Who has the BEST chow you've ever eaten, and where was it?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 23:15:46 -0500

From the five branches (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard), with which ones have you eaten, who has the best chow, and where was it at?

For me it was the Air Force, at Langley AFB.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 2:13 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 02:13:51 -0500

The dfac in arifjan, kuwait was pretty good. About the only thing good about getting stuck there for 5 days going to/from A'stan.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Dec 30 at 2014 12:37 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 12:37:01 -0500

Air Force DFAC at JBB in Iraq! Oh my gosh, iced coffee yummy!!!!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 12:35 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 12:35:17 -0500

Best 'Mess' I ever ate at was the Brits' in KAF! Curry!

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 12:52 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 12:52:58 -0500

Without question, USAF.

Response by SSG John Erny made Dec 30 at 2014 12:51 PM

SSG John Erny — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 12:51:32 -0500

I was put on detail working around the School of America's at Benning, we got to eat in their chow hall! Steak, shrimp, Lobster! All for foreign troops!

Response by SPC Jon Abbott made Dec 30 at 2014 1:33 PM

SPC Jon Abbott — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 13:33:45 -0500

30 ag. fort beginning where.they mAke you think it'll be a hotel stay till you hit sand hill

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 1:55 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 13:55:44 -0500

I ate in a lot of Navy chow halls but the only other branch I ever sampled was chow on Lackland AFB. It's so long ago I can't comment.

However, I can relate this little story. As a ship's MAA I was assigned to show two visiting Army LT's the ship and get them acquainted with the facilities...First I took them to their berthing compartment, a simple, small two man room. They ooohed, and ahhhed. Then I showed them the ship's gedunk store where they could buy snacks and magazines and such...be sure and get your ship's lighter, sir. They loved it of course. As I'm taking them around we passed through the mess decks and they were blown away, going gaga over the salad bar and milk machines...this is just great they are saying, why'd we join the Army...ha ha. Until I pointed out that this was just the enlisted mess and took them farther down the passage way to the Wardroom. White table clothes, silverware, stewards with the proverbial white towel on their arm, etc.

I don't know if Navy chow beats any other branch or not but I will say these officers thought they'd died and gone to heaven. LOL

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 1:52 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 13:52:43 -0500

NAS Pensacola was pretty good. Andersen AFB chow wasn't as good as everyone had led me to believe.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 1:59 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 13:59:52 -0500

Mine was after a night land nav course. We got back at 2am to find our cooks waiting for us with a warm canteen cup of soup before we dropped our ruck sack. The cook said "that's not all, I'll be right back". After about two minutes he brought a paper plate of steak and eggs! I love working with true professionals! I'll never forget that.

Response by SSG Jeffrey Spencer made Dec 30 at 2014 2:01 PM

SSG Jeffrey Spencer — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 14:01:54 -0500

I went TDY to McClellan AFB and the mess hall served roast duck! I was ribbed by my family for joining the Army as they all were AF. I knew why after that.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 5:21 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 17:21:50 -0500

My best experience was with 1st SF group chow hall in JBLM, WA

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Dec 30 at 2014 5:21 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 17:21:56 -0500

The Air Force Base in Al Asad, Iraq was probably the best chow I've ever had.....it was a break from combat operations.

The BBQ DFAC off Disney in Bagram was always a welcome meal....

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Dec 30 at 2014 6:16 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 18:16:52 -0500

Air Force. Hands down. And I always say please and thank you to the nice ladies serving it up! Result, usually a little extra for the guy with manners...just saying.

Best chow hall? Kadena AFB, 1987-1988. Ate there every chance I could.

Worst ever? Camp Schwab, Okinawa, 1987. Not sure what the cooks were serving the Devil Dogs, but I guarantee this-it kept them angry!

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 7:31 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 19:31:55 -0500

KBR. The number of overweight soldiers redeploying from AFG is a testament to their skill.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 7:35 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 19:35:06 -0500

The Italian Alpini Brigade that took over for our Battalion in FOB Salerno in 2003 had some pretty good chow made in their mobile kitchen/bakery...

If not that, the 1st Ranger Battalion Chow hall!

it was out of this world!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 7:41 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 19:41:01 -0500

Joint Base Sam Houston had good chow!

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Dec 30 at 2014 8:43 PM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 20:43:52 -0500

Air Force, hands down.

