Community Canteen
Reston Town Center,11950 Democracy Dr, Reston, VA, 20190
Community Canteen Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Reston for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
Reston Town Center,11950 Democracy Dr
Reston, VA, 20190 - Phone (703) 707-9442
- Website https://www.communitycanteen.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast, Brunch
Parking : Garage
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
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Chris P.
I freaking Love this place! Every time my girlfriend and I get brunch here, everything is perfect! They have an awesome omelet bar- every single omelet I've had here, over the last year, has been cooked flawlessly! The staff is super friendly and competent! Great for you and about 1-3 friends unless you eat outside- then it's 3-5 people :)
(5)Dictum N.
A few months ago they shrank their salad sizes significantly, you used to get a huge plastic container for salad, it shrunk to about 2/3 in size. Their tomatoes are awful, either hard and tasteless or rotten. I have complained to the managers numerous times. I pointed out that the SweetGreen next to them has far tastier Roma tomatoes that are never rotten and they said it "costs more". The "protein" meat you can put in salad is pretty low grade, as is everything there, has a lot of stuff you cannot chew and have to spit out. The meat in the lamb sandwich is also not very high grade, and the sandwich costs almost $10 so you might as well consider the kabob across the street. For an extra $2, you can get protein in your salad and one of the choice is a tiny piece of salmon. If you are going to get a $10 sandwich, a better deal is a burger from The Counter across the street. As an alternative for salads, consider SweetGreen next door. They have much better variety and stuff that "community Canteen" just doesn't have - strawberries, beets, guacamole and much more -- and their prices are just a little higher. The salad you get costs about $10 in "community canteen" and about $12 in SweetGreen, and both places are packed during lunch. community canteen prices went up somewhat during the summer of 2015, on top of salad shrinking in size significantly. All in all, they are an ok value compared to everything else in Reston town center (there are no "good value" places to eat here IMO). I give them about 3 stars. Their major redeeming value is delicious breakfast like omelet (which is not cheap either) Another is that they have free carbonated water that's pretty good. After 3pm, cookies are 1/2 price.
(3)David A.
The only good thing about this place was the outdoor seating in the sun. We went on Saturday and found that their usual menu was drastically reduced to a few humdrum sandwiches, an omelet bar, and quiche. There were also a selection of cookies and sweets, and a coffee bar. Oddly, the place was very disorganized and when it came time to pay, the cashier had wandered away, so we sat down to eat and eventually settled up. The Counter, just across the way is a far better bet, with beer, salads, and custom-made burgers. I won't waste my time and money again at the Canteen.
(2)Adrianna C.
My husband and I made a return trip for their Saturday brunch. They were a bit busy but we were able to find seat fairly easily in the connected Mon Ami next door near the bar. The first time we came here the ordering and paying process was chaotic. We didn't get any direction on the way of things from the employees. But this time, even though they were still busy the employees we talked to gave more direction which helped. So if you are new to the place, you go to the big front counter to order and they will give you a ticket and a number. You can then go pay on the right hand side and then take a seat and wait for your number to be called. If it's not too busy they will bring your food out to you. I got a simple waffle, but very yummy, topped with strawberries and syrup. My husband got an omelette, loaded with veggies with a side of potatoes and toast, all which he enjoyed very much. We also took a couple chocolate croissants to go. My husband couldn't wait long to eat his! Too yummy! We look forward to coming again!
(5)Jay W.
Pleasantly surprised actually. I had a breakfast sandwich, the special, and was concerned because it was pre-assembled then heated up- but it was tasty and more than I can eat. BF got an omelet made on the spot. The yogurt fruit salad looked great and so did the pastries. Definitely will come back. Only downside was the cashiers. We got a number for the omelet and asked the cashier if we come back and get the omelet or does someone bring it out for us... his response was "either." So I said that we had no problem coming in and getting it and he said that he would look out for it. But then we had to come in and get it. I am just convinced that every person working in reston who works in customer service is socially awkward, doesn't listen, or simply has no clue how their operation is run. C'est la vie. Small price to pay for a quick, tasty breakfast.
(4)Ann B.
The woman that took my order was extremely rude. Wouldn't allow me to order breakfast because breakfast ends at 10:30 am. I was in the door at 10:25.. Looked at the menu, set up my 2 year old and 5 month old at a table.. Was at the counter at 10:31.. And in the middle of my order she said "sorry, we can't do that now. Breakfast is over". I packed my two babies back up, walked out, and will never go back there again.
(1)Kate H.
Community Canteen is the carry-out lunch part of Mon Ami Gabi. The options range from a choose-your-own-toppings salad, to sandwiches, to soups and daily specials. I usually opt for the salad -- choose a container of different lettuces out of the wall cooler, hand it over to a staff member, pick your toppings and watch it be tossed all together. Skip the iced tea and lemonade. It's a smallish cup for the price and doesn't include any ice. I've never figured out if I'm supposed to get my own ice somewhere or just ask for some. Free filtered water available near the door. Need some sweets? Treat yourself to a buckeye, giant cookie or treat. Sweets are BOGO after 2 pm.
(3)Abeer A.
Great hospitality & decent clean delicious food with great organic fruits specially raspberry
(5)Lauren G.
My husband and I went here for a quick breakfast and coffee on a Saturday morning while my parents watched our newborn son. It was as described by fellow yelpers: cafeteria style with limited seating. However, the food was quite good! I ordered French Toast and he got the sausage burrito. We were both happy with the portions and taste for the price. The coffee and Americano we ordered were also good. Since we didn't find a seat at the restaurant, we sat in this middle area between the Canteen and Mon Ami Gabi. The manager came by to introduce himself and welcome us. After mentioning it was our first time to either establishment, he coolly slipped us a $25 gift card to Mon Ami Gabi and invited us to come again when the patio is open. Needless to say, we will return. Yummy breakfast, bright atmosphere, and helpful staff for us newbies but 4 stars because of limited seating.
(4)C. H.
I have done the breakfast and lunch here. Yes, it gets crowded, yes there are a shortage of tables. Food is very good. Sandwiches are value for money on pricing and quality. It's a typical european style deli. Need more of these type of food places around. Try a different daily special sandwich. Can not go wrong. Salads beat the crap out of any chain restaurant salads.
(4)Frank W.
Great salad, very comparable with seeetgreens but they have no surcharge for the proteins
(4)Tom T.
Its a good go-to for simple fare at their price points. Omelets are good, baked goods are fresh and coffee is hot. Nice jumping point to go window shopping and pass the time away at the Town Center as Community Canteen is in the heart of it all. You can also overflow into the regular restaurant high tops and booths if there isn't seating left during peak hours.
(4)Drew S.
The food here is tasty! Great choice if you are in a hurry during breakfast or lunch. It can get crowded but the line goes particularly fast. Omelets in the morning are a go-to if you have missed breakfast before work and want something to fill you up. Cross contamination can sometimes be an issue so be careful if you have allergies! If you work in the town center and have work perks, you get 10% off here which is nice.
(3)Dave C.
I am a huge fan of their breakfast items. They are fresh and quick. If you are in the area for breakfast or brunch you can't go wrong with the omelettes. Their lunch items are not my favorite as the ones I have tried are taste somewhat processed.
(4)Danny K.
I had the crispy fried chicken sandwich here and that is usually what I get most of the time. The chicken tastes good, it's a good size and you can taste the saltiness of the skin through the sandwich. Not too much fluff with the ingredients, shredded lettuce, mayo, tomatoes and the bread is soft with a thicker outside; good for a sandwich. I would recommend and it gets busy during peak lunch hours, my only complaint is the confusion of the lines. Usually there's 2 lines, one for salads and one for everything else. They could probably make their shop more efficient by handling their line issue so customers won't be confused.
