Dominic’s of New York

Unfortunately, the only option at NRL is this place and Subway. Even with the limited option, I’d still avoid this place.

When you’re on base, there are only two dining options: Dominic’s and Subway. I’ll be frank — you should avoid this place if you can. Although cafeteria food isn’t exactly the best, this place is definitely closer to the back of the pack. Not only is the food not that great, but it’s expensive for what you get. Go to Subway, bring lunch, or drive off base to somewhere better.

Dominic’s opened a few years ago. We had been without a proper cafeteria for a couple years after Aramark’s contract was not renewed.
The food at Dominic’s is sometimes OK when prepared well; it tends to be greasy, but considering everything, that’s not surprising.
Their problems are twofold: service and food poisoning.
1) Service
At any given time, there are about half a dozen people at Dominic’s working the kitchen, grill and cash registers. They will ignore you. Why? Because the only other option on the base is Subway, which is mobbed at lunch. Even with two or three people at the grill, they cannot service more than two people at once. So, if there’s 5 people in front of you, you’ll wait 15 minutes just to order. And then it will be at least 5 minutes to get your food, no matter what you order. There’s never parking at Dominic’s, so, if you walk 5 minutes to get there, spend 20 minutes receiving your food and walk 5 minutes back, there went your lunch break.
And when there’s no one in line? It still takes 10+ minutes even just to get some eggs. This has been getting worse since they opened and it’s time they get called out. American tax dollars should not fund Dominic’s.
2) Food poisoning
Why have I eaten at ‘Nic’s after getting sick? Other than Subway, which gets real old, they’re the only game in town without leaving the base; and until yesterday, I really wanted to believe they weren’t so bad. That said, from now on, whenever I get sick of Subway, I’ll choke it down rather than risk it at Dominic’s. I’ve left work to vomit twice after eating there and felt bad innumerable times. I won’t name names, but it would be a lie to say that Dominic’s hasn’t sent people to the hospital because of their deplorable sanitary standards.
If you must eat at ‘Nic’s, try to order something you can watch being cooked. They set out their «paninis» around 1100 and let them stay at room temperature until they close at 1400. I’m not squeamish, but after eating their food, I’m positive that it’s already past ideal condition once it’s been set out. Some places keep their food refrigerated or on hotplates; not Dom’s paninis (though they’re careful to keep their fried goods hot-​ish). Nope. They put out their tuna salad sandwiches in the morning and do God knows what with them at 1400 when they close.
Don’t trust any of the cooks to not handle raw meat along with your food. WATCH them. And be ready to wait for your (possibly contaminated) food. You’ll have plenty of time to get your $ 9 ready for the cashier, assuming you can find one. Napkins after you check out are a luxury only sometimes bestowed.
PS: If this doesn’t convince you, try the «low carb special». For $ 10, you can get two ½ lb patties with cheese and bacon. Yum. Thanks, Dominic’s, for being health conscientious.