I have so many favorites at Crave and this is one of my favorite restaurants in DTSA. Their grilled caprese sandwich is so good that I even tried to make it at home because I was so sad I would go broke if I bought it every day. Their salmon bagel is super good too. I'm not a fan of caper but you can just ask them to not include it or just take them off yourself. If you look at my picture, under the salmon, there is a big slice of tomato that adds on to the flavor. Its so thick that I cant get a mouthful with all the flavors in one bite. After I tried the salmon bagel here, it's really hard for me to be satisfied with a salmon bagel anywhere else. They also have 2 soups of the day that they post on their Instagram. My favorite is their chicken Chipotle soup. Again, I love it so much I tried to make it at home so I can eat it if I'm craving it on a day that its not the soup of the day. You can tell their soups are made fresh because it always varies a little each time. Their cookies and brownies are delicious too. Their brownies are THICK. The only thing I would skip here is their coffee. Their menu sounds interesting and intriguing but they were just okay. For coffee, I would go to other coffee shops down the street. The vibe inside is a cute brunch spot and they have some patio seating as well. The patio seating is nice because the street in front is a one way street and isnt busy. There is limited street parking in front, but there is a parking garage around the corner. read more

Crave Restaurant - Grilled caprese sandwich - Salad Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Customer service begins with management, and unfortunately, my recent interaction with the manager, Frank, was disappointing. This restaurant used to be one of my favorites. I even drove from Westminster because I was looking forward to enjoying one of their sandwiches that I hadn't had in a long time. I also ordered an oatmeal raisin cookie, which unfortunately tasted unusually salty. I called to share my feedback about the cookie, and the response I received from Frank was dismissive and unhelpful. He stated that he tastes the cookies every morning and insisted there was nothing wrong with them. There was no offer to replace the item or further address my concern, and the conversation ended abruptly with a brief "have a good day." Overall, I was disappointed by the lack of attentiveness and willingness to engage with a customer concern over what was simply one menu item. Unfortunately, this experience has changed my perception of the restaurant and may affect my decision to return in the future and share the experience of horrible customer service!! read more

Per the manager, "Going forward, there will be bugs in our salad." No reassurance that they'll take measures so improve to provide customer with a bug-free salad experience..... Staff were amazing, though. read more

Crave Restaurant - Salad Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Staff was nice and food came out fast. You order at the cash register and they bring the food to your table. Also, the inside of the establishment smelled weird. Luckily there was nice outdoor seating with shaded umbrellas. My egg, cheese, bacon sandwich was good but way too salty. The bacon by itself was okay but mixed with the salty cheese, it was a little less than enjoyable - however the portion was really big and I was satisfied with only half. The potatoes were undercooked and tasted terrible, still covered in starch and just tasted raw- I couldn't eat more than 3 bites of it. On the other hand, my boyfriend said the tuna melt was the best he ever had, and they have a nice chip selection. We came about 1.5 hrs before they closed (3pm on a Monday) and were not able to get any of the lattes because they already cleaned the coffee maker for the day, which was a huge bummer because i was looking forward to trying their snickerdoodle latte. Regardless, they had good tasting water. read more

Crave Restaurant - Egg and Cheese Sandwich with bacon, hashbrowns/potatoes - Salad Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Can't believe I never wrote a review here! This place is as old as times... a stable brunch breakfast all day diner here in DTSA. During the weekdays you will get lots of business people, employees, lawyers, since it's right next to the Fed Building and other govt buildings. Their menu is pretty extensive but very basic American/Mexican all day food. I like their wraps and cold pastas. I think that's all I ever ate here, and occasionally the soup. I also had their sandwiches here and there. This is the place for quick lunch but I prob don't every crave their food lol... read more

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This is the kind of restaurant where you can tell by one bite that everything on the menu is going to be good. I ordered take out for my meal and was not disappointed. The cauliflower soup and half chicken sandwich was not only good but extremely flavorful. And it was great to eat a chicken sandwich that was tender and not bland in taste. If you are in the area or live close by, Crave is definitely worth checking out. read more

