Good but not the best. Simple and quick for a fast sandwich. Need more innovation
Jesse C.
Small mom and pop owned cafe thats conveniently located in my building I go to work in. I wanted to get some breakfast and so I strolled in and the store was neat and tidy. They have a salad bar and the grill is in the back for the hot stuff. There is some seating behind the cash registers. I got the big breakfast and for $5 you get 2 eggs, toast, and bacon or sausage. When I got to the cash register, the lady said Capital One employees get a discount so my meal ended up being only $4. I thought that was awesome but then she asked if I have cash and I said no. I saw the sign that was posted that credit card minimum is $5. So I had to get a bag of chips which isn't a big deal but I had to pay more than I wanted. So carry cash if eating here. Maybe I'll try the lunch menu one of these days.
Victor Tan
Used to work at the building where this restaurant is located and have purchased the buffet lunch there many times. They do have a deli counter as well but I never wanted to try that out as it seemed way too expensive for what they were offering.
Cindy W.
My coworkers love to call this place Ratchet Cafe or MSG Palace, and their high points are their breakfast where you can get inexpensive and no-fuss breakfast for about $3 and my coworker kinda loves their cheesesteak sandwiches. Overall you're better off going to the mall for lunch but it's decent for breakfast. Cash only under $5 for breakfast, and under $10 for lunch.
Felix T.
Universal Gourmet is a little deli in Towers Crescents. It's a very convenient and quick place to grab lunch. They have a hot buffet and a salad bar where they sell food by the pound (around 7 bucks). I would be careful because if you go overboard it will add up and you will be paying a pretty penny for lunch. They also have an assortment of chips and drinks and also a counter where you can order cook to order sandwiches such as burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches. They have specials as well where for one price you can get a sandwich, fries, and a drink. Their sandwiches are reasonably priced and usually tasty as well. I usually get lunch here around two times a week and everything is decent. Nothing blows my mind but I don't think they're trying to sell themselves as a 5 star restaurant. If you're looking for a fast and easy way to grab a decent lunch this is the place but if you're looking for a fancy restaurant to bring your boss or coworkers though this might not be the best place.
Susan Z.
This place has been around since early 2000... and their menu options have stayed exactly the same. it's the only onsite option for food in my work building. and its slim pickings. Everything is greasy and super expensive. Better off walking to Tysons mall to spend $10 for lunch.
Erin F.
I really wanted to like this place since it's the only onsite option at our office... but I can't. It's really expensive for a salad bar (weighed at checkout) and although their sandwiches are good and made to order, good luck trying to ask a question or get something REALLY difficult like "please no tomato" because nobody speaks English. I was brave and got the Chinese food one day (also weighed at checkout) as I was needing something a little greasy to appease a hangover, and I ended up worse off than I was. The thing that really was the clincher for me was that one day I went in and since it was after lunch, ALL the salad bar and stuff is put away, so your only option is a sandwich. I asked if they could just give me a scoop of the tuna salad that would've been off the bar and they seemed happy to accommodate. I walked to the front and they weighed it and rang me up... only to have the owner come out and yell at the cashier who then told me that it would be $7.25, which is the price of a tuna melt sandwich. Keep in mind I didn't even have a big enough scoop to make a sandwich and nothing else (no bread no cheese no bacon no anything!), and I was the ONLY person in there trying to pay. Whatever. It's fine if you really can't get out and drive somewhere... but I would save your $10+ lunch for a place that warrants more than greasy day old chinese or steak-ums.
✅ Kit Oliynyk
Free wi-fi: NETGEAR
✅ Kit Oliynyk
Great subs, $5 minimum for a credit card charge.
Vikram Chatterji
The only deli with a symphony orchestra playing all the time
Quick and easy. Perfect for grabbing something fast during lunch. A little expensive as they charge for the salad and hot bar by the pound, but the sandwiches are made fresh and are always good.
N. C.
When I am hungover, or hungry, or feeling a little sad...nothing can make me feel better like Universal Gourmet's Tuna Melt with no tomatoes and +hot peppers. The tuna salad is good and the bread is buttered and perfect. I have never been able to replace it. It is magical and beautiful and a one of a kind melty delicious treat from the gods. You can even get avocado on it if you're into that.
Mauro Labuto
Quality food, clean and friendly !!
R G
Really not all that "gourmet"
Arthur K.
Universal is about amalgamation. Inside the modest shop is a pay-per-pound buffet, an open fridge of cold drinks, and a make-to-order grill. The food options range between American, Korean, Chinese, Thai, and Italian. If you like variety, Universal may be the place to go. Be warned though that the buffet is a bit lacking in terms of quality. The few times I've gone, several items were dry - heat-lamped out I guess. Often there are items nearly empty or completely empty with no signs of a refill coming. The complaint I most often hear about the place is the cost of the pay-per-pound option. My advice is to stick with a made-to-order item from the grill. I've ordered more cheesesteaks here than I care to admit. I don't know what it is about it, but I love them here. No they are not "Philly"-style. They are Korean deli mom style. The meat is fairly good - soft and tasty. The bun is simple. The sub is accompanied with just barely cooked green peppers, fresh lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Yum. Breakfast is not a bad option at Universal. They officially open at 7AM but are usually ready to accept customers if I arrive at 645. The breakfast buffet is more reasonably priced. They have the basic eggs, sausage, ham, french toast, gravy, and a few other items. Not a bad way to start the day. The employees are very friendly. A good bite to eat if you want a quick lunch, but probably nothing to drive out of your way for.
