Tex-Mex At the Capitol

All I wanted was a burrito. I Unilocaled my area because I wanted to find a good option and saw this «four-​star» spot in the basement of the capitol.
It’s like Disneyland Pirates of the Caribbean dungeon down there. Brick and wood motif from the 60’s or 70s.
The burrito was plain old nasty. Re-​fried bean paste, Spanish rice out of a box, yesterday’s leftover chicken shredded in weak sauce, ice-​cold shredded colby/​jack cheese out of a bag, topped off with black olives and iceberg lettuce. $ 8 after tip for the poor worker trapped down there. Gross.
Seriously? Come on state-​capitol, we have more great Mexican food here in Cali than anywhere else in the states.
This food isn’t Mexican. It’s not even Jack-​in-​Box Mexican. It is just plain old nasty and overpriced.

This café is in the basement of the State Capitol. Coworkers and I came here to eat at the O’Deli but it was closed due to Christmas break for them, a long one too, I guess O’Deli owners wanted to go on a little vacation from ¹²⁄₂₀ all the way through to ¹⁄₆ or something like that. Guess they’re not hurting for business.
Anyhow, so we came down to the basement b/​c we were hungry and found this little place. Limited menu 2 days before Christmas but the two ladies working there were still serving up basic Mexican foods and there’s a by the pound salad bar right next to it and the greens looked pretty fresh, or at least ok. $ 6 a lb for the salad, not bad, not great. There were burritos made to order (not a huge one like at Taquerias, but decent size and less than $ 4), enchiladas a la carte ($ 1.69), sides like beans and rice for $ 1.59 each. Overall, pretty good value for downtown and cheap for a place like the Capitol where I’m sure politicians are hurting for $ and have to skimp on lunch anyway.
I like the ambiance of the eating area, rustic, love all the mahoghany and old décor of the Capitol. Besides having to go through security to get into the Capitol, eating at the Capitol is actually pretty nice.
Merry CHRISTmas!

It’s a good thing my friend works at the Captiol for me to get an in to eat here. It’s not that exclusive but it feels like it with the security check to enter the building! Haha this place is located in the basement of the Capitol and basically it’s just a cafeteria counter. Ordered the mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwich and potato wedges (ok so kind of gluttonous but oh well). Mac and cheese, which was hyped up by my aforementioned friend who had it twice within the last week, was just a-​ok. It definitely was creamy and buttery but it didn’t wow me. I think it needed some salt and pepper. The grilled cheese sandwich was just that… a grilled cheese sandwich and I had the same sentiment about the potato wedges. Homegirl filling up the styrofoam containers definitely hooked it up though! I could barely finish and I could barely stay awake at work after that meal. All that for $ 7, not bad! Saw her preparing another customer’s nachos and those looked hefty, will have to try another time.

This place is located in the basement of the State Capitol
So I know people generally aren’t very enthused about cafeteria food, but GOODNESS. I have to leave a review about their mac n’ cheese.
I discovered it last year and have been eating it ever since. I’m sure it will contribute to my heart disease or clog in the future, but I am in heaven when I have it. It’s smooth, creamy and also has a top cheese coating. W/​my pallette, I always put 2 packs of pepper on top =D ha ha If you’re a cheese and/​or mac n’ cheese lover, this is MUST.
TIP: ONLY get it before 12:30pm (any later and it’ll be kinda dry…)
I’ve had other things there and they’re fine, but mac n’ cheese… *DROOOOOL*