Crave Restaurant - Salad Near Me - Santa Ana, California

What a lunch! Enjoyed this lovely spot with the tri tip dip sandwich with a side of veggie pasta and a delicious snickerdoodle. Sandwich was great in flavor and the dip was just as savory as I imagined. I loved the horseradish side dip on top of it and the veggie pasta salad was sauced to perfection; not too dressed up, very tasty. Minimal lunch rush when I visited but staff were so quick!! The place gives cozy casual vibes great for company or to just enjoy their menu. read more

Crave Restaurant - Grilled Beef Tri-Tip Dip Sandwich & Caprese Sandwich + snickerdoodle - Salad Near Me - Santa Ana, California

One of the best local spots in downtown Santa Ana! They have a pretty simple menu but packed with flavor. I feel like the sandwiches are a step up from any other sandwich spit! I love tuna & they serve up an amazing tuna melt. Because their sandwiches are wealthy in size I always just order a half paired with their soup of the day. Their soup of the days never misses the mark either. I personally like the meatball soup, tomato soup, mushroom, potato leek, chicken n rice, basically all of them! Considering I love the lunch menu, I'm not a fan of their breakfast. Nothing wrong with it, but for me, it doesn't hit! If you come during their lunch rush, expect a line. They have great customer service and they move fast. Parking can be an issue with limited metered parking, but you kind of almost expect this in any downtown area. If you are contemplating on stopping here, look no further, I highly recommend it! read more

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I love this place but I hate loving it because it's so busy during the lunch hour and inconvenient. There's a parking structure right around the corner with free parking for up to an hour. My favorite thing to get are the cookies! It's pretty dark inside but still has some good natural lighting. Overall, the food is good and well worth the wait. But there is a lot of hustle and bustle. read more

Wow, the restaurant was aptly named, because I indeed, will be craving it! Immediately upon arrival we were greeted with smiles and advised how everything works. Even working in this industry, trying a new place can be intimidating, and I've found myself standing there awkwardly, to the point where I've left. Not here! I felt more than welcome. The menu left me wanting to try a little of everything, and with their pick two, and ala carte options, I was sort of able to. I wish I took pictures, but since I took things to go, and didn't get to them until later, I forgot to. However, I assure you, everything was picture perfect! The salad was amazing and fresh, and so was the sandwich. I could tell the ingredients were of exceptional quality, even though I didn't research the place to that extent before trying it. This was such a relief, because I was just getting over being sick, and it was exactly what my body was craving, quality ingredients that were still comforting. I also tried the soup du jour, a roasted cauliflower soup, which isn't something I usually have, so I was a bit skeptical, but it was phenomenal! It had some quality cheese in there that made it divine, not to mention the fresh baked bread that accompanied it, as well as some butter, (which, I love a good quality butter, so I was glad it was there). That may have been some of the best bread I've ever had! To the point where I looked up the health benefits of sourdough, since I usually only eat whole grain. I also splurged on a blueberry muffin, which was also amazing, and had the top just like I like it, with almost like a caramelized sugar. As I stated, my order was to go, so I order a mimosa while I waited, and not 2 minutes later, before I could finish my drink, my order was ready (and I'm a fast drinker)! Arriving home, everything was packed perfectly, which can really affect a to go order. The right containers were in the right places, and there were utensils etc for everything! This is probably my all time favorite lunch experience, and I can't wait to return! The only improvement would be if they offered a full bar with espresso martinis. lol read more

