PRESIDIO EATS: Three Delicious Presidio Grab-n-Go Options

Wednesday, Apr 12, 2017 Category Food and Drink

You are likely already aware of many of the Presidio's fast and delicious food options – organic fare from the Warming Hut at Crissy Field, quick coffee and snacks at Starbucks in the Letterman Digital Arts Center, or the ready-made bites at the little Bridge Café located beneath the Round House Café at the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza.

But there may be a few options you have yet to discover – some with new choices at a good price-point, some innovative, and all easy and simply delicious!

1. TRANSIT Restaurant

Did you know that TRANSIT Restaurant – located at the bus and shuttle stop next to the Presidio Visitor Center – not only has made-to-order items (like their delicious oven-baked pizza at $4 a slice), but also reasonably priced pre-made items in their "grab n' go" fridge? Their menu changes regularly, and they have a rotating selection of wraps, fresh salads, seasonal fruit, and fresh sandwiches. Most grab and go sandwiches are priced at $7. This is a great spot to take a break (public restrooms!), and it's the perfect place to pull together a picnic to take on your park adventure.

2. New Food Machines at the Tides Thoreau Center

The Tides Thoreau Center is a mecca for good people doing good things. It currently houses more than 75 charitable organizations and social enterprises, and it's home to two art galleries as well as Café Rx – a Presidio favorite for weekday breakfast and lunch. More recently, the Tides folks installed self-serve fresh food kiosks by Byte Foods, stocking options from local vendors, such as The Town Kitchen, a food delivery service that employs low-income youth. The machines are pretty nifty – just choose an item, swipe your card, and grab your grub. Meals include healthy beverages, salads, wraps, sandwiches, pastas, and more. Prices range from $4 to $12. The Tides Thoreau Center building's hours are 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

3. Presidio Palms Café

Presidio Palms Café, located inside the San Francisco Film Centre (39 Mesa Street on the Main Post), is a great spot to grab a weekday breakfast or lunch. They have plenty of tasty options, including their half sandwich and soup or salad combo, and their hard-to-resist cheese toast and tomato soup ($10.25). But if you're in a hurry, they have a selection of quick meals, like the Savory Turnover ($4), assorted cookies and scones ($3), and a refrigerator case featuring pre-packaged yogurt parfaits ($4.50), salads ($5), and pre-made sandwiches (prices vary, $9-12). They also have beverages, including fresh squeezed juice and lemonade ($3), agua frescas ($3.75), and a selection of the Presidio-brewed Fort Point Beer!

PlaceMakers: Allison Stone Talks Art	Allison Stone helps share the Presidio with the public through a rich variety of activities, including art exhibits and installations.
Then + Now: Fort Winfield Scott’s History and a Vision for its Future	Fort Winfield Scott, named for the most prominent U.S. Army officer of the 19th century, was built a century ago on a perch above the Golden Gate.
As Seen At: Rob Hill Campground	We asked guests at the Presidio's Rob Hill Campground, "What's the best thing about camping in a park in the middle of a city?"
NATURE: Discovering the Birds of the Presidio	Did you know 323 bird species use the Presidio?
Discovery of the Month: Majolica – The Art of Ceramics	In honor of our new art exhibition, Home Land Security, this month we’re taking a look at “found” art in the Presidio.

Presidio's Greatest Lists: Five Under-the-Radar Picnic Sites in the Presidio	July is National Picnic Month, and there’s no better way to celebrate than heading into the Presidio for a proper nosh session in the great outdoors.
The Greatest: Six Great Places to Picnic in the Presidio	The park features a half dozen stunning sites for picnicking – some with views, some with beaches, and some with perfect butterfly and bird watching nearby. Here are six great places to nosh in nature.
Presidio's Greatest Lists: Five Ways to Celebrate Women in the Presidio	In honor of International Women's Month, here are five ways to celebrate women in the Presidio.