The Salad Building Phenomenon at Silicon Valley Tech Campuses

Are you familiar with the idea of a ldquo;salad buildingrdquo;? If yoursquo;ve worked or visited tech campuses in Silicon Valley, you might have encountered this unique phenomenon. In this article, we explore what a ldquo;salad buildingrdquo; is, with insights from Alecia Li Morgan on the experience at Googlersquo;s tech campus.

Understanding Salad Buildings

A ldquo;salad buildingrdquo; on a tech campus is essentially a dedicated restaurant that specializes in salads, offering customizable options for tech employees who prefer quick, healthy meals. These buildings often house cafes where employees can choose from a variety of ingredients and dressings to create their own salads. Compared to other cafés on such campuses, which might offer themed menus, a salad building is more straightforward in its purpose.

A Personal Perspective: Working in a Salad Building at Google

During my time at Google, I had the opportunity to work in Building 1098, which houses the cafe MixIt Alta. This is a prime example of a salad building, catering solely to the demand for salads on the campus.

MixIt Alta: The Chipotle of Salads on Googlersquo;s Campus

MixIt Alta, located in Building 1098, offers a menu that is often likened to the flexible menu of Chipotle, with a range of customizable options. The menu is seasonal, featuring items that change with the seasons, as well as some stand-by favorites like Caesar dressing, carrots, cucumbers, and roasted chicken. The line for MixIt Alta can become quite long, especially around 12 PM, often extending into the main hallway of the building, reflecting the popularity of the cafe.

The Salad Building Experience

Despite the variety and customization options, being in a ldquo;salad buildingrdquo; can sometimes feel limiting. Other cafés on the Google campus, such as the Asian-themed Asian Fusion Cafe (WAN), the Mediterranean-themed Baadal, and the BBQ-focused food truck Totbox (specifically for Loaded Nacho Tots), offer a broader range of dining options. This can make the salad building seem less exciting, especially for those who are constantly seeking new dining experiences.

Comparing Cafés on the Google Campus

Some obligatory photos of the different food options available on the Google campus:

Seeing the variety of options, it becomes clear why the salad building may not be as thrilling for those who are constantly seeking new dining experiences.

The Limitations of Salad Buildings

While the salad building offers convenience and flexibility, it also presents some limitations. For instance, the repetitive nature of the menu, focusing entirely on salads, can lead to feelings of monotony. It can be easy to tire of the same options over time, especially when compared to the diverse and themed menus offered by other cafés on the campus. Moreover, the long lines and the focus on salads might not be ideal for everyone, making it difficult to grab a quick meal without too much hassle.

Conclusion: Salad Buildings in Tech Campuses

Salad buildings are a unique aspect of tech campuses, providing a convenient and healthy meal option for employees. While they offer a great deal of customization, they can also become somewhat mundane for those who are used to a variety of dining choices. Whether you find a salad building an asset or a limitation depends on your personal preferences and the specific offerings of the salad building in question.