Saturday, November 23, 2013

Sweetgreen (in the Nomad Hotel) - Midtown/Flatiron

Wow, it is really sort of impressive the number of raves for this "healthy eating" place...

Don't want to boost it up too much, but just check out the reviews

  • 1164 Broadway
    New York, NY 10001
    b/t 27th St & 28th St in Flatiron
  • Transit information F M N R Get Directions
  • Phone number (646) 449-8884
  • Business website sweetgreen.com
  • 11/19/2013
    Listed in Yelp 100 reviews, NYC
    This place though !! its ideal - everything you have ever wanted in a custom salad spot !! and they don't just have salads they've got froyo & soups too !
    Totally worth the line that you may have to wait in

    Epic proportions - you know its all fresh & LOCAL !( love that) there is even a board that says where some of the ingredients are from! There is a few options for the base of your salad, which is not limited to lettuce....

    I got the Chic-P : organic mesclun, organic baby spinach with baked falafel, chickpeas, cucumbers, green and red peppers and pita chips; topped with a lemon tahini dressing

    The falfel could have had a little more kick to it - im a girl who likes spicy food, and this salad wasn't spicy, or maybe i should have added some cracked pepper

    My dining partner went for the Kale Ceasar:

    shredded kale, chopped romaine with roasted chicken, shaved parmesan, grape tomatoes and parmesan crisp; topped with a caesar dressing and a fresh lime squeeze

    THE PARMESAN CRISPS are worth making the trip here alone.

    Shared the SweetFlow Froyo which was kinda like a Cheesecake - with granola, berries, and goat cheese - this is a dank dessert !!

    I'd go HERE EVERYDAY IF I LIVED IN NYC

    One thing is that the staff wasn't knowledgeable about what was in the ingredients - such as if the soup was tomato based or not, or if the dressings contained apple cider vinegar. I have weird food allergies and have to ask about these things !! they figured out an answer for me, but it took a bit of time & held up the line.
  • 11/19/2013
    1 check-in here
    I don't eat a lot of salad. After all, I have the body of a god,* and I couldn't possibly defile it with such filth. But I make an exception for Sweetgreen. Why?

    1. The ingredients are fresh and tasty.
    2. They like Biggie. I like Biggie.
    3. The service is surprisingly awesome for such a chain-like joint.
    4. They have a manifesto. I mean, if there was ever a reason to buy a salad from someone...

    Anyway, I basically love Sweetgreen. I just wish they'd mix their salads up a bit; I can't be expected to do such things myself. Oh, and I feel like a juice shouldn't be the same price as a salad. I know it's a big, fancy juice, but that's just how I feel.
    _____________

    *Albeit, a god that could stand to work out more.
  • 11/18/2013
    1 check-in here
    Listed in Is this Real Life?
    MORE LOCATIONS PLEASE.

    Is this what LA is like?

    Think Chipotle-like, but salads only. And this is a positive analogy as I believe that Chipotle is super efficient with their assembly lines and also delicious. But none of the guild or so I tell myself...

    My favorite thing so far is the Wild Rice bowl. I am too into it to order anything else....

    I love how the interior mimicks the highline in some places with seating.

    Also don't forget about the Lemonade. So perfectly tart and not over sweet.

    Yum!
  • 10/30/2013
    1 check-in here
    OMG, I love this place! The wild rice bowl is AMAZING, and everything else looks terrific too. All of the ingredients are fresh and come from local farms. You can look at the blackboard up on the wall to see where each ingredient has come from that day.

    And don't let a long line fool you. They have dozens of people working to build your salad assembly-line style, and they're super-efficient and friendly.

    Best of all, they said that they're getting a license to serve beer and wine soon. I'm definitely coming back for more!
  • 11/18/2013 Updated review
    Down to 2 stars due to the mess that is the online order system. I ordered at 12:30 for a 1:15 pickup, it took 15 minutes to line up and be told it still wasn't ready at 1:40.
    People in the normal line were beating us all out.
    I finally got my salad at 1:50.

    Staff were friendly and apologetic, but they need a better pickup system (force people to pre-pay) and they have to be able to scale their pickup times online based on demand (I.e. don't list it if you can't fulfill it).
    11/1/2013 Previous review
    First time here today, this place was great!
    Salad is not something I normally enjoy or seek out, but…
    Read more
  • 11/9/2013
    1 check-in here
    I learned about Sweetgreen from Twitter and later discovered it on Broadway passing by on the Citibike.

