One State Street Cafe

This is a corporate cafeteria, NOT a café. If you know that ahead of time and are OK with that, great. But if you get off the highway expecting to find this ‘café’ on State St you will be frustrated and disappointed. When we got there at 10 am looking for breakfast they were setting up for lunch so we were limited to a few leftovers plus some nice looking baskets of fruit and a selection of breads and bagels ready to toast. To be fair, the food we were offered was pretty good. It was just that the selection was limited and the dining area was dominated by large screen TV’s set to ESPN.

A great choice for a quick lunch when you’re in the downtown area. They have a salad station, pizza station and sandwich station, with fault sand the service is fast and friendly. Sandwich specials change daily, which is great for the regular business clientele who dine here. The food I had here was fresh and delicious.

I go to this place almost every day; it has lots of varieties and everything is simply delicious. Salad bar, sandwich station, american food, summer pasta station with a gazillion of ingredients, ethnic food, fruit salad bar etc, and all at reasonable prices. It’s kinda hard to find especially because it’s not accessible directly from the street, but you can always ask.

This place is great for a corporate cafeteria, regarding price and quality. You have to be in the know, as there is no other way you would ever stumble upon this cafeteria in the Hartford Steam Boiler building. They have a different «international» cuisine featured daily and a weekly rotating «action station.» The choices are extensive, from cold salad bar to creative hot vegetable sides and mains; basic cold and hot sandwiches to interesting Indian, Chinese, Mexican foods. The online menu is always up to date so you can see what they are offering. This is one of the few places we can go with extremely picky coworkers and everyone is happy. You know the type, they eat like a 5 year old and only like burgers and chicken tenders… they will be happy. The foodie in your group will be happy. The vegetarian in your group will rejoice at having multiple options. They also do breakfast and an omelet station on Friday mornings, though I have only ever had their lunch.

I work across the street from this cafeteria and eat there at least once a week. In short, it is everything a building cafeteria should be — affordable, varied and creative menu and something for everyone. No matter the party you are with, everyone will find something they will enjoy here.
I am especially a fan of their action station and ethnic foods (their Indian is very good for a cafeteria!).
While difficult to find, it is a great option for a tasy and affordable lunch in downtown Hartford.

In the world of building cafeterias, this is a great example of one that has modernized with the times.
Sure it has a salad bar, sandwich station etc. but where it shines is with the warm foods. How about Indian Kathi bowls like street food you’d get there? Or a wing bar? Or Hungarian food or…
You get the picture. Very creative and generous portions at cheap prices.
It’s not easy to find in the Steam Boiler building but it may just be near the tops of a quick service place in Downtown Hartford.
No joke.