Love how bright and clean original grain looks and feels, feels as if it gives me energy when walking in. I ended up coming here during the day after grabbing my coffee from Milano bean. The options for food here feel endless and there's a great variety. It's difficult to decide! I went with the bonzai beef on French bread and it was delicious and more than enough. I took half home with me. They have a great selection of hot sauces that are delicious to give some added spice to anything you're eating and their siracha they have available it's very good also. Overall a very welcoming atmosphere with great staff and food. The wait got my sandwich wasn't long at all either which was great!! Excited to try more in the future! read more

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What a great little spot! I arrived here on a random Thursday mid morning. It wasn't busy at all. Which I purposely waited mid morning for. When I walked in I was greeted right away. Everyone was polite and courteous. The menu has nice options for light healthy bites. Dairy free. Gluten free. Vegan. Very much appreciated. I ordered the eggman on gluten free bread to go. When I went to grab my order as it was ready and left out the door, I noticed allll the beverages that I guess I didn't see listed on the menu. Olli pop mainly (my favorite). If i was the business owner i would put those right up front. If i would have seen those when i walked in I probably would've bought two. When i arrived home. I opened my to go container. Everything looked delicious and tasted fresh. The one thing i was surprised and would have asked for was the bread to be toasted. I do not like having mashed avocado on a slice of plain bread. I'm a beige betty who likes her avocado toast. Overall, the experience is not one to keep me away. I will surely be back to try more things on the menu. read more

Original Grain - Plant lady dream come true. In the middle of the dining area. - Cafeteria Near Me - Syracuse, New York

This was one of my go-to lunch spots because they offered quick service, healthy ingredients, and a gorgeous interior. Unfortunately, I feel like the quality of ingredients has gone downhill in the past couple of years, and it doesn't taste as fresh or flavorful. This place was always on the pricier end for a quick bite for lunch, but I thought it was worth it for the quality of the ingredients. But with the quality and freshness going down, the prices aren't as worth it anymore. With that said, they still offer a wide selection of grain bowls, smoothie bowls, and drinks. Paired with the bright and modern interior in the heart of Syracuse it still makes a decent lunch spot. read more

The service is not great. No one really greeted us. I was standing around looking at the menu and attempting to get someone to take my order while the 4 employees working were joking among themselves. They gave me the meal (to go) and the wrong sauce read more

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This was my first visit to Original Grain. I found the area for ordering food to be confusing. There are several signs pointing to where to order, which makes it confusing. Do I order at the cash register or where they're making sandwiches? And the coffee ordering area is separate, so can I order a coffee with my lunch? Yes, I could. I got the CaliforniaClub on a baguette which was very filling and messy. I ended up not eating all if the bread and using a knife and fork. When I picked up the sandwich to eat it, parts fell out. In hindsight, having as a wrap would have been much better. read more

Original Grain - California Club - Cafeteria Near Me - Syracuse, New York

I was in Syracuse tonight dropping my kids at the movies and I wanted something new, healthy and delicious and I found this place and absolutely loved it! I got the Salmon poke bowl and mocha rush smoothie. The prices are fair for the quality and amount you get:) the service was super friendly and fast. The ambience was chill and had lots of neat skater decor. There is a public bathroom as well that is available and very clean. Highly recommend and will come again:) read more

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First time here and this place was insanely amazing!!! We were looking for a healthy breakfast spot that still was a local spot with charm and good food. This place checked all those boxes and more. My fiancé, future mother in law as I shared the toasts, bowl and smoothie (not pictured) and everything was soooooooo good. I cannot even begin to describe the flavor combos and how melt in your mouth it was. When you're in Syracuse next time give this place a visit!! read more

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I love this place. It is definitely my top 5 places to grab a quick bite in Syracuse. Only flaw is that they're closed on Sundays. They have a variety of options like toasts, smoothies, smoothie bowls, sandwiches, salads, etc. They're healthy and tasty! You can order online and Grubhub them which is always a plus. Service is quick and the inside vibe is great. They have seating outside in the warm months too! read more

