UCSF's Food Court Offers Sweeping Views, Convenience And Guilty Pleasures

UCSF's Food Court Offers Sweeping Views, Convenience And Guilty Pleasures

Photo: Walter Thompson/Hoodline

Walter Thompson
Published on April 27, 2015

The Inner Sunset offers a plethora of food options, but residents are more likely to wear hoodies than sunglasses while eating al fresco. The corridor along 9th Avenue and Irving Street is dotted with cafe tables (and the occasional enclosed courtyard), but there’s only one destination for diners seeking sweeping city views with their soup, salad or sandwich: UCSF Medical Center on Parnassus Avenue.

Inside the Millberry Union building at 500 Parnassus, several national chains and a few independent ones operate inside an enclosed food court generally populated by students with backpacks, or men and women wearing hospital scrubs. Despite the academic setting, the court is open to the public. Based on a few encounters with Inner Sunset residents, it seems like the food court is a bit of a hidden gem.

“I get my coffee from the cart outside on my way to work,” said a man holding a steaming travel mug and an unlit cigarette. “Better than Starbucks, and no lines.”

The food is a far cry from the restaurants a few blocks away near Irving & 9th, but convenience is key for UCSF staffers and students. For some hospital visitors, the familiar offerings reduce stress and time away from recovering family or friends. Today, we met Melissa from Modesto, who said she’s tried nearly all of the vendors at the Millberry Union food court over multiple visits.

“It’s a major time-saver,” she said. “I’m familiar with San Francisco, but my cousins and family aren’t.” Instead of trying to convince them to try something new, “it’s just easier to get a big bag of Panda Express and a couple of Subway foot longs.”

Melissa was joined by a UCSF worker in scrubs carrying a bag from Carmelina’s Taqueria, and we asked what was inside. “It’s a veggie burrito. Okay, it’s really carnitas, but don’t tell anyone!” We swore a pact and headed our separate ways.

Across the street at 505 Parnassus is Moffit Cafe, the hospital's cafeteria. At 12,000 square feet, diners can graze on everything from sushi to omelets. Said one Yelper, “pretty damn good for a cafeteria. But it's still a cafeteria!”

The Millberry Union food court is open daily from 7am to 7pm and is served by the 6-Parnassus and 43-Masonic bus lines; the N-Judah stops a block away at Carl & Hillway Sts. Vendors include Subway, Panda Express, Carmelina's Taqueria, Palio Paninoteca and Cafe Bellini.