Google employees already eat for free at 5-6 internal restaurants within the Google office space. I used to work at Google NYC and would occasionally eat at a nice Thai spot in Chelsea Market but most of the time I'd just take the free lunch.
If the food is at least as good as Google Waterloo (alas, I was only visiting.), then holy hell—I don't blame you. Coming from a more traditional office (with a gradually updating for-pay cafeteria) I could hardly believe it. It was really great food with an active policy of reducing waste (with published counts).
As a Google Waterloo employee I personally think much of the food at Google NYC is better, maybe the best I've had at Google. Not all of it, but some. There are certainly more options, as we have only one cafe here but there are many in NYC.
But I haven't been there in 5 years, so I can't say that with certainty, things may have changed.
They had an enclosure containing an environment for growing micro greens you could pick yourself. lol. It wasn't for us I/O'ers, though. I was impressed, but maybe I haven't been spoiled yet.
They did just have the one cafeteria when I was there, but I wouldn't talk it down. Waterloo isn't that large of an office, relatively speaking.
I wouldn't be surprised that the NYC location is slaying Kitchener/Waterloo. I'd hope so! I think the last time I was up that way was pre-university drinking with friends in Guelph and at the Sleeman Brewery. It's a nice place, and becoming more of a research and development hub, but still has a way to go.
The microgreens are not for self-picking, but the kitchen staff picks from it.
It's impressive to get fed 3 meals a daily, yes. Many things are impressive. But you'd be amazed how entitled the average Googler gets after a few months.