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Cute little place with options for a wrap, sandwiches & rice bowls. It had a smoothie station too! I had a veggie wrap which had cheese, pickled onions, lettuce, shredded carrots and some dressings. Good spot for quick lunch. read more

Original Grain - Veggie Wrap - Cafeteria Near Me - Syracuse, New York

The food is undeniably good BUT, the service is poor at best. I ordered online at 11:20am, the text response stated, "Your order will be ready on 3/14/2025 at 11:50am". I arrived at 11:50, they said it was being prepared. I didn't get my food until 12:10. So, for 20 minutes I observed a team that acted indifferent to one another, exhibited no sense of urgency and, little interest in what they were supposed to be doing...prepping food. Had this been the first time it happened you wouldn't be reading this but, last time it resulted in getting a $40 parking ticket. My own fault, when the food not ready I should have gone back to the car. Optimism cost me. The dude with the RedSox hat was the only one that had displayed energy and a sense of urgency. Good food, sub-par service. read more

Yummy easy and healthy option. I always build my own bowls. Has good vegan options but wish they had more. The miso carrot dressing is yummy. Be sure to try their hot sauces - some are VERY spicy read more

Got my pinkety drinkety. So so good and refreshing on a hot day! Got it post workout and added a scoop of protein. Def will be back! read more

Original Grain - Pink Jam - Cafeteria Near Me - Syracuse, New York

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I had someone get me a Pink Jam and advised them to make sure it is dairy free. They came back with my "smoothie" which they told me was "doubled up" on Coconut Milk as to leave out the dairy yogurt. I tasted it and it tasted like ice and coconut milk. For $7.50 , they should have doubled up on the fruit.... So they ended up adding fruit and it still tasted terrible. I think their fruit was not ripe or something because it tasted like unripe banana and white unripe strawberries. Anyway, all I wanted was a delicious smoothie. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. I'm giving them 4 stars for trying to rectify the problem, but don't go here for smoothies. read more

Original Grain - Cafeteria Near Me - Syracuse, New York

I've always liked Original grain's food and it seems very fresh. I enjoy their açaí bowls and Buddha bowl. I want to try some other dishes as they have a wide variety of options. The interior is very cute for a quick bite. I usually get their PBJ açaí bowl. They're not stingy with the toppings, which is nice. Not too expensive either. Only complaint is they don't have a nut-free granola. I feel like they should implement that considering how common that allergy is. Maybe I'm biased. They did let me substitute other toppings, much appreciated. read more

Original Grain - Buddha Bowl - Cafeteria Near Me - Syracuse, New York

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Could not be happier with this place as a lunch spot! I was able to place an order online for pickup, and it was ready for me as soon as I got there. The restaurant itself is very cool, it has good music playing and everyone seems happy to work there. It just gave the vibe of "come hang out with us". My bowl (kung-pow chicken) was delicious, I got it on a bed of soba noodles. The serving size was plentiful for the price, and everything was fresh and seasoned perfectly. They gave a generous amount of sauce too on the side. read more

Original Grain - Kung-Pow Chicken - Cafeteria Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Visited a few months back. Because of COVID, one door was only for order pickups, and you're supposed to use the other for ordering. I visited in the off-time, in between lunch and dinner, around 3ish maybe. As luck would have it, there was a little bit of a rush when I arrived. Had to wait a few minutes because of the bump, and when I did get served the cashier seemed a little tense. I'm chalking that up to the "supposed to be slow but suddenly we're a bit busy" situation (I worked at a cafe once, I get it,) or maybe the cashier was just having a bad day. Not a huge deal, but service was a little uncomfortable for a minute. Other than that, my experience was pleasant. The interior is gorgeous, and it's a real shame that dine-in isn't a viable option. The high ceilings, light wood, bright yellow, and hanging lamps make for a nice ambiance. Very social media sharable, but also nice to hang out in. Might stop in and linger once that's an option, though probably in non-busy times. I ordered the Love You Matcha smoothie bowl. When I ate it a couple of hours later, it still tasted fresh. The flavors complimented each other well-- the mango and pineapple gave it a nice tang. Also enjoyed the textures, the coolness and smoothness of the smoothie blend, fruit for substance, and granola for crunch. Eating this, you feel good about yourself. There's not many healthy options in Syracuse, but this place is definitely a winner! read more