(3)Ross B.
Could be cheaper but an excellent in-and-out breakfast and lunch place. I work in the Town Center and frequent it.
(4)Maria R.
Update: I also wish I didn't have egg shells in my salads so often. I used to come here almost every morning when I started working in the Town Center. I loved their omelet bar and salad bar. But I've found black rotten tomatoes in my salads and on sandwiches several times now. Or wet, slimy spinach instead of raw and fresh. Also, check your orders. Once they had to re-do my omelet 4 times and eventually it was given to me for free, which was nice. And I really do like their gluten free cookies and all their chips is gluten & wheat free. If you're going for lunch, try to go before 11.45, the salad bar isn't messy then and you won't have stand in line.
(2)Brian L.
Their other location is on the ground level of the Bechtel building at 12011 Sunset Hills Rd. Fantastic staff and a great little place.
(5)Megan C.
**LUNCH REVIEW** As a salad and mixed greens lover, I am aghast that it took me so long to discover and to try Community Canteen. I guess I had it in my mind that this was a breakfast-only spot, and I only expected an experience slightly above, say La Madeleine. However, in stopping by for lunch, I was pleasantly blown away by what is, for me, a perfect lunch. NB: go early for lunch, just prior to 12, as the top-of-the-hour lunch crowd fills in quickly and seating becomes quite scarce as quickly as the line grows long. Luckily, there are separate queues for the type of made-to-order or modified-to-order food one is seeking. Luckily for me, the salad line isn't as long as the sandwich line, and it always moves efficiently thanks to the quick-handed and deft salad ladies behind the sneeze guard. Okay, so the best-kept secret about their salad is this: pick up your pre-packed (as in, packed a moment ago; turnover is quick) green mix of choice from a shelf on your left as you wait in line. When it's your turn, hand over your greens to your salad lady, and have at it. Have her fill that bowl to the very brim with anything and everything. They do not weigh the salads, they do not charge for "extras" or "premium toppings" nor do they limit you to a certain set amount of toppings before piling on the extra charges. This. Is. Awesome. Dressing quantity is also totally within your control, something that is crucial to me when crafting a salad. Take your beautiful, custom salad with you directly to the register, bypass (or do not bypass) the lovely pastry and bread items (a la francaise, bien sur), and pay up. Don't forget to grab your silverware or plastic ware; it's awkwardly located in a super-cramped corner by the cashier area and serve-yourself water. I think I'd prefer to eat outside (weather-permitting) or take my creation to-go, as the claustrophobia factor and seat-jostling/shuffling and table vulture risks are high here at the peak lunch hour.
(4)Mary Z.
Chef Phil and his team are fantastic. Creative menu items, terrific service and the overall efficiency can't be beat at the Community Canteen. We love it and we will refer as many people as possible. Mike and Mickey
(5)Sabine B.
Whenever work takes me out to RTC I go to The Canteen for lunch. As a rule I try and avoid chain restaurants (I'm a snob, I know) and this place is one of the few non-chains in the town center. It's definitely succeeding at what it is, and that is a solid place to grab a quick lunch. The omelet bar is really convenient and most of the sandwiches I've had here have been delish. I do wish that they'd expand their menu as it can seem a little repetitive.
(4)M S.
I eat at CC just about every weekday as I work just across the alley from it. They have top-notch food. I like the turkey cheddar sandwich on a toasted pretzel croissant. The pretzel croissant is what makes the sandwich better. I also like their desserts - with the citrus olive oil cake being my favorite. Sounds like an odd combination but it is a lovely, light citrus flavored pound cake with a crispy crust. Delicious. The staff are very helpful - especially Linda - her "good morning!" never fails to make my day.
(5)Cory L.
I find this place is a hit or miss. Its usually the workers that impact the ratings. The food is something you shouldn't have too high of a standard for since its meant to be a quick quasi cafeteria type place. That said, you should at least expect something decent or average. We were there this past weekend and at the omelet line, there is this young girl who just doesn't look too happy there. She was impatient even when we were ordering pretty quickly. On two of our omelet plates, our toast was barely barely toasted. On one that we ordered with potatoes, they were cooler than room temperature (they should be warm). We noticed someone else taking all of their toast to get it toasted. The young girl didn't seem too happy with the requests. When we asked for someone to clear a table for us (dirty plates and spills), they made it seem as if we were asking for free food or something.
(2)Barbara L.
I heard rave reviews for this place so we tried it for lunch and then breakfast. The lunch was ordinary and I have no desire to go back for their chicken fried sandwich. I may try it one more time if my friends insist but not that particular meal. Hubby and I went in for breakfast because everyone went on about how great it was. I got the French toast and I've never seen toast like that before. I was totally excited because the presentation was cool. However the toast was wet and soggy.
(3)Scott H.
Community Canteen is a nice little option in RTC for a non-Starbucks (i.e. good) cup of coffee and quick healthy and not-so-healthy eats. They're located next to Mon Ami Gabi - with an entrance accessible to Mon Ami - but I am not sure how closely they are affiliated. They offer a small selection of salads, subs, and sandwiches for lunch, plus daily soup and "hot plate" specials. They also offer breakfast in the AM for the hungry corporate types at RTC. My experience with Community Canteen has been solely pastries and coffee. I'm always up for a good latte for my day, and CC makes a great latte that is smooth yet flavorful. If I am at Mon Ami for lunch, I grab one on the way out. And a couple of times I have been tempted by their baked goods - mostly either croissants or scones. I've always wanted to try them for lunch, but they can get really crowded. I'll have to go during non-peak hours and give them a shot. If the quality matches the pastry and coffee, I know I'll be pleased.
(4)Sampad D.
I tried their spicy lamb on naan and crispy chicken sandwich.. Lamb on Nan was quite good but certainly not the best.. I went there for lunch when it was bustling with people.. It looks like a small place from outside but they have huge siting arrangements. Will recommend it for a quick grab ! Will strongly suggest - Crispy Chicken Sandwich !!
(3)Pegah Y.
Very, very solid breakfast sandwich! I had heard rave reviews about their breakfast and decided to order the "Local" (ham, cheddar, and egg on an English muffin). I don't even like egg sandwiches very much, and this was stellar. For just $5, you get a very solid and filling breakfast. I like that this place has quick service and you can pick everything up to go. I would definitely recommend it!
(5)Ed G.
Had lunch there yesterday with the wife. She loved her pretzel-crust croissant sandwich. I had an Italian sandwich thing. I call it a thing because the bread they put it on is so dumb; it's like a trough of bread---the tomato and stuff just sticks up out of it. It's like you're eating an open-faced sandwich. Whoever chose that bread must not have sat down and had to eat it. Wouldn't order those sandwiches again (they tasted fine, though). Was nice to sit outside, too, though the view is not much---just people walking to and fro' and building facades.
(4)Barbara R.
Whether it's breakfast or lunch, we always enjoy a great meal at Community Canteen. Great variety, service and vibe.
(5)Daniel O.
Recently started getting their salad which is awesome. Unlimited toppings and a nice selection of proteins for a small additional charge. Had a bite of the crispy chicken sandwich and it was delicious. Bumped up to 4 stars.
(4)Holly B.
Community Canteen is a good, solid breakfast and lunch spot in Reston Town Center. Their breakfasts and lunches are consistently tasty, good quality food. From omelets, french toast and fresh pastries in the morning, to salads, sandwiches and fresh cookies and desserts at lunch, their food is fast, easy and good. The Canteen is one of my go to spots for a good, quick lunch!
(3)Lan N.
We had the salad bar, which is likely the most reasonable one in the area seeing how it's one set price and you can choose the amount you add in. The ingredients were run of the mill. We were quite sated well to dinner time. The butterscotch sticky bun was pretty yummy.