    This is a nice place for a healthy salad just below Herald Square. The prices for the salads aren't bad either. I usually go to Chop't and Just Salad for my salad. Now Sweetgreen is going to be added to one of my regular places to eat a healthy salad.

    I have been ordering the Kale Caesar salads so far, but have try something next time.
  • 10/24/2013
    1 check-in here
    Move over Chop't, you just got bitch smacked and it's by Sweetgreen. Located in the Nomad Hotel, this hip salad spot is popular, offers up some fresh fare and is mighty delicious. With Biggie quotes on the wall, some indie music over the speakers, I went to pick up my pre-ordered kale caesar. As I waited I sampled some delicious fro-yo and the hospitable employee hooked me up with some toppings for the real experience. Wha? Thanks!

    For $9 my kale caesar was perfect minus that it was a bit hard to mix up. The kale was a rich green with shavings of parmesean and the perfect amount of dressing. Abundant, pretty and tasty. Every bite was fresh and healthy. I highly recommend. My friends enjoyed their salad as well with not one complaint.

    Fresh ingredients, hip environment, great service and a nice walk from my office? Yep.

    The line is long, but do pre-order. The pre-order is also very long, but it goes by quickly.

    Enjoy!
  • 11/15/2013
    1 check-in here
    Delish. Had the district Cobb salad and small lentil soup. Staff great. Food fresh and fun/ loved the addition of siricha to my salad dressing. Homemade lemonades.
  • 10/27/2013
    Listed in Yelp 100 Challenge
    Cute salad spot and the mixes are def more creative.
    I've only ever ordered online for pick up. the line can get pretty nuts during lunch.
  • 10/16/2013
    8 check-ins here
    SweetGreen is the reason I will never eat at Chop't again. That's right never again! After trying SweetGreen then having a salad at Chop't due to it's convenience it just tasted dirty.

    My go to salad at SweetGreen is the Earthbowl without the cheese or the dressing (you seriously save yourself on fat macros big time) and I add two squeezes of lemon and balsamic vinegar. The salad is bomb! I've been eating the October salad this month and add chicken to it. It''s pretty tasty too.

    The people who work there are super friendly unlike Chop't. That's even if you're like me and sneak down there during the lunch rush with the line out the door. They smile, ask how your day is going, recognize a lot of faces. It's a much more pleasant experience even though it has same levels of chaos at Chop't.

    My only gripe against SweetGreen is that they only have one location. I can't wait until they open another (crossing my fingers for Tribeca). That and that they waited until late this year to open. Seriously, I spent all that time living on 31st and Park and they come in right around the time that I move downtown. I still love them though.
    • 4 friends
    • 49 reviews
    10/20/2013
    1 check-in here
    Listed in NYC restos
    Yes salad is fresh and delicious -- I made (er, selected) my own with kale, greens, yummy moist chicken, avocado. They have several dressings and I tasted 3 before deciding on the miso.

    Friendly servers people say?? Not so much. And I came in just before the noon rush where the line goes out the door.
    Otherwise you might do better ordering online and paying at the online orders cashier register -- the line is much, much shorter.

    And then leave. Techno music is annoying if for example, you choose to sit at a stool looking out the plate glass to beautiful (!??) Broadway wholesale stores across the street.
  • 9/28/2013
    2 check-ins here
    Line is out the door (12:30pm)! And not really moving...

    The hint is to order online, wait about 20 minutes, and then come get it. 'Cause the salad is worth it.

    Sweetgreen is very innovative with their ingredients and flavors. The quantity is not quite as much as Chop't (for the same price), but it's great to have more salad options.

    Lastly, everyone here is smiling and is really courteous. That can go a long way.
  • 11/5/2013
    12 check-ins here
    Definitely a step up from Chop't.  I've been hearing about this DC chain for some time from friends out there and am very happy it's finally in NYC.  Just wonderful selections of greens, veggies, grains, and protein.  Friendly service.  It's a bit pricey for lunch -- $10-$12 sometimes, but you're definitely paying for quality so I don't mind it as a once a week thing.
  • 10/11/2013
    1 check-in here
    A very refreshing green tea for almost 3 bucks. If it is indeed true that the drinks are organically made (and all of the hoopla), I'll understand the cost .... And I'll also get why it's a stand out glass of green tea. Without these facts being true, then we're looking at an overpriced glass of green tea that's as good as any other for 3 bucks.

    These folks recycle the mess out of everything, which is awesome - who doesn't like a business model who exercises some environmental responsibility? Overall, a nice stop to tea and people watch.
  • 11/7/2013
    1 check-in here
    Good food, slow service. Avoid 12-2pm.
  • 9/16/2013
    Such a hip little salad joint. As someone who finds salads incredibly boring, this place brings out the fun and creativity that one can fully enjoy in a salad.