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"Issa Vibe". Original Grain in downtown Syracuse is making its name well known, offering quality and quantity in an environment that any hip, cool individual can enjoy. The aesthetic is clean, modern and caters to everyone from health conscious fitness enthusiasts, young SU students and the mall walkers that take their A game to the streets of downtown. No matter your age, good food is good food. Personally, I'm a huge fan of the OG bowls for lunch and dinner. Specifically Hail Kale Chicken Bowl: which boasts some of the most tender and flavorful chicken on this side of the Mississippi. The homemade sauce compliments the bowl like no other. In the morning their coffee and smoothies will help get your day started on the right foot. I've yet to try their avocado toast but it always looks good. 'OG' is what the kids are calling it these days. They've never disappointed with their food or service, the owners of this establishment are bringing dope restaurants to CNY. It's locally owned and operated, but I could see OG in every US city in a few years. Give them a try, you will not regret it. "Issa Vibe". Original Grain in downtown Syracuse is making its name well known, offering quality and quantity in an environment that any hip, cool individual can enjoy. The aesthetic is clean, modern and caters to everyone from health conscious fitness enthusiasts, young SU students and the mall walkers that take their A game to the streets of downtown. No matter your age, good food is good food. Personally, I'm a huge fan of the OG bowls for lunch and dinner. Specifically Hail Kale Chicken Bowl: which boasts some of the most tender and flavorful chicken on this side of the Mississippi. The homemade sauce compliments the bowl like no other. In the morning their coffee and smoothies will help get your day started on the right foot. I've yet to try their avocado toast but it always looks good. 'OG' is what the kids are calling it these days. They've never disappointed with their food or service, the owners of this establishment are bringing dope restaurants to CNY. It's locally owned and operated, but I could see OG in every US city in a few years. Give them a try, you will not regret it. read more

Original Grain - My lover featuring Kale Yeah Chicken Bowl - Cafeteria Near Me - Syracuse, New York

I've been waiting for months to try this place! They have great variety of choices with toast pitas healthy bowls sandwiches, smoothies. It was so hard to choose which sandwich I wanted but went classic and got the CBR sandwich. It was basically chicken bacon and ranch but that combo with the bread and the sauce they use was heaven. I also had to get a smoothie and among the choices it was so hard especially with the special of the month. I went with the peanut butter choco smoothie because that combination is everything anyway. They give the option of adding in extras so of course I chose some caffeine! The ratio of the combo was perfect and I didn't even feel full. I can't wait to return here and try the toast another smoothie or even one of the pitas or bowls . The amount of food they give you for the price is worth it! I can't wait for the rochester location to open on the weekends cause I would go more often! read more

Original Grain - Cafeteria Near Me - Syracuse, New York

This is an awesome place. Delicious food, good location and great atmosphere. Highly recommend. read more

Original Grain - great atmosphere. - Cafeteria Near Me - Syracuse, New York

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First time at OG and I ordered the salmon poke bowl. They ran out of noodles so I chose kale. The bowl was huge and there were 5 very small pieces of salmon in my bowl. It also comes with spicy sauce (which is a spicy Mayo) and sesame ginger dressing. They didn't put enough spicy sauce and the bowl started to lose flavor. Pretty disappointing when I'm spending $14 for a salmon bowl, get 5 tiny pieces of salmon and limited spicy sauce read more

When I worked downtown a couple of years ago when Original Grain first opened, it was my favorite lunch place. The food was so fresh and tasty and the staff were friendly and pleasant. I was downtown for an appointment recently, and was excited to return to local favorite. I have to say I was disappointed. The food was not as good as I remember it and the staff was not as friendly. I won't rush back. read more

Original Grain - Great Swell used to come with an attractive drizzle of sauce, but this excessive goop ruins the esthetic - Cafeteria Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Staff seemed like they didn't want to be there. Food was made with super poor quality ingredients, but the smoothie was excellent.