(3)Michelle B.
I eat at the Community Canteen at least two to three times a week for the past several years and I am always pleased. Although I only come down to pick up fruit for breakfast, they have a very nice selection for breakfast and I have a made to order salad for lunch. I love the variety of items to put in your salad (three types of lettuce including spinach) and you just can't beat the price. I could inlcude every topping and the price would be the same but if I go across the street I am now talking about a $15 salad. They do have some nice hot and cold sandwiches and dishes for lunch as well. To top it off they always have some great baked goods at the register. The only negatives is the line can get very long and if you don't get in early enough some of the toppings like Quinoa could be gone.
(4)Hilary Y.
Good service, good food...Wish they had a bigger selection but what they have is usually very good and slightly fattening (but worth it sometimes). Only downside - like everything in Reston, is the price. They are a little on the higer side, but most food is in RTC. Overall a good place to go for breakfast or lunch.
(4)Christina Y.
This place is so good if you try out non-ordinary sandwiches. Why would you pay 6 bucks for a chicken salad sandwich when you can try out their lamb-naan instead? Try something different and you won't be disappointed. I tried out the Chicken Banh Mi which is based off of the popular Vietnamese sandwich with a baguette. It was actually really delicious and slightly spicy because of the sriracha mayo! Would love to learn the recipe and make it at home. I'm so glad I stopped by here for brunch rather than the other places at Reston Town Center. =)
(5)Joseph H.
This place is awesome. Great food, excellent variety, friendly service. I eat there at least twice a week. Desserts are fantastic and half-price after 2pm.
(5)Arthur T.
Horrible service. Very dry pastries unless you get there early. The French toast is not fresh its pre made. I have heard the staff bad mouthing the customers in a foreign language that I am fluent in.... They didn't know I could understand them. All in all I wanted to like this place, but after many attempts it always delivers bad service and bland food.
(1)Jeromy F.
Stopped in for a quick breakfast. The coffee needed a refill and they had a little crowd so the omelet took a while too. Everything tasted fine when it came out.
(3)Kitty S.
My son and I love this canteen!! Service is always friendly and the food is great: there is a variety of choices! Love the yogurt bar options and my son loves the chicken salad sandwich. He said it is the best he has ever tried in the area! Also, their hot chocolate is very unique: sooo creamy and rich!! I crave it! Their blueberry muffins are delicious too, my favorite! They have a great place with tables and chairs for short meetings and talks over a cup of coffee, tea, or that delicious hot chocolate (Sorry! Addicted here!) I also love the different type of water they have by the entrance door: regular and sparkling, you can serve yourself as many times as you want! They also have fresh lemon/lime wedges on the side, self-serve, too. They also serve several soups! Delicious! Oh, waffles and various types of omelets too! I would totally recommend, mainly if you just want a quick nice hot or cold bite: so many items to choose from! Price is very reasonable as well! And you may join them to earn points, great deal. :-)
(5)Jennifer K.
Tried this place a few times with my colleagues in the morning, I usually get something simple like hashbrowns, eggs or breakfast sandwiches from here and they are good and quick. I personally prefer eggspecation though.
(3)Andrew K.
I often come with a family. The food is excellent and price is good - very good atmosphere. The patio is available for dog owners. Try penut-butter cookie - one of best cookies in town.
(5)Rebecca M.
Three and 1/2 stars!! Great place for gazpacho and ready to go fresh custom salads for lunch during the summer months. Usually a long line but moves along quickly! The menu in this little cafe attached to Mon Ami Gabi is simple, always has fresh options and is very affordable. Late July or early August bring gorgeous heirloom tomatoes which end up in the blender with peppers, onions, cucumbers, and produces perfectly balanced chilled golden heirloom gazpacho. It has lower acidity but still dances on my palate in a remarkably refreshing way! Lots of low-calorie options and light, fresh items are great for galloping gourmet girls who like to stay fit and seemingly keep awake and engaged during another nail biting, thrilling staff meeting at 3:00 in the afternoon about budgets!
(3)Lindsay S.
This is a little restaurant in Reston Town Center that serves breakfast and brunch. The concept is slightly cafeteria style in which you go up and tell then what you want and then you continue down the line to get your drinks, etc. and then pay. For breakfast, they had different options like build your own omelets, breakfast sandwiches, French toast, etc. My mom and I both got omelets, that let us pick the fillings from different meats, veggies, and cheeses. Your food is then either brought to your table or you can wait for it. The food was good, what is absolutely horrible is the service! The two women who were making this omelets were entirely apathetic. They didn't look as if they wanted to be there and we're completely unhelpful to us obviously first time visitors. You definitely have to wait while your food is made, not let them bring it to your table for you. When our omelets arrived, mine had a huge hair hanging off the plate that I noticed right a away. The woman rushed back to make me another one. When this one came back it was totally wrong. It only had one of the cheeses I had asked for and some of the veggies were wrong. I didn't care enough to have yet another one made, so I ate this one anyways. However, we also encountered horrible service at the bakery station, which is also where you pay. Before paying, we asked for a chocolate croissant. The man at the counter said okay, and charged us for the croissant and then walked away after we paid without giving it to us! This is a cool concept with good food, but unless the managers hire better employment or don't train their current employees better, it's not going to last.
(2)Alya S.
They had me with their assortment of miniature croissants. Community Canteen has officially become my favorite breakfast spot in Reston. Wonderful freshly made brunch favorites like Belgian waffles, hash browns, and date-glazed bacon grace the hot bar menu, while friendly baristas wait at the perpendicular counter to make you the perfect cafe au lait. I have been very happy with the food and service at Community Canteen. Great spot for a casual breakfast in the town center.
(4)Eddie O.
Community Canteen is hard to rate in that it serves it's basic purpose (convenience, mildly upscale fast casual dining) but always leaves you wanting more than what's delivered. First off, this is a pastry place and I have never had a worse tasting chocolate chip cookie in my life. If you can screw up a chocolate chip cook, that's generally worrisome. The pastries look nice but lack in any defining taste or flavor - skip the sweets here and try the local joint across from Chipotle instead. Nearly everything on the menu is pretty meh with the exception of the make-your own salads (Sweetgreen does it better, but a lot of my coworkers like these) and the Spicy Lamb on Naan bread sandwich (which is excellent). If you are burned out from the Panera's and Potbelly's of Reston, I'd recommend trying these two. I've tried nearly everything on the menu (my office is right next door) and everything else is overpriced and/or bland. Also worth noting - all the sandwiches are pre-prepared and thrown in a souped up convection oven for 30 seconds. Often times, the deli special has been sitting in front of a heat lamp for hours (which is right up front for everyone in line to see). It's sad because this place has potential but they obviously cut corners in meal preparation and need to hire a new baker. It's worth a try if you are bored with the other dining options in Reston.
(3)AL K.
I enjoyed "make your own" "choose your green" salad. $5.95 for just greens and choose as many as you want toppings and $8.95 with protein. The tomato soup I didn't like coz it was watered down. $3.95 for a cup. Expect a line during lunch time rush.
(4)JJ H.
Meh... very quasi-sterile, mostly pre-prepared, median quant/qual, "just OK" food. Custom ordering will get you mixed results; coffee is about all I would recommend. If you like a hearty, "home style" breakfast, this IS NOT the place... if you want to grab a coffee & decent muffin (and you have 10 minutes to navigate/wait), this is one of very few breakfast options in the RTC. Tip: If you have a weak stomach, steer clear of the breakfast sausage!
(2)Eric J.
The foreign worker looked at me as an alien, as I spoke the words, "choppped, please." Good selection of custom salads to make.
(3)Kim D.
