Veterans Affairs Medical Center Canteen

Happily serving our service men and women. Which can be a very difficult job. And i should know. I did it!
Very thoughtful and considerate staff, which I’m now part if too.

The Canteen provides food and beverage service within the San Francisco VA hospital — with a fair variety of choices, from full meals, to sandwiches, fruit and cereal to donuts, coffee, sodas, etc.
All of it is pretty cheap by comparison, serving hot and decent breakfast and several lunch options daily. A Breakfast with two eggs to order, hash browns, choice of breakfast meats, biscuits with gravy and coffee runs you about 5 $ bucks.
There are several different options for food within the Canteen itself, and it also provides one of the nicest views of the bay from the dining area, which overlooks the water, with beautiful grounds outside to sit and relax.
For what it is, you would be hard pressed to find anything better (or cheaper) within walking distance of the hospital. It’s nothing fancy, but it is pretty decent hot food and drinks within the confines of the property, and again the view is hard to beat.
3 Stars — average food with a world class view.
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Healthy food choices are extremely limited. Customer service really isn’t that great. Only good thing is that it’s somewhat cheap and convenient. There is not much variation in the menu items either.

I work at the VA Medical Center so I eat here for lunch for convenience. It’s a nice cafeteria area with a fairly friendly staff (depends on the person and the day), but its always very crowded especially during the lunch rush. I typically order a sandwich because it’s the safest thing available (the entrees and burgers are questionable). It’s location is easy if you’re at the VA, but other than that, you can find much better places in the Outer Richmond if time permits.
Two-​stars because they always have mint chip It’s-It’s and they are AMAZING!

It seems like regular hospital fair. The food isn’t overpriced and it came out hot. I got their black bean burger ($ 3.99) and it surprisingly didn’t taste too bad! It was a little tough and the lettuce wasn’t great but I ate it nonetheless.
After you get your food, at least you can go out or sit by the window and enjoy your view of the fog.

In building 203, more vending machines &, just coffee

I only eat here because of convenience. The best part of the canteen is the view it provides on non-​foggy days. Otherwise be prepared to stare at a blanket of gray outside. There is a flat panel television normally with news on so you can catch up on current affairs if you have nothing better to do.
The food is not horrible, but it reminds me of cafeteria food, but made for adults. They have their daily specials that can offer variety if you eat at the canteen enough times.
Price-​wise, you are looking to spend roughly $ 4 – 6 on a meal.
The cooks are nice and normally accommodate your needs if you speak up when you order.

The canteen is actually just the small booth tables with vending machines all around and I would say it’s pretty boring and mundane, but they do provide microwaves.
The actual cafeteria itself is not very good in general compared to UCSF’s hospital cafeteria. The food is bland and isn’t very pleasing to the eye for the most part. Sometimes I feel the food isn’t that fresh because it sits there for awhile and it tastes and looks not very appetizing. There is a coffee shop in the cafeteria which serves starbucks coffee, but they only serve hot drinks which is unfortunate at times.
The only upsides are that it’s convenient, it’s relatively cheap compared to outside food (you can get a hot dog and grilled cheese for $ 0.99 each), and the view of the harbor of the ocean is really pretty (when it’s sunny). I like to stare out into the ocean because it is peaceful and relaxing to look at and it takes my breath away.
Overall, the cafeteria is pretty below average and could use a lot more renovation and revamping.

One star for the view which is spectacular. The food and service are like any other VA hospital, awful, but what do you expect for a place that runs on federal funds.

it’s really convenient if you happen to work at ft miley. however, ultimately, it *is* hospital food … only here the goal is to generate more business for the hospital, i think.
it’s a poorly-​designed «scramble system» cafeteria … if you’re not there early then it’s tough to grab-​n-​go any of the «safe» choices. watch the expiration dates on salads, desserts, and pre-​made sandwiches (they’re there for a reason!)
One star for the fabulous view and the handy not-​really-​Starbucks outlet.

They get one star for the convience… and the other for the crazy woman behind the counter with «the eye»
update!
She retired… this is a sad, sad day.
Down a star.

If you live in the far northwest corner of town then you know that there are not many places to walk to and get a cup of joe or a meal. So i want to let you all in on a little secret the VA hospital has a cafeteria! Now, if you are suspicious of hospital food and cafeterias i advise you to avoid this place. the food mostly sucks and is unhealthy… which of course is full of irony. however, they serve starbucks coffee and if you pick and choose you will be OK. The canteen is extraordinarily inexpensive, for example 2 eggs and toast =$ 1.80…so there it is… 1star for convenience and price and the other star is for a spectacular view of the golden gate and the Marin headlands… Oh, and there are a few picnic benches right on the bluff.