Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Thornton Cafeteria

    2.5 (20 reviews)
    InexpensiveCafeteria
    Open • 6:30 am - 8:00 pm

    Thornton Cafeteria Photos

    THORNTON CAFETERIA ATMOSPHERE

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

    You might also consider

    More like Thornton Cafeteria

    Recommended Reviews - Thornton Cafeteria

    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

    Cheeseburgers are sooooo good!
    Mary K.

    Cafeteria food gets a bad reputation, but I promise this place is awesome! I forget to bring a lunch with me to work quite often, so I'm pretty thankful for this place. Sometimes there's pizza, sometimes there's bbq tri tip?! This cafeteria isn't basic like one might think. If you're coming for breakfast, the açaí bowls are amazing. They're very generous on the fresh fruit. You can go the bacon and eggs route or you can go the chicken and waffle route, take your pick. Lunch time, my favorites are the cheeseburgers, tri tip, enchiladas, fresh from the oven pizza or the veggie wraps. When it's 3 o clock and time for a snacky snack, I love coming here for some ice cream! They have a great selection. When it's 7 in the morning and I'm running on 2 hours of sleep, I love the cold brew that's served here! Everyone is very friendly and the prices aren't bad either. Don't be scared to try this place!

    Bug found in my coffee after spitting it out.
    Yalda Y.

    Do not buy coffee from here!! I don't usually get it from here because I've had bad experience with their food in several occasions. But I really needed some coffee this morning and it was a closer walk for me to come here. Grabbed my coffee and was drinking it when suddenly something crunchy is in between my teeth. I spat it out and see a bug!! Not only am I completely turned off by this cafeteria's food but now their coffee. Absolutely unacceptable.

    Rock hard chicken pesto pizza
    Chris L.

    Bought pizza today while at the hospital. The chicken was rock hard. Must have been sitting under the heat lamp all day. Should have tried the bbq chicken instead.

    The Cove
    Sean L.

    Solid hospital cafeteria. Breakfast they have a grill and hot food, granola bar, and a variety of off-the-shelf items. Lunch they have hot food typically 3 different item choices, a grill, a deli, and a specialty section that changes M-F (see photo). Prices are reasonable and the quality is decent. Best options are the grill/deli, they do pork very well in the hot foods but stay away from seafood, ramen & pasta specialty section days are the best. Workers are friendly and helpful, quite good food for a hospital!

    The outside area of the cafeteria. Looking down from the Thornton West side.
    Carlo R.

    This cafeteria is OK...​ it's nothing special to be honest. It is nice to have the option of getting something to eat when you are visiting someone in the hospital to hold you over. As a patient, be sure to ask the kitchen for the daily specials as they also handle "The Market" menu for in hospital​ patients.

    Half a Sammich $3.50
    Yvonne C.

    Cove Cafe also known as the Thornton Cafeteria, is pretty legit, let's just say I have a lot of experience on Hospital Cafeteria food. As Cafeteria it's pretty top notch, they have several stations to choose from depending on what piques your taste buds and what time of the day you are here. At breakfast time, they always have Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat and Menudo ( I haven't tried it but peeps say it's good). They have all the fixins too, for the hot cereals, craisens, cinnamon, granola, brown sugar, and all the menudo stuff like, lemon, cilantro, onion and chili flakes. I usually get the oatmeal, good deal for about $1.50. They also have eggs, potatoes, biscuit&gravy, bacon, sausage at the steam table, at the grill the Chefs can hook you up with a omelet, pancakes, breakfast burrito etc. Lunch time it can get pretty crazy, because of the different stations people are just bumping into each other like a pinball machine, I have stranger danger so I avoid the peak lunch craze. The favorites for me is the Chicken pozole which they have on Wednesdays in the soup station, their wraps are pretty damn good, I always get mine toasted, you can also get a half a sandwich since they are pretty big. In the salad station my fav are the green beans with almonds, the broccoli with mandarin oranges and the butternut squash raviolis. At the grill, you can get hamburgers and fries, grilled chicken sandwich, etc. The steam table is always a surprise, one day they had pancit, I didn't try it but it looked legit. Almost forgot, they have a Pizza oven where this Hottie can hook up your own personal pizza, he's always smiling too. All the staff seem to like their job, trust and believe I've seen some salty employees at other Hospital Cafeterias. Great outside patio as well as a huge sitting section in the back.

