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EATING OUT SOVIET-STYLE (SENSU BONO) AT A FACTORY CAFETERIA NEAR ALEXANDRA'S

I'm giving a full page to the Water Pumps Factory cafeteria, 5-7 min. walk from Alexandra's place, because that the kind of place where you can find quality food at almost Soviet era prices. A can of beer and a full meal usually cost me no more than 200 roubles ($7), which by Moscow standard is below cheap.

To find this "stolovaya" (from "stol", table) go to Novo-Alexeyevskaya (the street the building is on) and walk east, away from Prospekt Mira, till  you see an 1880's factory to your right. If in doubt ask "Gde zavod vodopribor?" and then "Gde stolovaya?".

The Water Pumps Factory (Zavod Vodopribor) on Novo-Alexeyevskaya. An example of 1880's "factory style" architecture.

If you see these come back a few steps

Worker cafeterias are usually well hidden. The are open to the off-the-street public but make no serious effort to promote themselves. Come here, to this particular or any other stolovaya, where you will almost certainly find good food, low prices, and total functionality. The opening hours are usually limited; this one operates from about noon to 5pm. I usually show up around 2pm, when the lunch crowd is a bit down.

Here it is. Note the "Stolovaya" sign. "Stolovayas" (from "stol" - table) are places that serve the locals and aim to deliver good food inexpensively, with a minimum of fuss.

You see what you are getting. No language skills are necessary.

A small lineup is common but it takes much less than waiting for the waiter and then for your order and then for your bill.

Load your tray, pay for it, proceed to the eating room.

The factory cafeteria is open from 12:30 to 5pm.

 

Here is the menu. The column to the right is prices, in roubles. At the time this photo was taken the exchange rate was exactly 30 roubles to one dollar US. Most dishes are about a buck.

 

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