Crave Restaurant - At the register. So cute! They're the good kind of fat lol - Salad Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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I'm honestly not sure why there are negative reviews. The only thing I can think of is that this place gets extremely busy, and when you're hungry, even a short wait can feel longer than it really is. And let's be real -when we're starving, certain things can set us off quicker than usual. I think that's what's happening with some of these comments. I've been coming here for over 10 years, and it's always been one of my favorite spots for breakfast and salads. My son and I have our usuals: the chicken melt, the tomato basil soup, the chicken kale salad, and the salmon bagel. Their açaí bowls are always fresh, and the French toast is amazing too.I just rarely make it in on the two days they offer it (Friday and Saturday), which I wish they'd expand because it's that good. And whenever I'm craving something sweet, the snickerdoodle cookies take care of it every single time. I also want to highlight the manager because he deserves it. Over the years, he's always struck me as someone who genuinely cares. About a month ago, my mom and I asked for lemons, and they had run out. He actually went to the surrounding businesses to find lemon wedges for us. That kind of effort says a lot about how he treats customers. Today, I watched him step in to help with a mocha when one of the girls seemed to be struggling. He didn't take over in a rude way he just wanted to make sure it came out right. Some people might misinterpret that, but not everyone learns or works the same way. Some need hands-on guidance, others need clear direction, and from what I've seen, he tries to support his team rather than overshadow them. After all this time, I still love this place. I can always count on a great breakfast, a fresh salad, or that chicken melt I never get tired of. I live in Newport Beach, and I don't mind the drive because their kale salad alone makes it worth it always filling, always fresh, and priced well. Still one of my go-to spots after all these years. read more

Busy sandwich shop with friendly staff. Ordered the veggie sandwich. Comes packed with fresh veggies and is filling. The bread could have been fresher - tasted off. The fresh squeezed lemonade is a must have - delicious! read more

I was in the area for jury duty and decided to check this place out for lunch. The reviews and menu looked promising. I ordered a 1/2 tuna melt and side spring salad. In total, it was $19 and change for a dine in order. The menu listed the combo as $14.99 and I realized after the fact that they charge 7% for dine in. Even with sales tax and dine in, I'm not sure how that added up to $19. Anyway, the tuna melt wasn't bad, but I didn't enjoy the dill. I looked back and didn't see dill mentioned in the description for tuna melt. The spring salad was also not bad, but I thought the dressing was a little too tangy. Overall, I'm not inclined to come back unless someone else wanted to go. They were very nice, but it's certainly pricey for what you get and was not amazing IMO. read more

Crave Restaurant - 1/2 tuna melt and spring salad - Salad Near Me - Santa Ana, California

I love the quality of the food at Crave. The vegan sandwich is very tasty. Definitely would recommend this place if you are in the area.

This place is GOOD! It is sour go to lunch spot in Santa Ana, it is always busy during lunch cause everyone knows they do it right! I get the same thing every time the Cobb salad and it is HUGE and very tasty! The two slices of homemade bread make it perfect! This is a great spot if you live or work near Santa Ana the whole menu is great and the ambience is always bustling. read more

Crave Restaurant - Crave Cobb Salad - Salad Near Me - Santa Ana, California

We had such a wonderful experience here thanks to the incredibly kind and accommodating staff. Although pancakes are usually only offered on weekends, we were dining during the week with a child who had their heart set on pancakes. The kitchen graciously made an exception and prepared them anyway, which absolutely made our day (and our child's!). The food was delicious, but what really stood out was the genuine hospitality and willingness to go above and beyond for their guests. It's rare to find that level of care, and it didn't go unnoticed. We'll definitely be back and highly recommend this place--especially for families. read more

We discovered the Crave as we just needed a place for lunch in the area, and what a find. We truly enjoyed our meal. We were greeted warmly and asked to order at their counter. We did not have a long wait for our meals to arrive. We both truly enjoyed our meals. Our sandwiches were fresh and delicious. We loved the sour dough bread. The chowder was very tasty as well. Loved the service. Enjoyed the fresh squeezed lemonade. Loved the atmosphere. I can't wait to go there again when in Santa Ana. read more

Crave Restaurant - 1/2 Hot Sandwich Combo Grilled Beef Tri.Tip Dip and Clam Chowder - Salad Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Very busy lunch spot that serves up Fresh, flavorful and big portions. Order at the counter and they bring your food- a great fast dining option. I had the sandwich and salad combo which consisted of their signature kale salad and tuna melt. Both were amazing. Great spot to grab lunch! read more

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I had been meaning to visit for a while, and today was finally the day! I invited a colleague for brunch, and we both were very happy with our experience and meals. - Service was friendly and attentive. - Our meals were generous and delicious. - The place was beautiful, space, and clean. I will definitely be back and will recommend to friends. What a hidden gem! read more

