Calling this place a bistro is like calling Britney Spears a mom. It might be true, but it’s not really accurate.
Strip away the name and you have, on the surface at least, a somewhat standard state building cafeteria. Upon closer inspection though, you’ll notice that the produce all seems a little fresher than the usual fare, that the hair-netted counter man brags that the rather delicious vegetable soup is freshly made this morning.
Hmmm, you say to yourself, what’s going on here? This isn’t quite like other state cafeterias I’ve been to. And then you realize where you are–the statewide headquarters of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. And then it makes sense.
If anyone is going to pimp “California Grown” it’s the CDFA. And they do a pretty good job of it. From the agricultural murals on the walls to the farmer’s market fresh produce, they manage to say, “Hey, we know we’re in the back of a fading 1950’s concrete tomb of a building, and the majority of our lunch orders are coming straight out of the fry-o-lator, and our workers are forced to take orders with rubber gloves and hairnets, and we have a legally blind cashier, and we’re forced to use one-ply toilet paper to wipe ourselves with, but we’re Californians damn it, and we’re going to show you that fresh food is good food.” And they pretty much succeed.
The folks at the ‘Stro aren’t jockeying for a Michelin star or anything, but they put together a damn fine tuna salad sandwich with some of the reddest, ripest tomatoes I’ve seen in months.
Drop by, try a soup and sandwich…but bring your own toilet paper.
Buy California Bistro- 1220 N Street (Entrance on 12th)
Food **1/2 Atmosphere* Service**
The Sac Rag 
When A.G. became Aaahnold’s Secretary of Food and Ag, he asked a very simple question… Why the hell can’t I get a freshly made salad in my own damn office building? Kudos to A.G. for putting his office where his mouth is, not only in creating the Bistro, but in promoting healthy eating and California Grown as something that is normal, not as a freaky-deaky alternative lifestyle.
My favorite thing to get at California Bistro is their breakfast burrito, they do a very nice job with it and the veggies are indeed fresh.
If you want really good government dining, check out the CalPERS cafeteria or the OGS cafeteria in West Sac.
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Shhhhh! Don’t go telling people about our cafeteria! As an FYI, the CalPERS cafeteria switched to a new catering company about 6 months ago. I haven’t really seen much difference in the quality of the food, although I think some of the portions to price have changed. But they are subsidized to keep the prices low, so still a deal to get a roast beef dinner with all the fixins for just $6.45.
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i went there yesterday after reading your article.
the chx salad sandwich on wheat was FANTASTIC. very fresh everything, big serving. $4 and filling.
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Re: the headline… there’s an “r” in California… no matter how Arnold pronounces it… (Yes, I am guilty of typos too, I know…. !) Or do the folks at Food and Ag drop the “r” for a sense of foodie panache?
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I gotta say that Gary and his crew do put out some mean grub! My props to Ali for one of the best Turkey burgers in town! Where’s that pepper jack to set it off? lol
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