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We've been happy with this cafe since it opened in its latest iteration. I almost always get the Baja chopped salad with chicken, and it is refreshing and delicious with a good mix of textures - some crunch from the leaves, corn, peppers, and pickled onions, creaminess from the guacamole, and tender chewiness from the tasty chicken. Child almost always gets the black bean & Oaxaca cheese quesadilla with nothing else on it. Yes, it's a bit pricey for what it is, but it is also very yummy. Lots of outdoor seating in addition to plentiful indoor seating.
Yummy. Chicken Bowl Taco Plate is so good! The chicken was so tasty and flavorful. Guac, Fresh Pico De Gallo, and great customer service with friendly attitude. They also have self service condiments. Love 1919 Cafe!!
The restaurant on site at the Huntington Library and Gardens has Mediterranean, Mexican, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, salad, and a bar! We opted for sushi fresh made today and it was decent! I got a mix of the ice tea and lemonade which was more tart than I expected but nevertheless refreshing. You bring your food and drink items to the cashier and then get your utensils, napkins, and condiments before finding a seat. They have regular tables and higher bar counter height tables. I appreciated that my membership gave us a discount. Very nicely air conditioned and clean in the cafe area. You bus your own table and put everything on the conveyor system including any trash.
Was visiting the Huntington gardens (see my other review) and was surprised by how good they do "cafeteria" food here, and manage to deliver pretty decent food in huge volumes. The seating is expansive inside and out and despite the crowds, it wasn't hard to find a place to sit. Prices are high as it is everywhere nowadays, so that's relative, but the prices are a good value for what you get here. Line moved a little slowly at peak hour, but nothing unusually lengthy, and you watch them make your food right there. I had a Poke bowl, which was generous in every sense, lots of great textures and flavors, tasty sauces, and plenty to eat. Definitely recommend this. Taco bowl was also great, and the Chinese Chicken salad was generous and tasty. Definitely a good option if you're at the gardens and don't want to leave-just take a break here for lunch then continue on refreshed to see more of the gardens.
This is an ideal location for a friends get together. There is indoor and outdoor seating and tables and chairs can be moved to accommodate the size of your group. It is on the grounds of The Huntington Library so there is not much street noise and you get to enjoy the birds and plants. The cafeteria offers several different types of food so it allows each person to select what is best for them. There is no service, it is self service and carry your tray to your table. There is no concern with splitting the check or splitting the food because you pay for what you selected. I had one large slice of pizza and a bottle of water and it was around $15 or $20. There is a menu on the website. I think the cheapest option would be one taco. They do have beer and wine. When finished you bus your table. Parking is free but if the lot is full you may need to park on the street. They do have free valet parking. What's not to like?
I love this cafe in The Huntington! There are so many yummy options to choose from. There are salads, stuff from the grill, sandwiches, grab -and-go items, and lots of desserts. Last time I was there, my cousin and I both got seasonal salads. Mine had blackberries and beets in it. Everything tasted so fresh and amazing. I also really like their burrito bowls when I've had them previously. It's a cafeteria style eatery, so you just go up to the counter of the place that has the meal you want to order. Then when you're done, just go to the cashier to pay. It's pretty simple and straightforward. There's no waitstaff, no one cleaning the tables, so in terms of service, it's pretty much just the cashier and people making the food. Sometimes it can get busy, and there are lines for the food or to checkout, but if you hit it up early enough in the day, it shouldn't be a problem. I like sitting outside because it's beautiful out there and usually quieter. It's good for families and larger parties too. Definitely make a stop here at some point when you're visiting, even if it's just to pick up a cookie or packaged item to eat while you stroll around the gardens.