This place is so hit or miss, and it's been pretty bad here again lately. They're advertising Chicken Tortilla soup this week, but have run out both days before 12:30 - yesterday they burned their second batch, and announced that to the woman in front of me. It's extremely frustrating to stand in line and not know the item you're waiting for isnt available. Yesterday, I tried the Broccoli Cheese soup instead, and it was one of the worst things I've ever tasted - goopy and green and didn't taste like either broccoli or cheese. Today I got the Acorn Squash soup instead, and while marginally better, it's certainly nothing to write home about. Overall, really disappointing.
(2)Bella D.
Check your to go order before you go. Asked for a build your own Panini. Then i asked for white, got wheat. Asked for sautéed onions, got fresh purple onions. Yea. Then instead of making it new, they used a premade one that was soggy. It was horrible. My husband asked for one without tomatoes, and whenever I lifted up the bread there were still pieces of tomato under there, so as they did was scrape off the tomato, but they didn't even bother to scrape it off! He also asked for white, got wheat. My daughter has a nut allergy and when I asked if they used nuts in their kitchen. . The lady looked at me as if she didn't understand me, which is entirely possible, since she was speaking another language to her co-worker. Spanish maybe? I donno, whatever language, it was still rude to do, especially while trying to take an order. I guess I should mention we went in a weekend and it was not even busy.
(1)THRIFT m.
If you are Vegan go somewhere else! Coffee is horrible. Friend said her meal was super greasy and not Frenchie. Love the water seltzer fountain!!!
(2)Keith W.
I ordered the lamb sandwich and it was excellent; the other menu items looked a bit boring and standard but this dish did not disappoint. Great little lunch spot, sit outside and people watch!
(4)Deborah N.
I wandered in for breakfast with a friend. The first time we came we discovered that one cannot reasonably expect to buy breakfast at 3pm on a Saturday in Reston, VA. The place was just closing. Hey, that's okay. What were we thinking? The next time we were pretty punctual - I'd say in the door by 10:30 a.m. The first thing I noticed: They were definitely still open. The next: there were no tables. Okay, you order in a cafeteria line, then get your steaming hot food and sit...nowhere? Does not compute... Oh I see. There is an open door connecting to the Mon Ami Gabi and we were "allowed" to sit in there. Not to get table service, mind you, just to sit at the table and eat. My omelet was actually quite good. But I didn't appreciate the feel of being the poor country cuzin' gate crashing the dining spaces of my fancy city folk relative. They were eating a very yummy looking brunch from Mon Ami. Next time I will spend the extra change and dine for real in Mon Ami!
(3)Jason J.
Connected to Mon Ami Gabi so I asume theres a connection other than the building. Pros: - Great Salad bar however its not self-serve. You point - they add. - Tons of sandiwches and daily specials (soup, etc) - Everything is super fresh. - Nice selection of pastries Cons: - Limited seating, get there early or take it to go. - Most sandwiches are pre-made therefore you cannot take off or add anything - You pay in the line that feeds into the pastry line.... if they are making someone an esspresso type drink be prepared to wait in line, even though you are only purchasing food.
(4)Patience M.
I read a lot of the reviews and decided to try breakfast at the canteen I'm sorry I did I had a pannini and some potatoes didn't like any of the food will not go back
(1)Steve L.
3.5 Stars. Community Canteen can be a great brunch option. You get all the jazz music from the adjoining restaurant, Mon Ami Gabi, without the excessive prices. You even get the full open view of Mon Ami Gabi and you can watch all of the older couples dancing to the Sunday jazz :-) The ordering process is extremely weird, especially when the people behind the counter are probably high and unconcerned with what you want. I ordered a panini and then tried to order more items, but the lady behind the counter just skipped over me and went on to take care of the others behind me in line. I tried telling 2 other people behind the glass counter that I was still trying to order more food, but they just took my order, said ok, and then did nothing about it. Finally, after a lot of awkwardness, I was able to flag down the original girl and ordered the extra items. She seemed so confused about how to place hash browns and turkey sausage on the same plate as my panini though. She actually stood there for 20+ seconds staring at my place trying to figure out how to accomplish this task. Jarrett B and I finally got our food, but then there were no seats because the lady behind us in line saw that there was only one table available and grabbed it, putting her food down on the table before she even paid for it. Impressive. We did get a table a few minutes later though, as spaces started to free up (it was already past 1PM). My food: - Corned Beef Hash and Egg Panini: The bread was great, but the corned beef hash was very, very dry - Turkey Sausage: Extremely dried out, very difficult to knife through, didn't even finish it - Hash Browns: Not bad,not great (wouldn't get them again) Jarrett B's food: - Quiche Lorraine: Very good! - Crossant: also seemed pretty awesome I'd definitely come back here and give breakfast/brunch another try. A lot of the other breakfast options look pretty delicious.
(3)Lynn S.
Had brunch with a friend: Eggs/bacon/crisp potato patty. No complaints about the food, but white bread french toast, tasteless English muffins and soft bagels? I'd like to see some healthier bread choices. Or slide over to the pastry counter and purchase a tasty muffin or croissant--at extra charge. This is a pleasant little cafe adjacent to Mon Ami Gabi, typically packed at breakfast and lunch. Very handy location in Reston Town Center and reasonably priced for quick meals. Most customers use it for carry-out because seating is sparse and it's really busy at lunch when office workers pop in.
(4)Ed V.
Nice setup! Small little sandwich and salad place. Had the Italian on wheat which was quite unique. In addition to the meat it had picked vegetables which surprisingly complements the meat. Great lunch spot if your short on time.
(4)Ash C.
Best customized salads, organic fresh food and yummy croissants! (not enough chocolate filling which is perfect for me but some ppl like a handful!) Love this place!
(4)Julie C.
This place is great! Love the styling of the interior and the food is delicious. Quality of ingredients is excellent, and I love the fact that you can create your own salad which is freshly prepared. Prices are very reasonable for the quality and freshness. Water from the fountain is free: regular or use the right hand facet for sparkling. Bonus was the best latte I have had in ages. The chocolate chip cookies looked yummy, but I was one person too late in line as the last one was sold just before me. I guess I saved myself a few calories....Note to self: Must get here more often!
(5)Dennis M.
Ok I work in Reston and this place has a great breakfast and lunch. If you like salads they will make it for you and it's all very fresh. Big fan of the soup and Chili. Just wish it came in a bigger size. Sandwiches are also very good.
(5)Joanna W.
Stopped by here to grab brunch with a friend, and ended up with an omelette plate. The omelette was cooked well, and they were definitely very generous with the portions of add-ons. The food was great, and everything tasted delicious for a quick brunch. However, what was not great was the service. The set up of the restaurant was a bit confusing (its a "serve yourself" type), but the employees was not very friendly and didn't bother explaining how everything worked. Overall, the food was great, but the attitude of employees keeps me from coming back anytime soon.
(3)Petet H.
Excellent omelets and breakfast platters. The coffee, however, is just average. Good service.
(4)Jason C.
Less than impressed - get better quality for your money at Panera.
(2)Dominique F.
The service was great; even if I came here during lunch hour and there was a huge line, someone greeted us at the door and explained where to stand in line to order what. I just had the potato soup for lunch but it was delicious. Can't wait to go back and try other things. nom nom nom.
(4)Steve T.
Had the Three Chicken Taco special today (Monday), and their hotpot roasted pork sandwich on Friday. Everything that I've ever gotten from there was soggy..... The chicken tacos were super soggy from the chicken juice. As someone who has eaten wet newspaper before, I mean it when I say the tortillas tasted like...wet newspaper. The chicken was really good though, but I felt like that's all I was paying for. The lunch special doesn't come with anything either, so lettuce with chicken for about $7. A disclaimer though, I got this to-go - I had to walk 3 minutes back to my office. Maybe it's different if I got it on a plate. The pot roast pork sandwich with spicy coleslaw was good, but just like the tacos I mentioned before, it was soggy. It made the sandwich not very appetizing, so I grabbed a fork and ate only the coleslaw and pork. They need to do a better job of draining their hotpot dishes before serving. From what I hear, the salads are supposed to be good, and the protein portions are very generous - but, you'll be paying $10 for a salad though. Some people can handle that - I can't. I hear breakfast is way better though. The cashier was hot though, but I wish I had a real reason to go back. You should at least go once so you can yelp about it later.
