de Young Cafe': "Outstanding Museum Cafe" Top 5 Page for this destination San Francisco Restaurant Tip by atufft

During past epochs, before the current architecture of the DeYoung, museum food was simply a boring cafeteria affair at a high price. I recall in the past, wilted iceberg lettuce salad with sprinkles of cheese and plastic packages of salad dressings, or a horrible hamburger or hot dog, as a way to refuel between exhibits. Food in Golden Gate park remains something of a challenge because the nearest decent restaurants are along 9th Street, about the equivalent of two blocks walking away. While the NEW de Young Cafe still caters to thousands daily, effectively limiting the service both in the kitchen and at the table, the McCall Associates museum contract for catering has shown that museum food need not be tasteless and boring. The menu often reflects themes of the special museum exhibits, which was in the case of the French Impressionism exhibit, a French food theme. Salads are totally fresh mixed baby greens, better than most restaurants in New York or Chicago can serve, and are usually topped with fresh salmon or trout. My wife had a decent pulled pork sandwich, the likes of which I struggle to find anywhere. Coffee drinks are made quickly, and there's a decent select of deserts. It's still a cafeteria to the extent that one lines up and makes an order, but then the food is delivered to the table according the numbered sign you put on your own selection of seating. The tables and chairs are comfortable enough, and during good weather, outdoor seating is available. The pricing still reflects what one finds in the museum gift shop.

Address: De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park
Comparison: more expensive than average
Price: US$11-20
Rating: 3
Theme: Eclectic/International
Website: http://deyoung.famsf.org/deyoung/visiting/de-young-cafe