I recently visited 1919 Cafe at the The Huntington Library and was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of options available. It's great to see a café that truly offers something for all dietary needs. I decided on the poke bowl, and it did not disappoint. The portion size was generous for a regular bowl, and the ingredients were fresh and well-balanced. Mine included tuna, cucumber, seaweed, rice, carrots, daikon, edamame, and crispy shallots over a bed of spring mix, all topped with sesame ponzu and wasabi aioli. Everything was served nicely chilled, which made it especially refreshing. The café itself was very clean, lively, and had impressively quick service. I also really enjoyed the ambiance. There was a bar in the middle of the cafe that added a fun, social vibe to the space. Overall, the pricing felt reasonable for the quality and portion size. Definitely a great spot to recharge while exploring the gardens.
Inside the amazing Huntington Indoor and outdoor seating, A/C is blowing, after that long walk, thank you so much Price is a bit high but reasonable Restroom for a busy weekend, it's pretty clean Everyone was really nice and helpful
Cactus at the Huntington is located inside the 1919 Cafe. We tried the taco bowl, which was filling and flavorful, especially with the crunchy tortilla on top. The shared seating area with other food spots offers plenty of space both indoors and outdoors. Service was fast and efficient.
my partner absolutely loves sidecars so he's pretty judgy. he still talks about Walter's sidecar & how he wants to go just to have it again. i'm curious if we have to pay the entrance fee just to enjoy a round of drinks at the cafe lol such a great service & super friendly staff. next time we'll try the food.
Nice spacious cafeteria located at the Huntington library. Bright spacious area with several food options including poke, tacos, pizza, sushi, snacks, drink, and small bar area. I had a delicious poke bowl (generous portion), glass of white wine, and my mom had carnitas tacos. Great option if you are planning on eating at the garden with inside and outside seating this is great option and good service.
I order a chicken taco bowl. I asked for no salsa. He however did add the salsa but did not even make the bowl presentable. He stacked each entree on top of one another, rather than having it portioned side by side. He seemed like he was in rush with no line. Bad service at Cactus food service of 1919.
This cafe is located near the entrance of the Huntington. It has several different venues offering an array of themed menus. We opted for the mexican grill menu. We both tried a unique poached shrimp dish. It was so very flavorful and fresh. The chef was friendly and helpful. The set up is similar to a cafeteria setting. You pay for your food at the register, pick up your utensils and proceed to eat either indoors our outdoors. I appreciate that there is plenty of seating. And, the outside tables have shade available. The choices of food and drink are plentiful including snacks, desserts and full entrees. You will find the prices are in line with the times. The food may not be cheap, but what we had was very fresh and yummy.
This is Huntington Garden's cafe right down the walkway from the entrance. It is self serve cafeteria style with a lot of cuisine options to choose from. The food is always rather decent, with some options more delicious than others. I recently discovered their poke bowl and it is really good and very fresh. Huge serving as well if you want to share. I love to pair this with a drink from their bar and relax outside. Always a peaceful spot. My kids like it too so much that my son wanted to add his two cents. See below. This is written by my son Téo This place was great! One of my first notices is that there were tons of options! Me, every time we go I get the two taco plate. It comes with white rice, black refried beans, two tortillas and a choice of different meats for the tortillas. The beans and rice go very well together. There is lots of other options like pizza, sushi, chips and soda and more I really enjoyed this book place and it's a nice refresher after walking through the gardens. read more
2 months ago
We've been happy with this cafe since it opened in its latest iteration. I almost always get the Baja chopped salad with chicken, and it is refreshing and delicious with a good mix of textures - some crunch from the leaves, corn, peppers, and pickled onions, creaminess from the guacamole, and tender chewiness from the tasty chicken. Child almost always gets the black bean & Oaxaca cheese quesadilla with nothing else on it. Yes, it's a bit pricey for what it is, but it is also very yummy. Lots of outdoor seating in addition to plentiful indoor seating. read more
