The Cafe of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, located at 3260 South St., is not the sort of place to which one goes to eat out. Rather, the cafe caters to those already in the museum who happen to be hungry and short on time. Nevertheless, it is successful in this capacity.
Conveniently located a flight of stairs and a hallway away from the museum's Kress Entrance and a brief elevator ride from the main South Street gates, the cafe does its best not to offend the eye acclimated to the wonders of antiquity. The cafeteria-style food line, complete with sneeze guard, is tastefully concealed from the sitting area by a decorated partition. Two of the walls consist entirely of glass panels, permitting the patron natural light and a view of the museum's courtyard.
Unlike some venues in similar circumstances, the cafe does not give the overt impression of attempting to gouge those who are rich and in a hurry. While the wraps and admittedly large salads ring up somewhat high at $6 apiece, the hot meal that can be purchased for the same price is a fair buy. This featured item changes daily. The chicken -- light or dark meat -- has the skin admirably crisped and left on the bird, although the rice that accompanies it is decidedly odd-tasting. A steamed vegetable combo adds, if nothing else, color.
The cafe offers a fair selection of drinks, among them a $2, 18-oz. fruity enigma called Fuze ("the drink you can't reFUZE"), which contains an inordinate amount of chromium and something that claims to suppress the appetite, should the rice have failed to serve this purpose. Less exotic beverages, including hot ones, hover at a dollar or slightly above. Ice water is complimentary and self-serve.
For $1, the unsated museum-goer can finish off the meal with a truly large cookie or similar baked dessert.
Service at the cafe lacks lightning speed, which is seldom an issue due to the generally low volume of traffic. However, a sizable tour group can back up the line considerably. Furthermore, if one wants anything from the staff other than to be rung up, it is necessary to make one's self heard -- otherwise, customers are assumed to be helping themselves. Twelve or so circular tables seat four apiece, so finding an empty chair or even table should not be considered an unsafe bet. Stacked chairs are available, should more than four wish to sit together.
The Museum Cafe accepts cash, PennCash and, theoretically, Dining Dollars, though my otherwise-functional PennCard refused to swipe. It is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.
