Red Door Cafe - Pasadena

A great place to get a coffee or a snack at Caltech.

I graduated from this campus 19 years ago, and back then, the staff in Red Door Cafe were all nice and super friendly. Today I went back to campus for a conference tomorrow, and 16-hour jet lagged. I had no energy to go out for dining so I just wanted to buy sth simple and quick on campus. I ordered a salmon avocado toast. When I received it, I found out the salmon was not fully cooked. I asked about it and was told by a staff member that it was smoked. I thought maybe this was intended for breakfast so it was smoked (but not thin slices, quite large thick slices). I did not ask further and was ready to go. While I was picking up utensils and napkins, I overheard the staff members there talking and laughing at my question in a rather rude way. It's a pity to see service staff members in such a manner on this esteemed campus.

Sometimes they have Mac and cheese. sometimes they make the mac and cheese using nacho cheese.

Shockingly good food for a university cafe, but the variety is abysmal when you can only eat here and at Browne for months at a time. Definitely don't go to Caltech for the food

I love the read door. Great food and nice people. I have coffee here every morning. Cold brew and sandwiches are fantastic.