I've heard that the Navy is just as good in the officer's wardroom at sea, but the facilities on shore leave something to be desired.

Army and Marine chow is edible.

Never ate at a Coastie mess hall.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 10:25 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:25:19 -0500

Air Force base Wichita Falls tx Shepard

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Dec 30 at 2014 10:27 PM

1SG Frank Boynton — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:27:05 -0500

2nd Bn 75th Inf mess hall at Ft Lewis, Washington in the late 70's early 80's.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Dec 30 at 2014 10:41 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:41:16 -0500

Over the years since I've been a civilian, I've had an opportunity to eat at various military bases including Navy/Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force. None came close to Army Mess Halls. Interestingly, the Coast Guard was the worst after they contracted their mess hall to Marriott.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 12:06 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 00:06:45 -0500

I do not often eat at the mess hall but I had a great experience during PLDC at Camp Jackson, South Korea.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 12:15 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 12:15:21 -0500

I've only had AF chow... Sheppard AFB has been the best so far out of Lackland, Sheppard, Eglin, and Barksdale. If I counted my 'deployed' location in the mix... Manas would be #2.

I did hear that the Army Chow Halls were pretty good though...

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 31 at 2014 3:30 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 15:30:24 -0500

Well, SFC Private RallyPoint Member, the best chow I ever had in the Army was at jump school at Fort Benning, MAR-APR70. I don't remember if I was just really hungry or if the chow was just really good, but it sure worked at the time! I can't really pass judgment on the other services.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 7:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 19:14:04 -0500

Most definitely on Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar, inside the ASG area (DFAC where the barracks and pool are).

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 7:20 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 19:20:37 -0500

SFC Private RallyPoint Member Mine would also be Langley AFB. My unit was at FT Monroe for AT but we were staying at Langley. The food was great and the kitchen workers even came out and took our trays for us. There were a few of us that began lobbying to become an Air Guard band.

Response by CMC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 8:43 PM

CMC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 20:43:16 -0500

CG Training Center Petaluma

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 8:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 20:56:48 -0500

The omelets down range. Hands down the best. Maybe it was because I was used to exceptionally bad good on our FOB, but the omelets were the best at the bigger bases like bagram.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2015 2:17 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 02:17:40 -0500

I have only had chow halls in the AOR. At Joint Base Balad, I found that the "Oasis" chow hall that was ran by the Army was better than the Air Force "Guardian" Chow hall. Everytime I ate on the Air Force side I had indigestion and I did not when eating at the Army one even though the menus were the same at the two.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2015 3:19 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 03:19:35 -0500

In Afghan, Camp Dyer in J-Bad, hands down the best chow I had in all the DFACS I ate in Afghanistan (And I ate in ALOT of different DFACS). Only 2 Afghan locals ran the DFAC (small camp with a small DFAC). Those locals can cook!!!

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2015 12:05 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 12:05:07 -0500

I've never eaten with the Marines or Coast Guard, so I cannot speak to their chow.

When I was in high school, I was in AFJROTC and went to a Leadership School at Lackland AFB and ate in the dining facility. After I graduated, I joined the Army and ate in the chow hall at Ft. Sam. Both facilities were run by civilians, but the AF chow was better.

After I left the Army, I joined the Navy. The Navy dining facility at SUBASE NLON (also civilian operated) was AWFUL! However, I was on Submarines and our cooks were hands down the best (one of our senior cooks used to work in the White House). I also ate on a Carrier, and the only thing they had over Submarines is that their mess decks were open 23.5 hrs a day, lol.

Overall quality, to include the facility, I'd have to say the best experience was the Air Force's dining facility.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Jan 2 at 2015 2:18 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 14:18:26 -0500

Out of all the chow halls i have eaten in the Air Force base in Guam is by far the best and the Army at a camp in California has by far been the worst one i have ever been in.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2015 2:22 PM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 14:22:33 -0500

I've only ever had Air Force chow, the food at Seymour Johnson was not bad compared to what I've had otherwise. I'm not a fan of canned vegetables, but it's hard to mess up cooking meats, noodles and rice. I prefer to cook my own food, my dorm has a kitchen(feel free to make fun of my cushy Air Force life, it's all good).