IDK what's going on with Crave, no menus available on their website and reading the comments by others, the owner doesn't seem to care anymore. It's too bad, we used to order once a week, but if the owner doesn't care to update their webpage, guess what - plenty of other locations in DTSA. read more

So glad to have found this place. The food and ambiance are great. Good options for non-meat eaters. I love the kale salad and the grilled veggie sandwich. The cookies look delicious although I haven't tried them yet. The staff is helpful and friendly. Highly recommend! read more

Crave Restaurant - 1/2 Hot Sandwich and Salad Combo (Grilled Veggie and Kale Salad) - Salad Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Huge servings!! Ya I'm a little person and wow! So tasty! Try for breakfast. Fabulous!

Excellent sandwiches and salads. Love the half tri tip sandwich, side salad goat cheese, berries and walnuts. Good tuna sandwich! Awesome cookies. I love crispy cookies. Saturday's have awesome crème brûlée French toast read more

I was here over the weekend. I had a great breakfast. It was the French toast combo. They used fresh and quality ingredients. Plus this guy at the counter gave my daughter a cookie as big as her face. I'll be back with my whole family next time. read more

Really cute breakfast/lunch place. We came in after a quick legal marriage ceremony down the street. Food was good, I was really in love with the homemade sourdough in my club. The pasta salad as my side wasn't my favorite, it lacked depth and salt. I think most of my party added salt/pepper to their food. My husband got the omelet and liked it but did add salt. The wrap looked a little dry but the fruit was super fresh. We also had someone get the French toast (not pictured) and it looked so good. Our food runner looked really annoyed the entire time and the staff wasn't very friendly overall except for the owner/manager who was really kind. He even topped off our mimosas before we left. I would come back but earlier in the day to be able to enjoy more. read more

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The food is super yummy and the coffee is delicious! Great service! Staff was super friendly :)

Came by on Friday for lunch. Ordered the 1/2 Tri Tip and Spring salad. Man o man! This sandwich is on fire!!! Tri Top cooked perfectly. Tender and juicy. The salad, wow! Perfect mix of greens, strawberries, blueberries, goat cheese and candied walnuts! A touch of balsamic glaze compliments this salad. Overall, very delicious! read more

Crave Restaurant - Tri Grilled Beef Tri.Tip Dip and Spring Salad - Salad Near Me - Santa Ana, California

I'm in love! I've visited here a few times and their drinks and food have been consistently delicious. I appreciate that they offer bottomless mimosas and their cookies are amazing! Got the pleasure of being helped by Dianna and Frank. Such great people with great vibes. They totally took their time to talk to us and accommodate us. Looking forward to visiting again! read more

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Been coming here for awhile and I always get the same thing. Their tri tip sandwiches with a side of green ranch like sauce, I know it sounds weird but it slaps read more

This place sucks. Bad service and everything was "out of stock". Pulled up the counter, ordered a drink, asked about adding "Sugar Free" syrup to my drink because IT IS LISTED ON THE MENU AS AN OPTION and this rude bald guy who was making drinks yells from behind the counter "Woah, woah, this ain't Starbucks homie!!". My initial reaction was WTF, then I thought to myself "who does this clown think he is?". Either way I decided not to make a scene since I was with my co-workers but any other day I would have given this entitled condescending prick a piece of my mind. Food was crappy as well, ordered a blueberry muffin that took 20 minutes to be "warmed up" and tasted like it was 2 weeks old. I don't think this place will be around for much longer and It's clear to see why. read more

