True Food Kitchen - Palo Alto

Review summary

1. L

   Lynda

   San Francisco

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 1

   The food was great. The service was great. But you've got to do something about the bathrooms. This is the third time I've eaten there with a friend, the third time my friend had to use the bathroom (long drive home), and the third time it's been worse than disgusting. This time she found clogged toilets, one toilet smeared with menstrual blood, and flushing mechanisms that don't work. I have to wonder if the kitchen is as filthy as the bathroom. It's hard to reconcile this situation with the "healthy" reputation of TFK. Not sure what else to say as this is the third time I've commented on this. I've gotten 2 previous messages promising to address. And you are clearly unwilling to do anything to rectify the situation.
   

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2. S

   Sophia

   VIP

   San Francisco

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on December 15, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food and service! We sat outside with some heaters which was perfect
   

   True Food Kitchen - Palo AltoResponded on December 17, 2024

   Thank you for your review, Sophia! We're happy to hear you enjoyed the food, service, and outdoor seating with heaters.
   

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3. S

   Susan

   VIP

   San Francisco

   12 reviews

   3.0

   12 reviews

   Dined on December 12, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 2

   It's a large noisy place, reminiscent of a gymnasium. Today, they were very busy and it took about 40 minutes to get our food. The spaghetti squash casserole is tasty like pasta with tomato sauce and melted cheese on top. My friend had an ancient grain bowl with lots of tasty roasted veggies on top. The food is usually interesting and tasty, which is why we put up with the atmosphere. During the summer, the patio is quite lovely.
   

   True Food Kitchen - Palo AltoResponded on December 14, 2024

   Thank you for your feedback, Susan. We're glad you enjoyed the spaghetti squash casserole and ancient grain bowl, and we apologize for the noise and wait time; we'll work on improving the atmosphere and service.
   

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4. F

   Fara

   VIP

   San Francisco

   128 reviews

   3.0

   128 reviews

   Dined on December 11, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   We do lunch at true food a lot since is in our neighborhood. Food and service is still good but is bloody cold in the restaurant and for God sake’s is winter time and they should seriously make that place a little bid warmer or we’ll pick another place at the mall to have lunch.
   

   True Food Kitchen - Palo AltoResponded on December 12, 2024

   Thank you for your feedback, Fara. We're glad you enjoy our food and service, and we apologize for the cold temperature; we'll address this to ensure a more comfortable dining experience.
   

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5. L

   Linda

   VIP

   San Francisco

   73 reviews

   5.0

   73 reviews

   Dined on December 11, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   When in the Palo Alto area, True Food Kitchen is my go to for excellent food. I prefer outdoor dining; however, since it was evening, we were seated indoors. I always find indoors more noisy; but my guests were able to have a great conversation. Our waiter was just attentive enough and our food was delicious. We will return.
   

   True Food Kitchen - Palo AltoResponded on December 12, 2024

   Thank you for your wonderful review, Linda! We're glad to hear you enjoyed your dining experience and that your guests had a great conversation. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!
   

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6. W

   William

   VIP

   San Francisco

   105 reviews

   4.0

   105 reviews

   Dined on December 9, 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   We chose this restaurant because it was convenient for us following an afternoon event, and because it offered a lot of vegetarian/pescatarian options, important to one of our guests. The restaurant is a chain, aiming to provide healthy food in a casual setting. It is large, and quite popular. We were there on a Sunday evening and the restaurant was full. The menu was very creative with some excellent whole grain "bowls" with vegetables and greens, and grilled tofu. We were sorry that the restaurant had no poke fish, which was listed on the menu for one of the items. A salmon entree was clearly ordered "medium rare" and came out of the kitchen overcooked and dry. We sent it back to be redone, and the request was handled pleasantly and efficiently. However, when we received the bill, we were charged for two salmon entrees, and had to have the bill corrected. The overall service was very pleasant, but food was slow coming out of the kitchen, and it seemed that the restaurant was understaffed. Our server was very skilled and congenial, but seemed to be really working hard to service a large number of tables. The restaurant noise level is quite lively. We were fortunate to have asked for, and obtained a relatively quiet table, but other areas were quite loud. We'd like to give this restaurant another try. Our experience was certainly satisfactory, but fell a bit short of our expectations this time.
   

   True Food Kitchen - Palo AltoResponded on December 10, 2024

   Thank you for your detailed feedback, William. We're glad you appreciated our menu options and service, and we apologize for the issues with the salmon and billing; we'll address these concerns to improve your experience next time.
   

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7. ZZ

   ZhongZ

   Orange County

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on December 7, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   Vegi not washed
   

   True Food Kitchen - Palo AltoResponded 7 days ago

   We apologize for the oversight with the vegetables, ZhongZ. Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and we'll ensure it doesn't happen again.
   

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8. M

   Megan

   San Francisco

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on December 5, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   TrueFood it always amazing! They are unbelievably accommodating to large groups, families and food allergies! Great for kids. the restaurant is often loud fyi.
   

   True Food Kitchen - Palo AltoResponded on December 6, 2024

   Thank you for your wonderful review, Megan! We're glad to hear you appreciate our accommodations for large groups, families, and food allergies, and we look forward to welcoming you and your family back soon!
   

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9. D

   Donna

   San Francisco

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on December 2, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Our favorite restaurant. Great food with wonderful options for gluten free and dairy free and vegan choices as well. A restaurant with healthy ingredients!!
   

   True Food Kitchen - Palo AltoResponded on December 3, 2024

   Thank you for your wonderful review, Donna! We're delighted to be your favorite restaurant and glad you appreciate our gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options.
   

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10. M

    Marsha

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 1, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    It's a great place that cares about the food it serves its customers. We come here because True Food does not use seed oils in their food which is great, and the food is fresh not processed. They have changed up their menu which is nice. Our go to dishes are the grass-fed burger with the kale salad. The burger has the best umami flavor and if you don't like kale, their kale salad will change your mind. We love it so much we ordered a double portion of the salad, and I ate it all! We also started with the guacamole and chips which is always perfectly delicious. Other items that we love to order is the Korean true crisp chicken sandwich, salmon, gluten free pepperoni pizza, ancient grain bowl w/ chicken, and the grass-fed steak. Easy to get a reservation on Open Table, and reservations are a must so that you don't have to wait. Lastly, the staff was awesome that night. Our waiter was friendly, happy, engaging and professional. I noticed that another waiter nearby attended to us to when the other was not around. You do see that all the staff try to help each other in ensuring the customer's needs are met. Once you order, it does not take long to get the food. Will be coming back as this is our usual spot. Some music would be nice, but the noise level is so lively you might not hear it, but having live music might be nice on a Friday:)
    

    True Food Kitchen - Palo AltoResponded on December 3, 2024

    Thank you for your detailed and positive review, Marsha! We're thrilled to hear you enjoy our fresh, seed oil-free dishes and attentive service. We appreciate your feedback on the menu and atmosphere, and we look forward to welcoming you back to your usual spot soon!
    

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