Good but not the best. Simple and quick for a fast sandwich. Need more innovation
Small mom and pop owned cafe thats conveniently located in my building I go to work in. I wanted to get some breakfast and so I strolled in and the store was neat and tidy. They have a salad bar and the grill is in the back for the hot stuff. There is some seating behind the cash registers. I got the big breakfast and for $5 you get 2 eggs, toast, and bacon or sausage. When I got to the cash register, the lady said Capital One employees get a discount so my meal ended up being only $4. I thought that was awesome but then she asked if I have cash and I said no. I saw the sign that was posted that credit card minimum is $5. So I had to get a bag of chips which isn't a big deal but I had to pay more than I wanted. So carry cash if eating here. Maybe I'll try the lunch menu one of these days.
Used to work at the building where this restaurant is located and have purchased the buffet lunch there many times. They do have a deli counter as well but I never wanted to try that out as it seemed way too expensive for what they were offering.
My coworkers love to call this place Ratchet Cafe or MSG Palace, and their high points are their breakfast where you can get inexpensive and no-fuss breakfast for about $3 and my coworker kinda loves their cheesesteak sandwiches. Overall you're better off going to the mall for lunch but it's decent for breakfast. Cash only under $5 for breakfast, and under $10 for lunch.
Universal Gourmet is a little deli in Towers Crescents. It's a very convenient and quick place to grab lunch. They have a hot buffet and a salad bar where they sell food by the pound (around 7 bucks). I would be careful because if you go overboard it will add up and you will be paying a pretty penny for lunch. They also have an assortment of chips and drinks and also a counter where you can order cook to order sandwiches such as burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches. They have specials as well where for one price you can get a sandwich, fries, and a drink. Their sandwiches are reasonably priced and usually tasty as well. I usually get lunch here around two times a week and everything is decent. Nothing blows my mind but I don't think they're trying to sell themselves as a 5 star restaurant. If you're looking for a fast and easy way to grab a decent lunch this is the place but if you're looking for a fancy restaurant to bring your boss or coworkers though this might not be the best place.
This place has been around since early 2000... and their menu options have stayed exactly the same. it's the only onsite option for food in my work building. and its slim pickings. Everything is greasy and super expensive. Better off walking to Tysons mall to spend $10 for lunch.
I really wanted to like this place since it's the only onsite option at our office... but I can't. It's really expensive for a salad bar (weighed at checkout) and although their sandwiches are good and made to order, good luck trying to ask a question or get something REALLY difficult like "please no tomato" because nobody speaks English. I was brave and got the Chinese food one day (also weighed at checkout) as I was needing something a little greasy to appease a hangover, and I ended up worse off than I was. The thing that really was the clincher for me was that one day I went in and since it was after lunch, ALL the salad bar and stuff is put away, so your only option is a sandwich. I asked if they could just give me a scoop of the tuna salad that would've been off the bar and they seemed happy to accommodate. I walked to the front and they weighed it and rang me up... only to have the owner come out and yell at the cashier who then told me that it would be $7.25, which is the price of a tuna melt sandwich. Keep in mind I didn't even have a big enough scoop to make a sandwich and nothing else (no bread no cheese no bacon no anything!), and I was the ONLY person in there trying to pay. Whatever. It's fine if you really can't get out and drive somewhere... but I would save your $10+ lunch for a place that warrants more than greasy day old chinese or steak-ums.
Free wi-fi: NETGEAR
Great subs, $5 minimum for a credit card charge.
The only deli with a symphony orchestra playing all the time
Restaurantji Recommends
Quick and easy. Perfect for grabbing something fast during lunch. A little expensive as they charge for the salad and hot bar by the pound, but the sandwiches are made fresh and are always good.
When I am hungover, or hungry, or feeling a little sad...nothing can make me feel better like Universal Gourmet's Tuna Melt with no tomatoes and +hot peppers. The tuna salad is good and the bread is buttered and perfect. I have never been able to replace it. It is magical and beautiful and a one of a kind melty delicious treat from the gods. You can even get avocado on it if you're into that.
Quality food, clean and friendly !!
Really not all that "gourmet"
Universal is about amalgamation. Inside the modest shop is a pay-per-pound buffet, an open fridge of cold drinks, and a make-to-order grill. The food options range between American, Korean, Chinese, Thai, and Italian. If you like variety, Universal may be the place to go. Be warned though that the buffet is a bit lacking in terms of quality. The few times I've gone, several items were dry - heat-lamped out I guess. Often there are items nearly empty or completely empty with no signs of a refill coming. The complaint I most often hear about the place is the cost of the pay-per-pound option. My advice is to stick with a made-to-order item from the grill. I've ordered more cheesesteaks here than I care to admit. I don't know what it is about it, but I love them here. No they are not "Philly"-style. They are Korean deli mom style. The meat is fairly good - soft and tasty. The bun is simple. The sub is accompanied with just barely cooked green peppers, fresh lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Yum. Breakfast is not a bad option at Universal. They officially open at 7AM but are usually ready to accept customers if I arrive at 645. The breakfast buffet is more reasonably priced. They have the basic eggs, sausage, ham, french toast, gravy, and a few other items. Not a bad way to start the day. The employees are very friendly. A good bite to eat if you want a quick lunch, but probably nothing to drive out of your way for.