My friend and I are still pretty brand new to Northern California, so we usually get together once a week and go to new-to-us places and explore. Occasionally stopping for lunch, or a nice an easy walk in the park with a quenching iced coffee.
Yesterday while exploring Palo Alto, we stopped into University Cafe. Initially we were going look it up on Yelp to see if it received enough good reviews to pop in and have a bit of lunch.
But the place was hoppin’ with people during the lunch hour, so we decided for ourselves it must be good.
I ordered myself a coke, it came out with a mason jar full of ice. Kinda cute.
The ambiance of the restaurant was inviting, with the open concept layout. It was easy to get a table, indoors to get away from the heat of the day. We were lead towards the back of the restaurant near the open kitchen, as my friend required a high chair for her little boy.
Our server was really funny, and recommended a few things to us on the menu. I’m a sandwich girl through-and-through, and rarely venture out of that comfort zone, so I went with the University BLT. As for their price point, I would say it’s moderately priced, considering it’s in the heart of the downtown Palo Alto, and the beautiful Stanford University campus. As you can see from the lunch menu we were given, the prices range anywhere from $8-$15 for their food.
Once our food came out, I tasted the soup immediately. I love a good hearty tomato soup and this one was excellent. My friend had the same soup, but ordered a Fresh Lump Crap Burger — a crab burger! Something I would have never thought was even a thing. She said it was incredibly filling and so delicious. My sandwich on the other hand, was absolutely massive. I was eager to dig in since I didn’t grab breakfast yesterday. Unfortunately the sandwich was one of my least favourite sandwiches I’ve ever consumed. All the ingredients separately were terrific, but the bread — oh man, the bread was not exciting at all. It’s not that it was stale, it was paper thin, fell apart and crumbled easily and was fluffy all at the same time. Does that make sense?
It made such a mess, and I’m glad I had my napkin in my lap because it went everywhere. The dijon aioli sauce on the sandwich must’ve been made with a dab of horse radish, because it was spicy, tangy and weird. Not the best choice. I don’t mean to complain, simply stating how it is.
I’d go to University Cafe again in a heart beat, due to their service and give the menu another go. My soup was to die for, and the place was pretty happenin’ so I know people enjoy the food there. I know for next time, I won’t order their BLT. ;)
University Cafe
271 University Avenue
Palo Alto, CA
94301
Do you have a go-to menu item when you’re out?
For the locals reading, have you been to University Cafe?
43 Comments
I like to order anything salmon when I’m out, since I never make it at home. I love the “DRINK” sign in that place. If I had an at-home bar, I’d buy that sign. :)
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West recently posted..Snapshots from a day of delicious meals
That’s too bad about your sandwich, it looks delicious!
Jessica Doll recently posted..Week 39, Blocks on Blocks
I love the look and feel of that cafe! Very nice! That sandwich looks delicious.
Melissa recently posted..Monthly Goals
What a CUTE cafe! I love finding restaurants like this.
I need to stay away from blogs when I’m hungry. I don’t even like soda that much, but that coke makes me want to drink it, probably because it’s in a cute jar. It looks like a cute place to eat.
Alisha H. recently posted..eShakti | Fashion for Real Women
Love their decor though, super cute!
Jordan recently posted..Mexican Wedding Cookies
What a sweet cafe, I love the glasses the drinks are served in :)
Oh how I miss a great cafe! This one looks like a keeper!!
Candace recently posted..October!
That’s so cute that the soda came in a mason jar! University Cafe seems adorable <3
Angelic Sinova recently posted..On the Go(Featuring Ame & Lulu)
have you tried pastis pesto chicken sandwich? that’s in palo alto i believe.. that is by far my favorite sandwich in all of south bay. :)
estherjulee recently posted..Las Vegas Neon Museum
A proper BLT should have some good thick toasted or grilled bread to hold it up. It still looks like it was tasty though!
Angela Price recently posted..A Good Dill of Herbal Usefulness
That place looks so cool! I love places that are like this :)
That place looks super cute! That sucks about your BLT though :( Also, please tell me you know you wrote Fresh Lump CRAP Burger because I’m totally dying over here!!! Haha!
Chelsea recently posted..25 Must Try Pumpkin Recipes
@Chelsea: I CAN’T stop laughing! Tears are rolling down my cheeks. My keyboard did that, it must’ve known I had a crap sandwich so I wrote fresh lump of crap. Oh my good god. Tears.
