True Food Kitchen - Palo Alto

Waiter was the worse waiter I’ve ever had and manager was not much better

Our waiter, Chris, was outstanding.

The pizza is good. There should be a separation of how the cheese pizza tastes versus the margherita.

The food server was very friendly and helpful, helped me to get my special request. This was the second time I ordered the item and it seemed like they gave me a lot less than the first time I had it. It made me feel a little bit cheated. Note- I probably should have said something when it first arrived. But the food tasted great, and I was glad they let me have my special request/change on the item. I love it that they serve water that is pure (not tap water). I wish they had more lower calorie meal options - in the 300 calorie range instead of 700 calorie range.

very busy night, waitstaff were overwhelmed but maintained professionalism, food was excellent as usual

The one star for the service is for the bussers.

To give some context - I had talked to the managers about the tables and seats not being clean on multiple occasions- the managers were apologetic, the busser however didn’t improve - to make things worse I could tell that they were talking between themselves about me, giving me angry looks (especially one busser who has been working there for a long time) this obviously doesn’t make for a nice dining experience.

I have been a regular here since this place opened but I am contemplating not going back if such abusive behavior is not discouraged. I am not going to give my patronage to a place like this.

I was hosting a birthday brunch and wanted everything to go well. I had been raving about True Food Kitchen and I was so relieved that our experience was just as I had been describing to my friends and family. The location was clean, staff was friendly and attentive and our server (Jamie) was amazing! She made our experience so pleasant and special. I really appreciated her efforts to make us feel comfortable and to answer any questions we had about the food and drinks. Thank you for quality service.

The waiter on the evening that were there was terrible. Served meal for 2 of us but almost 10-15 mins later served the 3rd person

Bad Organisation. Several tables free and prepared for guests, but the ladies in the front didn’t take the guests to the table. It was a huge line. We had a reservation, but we still had to wait 10 min. It is quite frustrating, to see so many table free and clean and prepared and also a huge line.
The food was great as always, but we can not go with friends there because in the evening, when it is full, it is always super loud. It was even difficult to order, as the waitress couldn’t hear us.
Also we got water after asking several times and several waitresses for water.

Food and service were excellent. Noice level was really high, so it was a little hard to hear.

New seasonal pizza, butternut squash, amazing! Staple dumplings were great, we enjoyed our dinners and loved the sweet birthday dessert! Thank you for a flawless night.

We eat here frequently. Our server Chris was THE BEST server we have had. I did input that our reservation was for my daughter's birthday, but that info was not picked up, nor mentioned. Little disappointing, so I just will not recommend here for birthdays.

This is the second time I've eaten at the Palo Alto location. Had the Poke bowl, which wasn't as impressive as the "Un-beet-able" burger last time. Fresh, tasty sauce, good variety, but serving size was quite small, considering the price. It filled about half the bowl, whereas other dishes are too much to eat at one sitting.
Our party ordered the Turkey burger and thai curry dish, both of which were well presented and tasty.
Servers are always polite, helpful but service can be a bit slow. We were at the restaurant for over an hour and a half, so this is not fast food.
I enjoy all the choices on the menu. The presentation and taste are consistently good, so will be happy to return again. Glad to see a restaurant with plant forward menu items.

My friend and I had a great first time experience. We had a great server and the food was so different, healthy and delicious. The fish tacos and the pea flower sparkling tea was so out of this world. It is now one of top of my list to go back to and try their other dishes. An amazing concept.

Food was delicious as always. Though not full, was very noisy tonight and we could barely hear each other talk. Waitress was friendly but busy, so much so she forgot to bring us hot water that my wife wanted. Only when the food was delivered did we ask the wait staff to bring her hot water. Two bites into her salmon, she noticed that the usual pesto was quite sparse and tried to get someone’s attention for a while, finally a guy stopped by and she asked him to bring more sauce and he returned with a tin of salad dressing! Wife flagged him down and said no, the green sauce, he replied Pesto? It came and we cleaned our plates. Then our waitress came by and ask if all’s good, left before we could say anything,

The food at all of the True Foods Kitchens have really gone downhill over the past few years. Been to the ones in Denver, Walnut Creek and Palo Alto and they have been consistently mediocre. They seem to do a good business so many people still like it. The food seems very thrown together-like mass market. Wouldnt recommend them any more and we will definitely not be going back.

We are constantly dining here because of menu changes every season which is pretty amazing because it features the local produces and local fruits that are in season today.
Our last visit was for a birthday. Our server Kealynn was amazing. She was on top of her game and she was constantly assuring us that everything is doing fine. Our pizza first came out burnt and she was kind enough to inform us that it has happened and that the company would take care of it— which again is kind of them. Kaelynn delivered excellence until the end. Would definitely come back again.