The restaurant on site at the Huntington Library and Gardens has Mediterranean, Mexican, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, salad, and a bar! We opted for sushi fresh made today and it was decent! I got a mix of the ice tea and lemonade which was more tart than I expected but nevertheless refreshing. You bring your food and drink items to the cashier and then get your utensils, napkins, and condiments before finding a seat. They have regular tables and higher bar counter height tables. I appreciated that my membership gave us a discount. Very nicely air conditioned and clean in the cafe area. You bus your own table and put everything on the conveyor system including any trash. read more
Was visiting the Huntington gardens (see my other review) and was surprised by how good they do "cafeteria" food here, and manage to deliver pretty decent food in huge volumes. The seating is expansive inside and out and despite the crowds, it wasn't hard to find a place to sit. Prices are high as it is everywhere nowadays, so that's relative, but the prices are a good value for what you get here. Line moved a little slowly at peak hour, but nothing unusually lengthy, and you watch them make your food right there. I had a Poke bowl, which was generous in every sense, lots of great textures and flavors, tasty sauces, and plenty to eat. Definitely recommend this. Taco bowl was also great, and the Chinese Chicken salad was generous and tasty. Definitely a good option if you're at the gardens and don't want to leave-just take a break here for lunch then continue on refreshed to see more of the gardens. read more
This is an ideal location for a friends get together. There is indoor and outdoor seating and tables and chairs can be moved to accommodate the size of your group. It is on the grounds of The Huntington Library so there is not much street noise and you get to enjoy the birds and plants. The cafeteria offers several different types of food so it allows each person to select what is best for them. There is no service, it is self service and carry your tray to your table. There is no concern with splitting the check or splitting the food because you pay for what you selected. I had one large slice of pizza and a bottle of water and it was around $15 or $20. There is a menu on the website. I think the cheapest option would be one taco. They do have beer and wine. When finished you bus your table. Parking is free but if the lot is full you may need to park on the street. They do have free valet parking. What's not to like? read more
I love this cafe in The Huntington! There are so many yummy options to choose from. There are salads, stuff from the grill, sandwiches, grab -and-go items, and lots of desserts. Last time I was there, my cousin and I both got seasonal salads. Mine had blackberries and beets in it. Everything tasted so fresh and amazing. I also really like their burrito bowls when I've had them previously. It's a cafeteria style eatery, so you just go up to the counter of the place that has the meal you want to order. Then when you're done, just go to the cashier to pay. It's pretty simple and straightforward. There's no waitstaff, no one cleaning the tables, so in terms of service, it's pretty much just the cashier and people making the food. Sometimes it can get busy, and there are lines for the food or to checkout, but if you hit it up early enough in the day, it shouldn't be a problem. I like sitting outside because it's beautiful out there and usually quieter. It's good for families and larger parties too. Definitely make a stop here at some point when you're visiting, even if it's just to pick up a cookie or packaged item to eat while you stroll around the gardens. read more
I recently visited 1919 Cafe at the The Huntington Library and was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of options available. It's great to see a café that truly offers something for all dietary needs. I decided on the poke bowl, and it did not disappoint. The portion size was generous for a regular bowl, and the ingredients were fresh and well-balanced. Mine included tuna, cucumber, seaweed, rice, carrots, daikon, edamame, and crispy shallots over a bed of spring mix, all topped with sesame ponzu and wasabi aioli. Everything was served nicely chilled, which made it especially refreshing. The café itself was very clean, lively, and had impressively quick service. I also really enjoyed the ambiance. There was a bar in the middle of the cafe that added a fun, social vibe to the space. Overall, the pricing felt reasonable for the quality and portion size. Definitely a great spot to recharge while exploring the gardens. read more
Inside the amazing Huntington Indoor and outdoor seating, A/C is blowing, after that long walk, thank you so much Price is a bit high but reasonable Restroom for a busy weekend, it's pretty clean Everyone was really nice and helpful read more
7 months ago
Cactus at the Huntington is located inside the 1919 Cafe. We tried the taco bowl, which was filling and flavorful, especially with the crunchy tortilla on top. The shared seating area with other food spots offers plenty of space both indoors and outdoors. Service was fast and efficient. read more