Nancy recently posted..University Cafe, Palo Alto
oh i love palo alto!!! bay area is such a magical place! <3
ananda recently posted..DIY: Birch Forest Coat Rack
I’ve been in LA for ALMOST 4 years at this point, yet I still feel like I am new. There is just SOOOOO MANY THINGS to SEE, places to EAT… Etc. Etc. It’s going to take you a LONG TIME before you can officially say you’re no longer NEW to Nor Cal!
GiGi Eats recently posted..Joan Rivers: A Toast To You!
@estherjulee: This was my first time eating a meal in Palo Alto, but I’m totally going to check out Pastis now that you mentioned it :)
Nancy recently posted..University Cafe, Palo Alto
@GiGi Eats: I hope I’ll always be new to California :) I love it here, and I hope I don’t ever take it for granted. ALL THE PALM TREES. I love them ALL.
Nancy recently posted..University Cafe, Palo Alto
Looks like a cute place! Love the wall decor and the food looks great!
kendall recently posted..Life Quote
Yum! I love how much natural light that place gets. I need to get to Palo Alto and check this spot out!
Brenda recently posted..September Favorites
It’s breakfast time but I am so craving a blt right now! This place looks delicious!
Marissa recently posted..DIY Wedding Vows Headboard
I need to make my way over there. This looks like so much fun!
Deidre recently posted..Floral Headband
This looks like such a nice place to eat. Looks like you enjoyed yourselves. :-)
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes recently posted..Tried and Tested in September
I love that drink sign! That looks like such a cute place!
Erica recently posted..Baby Book Club #004
That is such a great idea to experience new places together! This looks like a great place!
Carly Anderson recently posted..Mommy and Me Fall Trends
This place is adorable!! I’ve been wanting chairs like that for a while. I also love a good hearty tomato soup!
brita recently posted..Pumpkin Protein Pancakes
Cute place! Looks delicious!
JoAnn recently posted..Beer Fudge Cupcakes
This place looks nice! Sorry about the sandwich but it is good to be honest. Sometimes recipes are a fail. :( Hope you are finding great things to do in Northern California. I live in Sonoma County (north of SF). Come on up to wine country some time. The food is not disappointing either :)
Tammi recently posted..My First Car
What a fun place to eat out! I love how airy and full of light it is. And the food looks so delicious!
Joanna Sormunen recently posted..The Queen With The Frozen Heart – The Visiting Star
It’s been too long since I’ve been there, I need to head over!
Michelle recently posted..The One That Got Away: My piece has been officially published!!
Cute! I grew up in the East Bay! I love Northern California so much! I’m actually moving to SF next summer!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
Sandwiches when done right are a work of art but can be totally disappointing when not. I feel your pain. That place looks super cute though.
Winter White recently posted..Party of One: 10 Activities for the Independent Spirit
Looks great! The food looked liked it was nice and fresh and treaty quality. Thanks for sharing!
Looks great! The food looked liked it was nice and fresh and nice quality. Too bad the BLT didn’t pan out, but the Crab sandwich sounds amazing! Seems like they have a lot of vegetarian choses too! Thanks for sharing!
Seriously, this is the coolest! You are making me hungry, it looks so delicious!
Alyssa recently posted..what I wore: random stories
Sounds like a cool place. I love horseradish, so that sandwich sounds on point to me! But I know that you gotta really like the stuff to have it on a sandwich.
Michelle Snow recently posted..Genetics Kick Ass: Celebrities Who Look Better As They’ve Aged
What a cute little cafe! Judging from the menu, it looks like I’d get probably most of the items on that menu. If I ever am in that area, I will have to check out this place (and Stanford) myself!
Kriselle recently posted..How to Deal: Dating Comfortably
Girl, you are making me hungry with these pics! This looks great.
Thrifting Diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
Ayana Pitterson recently posted..maxi skirt + thrift sisters link up
Such a cute little place! Sorry the sandwich didn’t work out, it looks amazing!
Angela Livingston recently posted..Easy DIY Duct Tape Feather
Such a fun idea! We need to do this more often because I know there’s tons of hidden gems in our city!
Looks like an awesome place! Sorry to hear about the sandwich!
Great photos!!!! That crab lump burger sounds amazing!
I love finding new restaurants, this place looks fun!
Lana Lou recently posted..The Goodbye Letter: Another Bucket List Item