Cancel

Open app

Search

Arbuckle Café

3.6 (46 reviews)
InexpensiveAmerican
Closed • 7:30 am - 3:00 pm

Arbuckle Café Photos

Business Info

ARBUCKLE CAFÉ ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Outdoor seating
Good for kids

You might also consider

More like Arbuckle Café

Recommended Reviews - Arbuckle Café

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Lucy C.

sustainable food at a reasonable price they've got all different kinds of foods including Japanese, Italian, Mexican, Indian, South American, and Western cuisine. The portion sizes are not super big but reasonable for the price tag and will fill you up if you're wanting a quick lunch. Despite what googlemap says, Arbuckle dining is in fact open on Fridays until 5pm.

An example of one of a HUGE variety of plates they serve

Arbuckle is one of the best cafeterias on Stanford campus (it's located at the GSB), and with it's wide variety of quality food options, I can always find food that I enjoy (or I can customize for what I'm feeling that day)! See pictures for examples of a HUGE variety of plates they serve. Also, it goes without saying that the environment at Arbuckle (and the GSB in general) is beautiful, so it's a great place to dine. Staff are also always very friendly :)

Scarlet C.

My main complaint is the portion size given the price... They have two sizes, large and medium (or regular and small ... depending on how you prefer to call it), the large being $9.75 and the medium $6.75, but even the large is not enough to feed one person... for example this is a "large" that I just got - it's literally three scoops of rice ... I also think they discriminate depending on *your* size - there are so many times when they give a large male in front of me in the line twice as much as what they give me because I'm a skinny short female ... :( And also the food is not that good - it's usually either raw or over-cooked or both: the outside burnt (which can give you cancer) and the inside raw (which can give you stomachache) and I'm not talking about stuff like steak that is supposed to be like that but stuff like chicken which is not supposed to be eaten raw ...

long and chaotic lines (per usual)
Ian S.

The prices are outrageous. There are no nutritional values listed. Portions are small and skimp on protein. The salad bar is constantly running out of things -- they're pretty much always out of chicken. The seating area is always messy, with garbage left sitting on the tables for long periods of time. Condiments, utensils, water fountains, tray pickups, tray drop offs, etc. are all laid out in very inconvenient ways. Lines are extremely long during peak hours. They don't seem to have appropriate staffing, preparation, and processes to deal with these very predictable customer patterns, which is amazing given that this cafe is run by a business school. Some food items require complicated order forms which are thrown into messy piles and handled at random. They give out annoying punch/discount cards which earn you a $10 discount after ~20 meal purchase. It's very frustrating to have to carry this flimsy paper card around and pull it out, over and over, and it slows down the long lines. This discount system is essentially a tax on everyone but the most devoted deal-seekers / card carriers among us. There is a coffee shop located in the rear of the cafe. Good luck finding someone who mans it. It is almost always empty. You usually have to call someone from another place to tend to the station. The whole ordeal takes several minutes. I've pretty much given up, and so have most other Arbuckle patrons. On Thursdays, they have outdoor barbecues. Strangely, you have to go inside, wait in line once to obtain a paper voucher, then go outside, and wait in once more to obtain your food. Surely, in Silicon Valley, at Stanford, there are some mobile technologies that can better handle this. On the positive side, I will say that the look-and-feel of the place is very nice. Arbuckle is spacious with high ceilings and abundant indoor and outdoor seating. The location is fantastic.

Local farmers are here
Marina L.

A variety of food stations - farm to fork - to choose. Fresh local food features a quality nutritious menu that brings awareness to local food production and sustainability. Also, includes lots of grab and go for quick pre-lecture bites. The line at the grill can get too long. I'm a fan of grilled cheese. Can't go wrong with a classic. The wine offerings are a blessing. This is a popular space on campus.

Madhur B.

Okay there's no way this place warrants a 3-star average. Now that we are sans-Ike's, this is the best quality food on campus, hands down. Relative to your other options, this isn't expensive and they have a variety of stations inside producing a unique variety of options every day. The seating area has a great ambience, and is an ideal spot to catch up on work. I recommend checking out the online menu beforehand and choosing your perfect day to visit.

