This place is absolutely incredible. The food is legitimately restaurant quality with generous portions. It is extremely quick in and out and their weekly variety is unmatched it's creative yet blends well with their everyday food items. I don't always work close enough to the commons cafe for lunch but, when I do I eat here. This place is a hidden gem that anyone can go to. read more

I wish I worked in this complex so I could eat here every day! It's insane how delicious and affordable this is! I mean seriously Pecan Crusted Chicken, Duchess Potatoes and Veggies .... the serving of chicken is massive & there are tons of options from fresh salads and sandwiches to chef prepared meals & desserts! read more

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It's acceptable, an even $10 for the hot food from the counter with two sides, after yet another price hike. Portions are always too big, but hey, better bang for your buck. If only they would do half the portion size for half the money... Make sure you bring a cup unless you want to pay $0.25 for a plastic cup for the drink included with your meal. Their pre-made salads are edible, and the salad bar isn't too bad. If you work on the campus like me, there are plenty of better options available within a short drive, or even a short walk. read more

Best food on any UT campus hands down. Best value for food in all of Austin if you're looking for a balanced diet. Best kept secret in Austin as it's actually open to the public. Just drive past the gate guard and there are free parking spots next to the water tower. If you're near the domain and tired if overpriced food and small potions swing by. I am a pretty picky eater and I come here 4 times a week. Stick to their entrees. Meat is always cooked fresh, sauces and vegetables are extremely fresh and steamed. I love their green beans as they are tender and not overcooked. For $10 you get great portions amazing tasting food and if you buy the cup a free drink as long as you bring your cup. Chef Dai and the whole crew are friendly and proud of the food they put out. read more

When my husband suggested I meet him here for lunch during a seminar he was attending, I expected Luby's Cafeteria fare and not the freshly prepared and delicious food I enjoyed. The Commons Cafe is located inside the Learning Center of the J. J. Pickle Research Center and is a cafeteria style dining area open during the week from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. What a treat to find such a versatile menu featuring at least one vegetarian and five meat entrees. My considerable serving of spinach and artichoke enchiladas were wonderful served with a tasty vegetable medley and spicy refried beans. The cafe also provides burgers, sandwiches, a salad bar, desserts, fresh coffee, TAZO tea, fountain drinks and a number of bottled teas, waters and juices. I was amazed to know that the chef has his own garden on the grounds and uses fresh herbs in the dishes he creates. He also selects much of his meats and vegetables from local farmers markets. We gazed through floor to ceiling windows onto a rolling grassy area while enjoying lunch in a spacious and comfortable dining room. People may also dine al fresco under a large covered patio. A hefty plate of food is only $6.75. There is security at the front entrance off Burnet but only at certain times. No one was in the security kiosk when I came and left during the lunch break but I don't think the cafe is limited only to employees or conference attendees. read more

This place is inside the JJ Pickle Research Campus. In order to get in, tell the security guard you came to have lunch at the Commons Cafe and he will give you a temporary parking pass. This is a nice place to get some lunch. Food is pretty healthy and portions are huge. Worth checking out. read more

Located on the majestically bland Pickle reseach campus is this charming little dining facility serves up above average dining hall fare. Menu changes from day to day, but you canalways count on several varieties of burger grilled fresh to order. You can always find a vegetarian entree. There is always soup, too. If you work up at Pickle, this place is a great place to hang out with co workers. I generally go for the Meat of the day whether it be pork chop or brisket or briased chicken, and a little soup. The dude who serves it always smiles, offerign me a choice of two savory sides. Indeed savory is the best word to describe food here, for it is a tad mass produced and a tad overcooked, but it does somehow still satisfy the appetite of a healthy scientist. This seems to be the cheapest place to buy a candy bar anywhere in this neighborhood and byt far the best value in soda. Go for the ultra small soda and refill a bunch of times, becuase the soda is indeed bottomless here. They keep their condiment bar well stocked with two mustards, relish, mayonaise, salt, pepper, and 2 katsups. There are three eating areas two of which are regularly open. Inside you can observe the more human side of science, where people do not sport the latest fashions and do not impress the hot babe by their side but participate in scholarly exercises of human nature sharing stories and problems. Outside one faces a majestic lawn with some trees. I like to watch the rain from here as I am usually under a major overhang. There is also this strange VIP luxiourious mega-cubicle with wood panelling and ornate frosted glass. Those inside may never have to know of the commonors outside. They have fancy glasses and tabel cloths and stainless steel ware. Alas though I be tall enough to peek over the walls, I have never seen anybody inside in all my times at PRC commons and I peek often. No matter what I get I always spend more than 5 but less than 9, occasionally leaving with some leftover soup. My biggest gripe is that they aren't open during breaks, and that they close at 1:30 PM. read more