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2015 10:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 22:14:34 -0400

I was at FOB a torkham and there were a few rough looking army cooks making some on order deserts after the contracted cooks had left. For instance. Fried waffles crusted in cinnamon and sugar topped with ice cream and Carmel. LIFE CHANGING. Just saying

Response by SFC Charles S. made Apr 20 at 2015 5:11 PM

SFC Charles S. — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 17:11:03 -0400

Almost hands down the best chow I have ever eaten has always been at an Air Force base. In Korea the Katusa Snack Bar was pretty damn awesome too.

Response by SP5 Joel O'Brien made Apr 20 at 2015 5:55 PM

SP5 Joel O'Brien — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 17:55:16 -0400

For a treat, we'd go to lunch or dinner at the Army Hospital in West Berlin. Very non-chow hall atmosphere with real tables and chairs. On a side note: The AAFES cafeteria in Berlin would do "steak night" once in awhile with tablecloths, candles and subdued lighting. You could even order a bottle of wine from a limited list.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 20 at 2015 6:42 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 18:42:02 -0400

I've eaten with the Navy, Army, Air Force, and RAF. Best Dining Facility was at the Prep School for USAFA. Winner of several Hennesy Awards. Best Navy was Souda Bay Crete. Best Army was Camp Arifjan Kuwait.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2015 7:46 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 19:46:05 -0400

Naval Station Everett...in Everett WA.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2015 9:45 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 09:45:54 -0400

You needed a sixth option, SFC Private RallyPoint Member, 'cause the best chow I've ever eaten was at home, prepared by my mother.

My next choice would be Air Force.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2015 9:50 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 09:50:51 -0400

Two of the best chow places I've ever eaten:

1.) My wife's cooking my first day home....

2.) Army rations when we did a CSTX in Ft McCoy. I am dead serious...whomever was out there with us in August 2011 took the standard field rations and cooked them up with seasonings. I guess there were a couple of trained line chefs or those that did it for a living, so it wasn't just heaping that bag into a container....it was QUALITY grub. We were so mad to go back to cantonment to get the regular slop that they serve at the DFACs there......LOL. Never thought I'd say the best chow I had was field-cooking.
v/r,
CPT Butler

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2015 10:00 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 10:00:14 -0400

We did have fresh sashimi in the ship's galley one time underway when we managed to pull a tuna on board. I think that was on either the USNS Kiska or the USNS Shasta.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2015 10:14 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 10:14:57 -0400

Stateside would be at Macdill AFB in Tampa. Of course when there are that many General Officer's on base then I guess it is expected. But the chow hall at Camp Bucca was pretty darn good as well. the biggest omelets I've ever eaten!

Response by SGT Michael Touchet made Apr 21 at 2015 10:18 AM

SGT Michael Touchet — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 10:18:47 -0400

I have to say without a doubt the Air Force.

Response by PO1 Jeffrey Stoddard made Apr 21 at 2015 10:24 AM

PO1 Jeffrey Stoddard — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 10:24:25 -0400

Belle Chase Louisiana
Coast Guard Radio Station New Orleans'
Our SS1 graduate from Le Cordon Bleu school. Certified Chef

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Nov 22 at 2016 3:26 PM

Sgt John Steinmeier — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 15:26:51 -0500

Not really sure who's chow it was considered (Air Force or Army) or even if was really as good as I remember it. While at Ft Dix for Air Base Ground Defense school I cannot recall ever not enjoying what was served at our designated chow hall. I remember them actually running out of everything we ate so much. Then again maybe we were just so hungry at the end of the day as long as it was mostly cooked it was all that we needed.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Nov 22 at 2016 3:30 PM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 15:30:14 -0500

When I was stationed in CAMP CASEY KOREA, THANKSGIVING dinner 2ID best food ever ARMY cooks so much food LUCH and dinner, best meal ever.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Nov 22 at 2016 3:48 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 15:48:19 -0500

Back in the days of Strategic Air Command and aircrews on alert it was the alert facility chow hall. Back then you had active duty cooks, not contracted food preparers and it was always the best of the best that were selected to staff the alert facility. Hard to pick one over the other, but I pulled alert at Kincheloe AFB MI, Plattsburgh AFB NY and Pease AFB NH, all were great, but guess if I had to pick one it would be Pease. Heck if you were on alert for the holidays you'd get lobster on your last day of alert!