    I've only had the Misoba, but I'm totally hooked and plan on upping the Sriracha next time. Seriously, why don't those make-your-own salad joints have Sriracha? It's kind of an essential.

    I'm glad I work by this place. The people who work here are so nice and upbeat! You like my nails and want to know how my day is going? I'll take it.

    My only wish is that it was a bit cheaper but I do enjoy the whole thing start to finish - so I know my money's successfully going somewhere...my stomach!
  • 9/18/2013
    1 check-in here
    I wanted something healthy for lunch at work and saw on yelp that this "new business" opened up a block away from my office.

    First of all, you come here if you want a salad. I think they have wraps too. But this is a place for salads. And they make their salads well! There's a few "premium salads" that they have and also you can make your own.

    I had the kale caeser which comes with chicken. It was delicious! Seriously good. And as many other reviews mentioned all of their ingredients are local and fresh. I'll be sure to try more of their salads in the future! Also the watermelon lemonade was great and refreshing!

    Only downside: HUGE line for lunch. Not their fault they're that good! But at 1:00pm it took me around a 20 minute wait in line to order. I'll be sure to come way earlier or later next time.
  • 10/24/2013
    I would give Sweetgreen 5 stars for product but based on my last visit less than 4 stars. The website said that the New York location closes at 11p, I walk in at 9:57pm (thinking I have plenty of time to order), and am immediately greeted by a rude female worker behind the salad bar who has already begun prepping closing procedures, "WERE CLOSED".. I see two other customers in line waiting as their salad is being made. I ignore the rude girl and proceed to the end of the line.. All of the produce I want for the salad I always get is still out, so what could be the big deal? No other employee who isnt tending to another customer is empowered to wait on 'that last customer'.. The rude girl veers down at me again, and says, "um ma'am were closed". I pull out my phone and see that time is now 9:58pm. I ask another worker, "what time do you close? the website says 11p".. She responds, "ten". I hold my phone up to the rude worker, show her the time is 9:58p, and according to store hours, she still has to be nice, since technically they are still 'open'.

    Ive lived in NYC for almost 8 years, and I work in the service industry.. You arent closed until youre closed. Sweetgreens is a great spot, and I appreciate their motto and their fresh, organic, local produce style.. but when you have rude employees that dont value that one last customer coming in, hoping to take home a great salad.. Instead of leaving feeling valued, the customer leaves feeling devalued, and then the name Sweetgreen leaves an unpleasant memory in your mind,... you ask yourself, is it really worth schlepping from the village to 20 something and Broadway to get that delicious salad you love?

    When Im waiting in line, I dont want to hear employees asking other employees when they are going home, or "is it ten yet, Im ready to go home'... That negative energy is projected into food they serve and also making for a negative environment that clearly isnt the motto of Sweetgreen.

    Sweetgreen is a hip place backboned with great product. Please have a positive community building pep rally for your workers, because even the workers at Starbucks value their customers with friendly vibes and smiles.. despite the aggressive clientele complaining about the wait time when the line is clearly 20 deep.
    Service is everything in NYC. I do appreciate the free salad I recieved. However, instead of the young supervisor dismissing the young lady with a bad attitude, she allowed her to continue to make rude comments under her breath, veer unpleasant looks.. and make me feel extremely uncomfortable,.. and for what? It bothered me so much, I had to leave this hoping sorporate will implement some positive reinforcement, community building exercises to encourage their workers to be passionate about what theyre serving and whom they are serving it to.
  • 10/9/2013
    You know that thing when a vegetable looks the way it's supposed to and also tastes that way? Did you forget? I had, until I came to Sweetgreen. I actually became aware of it when they threw an awesome music festival in D.C. in May, and I was so excited when they opened in New York.

    I went on a Saturday during lunch, and though there was a small line it moved really quickly. From what I've heard it's pretty crazy on weekdays during lunch.

    I made my own salad, as I am wont to do. I got a mix of organic mesclun greens and organic arugula- definitely have to give bonus points since so much of their stuff is organic and local! I also got grape tomatoes. Grape tomatoes are actually one of my least favorite foods, but these looked so red and perfect that I had to get them- I was right. They were awesome. I've probably just had a lot of totally bland and mass produced grape tomatoes. I also got raw beets, spicy broccoli, mushrooms, cucumbers and red and green peppers. As my premium topping I got baked falafel, and I got the cucumber basil yogurt dressing.