It was my first visit. This place is kinda clean eatery restaurant. I ordered salmon poke w/ brown rice & my husband ordered Thai bowl w/ brown rice. Both really taste good. I just wish that the source of salmon poke has more kick. But other than that, the restaurant it self is really clean & blight, Lots options to clean eat, ah and drink was also taste good! Highly recommend if you wanna eat something healthy! read more

Original Grain - Cafeteria Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Original grain has a variety of salads, sandwiches, toasts, smoothies, and coffee drinks. There are multiple different lines to order at depending what you are getting which is kind of chaotic and confusing if you are getting multiple different things. The food is somewhat expensive and as it is busy inside can take a while to come out. The music was being played very loudly and it was difficult to hear names being called as they were being shouted from the multiple lines. I had a mocha rush smoothie which was good but relatively small. I also had smashed avocado toast which was tasty but not particularly special. This restaurant feels very trendy but not very substantial. read more

Food was great. Service was quick. The girl who made my wrap was really sweet. Probably the healthiest vegan option there is in/around Syracuse. The quality of fresh ingredients was excellent. The only feedback I'd give, pita was pretty hard. Could only eat half of it. I will absolutely return! :-) read more

Original Grain - Manana Pita - Cafeteria Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Call me basic, but I love a good acai bowl. Turns out, it's not so trendy in Syracuse yet, but with a spot like Original Grain downtown, you don't even need other options. I stopped by for breakfast craving a smoothie bowl. After going back and forth between a few options, I landed on the Green Thumb with matcha, kale, apple, banana, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, mango and bee pollen. That's right, not even acai in this beauty but it was oh so delicious. It's all blended with coconut milk and yogurt which made it a creamy and super filling. As others have mentioned, the mango on top was frozen which is not ideal, but it kept my bowl cold and thawed out over time. I scooped up every last bite! To sip, I got a canned nitro cold brew from Glen Edith Coffee Roasters. I'm sure you can find this other places but I'm so happy it was available here. One of the best canned cold brews I've had! It wasn't too busy on a Friday morning so wait time wasn't a problem like others have mentioned. If you are concerned, it's awesome you can order ahead for delivery or pickup online. So yes, perhaps poke bowls, matcha lattes, avocado toast, acai bowls, and chia seed pudding are all trendy, but this #basic girl craves it ALL and it's so nice Syracuse has an option to satisfy. read more

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Super cute, healthy lunch spot in downtown Syracuse. Certainly not inexpensive- I would use this as a "treat yoself" spot. Many tempting salad, grain bowl, and sandwich options and lots of variation as far as meat, vegetarian, and dressings. The flavors my pb & jelly smoothie bowl were knockout and it was just the right amount of sweet. Avocado toast was better than good and the bread itself was dense, grainy and delish! Would love to try more of their menu! read more

Original Grain - Pb and j smoothie bowl, swapped coconut for Reece's puffs - Cafeteria Near Me - Syracuse, New York

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For Syracuse, this is a pretty cute spot! The layout has a cool, hipster vibe to it. Especially with the rope fixtures and menu board. I've been here twice and have been pretty satisfied with both of my meals. I got a smoothie bowl once and a korean beef burrito. The rice was a little hard on the burrito but otherwise good! And the smoothie bowl was sweet & left me feeling very healthy! Which is always a good sign. The only downside is that the prices are fairly high. You end up spending around $10 min for most items on the menu after taxes. Which is fair since it's one of those healthier options, but it's still hard for me to justify read more

My go to spot. They get really busy during lunch time so keep that in mind. Really chill vibe if you go not during the lunch rush, especially in the afternoon The food is always fresh and delicious. read more

Decent poke bowl...with huge, bottomless portions. I ordered a salmon bowl with greens which not only was good but something you can feel good about eating. Clean food in a clean establishment. read more

