Jimmy V’s Sports Cafe

Average food, inadequate menu knowledge from some employees (couldn’t field a simple Reuben-​related question), roulette wheel was good in theory but annoying in practice, and the eating area had a deflated atmosphere.

One of the best places to eat on campus. When I am bored of the dining hall or someone wants to go, I always enjoy the Sports Café. Always has sports on, is quite clean, and their food selection is quit extensive, including breakfast items. Despite their meat quality being ABOVE average for deli (they sliced the turkey fresh), the prices are lower than average.

Excellent food!
Great shakes and smoothies!
Friendly service!
Clean and spotless!
Jimmy V’s is a WINNER!

The food is great, and most of the people are nice, except one. The gal that does not like to smile, does not use eye contact, and is just simply rude and stuck-​up, cause she thinks she’s the hottest thing there. I think we all know who she is. As a result of this creature’s rudeness, there are actually about 3 people that I know of that refuse to go there. I’m guessing there are more, as I’m sure we can’t be the only ones. let me know when she vacates and I’ll tell my entourage and we’ll go back. we miss your awesome food!

This is a great deal and a great place to meet people on campus and watch sports. Athletes seem to come here a lot. I’m guessing because the food is hearty, good quality and you get it quick. There burrito bar is probably the healthiest thing but they have some great meats. The patio is nice too.

Almost four years working on campus, been having my lunch here almost everyday. I tend to get the Cardinal Sin. Unfortunately they are closed on the weekend. This is the best place to visit on campus, great customer service, yummy food, great price. If you don’t believe me ask the long line of people that will wait for the food. This is the place I send people for lunch, well worth it.

Best food on Stanford campus! Salad bar is a great deal, and lunch attracts a real who’s who of Stanford Football.
Jimmy V is also a pretty cool guy.

Working on campus, I’ve eaten lunch here once or twice a week for coming up on a year now, with consistently very good experiences. While I’ve tried a lot, my favorite things are the incredibly well stocked salad bar, the french dip sandwich, and the daily specials. Specials are usually a few large cuts from a slab of fresh roast beef or turkey, with good side choices.
The staff is friendly, and Jimmy is a strong personality in a cool way. He’s always got some kind of promotion under way, like Stanford game ticket give-​aways. They’re usually showing a sporting event of some kind and this is a good place to unwind for a meal. Its MUCH less expensive than Knight Management’s commons area across the street and the food holds up.
It does seem to take them a little while to get food out when there’s a line, but that’s understandable and its worth the wait. I’ll definitely continue to visit regularly!
PepperPlant Sauce = NO

Special? No.
A-​OK? Most definitely.
Big portions? Check.
Much improved (but not spectacular) salad bar? Check.
Daily specials (burritos, sushi)? Check.
Big for the buck? Check.
Sunny outdoor seating? Check.
Breakfast? Check.
Egg white and veggie omelette, hold the cheese? Thank you very much.
Smoothies and coffee bar? Check. Check.
Cafeteria-​esque? That too.
Friendly service? Mm-​hmm.
Enough to leave both you and your wallet pretty full? Indeed.

Me and my coworkers always talk about Jimmy V’s like we’re going to a friend’s house to eat.
The place has a down to earth feeling, Jimmy works at the register sometimes, he talks and laughs with customers, it just feels very homey. Also, the portions are large. I don’t think I’ve ever finished a meal there in one sitting.
I love their peanut butter banana milkshakes. I highly recommend them.
Overall, down to earth atmosphere, good food, large portions, great prices.
Definitely worth a visit.

Great on campus lunch option.

This place caters to hungry athletes, so the portions are large and prices are reasonable (at least compared to other places on campus). So it’s a great place to go after a hard workout and stuff your face. Breakfasts are a highlight and the smoothies are pretty good. For lunch, I usually go with one of the hot sandwiches (my go to is the tuna melt with jack and avo on sourdough). The meatball is the only special I’ll usually get as the others are usually overcooked or dry. The salad bar got an upgrade recently, but a lot of the veggies are still out of a bag or can.
Hang out long enough and you may even catch a glimpse Mr. A in the flesh!

I went here for lunch today, and it was great the owner was friendly.
also if you know some of the sports people you might see them here,

Not a particular fan, I came once for lunch with some friends at work and I wouldn’t go back.
I got a turkey sandwich and after you’ve been spoiled with Boar’s head meats, nothing else compares. The turkey had the artificial texture and had way too much sodium pumped into it.
…and the salad bar… I’m not sure I’d call it a salad bar, seemed more like a condiments bar to me.

If nothing else, their breakfast sandwiches make this place worthy of a visit. Post-​practice, nothing beats ‘em!

It’s only OK to me. The food has never been that impressive. The salad bar is barely worth the money but if you are waiting for a baseball game or basketball game to start and the café isn’t being held for a private party, it’s alright for a quick meal.
But I wouldn’t go out of my way to come here for food. However, I will try to eat one of those cheap burritos if I go back. Don’t haven’t any opinions on the owner, good or bad, but I’m sure he focuses on the students and coaches over anyone or anything else because that is where his money is and if they don’t like him, he’s gone. This is Stanford property, not a public location after all.
Where is it? Right next to Maples Pavillon. You will miss it if you blink. We must have been blinking for years because we missed it a lot.

Burgers and sandwiches and smoothies. how can you go wrong?! I especially love the smoothies since they give you the leftover in that tin cup thing and the kind I like are made with ice cream. yum! Slightly a longer walk from main quad, but it’s definitely a good place for lunch.

The food is good, sandwiches are solid and so are the smoothies — everything is overpriced.
Jimmy V, if he is still around, is not the nicest or friendliest unless you play or are associated with the football or basketball teams.

I like to sneak over here for lunch. The food is plentiful and cheap. Usually there is pasta, a salad bar (very basic), some kind of bbq chicken or similar hot dish, and they have sandwiches and smoothies. The smoothies are yummy. I love that they offer grilled cheese and pb&j, and that you can get half sandwiches. Everyone is really friendly here and the line moves quick. It must be all those endorphins. You can also get breakfast in the morning, which is also cheap and tasty with generous portions. I see a lot of student athletes and coaches eating here.
Sometimes getting a table at the height of the lunch rush can be a bit tricky, so if you can go before noon or after 1, you’ll be sitting pretty. Also, the cookies are very yummy and less than $ 1. You just can’t beat that.

This place is a great campus eatery… Jimmy is mildly gruff but lovable and the service is great– a lot of the athletes, coaches and some staff are on a first name basis. (I’m not quite there yet.)
They serve typical grill food and the portions are generous as Dave S. says– not so good if you’re looking for something light. But the food is pure comfort food for when work has you in a funk or you just need that extra oomph to get you through the day. Nothing like eggs, bacon, well buttered toast and a huge fruit salad to get you through your day.
Also to note, this is one of the very few places on Stanford campus (unless you are a student on a meal plan) that serves an honest to goodness breakfast and is open before 8am. This is a bonus if you are staff and have to start working at 8 am! Yay Jimmy V! You’re my hero.