Commons Cafe - VIP seating at the Commons Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Great news: Commons Cafe is reopening September 13, 2021! I've missed them so much... all of us at PRC have! I can't wait to get lunch at the Commons again :) read more

Best darn cafeteria food I've ever eaten. The chef grows what he can on the premises (I've seen giant kale bunches in the fridges during the winter). The grill/specials menu changes every day. The entrees are usually some sort of meat and they always have a vegetarian entree. There are a variety of sides to choose from: veggies, potatoes, rice, orzo. And these change all the time too! They also have a salad bar, baked potato bar, pizza, ready-made sandwiches, salads, burgers, snacks, drinks. There's a great place to sit both indoors and outdoors and it's never completely full. One of my favorite dishes was an amazing beef stroganoff with braised greens. So fresh tasting and delicious. I've never had anything I didn't like there. Prices are pretty reasonable - 6.50(ish) for an entree and two sides. It is inside the Pickle Research Campus, and technically you need a UT permit to enter (I think?), but if you can come in for lunch, you won't regret it. read more

Pretty good... great portions! Fresh salad bar priced by weight. My ceasar was about 3 bucks.

I eat here way too often. Best cafeteria ever. It's always a large helping of meat, so beware. I haven't tried the vegetarian options, so can't vouch for that. Tip: Come early or come late. There is frequently a conference letting out at noon. read more

Yum! Had quiche with gruyere cheese for lunch and the slice was huge. Delicious and came with 2 sides and a roll for $9.75. Great find!

This place is a little gem in an off site UT campus. Whether you're a student, work in the labs, there for a work conference, or just happen to swing by, it's totally awesome. They cook a different entree menu everyday, always with a chicken, beef, pork, and vegetarian option, at least 4 different sides, 2 or 3 soups, full salad bar, burgers, reubens, country fried steak sandwiches, veggie burgers, fries, onion rings, baked potato bar, fresh made Mediterranean plates, Cobb sad, chicken Caesar salads, taco salads, chicken and tuna salads, tons of chips/candies/fresh baked cookies brownies and muffins, jelly beans, yogurt, granola, 10 different juices, coke in bottle fountain and can, tons of waters (ozarka, smart water, perrier, pellegrino), energy drinks, Starbucks drinks, it goes on forever. You will get an awesome lunch, drinks, and snacks all for under $10 anyday. And it's open to everyone not just students and corporations.! Go to lunch fix anytime. And they theme the days! Tex Mex Wednesdays, Seafood (and ribeye) Fridays, hoke country cooking Thursdays, Italian or Asian Tuesdays... mmmmm read more

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I don't work at the pickle but anyone can go in here to eat. It's great. I'm a Texan and a man so I like big portions and home style cooking and they do both. Can't beat it. read more

For a cafeteria, the food is good, and the price is right (particularly with the UT discount). The hot meal menu options usually include some version of chicken, pork, and beef on any given day. Other options that include salad, pizza, burgers, and others help to spice things up a bit. The 'commons cup' mug is a great deal for those who go often. Ultimately, the commons is very convenient and good for people who work/study at PRC. read more

It is decent with good portion sizes for the money. I have had the Chicken Fried Steak a couple of times and my co-worker always get the hamburger and onion rings. read more

Not sure why it is so high. They do have good for lunch about 50% of the time. I have worked on this campus for 15 years and the only reason people that work here go eat there is because of the convenience. We know that we can get better food at a better price if we go somewhere else. The breakfast here is the worst in Austin but they don't care. They have not changed it despite complaints and haven't bothered noticing how dead it is in the morning despite around 2000 people working on this campus. I will give them credit that they've managed to find a way to mess up eggs which are probably the easiest thing to make. But if you like a breakfast tacos that are dripping with grease and contain chunks of tough potato skins in every taco this the place is for you. It would be great and beneficial to their business is the bothered to get feedback from customers or even look at what other restaurants serve. read more