It's not often that I risk driving a long distance to try a new breakfast place with my parents. First, my mom doesn't really like going out for breakfast, but she eats like a bird anyway, so wherever we end up, she's fine. My dad, though. He's a going-out-to-breakfast connoisseur. If I'm going to take him somewhere--and make him wait till later than he wants to eat breakfast, because I'm on vacation, and you can bet I'm not waking up early or even normal time on vacation--it had better be good. It took us longer than I thought it would to get drive to Crave, and we had to circle for a bit before finally settling on parking two blocks away. I was worried as we walked inside and as we ordered and as we waited for our order, but my dad like the interior almost immediately, and I could tell my mom was enjoying the atmosphere. It helped that the place was crowded with early lunchers from nearby businesses, including a huge groups of guys (and two women) in suits. My mom, the retired paralegal, quickly picked up on the fact that these were not only lawyers but litigators, and as I eavesdropped on their loud conversation, I could tell they were on one of those two-hour trial lunch recesses. Good eyes and ears and whits about you, Mom! It's been a while since we came here, so I don't remember what I had, but I remember that it was delicious. My dad enjoyed his food as well, and as we sat and people-watched (the lawyers were only part of a well balanced ensemble cast of characters), he liked the place more and more. My mom decided she was hungry after all, so she went up and ordered something. She liked her breakfast/light lunch as well. I definitely want to come back, but it's in such a random place that I doubt I ever will, unless I happen to get sued in the nearby courthouse. They do a brisk business, so you might have a wait a bit for your food, but it comes out relatively fast, and it's good. I don't understand why the black tablecloths are as large as they are--or why they use black tablecloths in the first place--but it's a quirky space, and it will probably grow on you. Pick your seat carefully, however, because it fills up quick, and you might be stuck somewhere you don't want to be. read more

If I lived here, I'd be here quite often. Portions are YUGE! Salads were excellent. I got an avocado toast thinking I'd be able to eat everything.... Yeah that wasn't happening lol avocado toast is 10/10! Services was great! Owner was there and made a point to greet everyone. You can tell that level of customer service translates to the staff as well. They made the food and it was just as good as the service. Good job Crave read more

Tomato soup: yum. Turkey melt: yum. Turkey melt: yum. Salads: yum. Breakfast sandwich: yum. Breakfast burrito: yum. Chocolate chip cookies: yum. Big fan of this place! read more

Had the warm roast beef and soup of the day. Food was very good , service timely and atmosphere good.

Had the new club sandwich. And I love club sandwiches. And this was an amazing club sandwich. Fully endorse. read more

Crave Restaurant - Club Sandwich with pasta salad. - Salad Near Me - Santa Ana, California

I stopped by this place for lunch during jury duty, and I was quite disappointed. (It was busy, which I understand, given the location, and that I went during rush hour.) My order was a 1/2 hot sandwich and 1/2 salad. I opted for the chicken melt, and unfortunately, it was the driest sandwich I've had to date. The flavor was lacking from the chicken breast. Which made my sandwich dry and sad. I don't know if the restaurant just forgot to include any sauce on my bread. However, the Caesar salad that came with the sandwich was decent though. I don't know if I will come back here again. I would describe this as a sad sandwich indeed. read more

STILL BEING SHADY WITH THE UNDISCLOSED TIP. They misled me into tipping them on top of the 7% tip they snuck in by not saying a word about it. Also, why add a mandatory tip when orders are taken at the COUNTER. read more

Best beef dip I've ever had, their cookies are amazing, their hot Caprese sandwich is bomb, their salads and soups are bomb... Crave has never disappointed in all the years I've been going there for lunch. I love this place, it's a happy place. Pull up! read more

I like Crave. They have good sandwiches. Quick and friendly service. The reason why I give them a 3 stars is bc twice now, they've been dishonest with their menus. The staff on the phone, and on social media would tell me their soup of the day is "Minestrone". I love Minestrone and I would get that every time. Crave have good Minestrone. But imagine my disappointment when I open my container only to find out that their soup of the day "Minestrone" is really just the "garden vegetables" soup from the previous day with red beans added on. !!! Yes!!! Crave, you can't fool us. I wouldn't be so upset if they just be honest and say it's vegetable soup... Even if it's 5 days in a row. But the fact that they tried to pull one on us and think they can fool us is why they're not getting top ratings. Adding beans to vegetable soup is not Minestrone Crave. Do better next time. read more

I work close by and this is my favorite place to have lunch. Their 1/2 sandwich and 1/2 salad or soup is what I get. It was always been really good food. I took away one star because one of the waitresses is pretty rude consistently but I take my food to go so problems solved. read more