Response by Maj John Bell made Nov 22 at 2016 6:38 PM

Maj John Bell — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 18:38:53 -0500

NAS Patuxent River Enlisted Dining Facility 1979. Never ate in a military facility that came close. 2nd Best - We had a Marine Cook was part of the rotation at NSB Bangor. The Chief in charge of the Navy dining facility said he was worthless, and the Marines in my company hated it when we caught him in the rotation for the limited area dining facility. The Company 1st Sgt and the Barracks Sgt Major decided to take him out of HQ Company and give him to a guard company. My company got him. He trained with us and rotated in and out of the wire with us etc. etc. Turns out he was an awesome cook that hated following Navy recipes.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Nov 22 at 2016 7:20 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 19:20:57 -0500

Hands down the best Dining facility I've eaten at was an Air Force facility at Thule Air Base in Greenland.

Response by Cpl Brian Johnston made Nov 25 at 2016 2:33 AM

Cpl Brian Johnston — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 02:33:51 -0500

I eventually learned that USMC mess halls serve the same meal at every mess hall in the Corps for that day and that meal.
That being said, HDQRTS Marine Corps mess hall meals were 1000% better than the same meal being served at an infantry bn mess hall. [Is anybody surprised?]
In Okinawa, we had to hand deliver a report to Kadena AB every week. One Marine, plus driver, would get to deliver the report, plus get a chit to eat at the Kadena AB chow hall.
Once you made the trip, you'd do almost anything to repeat it!

Response by Cpl Brian Johnston made Nov 25 at 2016 2:57 AM

Cpl Brian Johnston — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 02:57:26 -0500

Participated in EXERCISE DORIA SALUTE VII 13-20SEP74 with the 21st Infantry Company of the Royal Netherlands Marines. [Nederlands Korps Mariniers Raiding Squadron stationed in Aruba.]

We got to try their C-Rats. One box was for the whole day. It contained Gruyere cheese, wine, and a 10-pack of gourmet cigarettes.

The enlisted men didn't have to salute officers except in a ceremony, could wear mix-and-match uniform parts, no haircut regulation (although they had to touch-up their hair nicely so as not to make a bad impression with their should-length hair for the US Marines), got better pay, and received free public transportation passes.

For all of that, they were better trained than we were, and had a better unit cohesion.

One of the NCO told me that the problem with the USMC was, "They make you wait, then they rush you, and you're late anyway!"

I tried to transfer over, but alas, I was turned down.

I did trade a USMC K-Bar knife for one of their battle jackets, and a beret!

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Jan 30 at 2017 2:22 PM

PO3 Donald Murphy — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 14:22:58 -0500

You guys...sheesh. IN YOUR DREAMS! US Navy Submarine Force.

* unlimited portions
* midnight rations (anything you can get the cook to make)
* surf and turf on Sunday (lobster and steak)
* fresh bread every day
* made to order omelets
* fresh cakes/pastries
* made to order pizza on Friday nights
* tons of fresh fish

Depending on the boat you're on, you can also bring your wife/girlfriend onboard for dinner. Had many "candlelight" steak and lobster dinners onboard with the wife.

Disclaimer: Air Force brat. Ate at tons of USAF/USAFE base chow halls. "Nice," but thats it. Best one I ate at was at RAF Mildenhall, England. That was "passable" to sub standards...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2017 9:04 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 21:04:57 -0400

Air Force by a mile, I am a British serviceman and have eaten in American military messes all over the world and the USA, Air Force wins hands down, however the worst us army Mess still kicks the shit out of our messes.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2018 9:45 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 21:45:19 -0400

Chappy James DF aboard USAF Base, Kadena, OK.

Response by Maj John Bell made Sep 13 at 2018 9:50 PM

Maj John Bell — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 21:50:31 -0400

1981 NAS Pax River. It was better, by a long shot, than any buffet restaurant chain. The only bigger equivalent Sunday brunch layout I ever saw was a a 5-Star vacation resort in Nairobi Kenya that was $550 a night for Double occupancy.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2018 11:58 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 23:58:45 -0400

Coast Guard Subsistence Specialist Class “A” School, at Two Rocks Base, Petaluma, CA. Bar none, the absolute best. While attending “Cook” school, these students demonstrate their skills on those of us attending the various academies or seminars held at Two Rocks. Their food was/is magnificent!!!

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2019 6:32 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 18:32:21 -0400

TBS Mess Hall, Camp Barrett on Quantico. All the new LTs eat there and pay cash which always allowed them to kick it up a notch. 1998