    Salmon, veggies, and grains

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    If you are looking for a great breakfast in a Hospital, you want to try Thornton Hospital. Great food, wonderful staff......

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mary K.
    2068
    1175
    6568

    6 years ago

    Helpful 33
    Thanks 0
    Love this 35
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chris L.
    0
    17
    256

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sean L.
    337
    140
    1375

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    9 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Arash S.
    40
    65
    26

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chris C.
    11
    53
    33

    10 years ago

    Dry, tasteless, bland, unhealthy food. save your money and eat someplace else with free parking.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Thornton Cafeteria

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Cafeteria 1,454 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Marketplace Cafe at Nordstrom

    Marketplace Cafe at Nordstrom

    4.3(394 reviews)
    8.3 mi•Linda Vista
    •$$

    Please don't ever change a thing about this place.... The interior is beyond significantly…read morenostalgic. It captures something that no longer exists in today's monochrome, boring and dull, cheap world. Pablo and Francisco and staff are all gems. Big shoutout to both of them. I feel like they've watched me grow up. Please do not renovate the interior!!!!!!

    Tucked within Nordstrom, the Marketplace Cafe offers a welcome respite from the rigors of retail,…read moreand a lunch that comfortably exceeds what one might expect from a department-store dining room. I opted for the personal cheese pizza, a thin, hand-stretched crust with a pleasantly blistered, lightly charred rim. The mozzarella was generously applied and well browned, with a modest scattering of oregano lending some aromatic depth. It was not revelatory, but it was honest and well executed, the sort of pizza that knows precisely what it is. My wife chose the Roma Tomato Basil Soup, a velvety, deep-orange purée with a gentle sweetness and a faint herbal finish. It arrived with a generous stack of golden garlic toasts, crisp and buttery, ideal for dipping. At $7.25, it is easily among the more gratifying values on the menu. The setting is calm and polished, with warm wood, plush booths, and attentive service that never hovers. Neither dish quite reached the unforgettable, which keeps this a well-earned four stars rather than five. Still, for a refined and unhurried midday repast, the Marketplace Cafe acquits itself admirably. Until our paths cross again, I remain, with compliments to the kitchen, Captain 619

    Photos
    Marketplace Cafe at Nordstrom
    Marketplace Cafe at Nordstrom
    Marketplace Cafe at Nordstrom

    See all

    Liberty Public Market - bopjo & moniker coffee company

    Liberty Public Market

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    9.6 mi•Liberty Station, Loma Portal, Point Loma
    •$$

    Been frequenting this area for a long while or a big chunk of/span of my lifetime. As a local…read morenative San Diegan I like to introduce spots to people who travel into the surrounding area. Point Loma is one of those places since it has a certain charm to it. Don'tcha think!? *It's very historical and strongly tied to those who serve or have served our country. Hence the anchor logo and other nautical features you'll spot in the area. Especially since the NAVY is right there in town. *The market hosts many different food and small business vendors all in one hall. Truly a hidden gem and so glad they opened up the space to share with those business owners. *You can visit larger restaurants establishments in the very near vicinity as well. It's touristy and locals favorite hot spot vibe is all rolled into one fused place here. *Very Family and fur baby friendly! *Very close to some nice hotels as well! Hope you enjoy as much as I do! Cheers!

