit and miss. The salad bar is very good with a nice assortment of healthy, fresh vegetables. The cut fruit is also pretty good. The prices are average, better if you work for the hospital and get a discount. The grill is supposed to be great, although I’ve never ordered anything from it. (As long as you’re there, check out the gift shop if you feel like a candy bar!)

Hospital Cafeteria food is pretty much universal everywhere, kinda bland and not much of a choice. I come here quite a bit just for oatmeal and hard boiled eggs and orange juice. Not bad not great. You can pick and choose and you have choices. The choices many times are too greasy for me at 7am. Other than that its not horrible and its not a food landmark either. Just get my grub and jam.

The main entrees are hit and miss. However, the cafeteria offers full grill services during lunch. If you are in the area, then it is a good option for lunch.

As far as hospital cafeterias are concerned, this one is okay. The menu is a bit heavy on fried and grilled food, but there are other choices (pre-​made sandwiches, salad bar). I had crab cakes and steamed vegetables that were okay. The price was what stood out most: very inexpensive, possibly subsidized by the rest of the hospital so that staff, patients and their families have food available on the property? Also, the seating are is well-​lit with windows facing both the hospital campus and Grand Avenue.

Yeah definitely a place to grub because you have no choice of any other food around the area… walkable that is. Although there is always Metro Café down the block, but I’m not sure my weight and heart could handle daily greasy food.
Cafeteria is a good size with plenty of tables. I can’t say much for the presentation of food, but its edible? #ghetto eating area
Parking is the lot part of the hospital. Probably cost around $ 6.

There is not much to choose from being around this area but if you happen to be nearby and looking for a quick bite. Come down and see Reggie at the Grill. He will make pretty much anything you want at the grill if he has it. If you want some blueberry pancakes for lunch and he has it. Guess what, he will make it for you…
When I am in the mood for something at the grill I go for the Grilled Chicken Sandwich w/​Swiss. Breakfast here is also super cheap if you can make it here by 9:30AM.
The entrees and starch is usually hit or miss… So I’m at the grill 2 – 3 days a week.
Very rare that I spend over $ 5 with the 30% Employee Discount.

This place is formally known as Café California, but is often referred to as «the café» or «the cafeteria». The menu changes weekly but there is a grill and the grill man, which is usually Reggie, can always cook up your favorite burger, omelette, hot dog, or sandwich.
The portions are decent and the food is actually good (for a cafeteria anyway). The café doesn’t take credit cards, but everything is pretty cheap. A hearty meal with a drink is around $ 5. There’s plenty of food to choose from and an ample amount of seating.