(2)RMthree M.
Great small european feel with a very high quality food offering. Only complaint is the lack of seating.
(4)Mary L.
I came here for brunch with a friend over the weekend and we both liked it. I had the turkey sausage breakfast burrito and I loved it because unlike my breakfast burrito experiences in Texas, this burrito wasn't dripping with fat. It was light and just filling enough and I enjoyed the salsa that was served on the side. The prices here are very reasonable and the food is pretty good. Their menu is very basic so don't expect to get something like eggs benedict. They have good staples and the food is prepared rather quickly. They have 5 or so tables so it's not the largest place, but even so, we didn't have a problem getting a table. I would definitely come back here for a quick brunch. Brunch is always so crazy at the town center so if you don't want to wait in lines or go through the trouble of making reservations somewhere like Mon Ami Gabi, just save yourself the trouble and go to Community Canteen!
(4)May Y.
Easily overlooked, this little place is connected to the more prominent Mon Ami Gabi. Cleanly designed with a blend of self and wait service, Community Canteen strikes up a good vibe. Everything available for order is available up on the menus on the wall, but also right in front or your face behind glass and in display cases. It allows you to see exactly what looks tempting and point at exactly what you want. I don't eat too much, so for me it was just the right serving size. Sandwiches are warm, crusty and filled with gooey cheeses. The salads are customizable with a good deal of options available, and their deserts look amazing. For guys who eat a lot, one sandwich just won't do, but for them, there are chips, soup, cupcakes, shakes, and large cookies available. The food is good, if simple, but with quality ingredients. Definitely a great place for a relaxed lunch without the fuss.
(4)Joy C.
Very nice breakfast/brunch option. I really think its a great value for the quality of food you receive. As long as you don't mind cafeteria style dinning, it offers a good selection of fresh (non pre packaged) foods. The custom omelets are my favorite. And it's very child friendly! We always just park the baby next to us in his stroller! Great toddler options also like a fruit and yogurt bar. All the pastry and breads are made in-house. The croissant are perfect!
(4)Jess C.
Step 1: Pick up a box of lettuce or spinach Step 2: Pick your salad toppings, meat is extra Step 3: Pay! Community Canteen is like Panera, but fancier and more expensive. Is that surprising considering this little joint is connected to Mon Ami Gabi? They offer Zico coconut water, yum.... and some delicious looking pastries. They have a small but pretty delectable selection of warm panini sandwiches. The turkey apple brie sandwich I had was good. I could have eaten 2. $9 for a salad and another $5 for a sandwich to fill me up? Might stick with Fresh City to save some $$$. Plus the line for food is HUGE at noon.
(3)Anne C.
ooOOoooo i LIKE IT HERE!!! I deleted my previous one-star rating of their sister restaurant, Mon ami gabi, b/c I realized I was being too harsh and the waitress probably just had a bad day. However, that does not necessarily mean I will go back to Mon Ami.....ON THE OTHER HAND THOUGh, I would come back to community canteen ALL the time! The prices here are GOOd. REAL GOOD. No guilt eating here whatsoever. They have healthy foods, but also BRUNCH foods (aka greaseball heartattack food) like eggs, omelettes, sausages, etc. They also have delicious desserts AND freshly made salads that they make for you depending on what you want. However, for some reason, they said they were not selling any of the salads except for the salads in the fridge the day I went...this was fine b/c i wasn't craving a salad anyway. I go tthe chicken & brie sandwich and my firend got an omelette with everything in it. Both were delicious, albeit the chicken & brie sandwich was a little bland. I ordered coffeee YUM and i like the little cafe area that they have. The staff was very friendly and patient and just a plus to the cafe. =) will definitely be back!
(4)Jen M.
Great little quick breakfast option adjacent to Mon Ami Gabi. Took the family there one morning and had a nice time. The coffees, quiche and pastries we tried were great. The only exception was the omelette, which apparently they forgot to make despite someone taking down my husband's detailed order. Total WTF? moment. They're lucky the food is good and cheap.
(3)LaTanya W.
Apparently the barista didn't know they don't have soy milk. The food was sub-par. I expected more in the Reston Town Center
(1)Amy K.
I stopped by on my walk to work this morning because I'd run out of my usual breakfast ingredients at home. I got the ham and cheese croissant to go. The croissant was delicious, ridiculously flaky and buttery. The ham was delicious too, but the mustard was a bit heavy handed for my taste, especially since I wasn't expecting it at all. Had there been less or no mustard I would have finished the thing in seconds, alas I could not finish it. I will definitely be back though, I really want to try the chicken and brie sandwich for lunch some time, it looked delicious.
(3)Neal E.
Community Canteen features breakfast, lunch, brunch, and take out. The menu includes a wide array of pastries, soups, salads, sandwiches and meals including seafood, meat, and poultry. Somehow this place is associated with Mon Am Gabi next door as they share the same physical street address - and have an interior connecting door. There is also outdoor seating here. Had lunch here yesterday for the first time - ordered the Turkey Reuben - which I never had before. Less fat than traditional Pastrami/Corned Beef meats - with a bit of sauce, cheese, and sauerkraut on a wonderfully delicious toasted bread. Added a bag of chips and a bottle of water. I will come back here again to try other menu offerings!
(4)Rad N.
I have to give a shout out to the Canteen. For the quality of food, I think its very reasonable and they can pretty much accomodate anything you need. My friend is gluten free and she was very happy to see the gluten free cookies and they made her a gluten free sandwich. Hands down the best croissant I've had in the DMV. Crisp & buttery outside, soft & chewy in. I've tried all 3, plain, strawberry and chocolate. they also have excellent scones. All the pastries and desserts I've had have not disappointed. I could do without the hot lunch items but the sandwiches (lamb pita), salads, and their weekend brunch are great. This is my go to place for a quick bite or my lazy sunday recovery. Seriously, the menu is endless. I discover something new every visit. Some of the staff are super helpful and warm. Restaurant is clean overall. Sundays are busy and a bit overwhelming but I usually leave very satisfied.
(5)Jennifer L.
Great fresh food for reasonable prices. I had the BBQ chicken and bleu cheese slaw. The roll was fresh, crusty and chewy, the chicken was perfectly seasoned and the slow was tasty. My lunch date had the carrot ginger soup and said it was very tasty. I sampled her chicken and brie panini and it was excellent. I can't wait to go back!
(4)Samantha W.
*TWO THUMBS UP* would do four thumbs up if i could, b/c i came here twice in the same week ... once for lunch and once for breakfast. its THAT good. adjacent to mon ami gabi, this little cafe is your one stop shop for delectable dining. It helps that their menu isn't very extensive, but still offers good variety to please a range of taste buds. For lunch, most of their offerings consist of soups, salads and sandwiches. I got the Caprese Panini. Deliciouso! crispy, hot goodness on the outside, refreshing, cool basil and mozzerella on the inside :) for breakfast, i got "the local" - a ham, egg and cheese sandwich served on one of the BEST english muffins I have ever tasted. Accompanied by my cafe au lait, i was ready to take on my morning! Other breakfast options consisted of a yogurt bar, omelettes and eggs made ready-to-order, oatmeals, and breakfast burritos. Not to mention that their breads and pastires are available all day long. LOVE this place ... don't forget to check out their weekly specials. I will definitely be back for a visit soon. Bon Appetit!