    I hadn't been back here since before COVID. I'm so glad we decided to pop by for lunch. Food halls…read moreare perfect for parties that don't all want to eat the same thing. My friend and I tried three places here, and most of them were great. The wonton noodles from Slurp actually had a heaping big portion that we were struggling to finish. The platter we ordered from Asado Gaucho, while tasty, were too overcooked for our taste. The empanadas from Panana were to. die. for. If I come back, I am 100% grabbing some to go. We had asked the employee for recommendations and they were all spot on. If you have to try anything in this hall - highly recommend their empanadas!! I regret not buying more to take back home LOL.

    Photos
    Liberty Public Market - Liberty Public Market a little after 9:00am

    Liberty Public Market a little after 9:00am

    Liberty Public Market
    Liberty Public Market - Dranks on the porch

    See all

    Dranks on the porch

    San Diego Chicken Pie Shop - Thursday Special: Sirloin Tips with mushrooms over pasta. Steam corn as a side

    San Diego Chicken Pie Shop

    3.7(1.7k reviews)
    10.0 mi•North Park
    •$$

    This is my favorite spot to get a delicious chicken pie dinner! Love the combination of gravy,…read moretender chicken & turkey with a moist tender crust. Their sides are always tasty. I really like the mashed potatoes (with gravy), coleslaw, corn and large biscuits with butter. Plus the dinner comes with a slice of pie. My favorite is the banana cream. No matter what I order here, I always know it will be fresh and fabulous. They have different daily specials. Service is always friendly and speedy. Ambiance is relaxed with an impressive rooster and hen collection displayed. Plus you can purchase chicken pies to bake at home and various bakery goodies. Finally the four or five story housing has been completed (for a few years now) that literally surrounds this famous place. I was happy to see they managed to keep parking spaces open just for restaurant customers. I'll have to say it took awhile to get used to the huge building that looks like it's gonna swallow up the restaurant. Anyway hopefully the people that live there are regular customers.

    I really do not understand why this doesn't have 4/5 stars. The food was nice, simple, & delicious…read more Service was great & attentive but also very sweet. Ambiance was like diner vibes and very family friendly. I ordered the pot pit with the breakfast that came with hash browns, eggs, & a side of half bacon & sausage. That sausage was delicious: juicy and flavorful. For $20 cash without tip, I think the portion was great. I basically ate the entire thing. The gravy for the pot pie is bomb, definitely going to ask for extra next time. They have daily meal specials as well so check out their website & a birthday offer too so sign up. I got my eggs on the side & hash browns extra crispy. I want to try some of their dessert pies SOON!

    Photos
    San Diego Chicken Pie Shop - Table decor

    Table decor

    San Diego Chicken Pie Shop - The Neighborhood Grind Breakfast

    The Neighborhood Grind Breakfast

    San Diego Chicken Pie Shop - Cashier and bakery case

    See all

    Cashier and bakery case

    UCSD Medical Center Cafeteria - Corn chowder

    UCSD Medical Center Cafeteria

    3.5(37 reviews)
    9.3 mi
    •$

    Thos review is about the (Cafe) cafeteria inside Ucsd medical center. I came in and got two hot…read moredogs a mr pibb and a fruit punch Gatorade. The hot dogs were very good Mr Pibb and Gatorade hit the spot. The cafeteria was clean and had a lot of different foods and drinks to choice from. The give you a red reusable tray when ordering food made. The hot dogs were 3.18 I brought two reusable tableware set that you can take anywhere. The staff professional and polite. Great service . Yes I recommend them.

    It's decent for hospital food. For 5 days straight we come to the cafeteria for some kinda food or…read moredrinks (visiting relative in ER). They have a nice selection of food, from salad bar, pizza, deli to hot entrees. Fresh greens and adds on that makes up a nice, healthy salads-premixed salad is soggy though, I'd stay away from that. We were told that the clam chowder was good which we tried and yes it's good but they don't always have it. There are 3 types of soup and they rotate them. Chicken noodle is the least desirable. There is no ambiance really being that it's in the hospital, it is clean, spacious with lots of places to sit. Same as there is no service really, you just walked around, put the food that you want on the tray and go line up to pay. But it's a nice place to have. On weekends, they only have less then half the selection that they have on weekdays.