2 months ago
2 months ago
my partner absolutely loves sidecars so he's pretty judgy. he still talks about Walter's sidecar & how he wants to go just to have it again. i'm curious if we have to pay the entrance fee just to enjoy a round of drinks at the cafe lol such a great service & super friendly staff. next time we'll try the food. read more
4 months ago
Nice spacious cafeteria located at the Huntington library. Bright spacious area with several food options including poke, tacos, pizza, sushi, snacks, drink, and small bar area. I had a delicious poke bowl (generous portion), glass of white wine, and my mom had carnitas tacos. Great option if you are planning on eating at the garden with inside and outside seating this is great option and good service. read more
3 months ago
I order a chicken taco bowl. I asked for no salsa. He however did add the salsa but did not even make the bowl presentable. He stacked each entree on top of one another, rather than having it portioned side by side. He seemed like he was in rush with no line. Bad service at Cactus food service of 1919. read more
This cafe is located near the entrance of the Huntington. It has several different venues offering an array of themed menus. We opted for the mexican grill menu. We both tried a unique poached shrimp dish. It was so very flavorful and fresh. The chef was friendly and helpful. The set up is similar to a cafeteria setting. You pay for your food at the register, pick up your utensils and proceed to eat either indoors our outdoors. I appreciate that there is plenty of seating. And, the outside tables have shade available. The choices of food and drink are plentiful including snacks, desserts and full entrees. You will find the prices are in line with the times. The food may not be cheap, but what we had was very fresh and yummy. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
Came here for lunch at the Huntington after wandering and exploring the grounds. Big cafeteria with lots of different options. I came here with a group for my birthday and this made it easy - everyone could get what they wanted and paid individually. I got the poke bowl and the Chinese chicken salad and both were great and we were impressed with the presentation given it's technically cafeteria food. The poke bowl was better overall and had great flavor. The chicken in the Chinese chicken salad was a little dry. read more
4 months ago
10 months ago
Although the food was delicious, a man dressed as Chewbacca followed me around yelling " not today Darth Vader " and after repeatedly asking him to leave he said that he was off to meet Han Solo at the bar, and left. And then I was finally able to enjoy my tacos. read more
This is a very popular cafe at The Huntington garden, place itself is massive with both indoor and outdoor seatings. A full bar in the middle, we always choose to sit at the bar. The drink menus are actually pretty good for a botanical garden cafe. We can't order food at the bar though, everybody has to go through the lines at the cafeteria. This is also a coffee bar where patrons can order coffee drinks to go. The food varieties are good and there is something for everybody's appetite. Hubby got a slice of pepperoni pizza and it was enormous. The sushi section is very popular and the sushi chefs make sushi at the bar. This time we shared a bottle of brut Rose before touring the garden. Hubby had a grey goose martini later on. The bartenders were very friendly and pleasant. This is a solid cafe for lunch, drinks and coffees. The only down side is the long lines for food ordering. This is our must stop for refreshments before and after garden strolls! read more
The Huntington Library have a few choices for your appetite when visiting. The 1919 Cafe is further in on the grounds. It is a very nice cafeteria with comfortable seating both inside and out. The menu options are varied and since I took the Grandkids here I can attest that it has a little of something for everyone. Service at the counter was helpful and quick. I like that I have the membership because I find that if I'm with the little ones and they are bored at home I can come in to grab something to eat with a reservation into the Library! Respectfully Reviewed. read more