(4)Kate Z.
CC is a solid choice for a quick lunch to go. The caprese sandwich is good (if kind of greasy), as is the lamb pita. Their sandwiches are kind of huge and heavy to me, but your mileage may vary. I haven't tried the salad bar yet because the line is always so long, but I've heard good things. My favorite part about this place has to be that they serve Metropolis coffee (a great coffee bar/company in Chicago).
(4)Christopher W.
Desserts are usually tasty, everything else is thoroughly unimpressive.
(2)christina b.
I'm a pretty big fan of this place. They have a great omelet bar for breakfast, and great salad bar for lunch. Their sandwiches are very good too. Love that they have sparkling water on tap! And, seriously, let's not discuss the sweets area. The only negative thing I can say is it gets a little crazy, and can be confusing to people that haven't been there before. But the food is good and I've never had a problem with their service. I've had quite a few business meetings there too. It's a good spot for that if you're not doing it during the weekday lunch primetime. It's a cafeteria style place, so keep that in mind. Also, note it's part of Mon Ami Gabi (literally attached to it) and is only open for breakfast and lunch.
(5)Sara M.
I eat at this place almost every day. They have AWESOME salads, and all of their food is made fresh daily. Here are my only complaints: - Their scrambled eggs are usually a little undercooked. They've gotten better about this though. - Their french toast is way too thick! - Almost all of their meat dishes are fatty or greasy (especially the hot plate dishes). - Some of their food is way too over priced (for instance, almost 8 dollars for a waffle??) Now for the good: - Salads are amazing (like I mentioned earlier). You can create your own or pick out one of their premade salads. - Their freshly squeezed orange juice is delicious (but pricey). - Their pies are also amazing and are homemade. - They have a huge assortment of pastries. - You can create your own omlette! - If you sign up with their mobile club on their website, you'll get texts with free food offers. - The menu changes daily. Overall, I definitely recommend giving them a try.
(4)Page L.
Upon entering into the canteen, delicious and familiar smells waft over you and smells like home cooking. Alas, it is a rouse. While they are priced reasonably, their food is extremely distasteful. Their baked products are flaky because they are stale, not because they have a fresh fluffy quality. Their warm food is bland at best, and their drink selection even more so. Though there service is excellent it does make up for their cookie cutter menu.
(2)Ken K.
Great breakfast food, but seating is really bad. You can't sit and relax without feeling someone's eyes on the back of your head waiting for a seat. It almost bad enough to take 2 stars off, but the food quality and choice kept me at 4 stars.
(4)Ronalyn T.
Perfect for a quick breakfast/brunch stop right before a day of shopping! I've only been here once and I fell in love immediately. I was visiting my sister in NoVA and we had gone out for her 21st birthday the night before. The morning after, her and her fiance took us to Restin Town Center and the bf found Community Canteen before heading out. Coffees, Canteen Hot Breakfasts, & French Toast for us! My sister's fiancee ordered a buttermilk waffle and it took forever to get it - I guess I should give them 4 stars for this reason BUT the chef came out and delivered it himself, gave my sister's fiance a $20 giftcard as well as a free pastry that morning. Can't really be TOO mad after that. Great customer service and tasty food! I'll come back! :)
(5)Nova E.
Co workers and I love this place for lunch! The salad bar is always fresh and delicious. There are so many different toppings to choose from and staff always happy to help. Some reviewers state that seating is cramped (What place in Reston isn't??) but during lunch you can sit in the restaurant bar area. You can even sign up to receive texts for free offers!
(5)Rahul J.
All I can say is if I weren't running five minutes late, I wouldn't ever eat here. Cosi, Panera and Potbelly's make perfectly good sandwiches, salads and breakfast, and they're a five minute walk away. The only thing Community Canteen has going for it is that it's surrounded by offices, and happens to be right underneath mine. Think of it as trying to buy groceries in that convenience store in your building. They have you by the nuts, and they'll charge you an extra $1.50 for a mediocre bagel and then not toast it properly.
(2)Jonathan C.
Preface/background: I eat more than average in terms of quantity (I've eaten 2 Chipotle Burritos in one sitting) but appreciate quality and am always looking for a great deal. Came here with May W. and some other friends for lunch. It's right next to Mon Ami Gabi, and right across from the gelatos place, which is also a recommended spot. Anyway, I ordered the Turkey Pastrami Reuben for about $7 and it was great. It was meaty and hearty, but a bit on the salty side. It almost did a good job of filling me up, but not quite. So I also ordered the salad with seared tuna (in one of the pictures, uploaded by May W.) since the reuben didn't fill me up, and it was also quite good. The tuna tasted fresh and the greens were fresh as well. But I was paying for that freshness, as it was a bit pricey at about $9. All in all, a good restaurant, good quality, with quantity/price above average, but not the best. I would definitely come back during my lunch break.
(4)Chris C.
They're made-to-order lunch salads are very good and efficiently made. I just wish there were more seating in there when it gets crowded.
(3)Jenn K.
I really liked this place and think its a wonderful addition to the RTC! The breakfast food I had was really good and very reasonably priced considering, well, the RTC, and has strategically wonderful seating for people watching... specifically you can watch people stuffing their faces with the Gelato across the way and the fashionistas parading dogs of all sizes around. I also loved that Community Canteen has sparkling water as a free drink option
(4)Dave C.
Lunch options in Reston are a lot more interesting these days, and Community Canteen seems like the kind of place I'll be visiting again very soon. (What's with the name, though? I half expected to be stuffed in a chef's hat and told to deliver sandwiches to the local offices!) It's a line-up-and-choose-your-nosh affair, with a neat trick of build-your-own-salad up its sleeve. I ignored that and got the chicken and brie panini, which was incredibly delicious. My impulses also got the better of me, so I can report that the raspberry lemonade was worth a shot, too. The place has a nice vibe, attached as it is to Mon Ami Gabi, and diners can eat inside or out (weather permitting).
(4)Jeremy S.
when in Reston, this is where I go. They have a baker in house and a wide selection. Sandwiches, light fare, breakfast, weekend brunch are also available. The cupcakes are the weakspot.
(4)Joey W.
Great place for breakfast. If its your first time here, it's a little confusing but the staff is helpful and attentive. Food is wonderful and there are tons of great menu options to choose from.
(4)Andy M.
I've been coming here a lot in the past year since it's right next to the office and is generally OK food. But the first thing that comes to me when I think about this place is "meh." Thus, the two stars. This place started off great. Filling portions of tasty sandwiches, a fresh salad bar with a great variety of ingredients to choose from (soy bean, heart of palm, artichoke), and a savory hot case of entree items. And now, as I'm looking at my egg salad sandwich that has half of the filling that it used to come with (the outer edges of the sandwich have no filling at all, it's all bunched in the center to make it look bigger when halved and packaged) and tastes a bit off, I'm wondering where this place went wrong. The hot case items come out dry as hell. Sliders made with hockey puck patties. The sandwiches and salads have gone up in price and down in portion size. The best sandwich they had, a triple-layer cold turkey BLT for $5, is gone from the menu. Just like its parent restaurant, Mon Ami Gabi, the quiche sometimes comes out cold. There's a Potbelly and a Chipotle in the Town Center now. You'll probably want to go to those instead of paying more for less at this place.
(2)Jeffrey G.
