The Sandstone Café is a hospital cafeteria.
Before you recoil in horror and disgust, bear with me. I admit that hospital food tends to have a terrible reputation – some of the worst food imaginable has been served in hospitals. It’s also not the kind of place you would normally consider going to eat – I mean a hospital is not a social gathering place.
The difference here is that the food at the Sandstone is far better than any hospital food I have ever had (with considerable experience in that area, and much to compare it to). To say that the food is not bad for a hospital would be an insult - the food is extremely good. This café rivals most of the well-known restaurants you might choose for a casual meal, and the food is better than most.
We had been up all night, (my Dad was seriously ill) and by the time the café opened at 6:30 am, I was exhausted and so hungry that it wouldn’t have mattered what or where I ate. I briefly considered driving to find a good place to eat, but we didn’t want to be too far away, so we elected to try the cafeteria. When I saw that the eggs, potatoes, pancakes and other items were being cooked fresh, no microwaving frozen packages, I had my first clue that this place was going to be better than expected. As I stood there, taking in the familiar aromas of various breakfast foods cooking, I tried to decide what to order. Everything looked and smelled perfect.
When I realized that the chef had real potato hash browns cooking, not a bag of frozen spuds, I knew I had to have some. They had fresh scrambled eggs with ham and onions, and my plate was quickly piled high with what I knew was going to be great food. The blueberry pancakes looked so good that I considered ordering them too, but I knew it would be too much.
Such a breakfast at most restaurants would easily run $20 or more for two people. At the Sandstone Café, our combined bill for two full breakfast plates (including biscuits, sausage, and coffee) came to $8. 72. Where can two people eat a full, hearty, well-cooked, fresh breakfast for that kind of money? Nowhere else that I know of.
Lunch at the Sandstone Café was just as good. The menu offered a variety of sandwiches and other items, but the pizza caught my eye. Just as with everything else at the café, the pizza had been cooked fresh; perfectly seasoned, a perfect blend of cheeses, with pepperoni and sausage. By then, I shouldn’t have been surprised at the quality of the food, but I kept reminding myself that I was eating in a hospital cafeteria – not a pizzeria or a gourmet restaurant, and the food was consistently great.
As I mentioned, prior visits to hospital cafeterias had ended predictably: terrible food and heartburn. Not so at the surprisingly excellent Sandstone Café at Dixie Regional Medical Center. I don’t wish a hospital stay on anyone, but who says you have to be visiting a patient to eat there? The hospital and restaurant staff likely don’t care one way or the other. For a low-priced meal of excellent quality food, this was one unexpected find. It might seem a little strange to go to a hospital to eat, but you won’t be disappointed in the food or the prices.
The Sandstone Café
Dixie Regional Medical Center
1380 S. Medical Center Dr.
St George, UT
(435) 251-2050
Larry Manch is an author, teacher, guitar player, freelance writer, and columnist. His books include: 'Twisted Logic: 50 Edgy Flash Fiction Stories', 'The Toughest Hundred Dollars & Other Rock & Roll Stories', 'A Sports Junkie', 'The Avery Appointment', 'Between the Fuzzy Parts'. His books are available in paperback and e-book.
He also writes about
sports for Season Tickets, food and travel on Miles & Meals, and music/guitars on The
Backbeat.
I agree I first found out during an illness my wife had and requiring gallbladder surgery. the food was unbelievable. I ordered a plate a fries and a cheese burger. And it was awesome. the burger was fresh and tasted just as good as any burger i've gotten at a nice restaurant for a third of the price and the fries. They give a huge amount of fries for less than even a fast food place can offer and they are 10 times better.
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