Canteens (stolavaya) are alive and well in Russia, and were my favorite places to eat because of the variety and thrift.
Here's how one is arranged: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ml0F97OZu6k/maxresdefault.jpg
Here's what your tray might look like at the end: https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/0c/46/f7/cc/...
https://www.prlog.org/10985847-wwwbostonmarketcom.jpg
Or the inside of most any Whole Foods or other upscale grocer.
A food court is different. There are a bunch of vendors surrounding a common eating area. Sadly because it’s America, it’s the same 10 fast food or fast food like vendors in every food court, mostly. You might see more variety in an airport.
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IYKR9N0VneA/UZ96KquXbYI/AAAAAAAAD...
https://s3-media2.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/b3jONzG2-_wI804mxVBX...
https://www.cafepyrus.com/
https://www.google.com/search?q=cafe+pyrus+kitchener&tbm=isc...
Healthy, inexpensive food. Order at the counter, they bring it to you when it's ready. Bus your own table when you're done. Extremely basic decor, but they're a community spot, with fairly frequent mini-concerts, a monthly poetry slam, etc.