I was thrilled when I found this place. Places like this are unfortunately few and far between. So many healthy, and trendy, food options. The vibe was great and the service was spectacular. I went with the great swell during my first visit and a smoothie bowl (The Flash) and avocado toast during the second visit. All of it was fantastic. My only complaint was the amount of tuna that was in the great swell. For as much as I paid, I expected more protein. If they upped the portion size for their proteins, I'd have given them 5 stars read more

Original Grain - Great Swell - Cafeteria Near Me - Syracuse, New York

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Took forever waited for so long got asked twice what I was waiting on. A singular bowl shouldn't take 20 minutes

A Syracuse classic! A short Uber or car ride from Syracuse University, Original Grain has a great menu of different fun healthy but delicious foods! I absolutely love the combination they have for their avocado toast, as well as lots of their smoothies. They have great bowl options, as well as sandwiches and there really is an option for everyone. Very conscious of dietary restrictions as well. Great for brunch (they have some special items only on weekends) or a hearty sandwich or bowl for lunch or dinner. Great for groups too! read more

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Original Grain, a "fast casual" restaurant serving healthy food like grain and sushi bowls, blended teas and more, was brought to Downtown through a partnership between three young, pro-downtown Syracuse entrepreneurs: Matt Godard, owner of the Cafe Kubal coffee roasters and retail shops; Eric Hinman, owner of Urban Life Athletics fitness gym; and Chris Bily, a former partner in the Modern Malt gastro diner in Armory Square. The grain bowls, featuring bases like quinoa, and other healthful options will be familiar to those who have been to CoreLife Eatery, an "active lifestyle" restaurant that opened adjacent to the Chuck Hafner's Farm Stand at Taft and Buckley roads in North Syracuse last year. Godard calls that a "fair comparison," but says Original Grain brings a more "West Coast" influence to the idea, by bringing things such as acai berries, yellowfin tuna, poke sushi bowls and kelp noodles to the menu, staying true to their "Cali Vibes. NY Fresh," tagline. Bottled water, coffee, tea, bottled kombucha, draft beers and smoothies round out the beverage menu. The space at 302 S. Salina St is an ideal location to appeal to the Downtown Syracuse crowd. I've now been here twice, the first time on my own and the second for a recent Yelp Elite Event. The inside is a very nicely, modernly decorated space, but is right on the line of almost too hipster. I let it slide, cause there are tributes to 90s acts like Notorious B.I.G. around, and being a huge Biggie fan, it made me go a little lighter on my assessment. However, the order set up is a tad confusing. The counter facing South Salina Street looks like the right spot, but the overhead menu board lists only drinks, smoothies and breakfast items. Turn your head around the corner to the right towards the angled side of the counter and you'll see the heart of the menu. The first time I was here, once I figured out how/where to order, I went with their Ruckus sandwich, the name being an homage to 90s hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan's hit single "Bring Da Ruckus." The Ruckus is a sandwich on brioche, filled with braised short rib, pickled onions, avacado, jalepenos, and OG's rad sauce. Sandwich was made relatively quickly and was delicious. The meat was great, and the pickled onions, jalapenos and avacado added a sweet, tangy, crunchy texture. It was also piled HIGH with meat. A $9 sandwich, but they definitely give you your money's worth on it. I finally got a chance to give them a second go recently for a Yelp Elite Event. They offered us pulled chicken/pork sliders and several different kinds of their nori wraps. I was excited to try the nori wraps, as I'd stayed away from them not sure whether or not I would like them, but I surprisingly very much enjoyed them. They offered us 3 different kinds - Korean short rib, bahn mi and "mana, nah", their vegetarian version and my personal favorite of the three. It's a big space, but the way it's set up, I wouldn't recommend coming with a big group for a sit down meal. They also like to blast the music, so a lot of yelling over it if you're looking to converse with your guest. The employees are all very nice and pleasant to deal with. Overall, I like the place. Being downtown, it's not a place I'll come all the time since it's just not my scene, but I'd definitely recommend everyone giving it a try. read more