    Photos
    UCSD Medical Center Cafeteria
    UCSD Medical Center Cafeteria - Cookies

    Cookies

    UCSD Medical Center Cafeteria - Paella and roasted turkey

    See all

    Paella and roasted turkey

    94th Aero Squadron Restaurant & Events

    94th Aero Squadron Restaurant & Events

    3.3(1.9k reviews)
    6.6 mi•Kearny Mesa
    •$$$$

    I was excited to come back after about five years because I remembered really enjoying this buffet,…read morebut this visit was disappointing in comparison. The selection wasn't as impressive as it used to be, and the food just didn't have the same quality or flavor. It wasn't terrible, but it definitely wasn't the experience I remembered. I'm giving it three stars because I know this place is capable of doing much better. Hopefully they'll improve and bring back the quality they once had.

    Relative to Father's day, the buffet. What shocked me is that my 7 year old son navigated to what…read morehe wanted solo and said please excuse me while walking around. Such a good lad. Tons of options, quality is mid+. What one with me tremendously was the silly stupid breakfast Sausage. As noted, I am a sausage man not a bacon man. These sausages were cooked to perfection. So juicy inside. I try to watch my health so I limited it to 4 pieces. They also have tons and tons of crab. I found the quality medium. There is cocktail sauce and hot butter for some dips but no tartar. The huge bonuses were the sushi bar, and the incredible dessert bar. One downside, and I don't come to buffets often, is that they never cleared our plates. Wasn't too big of an issue since the dumping box things were right next to us but maybe be prepared to pre-bus as you go course by course. The cutting station was also mid-. Beefs were meh okay. Overall, neat spot. Not in a densley populated neighborhood so kind of hidden. Many levels of affluence. Its not like Texas Roadhouse that has accumulated a 1.5 hour wait. It's mellow. Try it out!

    Photos
    94th Aero Squadron Restaurant & Events
    94th Aero Squadron Restaurant & Events - Biplane in the back

    Biplane in the back

    94th Aero Squadron Restaurant & Events - Patio area in the rear of the restaurant

    See all

    Patio area in the rear of the restaurant

    Cocina de Barrio

    Cocina de Barrio

    4.5(1.2k reviews)
    9.9 mi•Hillcrest
    •$$
    Happy hour specials
    Full bar

    My sister recommend this location when a friend of mine and I were looking for a place to have…read morebrunch on a Saturday and I am so happy she did! We got there early and got a good spot in the Patio. The service was amazing Jose and Karen provided what felt like white glove service in a fun atmosphere. I saw Jose take a glass of Milk with a Paleta Payaso to a kid as a surprise and the look on the child's face was worth his efforts! Bottomless mimosas were good! We had the Mango Habanero Aguachiles and the Breakfast Tlayuda as well and both were superb. For me the Aguachiles needed a bit more spice so Karen recommended their matcha salsa and that went well with everything! Will definitely be coming back! Thank you all for a great experience!

    I have not been here in a while. Lo siento! I have missed it so much! Ordered the house…read moremargarita to start off the evening!They have changed the menu a little, but they still have my favorites. The big tortilla with beans and chorizo...sooooo good! I can never pronounce the name of it...LOL! But I also ordered the taquitos, another delicious starter! I then had the green mole with ground pistachios over chicken...oh sooooo good!!!!! I love coming here! The staff is always friendly! The server said it had been a while. The outside patio is always welcoming!!! They are also dog friendly! Cako Approves!

    Photos
    Cocina de Barrio
    Cocina de Barrio
    Cocina de Barrio - Mango-Tajin Popsicle Margarita

    See all

    Mango-Tajin Popsicle Margarita

    Thornton Cafeteria - cafeteria - Updated October 2026

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