So worth it to get membership at The Huntington since they have amazing eateries like 1919. My son loves their CHICKEN TENDERS WITH FRIES. My husband and I love their rotating seasonal menu from the Market section which has a generous portion of their healthy options. This time we shared the CHILLED BROCCOLINI WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH SALAD and the RAJAS CON QUESO TACO PLATE. The salad was fresh and delicious! And their citrus vinaigrette is on point!! Very well balanced and refreshing! The Rajas which has sautéed mushrooms, green chilies, and corn was contained in their housemade corn tortillas. They were flavorful and filling! Paired well with their mild and spicy salsa. The taco plate would've benefited from having some pico de gallo which I'll get next time. Rice and beans were cooked well. For dessert, my son had the chocolate chip cookies which had more chocolate chips than the cookies itself lol. Hubby and I shared LEMON CAKE WITH RASPBERRY BUTTERCREAM and DARK CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT TEA. Both were tasty and not overly sweet. My only con is their use of condiment packets which can be cumbersome. Wish they had a dispensing system for condiments for less waste. There's ample seating inside and patio seating outside. Can't wait to try their sushi and cocktails next time. read more
6 months ago
5 months ago
We've been coming here for years and never had any issues. I feel like sometimes people only review the bad so I'm gonna give an honest good and bad review: The staff: each station you go to has a different staff. The deli counter staff is always cranky. It's just a fact. I don't know why either. If you ask for anything on the side that is not specifically on the menu item ordered expect to be treated like you've stuck a stick in their spokes and wish them harm. That's how ridiculous the behavior was on Jan 2023 Free Thursday at 12:15p. Maybe they're cranky because they don't like Free Day. Who knows! The Food: the food has always consistently been amazing. My husbands bahn mi sandwich was a little boring this time but everything else was great. The cocktails are so good too! The cafe: the cafe is kind of like IKEA where you take your tray to the racks when you're done. I like that, it gives everyone the opportunity to help keep the place and the gardens clean. Overall, it's a nice place to have lunch when you want a midway break in the day of exploring but just expect a few quirky, cranks and don't let it spoil your day. read more
What's up: After strolling through the gardens on a hot day, we decided to come here to grab some drinks from the fridge cool off. But oh look, there's a BAR!!! This review is mainly for the Bar because...who needs seltzer from the fridge when there are real drinks?! Hahaha. Parking: Plenty of parking available since we arrived early. You will need tickets to the Huntington to gain access to the cafe. Environment: The bar is located in the center of the cafe. Menus were displayed on the bar and we grabbed any of the open seats at the counter. You could also place your order at the counter and grab any of the open tables nearby to enjoy your drink. Walter was our man! He was setting up when we sat down and took our orders; and he made them strong and delicious! Walter was super friendly and we had a fun chat with him during it time there. Restrooms are located not too far from the bar and are clearly marked. What was ordered: - Whiskey Bramble (tasty and refreshing with fresh blackberry bits) Yay/Nay/Meh: Yay. I'm glad we decided to stop at the bar. Walter made our experience so fun with the yummy drinks and his entertaining stories. Credit cards are accepted. read more
1 year ago
It's always easy to dismiss museum cafes as quick cash grabs and I'm happy that 1919 is not one of them. Portions were good and everything tasted fresh. I want to highlight the half salad as it was a lot more than I expected. read more
The 1919 Café is an open food court with a central cashier station. When we had lunch, there were plenty of inside and outside tables. There were many food styles to choose from: a salad bar, pizza, entrees, sushi (made onsite) and prepared takeaway. As one would expect, the prices aren't cheap BUT they're not as expensive as I expected. We chose to go with prepared takeaway, I'm glad we did. Trying to eat healthy in a captive environment it very difficult, but it worked here. I ventured with the Grilled Chicken Caesar Wrap. The caloric issue here is the Caesar dressing: deadly. But it was very light in this wrap, the rest of the ingredients were fairly healthy, see my pic of packaging label. As you can see from my wrap pic, there was a fair amount of chicken breast, lettuce and tomatoes. I ate around any excessive tortilla. The flavor was okay, the grilled chicken had a very mild chicken flavor. The Protein Box, see pic its label, was straightforward: chicken breast, cheese, almonds and a hardboiled egg. The grilled chicken breast was overcooked and the flavor was very mild. Everything else was as expected. This takeaway section was super easy, quick, and given the captive environment fairly priced. read more
3 years ago
This cafe is conveniently located close to the gift shop and entrance to the Huntington Library. You do not need a ticket to get in and eat at this cafe. We always come here after spending couple hours in the garden. Either get a drink or sweets They have a variety of food stations from hot food/pizza/entrees , salad, sandwiches, grab n go, drinks, desserts and ice cream! A cafeteria type of set up. Get what you like, pay at the cashier then find a table. Tables are cleaned out pretty quickly. We came after the lunch rush at around 2 so couple tables were opening up. They have seatings both indoor and outdoor. Personally i like the patio seating more to enjoy sunny outdoor and plants. read more