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Looooooove. I'm pretty sure Original Grain is the only healthy restaurant in Syracuse. They're also so good about the pandemic. Hand sanitizer at the ready and all staff wearing masks and gloves, I felt very safe. The food is incredible. Great flavors, superb quality, and I feel amazing after eating. I've had a smoothie bowl and a veggie bowl so far. Walking distance from the Marriott. Food is served quickly and for a decent price. This place deserves nothing less than 5 stars. read more

Original Grain - Cute decor! - Cafeteria Near Me - Syracuse, New York

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This was not the restaurant I was looking for but what a pleasure that this was the restaurant I found. Looking for a special local experience in downtown SYR, I stopped at Original Grain for a sandwich treat. The Bahn Mi Pita had great flavor and just the right amount of heat - pickled onions, shredded carrots and cukes with cilantro - yum! (I skipped the jalapeños). But... the chicken is not shredded despite being advertised as such and is wet (there will be a pool in the bottom of your plastic to-go container). My biggest beef (sorry for the pun) with this Vietnamese-inspired sandwich is not that a bahn mi should be served in a baguette - not my issue - rather, I struggle with a sandwich that has to be eaten with a fork. The wet chicken and soft pita will cause it all to fall apart after one bite. Let's be honest - the flavor is worth it... but it's messy and not a handheld. The restaurant is a small triangle so tables are few and social d is a stretch. But I will be back. Did I mention yum? read more

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Finally got the chance to try out OG for lunch and I'm hooked on their poke bowl! I tried the ahi tuna poke bowl and it was delicious, filling and so fresh! I actually split my bowl into two separate meals since I also had half the Korean short rib nori wrap. I didn't think this was as good particularly as the short rib was very dry and there was a lot of rice rolled into that wrap which didn't help with the dryness. I really wanted to like it but the flavor of the short rib was also lacking. Maybe the other nori wraps are better, I'll have to try them out another time. The ambiance is pretty contemporary, with lots of lights and an open floor plan. You can actually see all the ingredients they use for the meals, kind of like at chipotle since it is set up like an assembly line. It isn't really clear where to order but at least the staff were friendly. It was packed during lunch so try to take it to go if you can. They offer smoothies but that is a separate line from the bowls and food. Overall, OG is a great lunch spot if you're looking for fresh and healthy meals that can be taken to go. I understand why some people complain about the price, but for the quality of the food, I think it's worth it. read more

Original Grain - Great swell grain bowl - Cafeteria Near Me - Syracuse, New York

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I came to OG on a saturday afternoon, I was excited because I've only heard great things about the food here. The ordering counters were CLUSTERF*CKED and confusing. There was no direction and just pure chaos with the amount of people at the counter. I finally just picked a register and ordered the korean short rib nori wrap ($8) and a great swell grain bowl ($14). The seating areas were dirty and sticky. I asked one of the waitresses about the stickiness of the counter space and she states that it was normal and always sticky due to the wax of the counter.. FIX THIS SHIZ THEN!!!! its gross!!! ... I digress, I get my items and my jaw dropped because I have seen these magical creations on social media, and then I look at my order and it isn't even comparable to what they advertise. The food was unbearable and underwhelming. Could not finish my meal because of its lack of flavor/taste/ anything. I was utterly dissapointed. I might try again due to proximity but I definitely need some convincing. read more

Original Grain - Great swell grain bowl (14) - Cafeteria Near Me - Syracuse, New York

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I have a severe gluten allergy, which I marked on the Uber Eats app, wrote in the order notes, and called the restaurant about directly after placing the order and my order was delivered with croutons. I have never had an issue with Original Grain before this, and when I called the woman who I spoke to was extremely rude and spoke to me with lots of attitude, despite this being a food safety issue. I am extremely disheartened with the treatment I received and urge no one else with a severe allergy to order from this establishment again. read more

Staff is so nice and the food is fresh and delicious. Many vegan and gluten free options! Highly recommend!