84 South Bay Accent
VEGGING OUT
TENDER GREENS
Los Angeles seems to be the point of conception for some of the hugely popular, healthy, fast casual
chains now germinating in the South Bay, with this greens dispenser at the forefront. The concept is
higher-end food at skinnier prices so Tender Greens calls itself a “fine casual” restaurant. Besides a
bunch of very appealing salads—available in small or large portions—like seared tuna Niçoise, chipotle
chicken and salami and kale, this light, bright chain offers “big plates” such as grilled marinated
steak with Yukon gold mashed potatoes, rosemary fried chicken and herb-brushed albacore. Items
are prepared and cooked to order so those who like their steak rare or well done are accommodated.
Direct-from-the-farm ingredients are turned into seasonal recipes, with sandwiches, soups and a
number of tasty sides available along with the main event. Several locations are in the Bay Area in
addition to Palo Alto and there are Tender Greens all over Southern California. Palo Alto; 650/285-
6702. tendergreens.com
TARA MONSOD; PREVIOUS SPREAD: RYAN TANAKA
American
Wagyu Top
Sirloin (Chef’s
Special)
Marrying lower prices and self-service
with a farm-to-table mindset, today’s
fast casual dining spots proudly
promote made-to-order “real food”
featuring local produce, nourishing
and creative preparations as well as an
ecological consciousness often seen in
recyclable materials and a low carbon
footprint. So popular is this trend that
some three-star chefs eyeing a new customer
base have come on board.
One recent study predicted such restaurants
would reach nationwide sales
of close to $67 billion by 2020, with the
fast casual movement being the culmination
of other trends that have been
bubbling along like the trans fats in a
deep fryer.
Concerns over growing obesity
among Americans—often tied to our
junk food consumption—and greater
awareness of environmental issues like
sustainability, humane treatment of animals
and reducing food waste helped
pave the way. This led some big chains
like Taco Bell, Papa John’s and Panera
Bread to take out some dicey additives
in their offerings and other junk food
purveyors to offer some “healthy”
menu choices.
In the Bay Area, star chef Michael
Mina has recently added some fast casual
joints to his high-end portfolio that
includes Ramen Bar, attracting hordes
to an offering of unorthodox noodle
soups, poke choices, salad and pastries,
while fellow cooking king Daniel Patterson
now operates LocoL, sort of a
Michelin version of the golden arches
that serves tofu-and-chicken nuggets
and grain-and-beef burgers wrapped up
in buns from renowned Tartine Bakery.
Lately, fast casual outposts like these
in San Francisco are as thick as fog on a
summer day. But this movement is also
quite well represented in the South Bay,
which seems to be a must-have location
for the mini or large chains that are helping
this trend flourish. Locally, the fast
casual choices include upscale burger
spots and super-healthy veggie counters
as well as restaurants focused on Asian,
Mediterranean, Indian and other cuisines
whose commonality is quick service with
three-star recipes that would please a
picky school nutritionist.
Here’s our guide to the best fast casual
dining spots in the South Bay for those
who don’t just want their food quick and
affordable but also deliciously fresh.