7 months ago
This place is very much "grab a tray" cafeteria style where you go to a different station for the different types of food. Depending on which station you go to depends on the type of service you get. For the most part, don't expect someone to stop what they're doing to help you. When they're finished, they'll ask what you want. Also, if they work the station right next to the one you're staring at, don't expect a "someone will be right with you" or even an acknowledgment. I decided on pizza since that's my vice. I saw a piece of pepperoni on a paper plate while the other pizzas were on nice metal pizza pans. I did however see a fresh pepperoni pizza in the oven. The guy watching the pizzas took it out, placed it on the counter, walked away, came back, and placed the pizza back in the oven. Huh?? He moved it around a bit in the oven. It looked like he wanted it closer to the fire. Waited maybe a minute, took it out, placed it on the counter, walked away, came back, and PUT IT BACK IN THE OVEN AGAIN! It was in there for maybe 30 seconds, when he brought it out again, this time, he cut it into 4 pieces and placed it under the warmers where the other slice had been sitting on the paper plate. Finally! The guy was super nice from that point on, even though we were standing there invisible for maybe 5 minutes. He did serve us, placing the pizza slices on a paper plate, which was confusing because it looked like maybe it was self-service. While we standing there, what if we had wanted one of the other slices that were sitting out? Anyway, we got our pizza. I got something labeled "chocolate cake" and my partner got a premade salad. Add a bottle of Diet Coke and BAM! $40!!!!! Dang... The pizza was pretty good, although very greasy. I did the napkin thing of placing it on top of the pizza to soak up the grease that had pooled up on the pepperoni. It took two napkins and still didn't get all of it. The salad was what you expect from the pre-packaged salad, and the chocolate cake was more like a dense cake pop texture. The whipped creme is unsweetened like you find in Europe so don't let that surprise you. Did I mention this all cost $40?? The dining area on the outside patio is beautiful and also clean. They have a great place where you take your tray when you're finished. You literally leave everything on the tray they dispose of or recycle it as necessary. This means no overflowing trash can's. A major plus. read more
4 years ago
I got the combo of half salad and half soup and the portion was definitely worth the price! The Chinese chicken salad tasted so fresh and good. The portion of all the ingredients, the dressing, and the grilled chicken were down to a tee. The corn beef stew was a little too salty but otherwise amazing. The soup has cabbage, carrots, and corn beef in it read more
3 years ago
I love that this cafe has so many different food options! Every time I visit, I want everything they have to offer! The food is fresh and well-made and the service is always friendly. I enjoyed my taco and aguachilles bowl. The Whiskey Bramble drink was so good that I took a photo of the menu and made a similar drink at home . Sitting outside is always nice but sometimes it gets too hot in the summers. The indoor seating is great as well. read more
Came to this restaurant before touring . I was extremely hungry because I haven't had breakfast, nothing looks good on empty stomach. First restaurant in the left as you enter the gardens. Food was oaky but my pizza was little on the cold side, not warm and hoped they had more choices for food selections. read more
1 year ago
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More info about 1919 Cafe
1151 Oxford Rd
San Marino, CA 91108
Directions
(626) 405-2100
Call Now
Visit Website
https://huntington.cafebonappetit.com
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Ask the Community - 1919 Cafe
Can non member eat there? Thanks.
Yes, you don't even need a ticket. You can just go to the restaurant without having to enter the Huntington as it sits on the outside perimeter.
Is this place open during the pandemic?
Hi Violet! The cafe is open from 11-5pm daily, minus Tuesdays when the gardens are closed. Thank you!
Is this place good for larger groups, especially inside? Can you put tables together?
Hi Laine! Before Covid- our inside & outside tables held up to 8 guests without rearranging tables. Now with Covid we have only outside seating, and our largest tables are 6.
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Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
4 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
2 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
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