See all

7 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of suzi b.
42
36
15

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Leee D.
0
84
488

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Ian S.
600
100
11

15 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

12 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

12 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Bradley N.
1894
1206
3031

16 years ago

Helpful 13
Thanks 0
Love this 16
Oh no 0
Photo of Kaori M.
269
1743
1486

11 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

14 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 1

8 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

17 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

14 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

12 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

15 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of T M.
1
38
3

13 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

14 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

13 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

15 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

15 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

15 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

13 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

15 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Pier P.
62
26
2

10 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of W H.
155
1045
268

13 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

18 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

18 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

11 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

10 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

18 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jason H.
351
419
7

11 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Eri S.
47
19
0

14 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 2

Ask the Community - Arbuckle Café

Review Highlights - Arbuckle Café

“Located in the GSB, Arbuckle has great breakfast, lunch, and dinner options that cater to a number of diets e.”

Mentioned in 6 reviews

Read more highlights

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for American 19,304 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Sweet Maple - Chicken Croffle

Sweet Maple

4.2(1.5k reviews)
1.1 mi
•$$

I'm not a huge going-out-to-breakfast person. Breakfast out usually tastes overly greasy and a bit…read moreflavorless and has fruit that texture of styrofoam. But after an early-morning appointment at Stanford, I was looking for a place to sit down and eat for a while--and I'm so glad I chose Sweet Maple. I had two scrambled eggs, which were cooked perfectly, and the brussels sprouts and potato mix was so good that I'm still thinking about it. It was savory and lightly salted and caramelized in all the right ways. I also had the Millionaire's bacon, which wasn't overly sweet and perfect with my breakfast. The ambiance is friendly and professional, and the decor shows that it's a bit more of an upscale place--which was reflected in the service I received.

We had a great breakfast at Sweet Maple! We were seated quickly, and the service was excellent and…read morevery fast. My wife ordered the Hemingway Benedict, and the salmon was delicious, although it was a little cold. I had the Breaky Tacos, and they were absolutely amazing! The steak was fantastic, but the real surprise was the breakfast potatoes. Both plates came with a generous side, and they were probably the best breakfast potatoes I've had in a long, long time. Overall, a fantastic breakfast experience with great food and service. We can't wait to come back and try the Loco Moco!

Photos
Sweet Maple - Brunch with friends!

Brunch with friends!

Sweet Maple - Egg Soufflé

Egg Soufflé

Sweet Maple - Two eggs, sunny side up, Millionaire's bacon - the potatoes are legendary

See all

Two eggs, sunny side up, Millionaire's bacon - the potatoes are legendary

Ethel's Fancy - coconut fritters

Ethel's Fancy

4.4(432 reviews)
1.3 mi
•$$$

Wow so good! Three…read moreof us ordered: -oysters on the half shell $5/ea -milk bread $12 -hokkaido scallop tartare $16 -salad of spring baby lettuces $19 -yellowfin tuna on koshihikari rice $27 -salt and pepper spanish octopus $30 -golden sesame cavatelli $29 -striploin $64 -caramelized pistachio financier $14 Flavors were all great and ingredients fresh. Milk bread was so good, had to order 2. All the other dishes were great. The scallop tartare with the curry we thought was a bit off. Nice ambiance inside...will definitely be back!

PHENOMENAL. My socks were knocked off and fireworks went off in my brain…read more Ethel's Fancy lives rent free in my brain. I came here for date night, and by the end of the meal, I was already telling all my girlfriends they NEED to come here for their next special occasion. Flavor, service, wine, ambiance, menu... everything was top notch. This is officially on the special dinner rotation. We opted for the discovery menu since it was our first time, and as suckers for a good set menu, we were SO happy with the decision. I genuinely loved the experience and am already plotting my return to reorder favorites and try more of the menu. The must-reorders: Coal-kissed cherry tomatoes: These came out first and genuinely rocked my world. The black garlic sauce altered my brain chemistry. I am not exaggerating. Swordfish katsu: Served slider-style on the discovery menu, and I LOVED it. Our server mentioned this format is exclusive to the discovery menu, which honestly makes me a little sad because I want to order it like that again. Rouge de Bordeaux milk bread: As someone who loves all things bread and carbs, this was one of my favorites. Perfectly soft and fluffy, with rich butter and flaky salt. Grilled Brandt Farms prime beef striploin: So juicy, tender, and perfect medium rare. Caramelized pistachio financier: As a pistachio hater I only realized there was pistachio upon writing this review. I'm surprised. The discovery menu was a great way to experience a variety of flavors and see how creative the kitchen gets with its pairings. The only dishes I'd personally pass on next time were the Hokkaido scallop shooter, which had a more intense seafood flavor than I prefer, and the piel de sapo melons & peaches. I'm a five-year-old when it comes to fruit -- I love my fruit as is, not savory. Neither was really my thing, but taste is personal! We skipped the wine pairing and ordered glasses individually instead, which was a fun way to mix things up and explore different wines throughout the meal. I also suspect it worked out a bit cheaper than the pairing. The wine selection was great, and the staff made the whole experience feel thoughtful and seamless. The ambiance is intimate and vibesy in the best way. Definitely somewhere I'd save for a date night, anniversary, birthday, or any occasion where you want dinner to feel a little extra special. Service was superb, and the entire meal felt like an experience rather than just going out to eat. Fair warning: this is definitely a splurge. But for the creativity, incredible flavor combinations, wine selection, and level of service, I personally think it's worth it for a special night out.