    HOLY CRAP was this salad good. It was big and filling and literally every part of it was delicious. I want to eat it all day every day.
  • 10/7/2013
    I was searching for a decent salad place because I am trying to eat healthy (try is the key word) and I came about Sweetgreen. I had the District Cobb salad and the cranberry ginger green tea. The cobb salad was delicious. Just the right ratio of egg, avocado, bacon bits, cheese and lettuce + dressing. For the cranberry ginger green tea, if you don't like the strong taste of ginger, this drink is not for you but it was healthy-tasting and refreshing. I want to try the Earth bowl since there are a lot of rave reviews for that as well as the blueberry basil lemonade.

    Like the review before me said, order online. (I ordered 30 minutes ahead) and only had to wait 5 minutes for my order. I got my drink for free because I wanted the smaller size but it only comes in one big size so the cashier just gave it to me for free. There was a lady ahead of me who probably waited a long time so she got her order for free. Plus for customer service but expect a long wait. Line is outside the order especially since it is new.
    • I S.
    • San Francisco, CA
    • 17 friends
    • 69 reviews
    9/18/2013
    This is a healthy fresh place that combines two of my favorite things:  Salads and FroYo.
    Pros and Cons:
    + Fresh salads with big selection
    + Relatively cheap Froyo
    But:
    - Juice drinks cost $10.
    - Crowded and everyone is in yoga pants

    Try the Froyo with goat cheese.
  • 10/29/2013
    1 check-in here
    Excellent salad with super high quality ingredients! Wish we had several in Seattle.  BTW, comments about Chopt also true, we left there since it wasn't quite as clean as we would like with raw foods and poor customer service, serious attitude.
  • 10/25/2013
    LOVE this place.  It's my favorite place to grab a quick lunch during the work week. I love being able to get a freshly made salad out of quality ingredients that you choose.  They also ask you if you like light, medium or heavy dressing which is also a plus as I hate it when my salad gets drowned in dressing.  The baby kale is always fresh and tasty as is the quinoa and avocado.  My favorite dressing is the champagne vinaigrette which is light yet zesty at the same time.  It often gets very crowded at lunch so I try to get there a little before noon or after 1:30 pm.  They also have amazing frozen yogurt there which comes in two flavors, an icy chocolate and a plain tart flavor.  I hope they open more locations throughout the city as I am always hungry for a good, fresh salad!
  • 8/30/2013
    16 check-ins here
    Fresh salads, smiling faces, and integration to LevelUp, what more can you ask for from an on-trend lunch spot?

    Sweetgreen has become a healthy habit of mine, not only due to its proximity, but also the magic that happens inside. Between the clean industrial contemporary design, the plethora of topping options, and the ability to tweak their recipes, it's a feel good lunch option. I tend to start with an Earth Bowl base, occasionally swapping veggies or adding other little customizations.

    Like all bright and shiny new lunch spots that are actually hits, there's a bit of a wait between 12-2PM, but if you can get there at 11:50 it's smooth sailing.
  • 8/13/2013
    4 check-ins here
    The District Cobb rules!!! The Earth Bowl rules!!! Hell, all of their salads rule. This is THE place to get a custom-built salad in NYC, so if you haven't checked it out yet, do so ASAP. If you don't fancy any of their signature salads, make one up of your own--they have just about any ingredient that you'd want... plus, they use locally grown produce (well, as close as you can get local to NYC) and organic mix-ins. They even offer wholesome grains like quinoa to add to your salad. Oh, and definitely be sure to check out their specialty teas and lemonades! Delicious indeed! I dilute mine down with a bit of water to reduce the calories, and they are still ultra tasty!!!

    Btw, I really don't get the couple of bad reviews I saw for this place... just do your homework on which reviewers to trust. 0 Friends & one-sentence reviews are questionable IMHO.
  • 10/26/2013
    I love this place! When in the mood for a fresh and filling salad that's made right in front of your eyes with the freshest organic ingredients, come to Sweetgreen!
    Don't be intimidated by the long line; there's always a long line. But it moves really fast. The people working here have an assembly system in place and know what they're doing. You start by picking what salad you want or order a custom one. I had the Chic P salad. Lots of spinach, pieces of falafel (who wouldn't want that!), chick peas, pita chips with a tahini dressing...YUM! You have the option to go light, medium or heavy on the dressing. And there you have it, your salad waiting for you to enjoy.
    They make their own drinks too. I'll have to try one the next time I go there.
    Minimalistic interiors, fresh salads and a friendly staff. Oh, and it's just a short walk from my office. Will be coming here more often for sure!!

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