Cafeteria Review: General Motors Research and Development Center Cafeteria

Scientific Dining: Reviews of research institute cafeterias

General Motors Research and Development Center Cafeteria Warren, Michigan

by Stephen Drew [This is a shortened version. For full text see AIR 1:4.]

General Motors Cafeteria The cafeteria at the GM Research and Development Center is very clean. Sited majestically in the basement, just steps from the base of a gleaming Eero Saarinen-designed spiral staircase, it attracts a well-groomed and occasionally faithful lunch crowd of hungry researchers.

Just outside the cafeteria entrance, a blood-pressure monitor has been placed next to a display of plastic-wrapped real food.

Every table features a bouquet of artificial flowers anchored to an attractive woven basket.

We asked, "What is there about this cafeteria that distinguishes it from any other research lab cafeteria?" A focus group of five GM staff research scientists answered this question with silence. Eventually, one scientist offered the notion that "it’s subterranean."

The build-it-yourself sandwich bar and the do-it-yourself stir-fry facility are popular attractions, and are frequented by researchers and executives alike. Arv Mueller, GM’s Vice President and Group Executive for Vehicle Development and Technical Operations, told us that he can always count on the sandwiches. What does he find memorable about them? "Nothing whatsoever. I guess I can’t say much about the uniqueness of the food. It’s just food."

General Motors Facility Dr. Linda Means, one of two linguists on GM’s research staff, is a member of the cafeteria committee. She recently persuaded the manager to augment his wide range of vegetarian dishes, which previously had been limited to french fries.

Over all, the food was well engineered and highly plentiful. The cafeteria’s regular diners give it a consistent 1 (on the scale of i to pi) in our ratings for both quality and trendiness. "It’s okay if somebody sees me there, but I don’t go there to be seen," one scientist explained.

Unlike every other research dining facility we ever visited, the GM cafeteria displays no pictures of bearded men. But it does have a poster of a mustachioed race car driver.

All in all, we found that if you visit the GM Research and Development Center, and if you have to have lunch, and if you can’t find your way out of the basement, the cafeteria is a fine place to dine.

Ratings

Quality: 1

Trendiness: 1
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Bearded Men: .6