Photos
Ethel's Fancy - Open kitchen view from the bar seating

Open kitchen view from the bar seating

Ethel's Fancy - Warm sesame pancake

Warm sesame pancake

Ethel's Fancy - Kampachi Crudo ($26)

See all

Kampachi Crudo ($26)

Sun of Wolf - brown butter pistachio hotcakes

Sun of Wolf

4.4(494 reviews)
1.0 mi
•$$

I have only been here for brunch (2x) ... I had no idea it was also open for dinner, I will have to…read morecome back. Went on a Sunday mid morning, while the farmers market was bustling. It wasn't busy inside, they have tables outside as well. The interior is cozy and trendy but still inviting. The service is great, I believe it's a family run business. Service started slow (seemed to take some time to get our order in) but once our order was taken, it was top notch from then on! We had the hardest time deciding what to get. The food is slightly different from your typical Mexican dishes (though they may be the same name), the ingredients are very old world inspired. The coffee is amazing!! (I'm not a coffee person typically) I can't wait to come back for dinner and explore the menu some more.

We had another amazing meal at Son of Wolf. I brought my boys for brunch today, and it was a little…read morecrazy because they had some noisy/smelly plumbing issue in the front. They were extremely apologetic and thoughtful, and they moved on to a table farther away from the noise as soon as it was available. They also brought us complimentary agua fresco and orange juice for the extra wait time. Our server was particularly gracious, and she helped make our meal even better. We got the Fried Egg Sandwich, Huevos Rancheros, Shrimp Quesadilla and Chilaquiles with extra chrizo. All were delicious, especially the potatoes with the Fried Egg Sandwich. The Shrimp Quesadilla was tasty,but it had more mushrooms than shrimp. We're definitely looking forward to coming back and trying more of their food, especially the French Toast...