I lived in Reston for a couple weeks before moving to DC and ate here a handful of times. I can't say that I ever had a bad experience. I love the atmosphere, the colors, menu, wait staff, music and they have done a great job trying to brand themselves. The breakfast selection is good, but I always go for the french toast. A single serving is half a loaf of white bread cut diagonally and topped with your choice of blueberries or strawberries. The Lamb Curry Pita is great for lunch. ***Green Thing*** I personally hate bottled water, and was so surprised to see Community Canteens self-serv purified water kiosk. Tucked along the left side of the cafe, its the first thing you see when you walk in the door. Grab a glass and fill it with chilled water, room temperature or carbonated. Easy, refreshing and no water bottle to worry about . No landfill and no wasted fuel, transporting bottled water to the cafe. Some items are a little pricey. However a friend who works at Mon Ami Gabi next door, informed me that employees are well paid and they offer good benefits to all their employees from manager to dish washer. So, I like to think thats where some of my money is going. Before I forget, the Hibiscus Iced Tea is divine.
(4)Rani H.
Yum! On the higher end but reasonable, I find. Salads are pretty much whatever ingredients you want, however many you want. They just tack on a charge depending on the protein you get (seared ahi tuna, etc. is like $3, tofu, etc. is like $2). The salad preparer was very generous with both protein and other ingredients. Salad ingredients include edamame and other exotic things. All was fresh and good. It was *huge* salad, in my opinion, and a better deal and tastier than that chain from NYC that people go to (greens or whatever). Their bakery goods are super reasonably priced and oh-so-good. Small cupcake for $1, a delicious rich chocolate cookie for $1. This is good quality stuff in a semi-high-end package, so it's surprising they are so reasonable about the price. Also, when you enter there is a basically free water fountain with different types of water including sparkling (my fave), and lemon slices. This was a nice touch. Overall, I like! Too bad it's so far out of the city.
(5)Joceyln Y.
A client of mine recommended this place for me. We decided to check it out on a Sunday morning...early morning. Didn't even realize it was located in the Reston Town Center, its across the "walkway" from The Counter and the gelato place. Overall my experience was nice, just dont understand the name of the establishment though. You walk in and all you smell is yummy goodness :) You take a tray...and you can to a dispenser which you can choose from sparking water, room temperature water or still water. Interesting. We ordered a Belgium Waffle, French Toast and a hashbrown. Hashbrown was pretty good, didn't like the dap of onions on top though, no biggie. The Belgium Waffle with FRESH strawberries was very good! The French Toast on the other hand, was VERY sweet. If you're a diabetic...STAY AWAY FROM THE FRENCH TOAST! :) Blueberries on the French Toast was good. Even without the syrup the french toast was super sweet. They must soak it in something because we've never tasted french toast that sweet before...and on top of it...it was kind of soggy. Other than that our experience was pretty good. Probably would go back to try again. Believe there is free wi-fi there too... Oh 3 points....there was a fly around the food when we ordered. We let the staff know and they kind of just ignored it. They did try to swat at it an hour later. The fly could have come in that morning because they did leave the front doors open. The 2nd point. We were the 2nd group in the establishment...every group that came in after us were young couples with babies and children. If you don't mind the noise of the children....you should be ok. and 3rd, the person I was with noticed the manager putting new labels on the pre-made salads. The person I was with is a into conspiracys...I'm hoping they weren't changing expiration dates with new labels...which is something the person I was with noticed.
(3)Grace D.
Love coming here for their BOGO pastries after 2PM! My favorite by far is the croissant with all the berries on top, it has a hint of citrus when you bite into the middle. Maybe orange? Oh well, it's DELICIOUS.
(4)Vicki V.
Stopped by this sweet little place for breakfast this morning. The food was fresh and the service was great!
(5)Lee M.
Pretty decent salad and sandwich options. I had an ahi tuna salad. Wife had the egg salad sandwich - which was enormous. They didn't skimp on ingredients and everything was fresh. I'd say it's a notch below Chop't, but a pretty good lunch option. I would definitely go back.
(3)Silly G.
Okay, I'm really trying to like Community Canteen since I live and work at the Reston Town Center and there's not much selection here for breakfast. I used to come here more often to get their french toast but after having the most horrible experience with that, I stopped. Now, I'm back again but this time to get oatmeal with brown sugar and granola for breakfast (figured that no one can really screw up oatmeal). So I've been ordering this oatmeal combo for the past month and a half and I always paid $3.13 for this but for some reason, this morning the cashier tried charging me $4.19 for my order. What?! When I told her that I've always paid $3.13 she was very insistent that I was wrong and it should be $4.19 since I have granola in my oatmeal. Now I don't mind paying - although I think $4 for a small cup of oatmeal is a little crazy - but at least be consistent in what you are charging me. Don't charge me one amount for one day and then a different one for another day. Then the cashier tells me that it might be because different cashiers charge different prices. Now THAT is really scary!! I think Management needs to re-train their people ASAP!!!
(1)M Sieiro G.
I could write many reviews on the Canteen: Breakfast, Catering, Snacks, Coffee. This little hidden gem in the Reston Town Center is perfect if you want to enjoy a good fresh health lunch or a good rich ticket to the gym (the desserts are A- MAY-ZING). Once in a while, a gorgeous cake appears behind the glass. This cake is my flux capacitor. WIth a bite, I'm in the kitchen of an old family friend, I'm 9 years old, sitting at the table with a hot milk with a splash of coffee (we're Brasilian). With another bite, I'm at my grandmothers in Sao Paulo, after having gone to the feira (open market) for groceries and mom is still out, so my grandmother would sneak us a homemade treat. Each component is a delicious memory. This homemade confection is a delight! Toasted coconut, light meringue icing, nibbles of pineapple. With a cafe au lait - it's a treat.
(5)Matt M.
Great food and coffee, but even better people and service!
(5)Marc R.
Wow! Why didn't I ever notice that Mon Ami Gabi, one of my favorite French brasseries has a little "casual" cafe attached to it -- that is, community canteen. They have jazz brunch on Sundays. A cool little free water dispenser that gives you filtered water and lets you choose from "room temperature", "still", or "sparkling". Coffee is fabulous. The breakfast sandwich I had was a little greasy, but other stuff looked really good. Lots of fresh fruits, nice omelets -- I'll know what to order next time. The prices are quite reasonable too. You walk up and order, but REAL dinnerware and silverware, no paper stuff here. Outdoor seating. A step above your average lunch counter.
(4)Willy L.
Great brunch alternative for lazy Sundays. Been on a mission lately to try all the new places in the town center. Tried the omelet bar and hashbrowns and added sides of bacon and sausage. Cafeteria style place, grab your tray and water, pick your omelet ingredients and any side dishes. Pay for it, grab a number and then off to the table. Ingredients were very fresh and tasty, I enjoyed the music and the free newspaper. Overall if you want a low key place to grab brunch then this is a great little place.
(4)Becca H.
I've been here 6-8 times at this point, and while I loved them initially my opinion has only gone downhill. The tall guy some other reviews mentioned is still super nice and helpful, but I can't help but get the impression from most of the other employees that they feel like they're doing us a favor by being there. I'd be willing to overlook this if the food was excellent or a great price, but it's not really either. The food is decent but not fabulous, and the prices are definitely a bit on the high side. I can get better food AND better service for less by going to SweetGreen or Potbelly's.
(2)J.D. J.
Save your time and money and hit one of the other great restaurants in the Town Center where they appreciate their customers and serve great tasting food! I work in the Reston Town Center and have been here quite a few times for everything from salads to sandwiches. I started going to the Canteen out of convenience, but quickly realized that the food is not great and is very overpriced. In addition, the layout is cramped and confusing. .I used to swing by for breakfast every morning until one day I ordered a sandwich (I think it was the Turkey Pastrami) for around $8+ and ended up throwing it out after eating two bites of it. It was like eating a salt block! It was on a bun or roll that had giant chunks of salt baked into it. It was hands down the worst thing I have ever eaten in my life. When I went back to the Canteen and kindly spoke with one of the girls behind the counter about the sandwich, she did not seem to care at all and just asked me if I would like to buy something else??? I swore I would never go in there again since they do not seem to care about their customers, or the quality of their food. Then one morning about a month later, I was in a hurry and was starving, so as I walked by, I thought, I would give them one more chance. I walked in, got in the empty line (I was the only person in the line) and stood there ready to order while four girls stood behind the counter staring off into space and not acknowledging me standing 5 feet from them. After close to five (5) minutes of not being asked by anyone if they could help me, I turned and walked out. I am sorry that you don't care about your customers Canteen. You have definitely lost me as a customer forever and I have shared my stories with everyone in my office in the Reston Town Center so they are not treated like this for overpriced mediocre food.
