Would you do this to save money?

[strasfamily]

I used to subscribe to Frommer's Budget Traveler. One of the tips I have seen them give a couple of times to save money on food while traveling is to eat at a hospital cafeteria.

Just curious as to your thoughts on this. Would you?

 

[CheapMom]

I used to live near a hospital and would sometimes grab a sandwich there- it was not much cheaper than other places- I would do it for the convenience-
I think some hospital workers here on this board will chime in and tell you their opinion of hospital food prices.

 

[powellrj]

I have been in many hospital cafeterias in my life and would have to say never would I ever do this. #1. I have never seen one that is very cheap to eat in and #2. I have never been to a hospital that is easy to get in and out of. #3 I would think a grocery store deli would be much cheaper, easier to get in and out of and easier to find in general.

 

[Shelle&Dave]

I work in a hospital. Our cafeteria has very reasonable prices and good food. The healthcare industry is getting hit very hard right now. Our hospital has been laying off all year. The kitchen is now down to one cook. This means no more choices in the cafeteria. They now have the salad/sandwich bar and one entree (there used to be 3), one potato item and one vegetable (there used to be 2). The hours have also been cut. The cafeteria is closed completely between meal times.

A typical sandwich and a bowl of soup would cost about $3. Although the cafeteria is very easy to find and close to an exit it doesn't seem worth the hassle to me. Many of the elderly people in the neighborhood eat there, but I couldn't imagine hunting down a hospital and going to the cafeteria while on vacation.

Personally, I would think it would be more convenient to go through a drive thru restaurant.

 

[swilshire]

Years ago I worked in a small town with few restaurants and a very nice hospital cafeteria. We went there two or three times a month because of the variety. They had a lot of vegetables and salads that were hard to find in the other restaurants.

Sheila

 

[flamom]

my husband was in the hospital recently for an operation and i ate at the cafeteria every day while he was there. I was very pleasantly suprised that the food was so good and so reasonable.they had daily hot specials and soups as well as sandwiches and salads even pizza hut pizza. the desserts were great i think they charged 1.00 for a slice of pie and 1.25 for soup.breakfast in hospital cafeterias are really good too. I don't know if i would think of eating in one while on vacation though but to each his own.

 

[crisi]

Last time I was in a hospital and needed to eat, the food was very overpriced and horrible. Plus I paid $3 an hour to park.

I'd think you'd be taking a chance.

 

[canwegosoon]

At the hospital my husband works, meals are so expensive he doesn't eat there or even purchase soda. He brings it in to save. A slice of pizza is $3.50, and sandwiches are $6.00 Salad bar is 6.99 a pound It's cheeper to eat bad at any FF place.