a culinary confession
Sometimes for lunch I go to the St. Mary's Hospital cafeteria.
I work at a university, as many of you know. There I have three options for lunch.
I may attend the university cafeteria. The lines are long, it is a loud and crowded room (many students among the crowds), and the food is criminally overpriced.
I may eat in the faculty dining room. The food is generally mediocre (though reasonably priced), but the room has no windows, and (worst of all) I may be compelled to speak or eat with a colleague from my own or another department. Now, lest you think I would speak ill of my colleagues, I am not doing so. Often I am happy to dine with fellow members of the professoriate. However, on some days I simply wish to be left alone to sulk over my bland meal in delicious self-pity and general greasiness.
I may off campus -- much walking, much waiting, and much spending.
So I sometimes go over (a short distance) to St. Mary's. The food is pretty good, actually, and it's fairly cheap. Plus, I never run into anyone I know. I feel a bit anxioius or guilty, however, as I devour my clumsily constructed sandwich. Since I don't work at the hospital, I feel like I'm getting away with something -- unless I happen to have a sick relative or friend there. On the other hand, I'm giving them business, aren't I? And isn't my money going to help keep the hospital running?
So, maybe, I'm some sort of hero....
I work at a university, as many of you know. There I have three options for lunch.
I may attend the university cafeteria. The lines are long, it is a loud and crowded room (many students among the crowds), and the food is criminally overpriced.
I may eat in the faculty dining room. The food is generally mediocre (though reasonably priced), but the room has no windows, and (worst of all) I may be compelled to speak or eat with a colleague from my own or another department. Now, lest you think I would speak ill of my colleagues, I am not doing so. Often I am happy to dine with fellow members of the professoriate. However, on some days I simply wish to be left alone to sulk over my bland meal in delicious self-pity and general greasiness.
I may off campus -- much walking, much waiting, and much spending.
So I sometimes go over (a short distance) to St. Mary's. The food is pretty good, actually, and it's fairly cheap. Plus, I never run into anyone I know. I feel a bit anxioius or guilty, however, as I devour my clumsily constructed sandwich. Since I don't work at the hospital, I feel like I'm getting away with something -- unless I happen to have a sick relative or friend there. On the other hand, I'm giving them business, aren't I? And isn't my money going to help keep the hospital running?
So, maybe, I'm some sort of hero....
posted by Mark Meritt at 9:52 PM
7 Comments:
You are the greatest American hero.
I remember getting dinner at Risley or other North Campus establishments sometimes, even though I "belonged" to West Campus. The world didn't implode. And those artsy-fartsy Risely theater kids didn't *own* that cafeteria - it was a business when you get right down to it. I say enjoy your sloppy St. Mary's sammich! If they don't make you show an ID card or pass security, it's fair game. Huzzah!
It is sooooooo depreeeeesssssing to deliberately go to eat lunch in a hospital cafeteria, with no other reason for being in the hospital. So say I.
PS
I agree that the St. Mary's food is cheap, but you will have to convince me that it is "pretty good."
Although I kind of like the food in the Kaiser hospital cafeteria...so, perhaps.
I must confess to a similar secret love of cafeterias. It was when I lived in Santa Barbara that I realized that the cafeteria is not a global phenomenon. Is it Southern? But I think they have cafeterias in New York, right? Anyway, here in Austin I'm a fan of Luby's, where I go for lunch once or twice a month. (Although now that I'm experimenting with vegetable-arianism, Luby's is a little less appealing. Sure, they have a great vegetable plate, but in true Southern style, all the veggies are flavored with bacon grease and salt pork.)
Many cafeterias here in Austin not only have a comforting selection of food, but also restore my sense of youthfulness and vitality. It's harder and harder to find places where I'm at least 30 years younger than everyone else, but the Luby's on Hancock is usually a good bet. The Luby's on Oltorf, the one I frequent most because it's closes to work, draws a diverse crowd heavy on cops and state workers.
I missed cafeterias in Santa Barbara. It never occurred to me to try the hospitals. I applaud your culinary adventurousness!
And I know of at least one other non-hospital worker person who regularly lunches at a hospital cafeteria here, so you're not alone. And your dollar ain't no different from a doctor's dollar.
S
Back in the day, my choices were a cafeteria in the basement of the building or a hot dog stand in the lobby run by a retarded person. I nearly always went for the hot dog, which was small and had cooked for several hours. This shrunken salty tube, coated with mustard and catsop, surrounded by soft gummy bun, satisfied me, especially when washed down with sweet tea. On good days I would eat two.
GGOSS
I can't believe I went to USF for 3 years and never thought of trying this...
Mark:
I'd recommend NOT eating at the hospital cafeteria. The hospital is mostly for SICK people if you know what I mean.
How about bringing your own lunch from home to work and eating it outdoors somewhere? I think you reside in SF and there should be a few parks or benches nearby.
This way, you could save money, eat healthy (if you choose to) and get some fresh air and possibly meet some cool people.
Whadayathink? Am I totally off base?
Maria
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