(1)Caitlin C.
CC has a pretty decent selection of lunch foods, at somewhat reasonable prices (for RTC). Everything I've gotten has been delicious, and I think it's cute that you can choose three different kinds of water with lemons on the side if you wish. Their cupcakes are TO DIE FOR! Skip Edible Incredibles and come here for your cupcakey pleasure.
(4)Eric W.
As an update to my previous review.... The executive summary: Still good food / sandwiches have been added to the mix / and the lines are now even more confusing.... The details: The good news: They have added a sandwich counter. The sandwich counter is an excellent addition to the restaurant and rivals the other sandwich places in the town center (i.e. pot belly / cosi). All they have to do is stock bacon (heck how can you make a BLT or club sandwich without bacon) and they will be complete :) The bad news: The sandwich counter only adds to the confusion of the already muddled lines. They have four different food sources (i.e. salads, hot food, sandwiches, baked goods) but guests (especially new ones) often don't know where to enter the line. Worse, when they get their food, they don't know if they should wait in what appears to be the line running in front of the counter (to pay) or "cut" around people who are likely waiting for their food from one of the other stations. I am going into detail here because many people in the town center need to get lunch quickly and get back to meetings. The screwy lines both slow things down but also create awkward social situation when regulars who know the system cut around people who do not. Management - please fix this already. "Shout outs" to Roy at the sandwich counter who gets to know his customers - This guy is great, he knows his regulars and with a simple nod while you are waiting in line, he let's you know he'll start your sandwich working before you even have to speak up. Now that's service!
(4)Donald B.
Great food, a little small but awesome place to grab a healthy breakfast (or unhealthy).
(5)Ginny I.
It was a cold and windy morning in Reston Town Center. Only Starbucks seemed to be open, and between the fact that Starbucks coffee tastes stale even when it's first brewed and the fact that there was a line out the door, we needed to procure coffee someplace else. And so we stumbled upon Community Canteen, a no frills place where we could grab a cup of java and sit for awhile. Not bad at all, and not Starbucks. That's worth four stars, I think.
(4)Shawn D.
Best breakfast in Reston
(5)I. P.
I'd read so many rave reviews so looked forward to eating here. They were always closed when I went by to eat so check their hours before going. Again, just another Panera/sandwich cafe shop. Had heard about their baked goods so we tried a few cookies as well. I had a potato soup and my husband had a reuben. We both agreed both were just ok. Portions are average...Staff a little hurried but understandable since they have a large lunch crowd. Just because associated with Mon Ami Gabi it does not mean that this cafe/sandwich place is any better than other chains like Panera. They share a side door and that's about it.
(3)J K.
Fantastic place for inexpensive brunch but great quality foods! Loved my Belgian waffle, oatmeal with free toppings and omelet with unlimited free toppings. Waitstaff was very friendly. We love this spot and will be back often!
(5)Cheryl L.
I just stopped by this place today because I wanted something sweet. They have a nice selection of homemade cookies, cupcakes, sticky pecan and cinnamon buns, and chocolate layer cake. I tried the cinnamon bun (which was delicious) and the vanilla cupcake (not so good). The bun was definitely made from scratch and had a great texture and flavor. Sweet enough with lots of cinnamon. The cupcake, on the other hand, was a bit dry and I didn't care much for the whipped icing. I will have to come back to this place and try the brunch one of these days.
(4)Terrance W.
This place is a good concept and the food is decent, but it is always packed. There is little seating available for a crowded lunch hour - you can't rely on getting seating here at lunch. It's more the type of place to grab a bite to take back to the office as opposed to being a meeting spot. The bakery items are large and the portions are otherwise adequate. They have "grab n' go" salads and sandwiches available if you opt to not place a "custom order." It's bizarre that they are linked up with the French place next door....
(3)Mark M.
Upscale takeout. Perfect for a gourmet alternative to Panera, Potbelly, or Santini's. I have had two outstanding lunches here. The ordering process is a little intimidating, but just follow the directions and ask questions.
(4)Lisa B.
My vote for best brunch in Reston. Visited CC today after a exercise class with friends. The atmosphere is very casual. We ordered the: 1) create your own yogurt parfait - 3 choices of yogurt, 10 different fruit selections, and granola 2) french toast with blueberries - huge slice of sweet bread covered with fresh blueberries. This was so sweet that 3 of us had to split it. 3) create your own omelet - plenty of vegetables and meat choices Restaurant was very clean and the service was excellent. We were told that they were adding to their menu within the next few weeks (grits and pancakes).
(4)Heartgood V.
I am a bit disappointed with this place. When it first opened up I was excited because I work close to this place and thought would be great for a quick breakfast or lunch. I tried it once for breakfast (got croissant / egg sandwich) and once for lunch (butternut squash soup and quiche) Everything they have is drowning in butter or something that tastes like it. If you are watching your weight or want an healthier option - This is just not the place. I will admit that the butternut squash soup was tasty but after a couple of spoons I couldn't get over the buttery taste. I just can never go past a couple of bites (breakfast sandwiches/quiche) or spoons (soup) when I order from here.
(1)Christine W.
Great quick place to pick up lunch! I wasn't too jazzed about eating at nearby Cosi/Panera and stumbled upon this place. I got the sandwich of the day for $6.50 and a cupcake for $2.45. Great prices and very comparative to the afore mentioned places. I think Community Canteen is the "express" version of Mon Ami Gabi. The sandwich of the day was pulled pork w/ side of funky coleslaw - heavenly! I was also very tempted by the chicken pot pie special, baked macaroni and cheese, and other sandwiches. The Red Velvet cupcake was a good size and had really light frosting - not too sweet. I will definitely come back here again next time I'm in Reston. For the shoppers, it's on the red brick walk through b/w J. Crew and Anthropologie. :)
(5)Patrick M.
I work above this place; its always great for lunch when its raining and I don't want to get wet. They usually have paella for lunch on thursdays.
(4)Natalie B.
Perhaps I missed something... I keep hearing rave reviews on this place, but I can't help but wonder why. The prices for some things are pretty ridiculous. $9 for a salad? No thanks. I think the lunch special was a fair price, and maybe the sandwiches... but the salads and soups are pretty much highway robbery. I paid $4 for a cup of chicken and rice soup, and I got 3 small pieces of chicken, broth, carrots, onions, celery and very little rice. Taste isn't anything to get excited about--doesn't taste like there are any spices or any other ingredients added. They also gave me the option of crackers or bread, and I chose the bread. I got a 3x3 square of stale bread... Definitely bummed about my first experience here. The lunch special did look good-- I will probably give this place one more try in case it was a fluke, but I definitely am going to say this was not a great experience.
(2)Melanie B.
We feel like we're in Paris eating in a French deli. We love the freshness of all of the entrees. From the lamb pita to the vegetarian sandwich, your taste buds will certainly smile. I recommend this in lieu of Panera on weekends for lunch.
(5)Paloma D.
Have to try the French Toast although the bread have the same amount as the one in Silver Diner, it is still one of the best French Toast i've had and have that custard like bread when you slice it. For me they make a better cappuccino than Starbucks.
(4)