Photos
Sun of Wolf - Interior, narrow but deep, nicely designed

Interior, narrow but deep, nicely designed

Sun of Wolf - Chips and salsa

Chips and salsa

Sun of Wolf - Iced Mexican coffee

See all

Iced Mexican coffee

NOLA Restaurant & Bar - Bang Bang Spicy Shrimp Po Boy

NOLA Restaurant & Bar

3.7(3.5k reviews)
1.2 mi
•$$

**A Unique Cajun Dining Experience with Some Standout Dishes!**…read more I recently visited this Cajun restaurant and tried a variety of dishes from their menu. Overall, I had a good experience, with a few standout items that made the visit worthwhile! I started with the **Crawfish & Shrimp Gumbo Cup and Two Churrasco Steak Tacos Power Lunch Combo for $20**. Considering the restaurant's location, I thought this was a great deal. The gumbo had good flavor, but it wasn't as thick as I'm accustomed to, and I felt like it was missing something to make it truly stand out. I'd rate it a **7/10**. The steak tacos were a little disappointing, earning a **6/10**. They lacked flavor, and the pickled red onion didn't complement the steak as well as I had hoped. I also ordered the **Seared Salmon Taco**, which was better than I expected. The salmon could have used a little more seasoning, but overall, I enjoyed it more than the steak tacos. I'd give it a **7/10**. One of my favorite dishes was the **Crabamole**, which was absolutely amazing! I've never had anything quite like it. The flavor was excellent, the seasoning was on point, and the addition of crab took it to another level. This was easily one of the most unique and memorable items I tried. **9.5/10!** The **Dungeness Crab Garlic Bread** was another great dish. The crab added a delicious touch, and I enjoyed the overall flavor. However, I found it a little too creamy for my taste. Personally, I'd prefer the garlic, cheese, and crab without the additional house sauce, which I felt overpowered the dish slightly. Still, it was very good and earned an **8/10**. The **mac and cheese** was delicious, with great flavor, and I'd rate it a **9/10**. Finally, the **beignets** were a definite highlight! They were just as good as beignets I've had elsewhere, and I especially loved that they came with multiple dipping sauces. Having different sauces to choose from made the experience even better. These were a perfect way to finish the meal and earned a **10/10**! Beyond the food, the staff deserves recognition. They were friendly, attentive, and prompt with taking orders and bringing out the dishes. The ambiance is also unique, with outdoor dining and a modified indoor space that remains open to the outside. The restaurant's upstairs and downstairs layout offers an interesting atmosphere and great scenery, making it a fun place to dine. **Overall, I'd recommend giving this restaurant a chance!** While a couple of dishes could benefit from more seasoning and better flavor balance, the Crabamole, beignets, and mac and cheese were standouts. Combined with the attentive staff, distinctive atmosphere, and reasonably priced lunch combo, it's worth checking out. I'd happily return to explore more of the menu!

NOLA is hands down one of my favorite spots in Palo Alto for drinks and dinner! The New…read moreOrleans-inspired theme gives the place so much character, and the atmosphere is always fun, lively, and full of energy. It's a great choice for a night out, whether you're meeting friends for cocktails or settling in for a full meal. The drinks are consistently good, and the food can be a bit of a wild card. Even ordering the same thing, like the BLT Caesar salad, can get you a slightly different experience every time, but somehow it's always delicious! While the consistency of the kitchen could use some work, the overall experience more than makes up for it. Between the great cocktails, unique atmosphere, and lively vibes, NOLA remains one of my go-to spots in Palo Alto.

Photos
NOLA Restaurant & Bar - Interior

Interior

NOLA Restaurant & Bar - Fried Chicken & Waffles

Fried Chicken & Waffles

NOLA Restaurant & Bar - Mama's Mac & Cheese

See all

Mama's Mac & Cheese

True Food Kitchen

True Food Kitchen

3.9(2.4k reviews)
1.2 mi
•$$
Takes reservations
Full bar

I often frequent the Stanford Shopping Center and always see this restaurant hustling and bustling…read more I finally decided to give it a chance. We went at the perfect time before the dinner rush and were greeted by our waiter Dylan. He was quick to answer our questions and offered great recommendations. I got the buffalo chicken sandwich with air fried fries and a pepperoni pizza. I also got a iced matcha horchata. Buffalo chicken sandwich tasted great with not an overpowering vinegar taste but also had that wonderful classic Buffalo wings flavor. The bread was very soft and the coleslaw was actually pretty good. I enjoyed the freshness of it. The fries were very dry and hard to be honest, I'll probably get a salad instead of those next time. The pepperoni pizza was a thin crust and not overly oily and cooked to perfection. No burnt crust or lava temperature cheese. Every bite was a joy. The iced matcha horchata was pretty much just a matcha latte lol. I did not taste any horchata flavoring at all. Not bad if it was just labeled a matcha latte but I probably won't get it again. Overall my visit was enjoyed and I look forward to exploring what the other items on the menu are like. Despite the shortcomings of the fries and the lack of horchata flavoring in my horchata drink I would still say my meal was rather enjoyable. On top of that our server Dylan was outstanding. Checked in at all the right times and was not overbearing but also not lacking in interaction. We did not have to ask for much as he was quick to provide everything we needed. The ambiance and the look of the restaurant was very nice and clean. Music wasn't too loud and the lights weren't too bright or too dim. The seats were very comfortable the tables were clean and I couldn't ask for much else.

Dropped in for a late dinner and my waiter was Dylan!…read moreOutstanding service and extremely personable! Great food, but Dylan made it work! Ask for his table! 5 stars!!

Photos
True Food Kitchen
True Food Kitchen
True Food Kitchen

See all

Arbuckle Café - tradamerican - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...