It was my birthday,

We were seated right outside of the bathrooms, and had a hard time hearing our server. The food seemed to be fresh and healthy. Very small dessert menu. Talking was difficult as the noise level was very very high. Everyone enjoyed their food, so we talked later after we left the restaurant.

Everything was good just way overpriced imo

The service was very slow. They took 10 mins just to get water and probably 15 mins to get the drinks we ordered. The food itself came after 45 mins. The food is not worth the wait.

Outstanding menu of fresh, seasonal, high-quality foods with great variety of appealing vegetarian options. Everything we ordered (party of four, appetizers and entrees) was delicious. Two favorites: roasted cauliflower appetizer with pistachios and butternut squash/carmelized onion/cranberry pizza. Can’t wait to go back!

I was pleasantly surprised at the menu options. Everything we ordered was great!

The arugula pizza was a joke! It’s literally the pizza pie with some tomato sauce and a handful of arugula thrown on top. That’s pathetic and is embarrassing to put out as a dish by any chef’s standards. I’d expect better from such a well established restaurant. The vegan options here need some MAJOR attention and overhaul!

The service was fantastic and the food is fresh and absolutely delicious! This was my second time there and they proved they're consistent in great food and great service. Will definitely go back whenever I'm at Stanford.

The drinks here (even non-alcoholic) are unique and worth the price; service is friendly; atmosphere is nice; food is made with fresh, healthy ingredients. We made a reservation in advance online, and they seated us at the best possible table outside for our baby. We appreciated that they did that. It's worth it to make a reservation!

It is mostly delicious but be prepared not to get the same taste when you order the same dish different times.

The preparation of the dishes was well done and looked after. The service was excellent too. Unfortunately, the noise inside the restaurant was terrible and it was difficult to follow the conversation with my friends.

Great people, great food, great service!

Another EXCELLENT meal at True Food. Truly a classy place. They have turned me and all of my dinner guests into True Fans.

This is the first time I've eaten at the Palo Alto location. Had the "Un-beet-able" burger, and shared the guacamole, both of which were delicious. Our party ordered the Cobb and the Inside Out quinoa burger, both of which were well presented and tasty. Servers are always polite, attentive/helpful but service can be a bit slow. Loved the menu variety - something for everyone. Inside, the noise is frankly deafening... but not a deterrent, if you are ready for it. Glad to see a restaurant with plant forward menu items. Will be happy to return again.

THE AMBIENT NOISE WAS OVERPOWERING AND OBNOXIOUS.
THE SERVICE WAS ACCEPTABLE.
THE FOOD WAS DISAPPOINTING.
THE EXPERIENCE WAS TOO COSTLY.

Great menu

Expensive but good quality food

Food was very good , service was ok.The interior is large and noisy.Overall a good to go place, and with time it can be improved .Healthy choices and interesting menu, and the food is very good.

Delicious plant based meals. Very refreshing and relaxing atmosphere. Great Service!

This chain restaurant is the epitome of fast-casual, but they might to work on food preparation. I love their edamame dumplings when done correctly, but on this visit to the Palo Alto location they were huge – looked like an oversized disk. The dumplings tasted like sandpaper. I had the Mediterranean (overcooked) chicken with too much quinoa. My companion had the salmon and judged it as fair with too many other items in the dish which obscured the salmon. For dessert, we shared the flourless chocolate cake and it was pretty bad; hard, dry, and tasteless. We didn’t finish it nor did we finish the ice cream. Service is often a miss at the True Food Kitchen locations. Here, as in the other locations, lots of friendly, smiling, and preening 20-somethings who can’t seem to hear, incorrectly takes the original order, and can’t clarify items on the menu without “checking” with someone. The one thing I dislike about this chain restaurant is their cavernous spaces: tall ceilings, slick surfaces, and nothing to absorb the sound. Having a pleasant conversation isn’t remotely possible – you have to scream to be heard. The Palo Alto location was no different so we moved outside. Would I return to this location? I don’t think so. Everything here says “chain” – from the mediocre service, to the less than average food, to the non-descript interiors.

My waiter was very helpful, kind and accommodating. The rest of my party were very late in arriving at the restaurant, and my waiter was very understanding and checked on me frequently to ask if everything was okay with me and my friends.

I was surprised to discover that I could not get phone nor wifi service inside the restaurant, especially for being in Silicon Valley. This made it impossible for me to communicate with my friends and find out why they were running late. It would be great if you offered free wifi access to your customers.

Other than that, the restaurant is great, amazing food, attentive service, and terrific staff!

We took a friend who had not dined there before and boy did we make points for a good choice! Dining outside is the way to go if you want to have a conversation without having to yell, they have a lovely patio area. The food is great, the new seasonal menu is perfect for the changing weather. Don't miss out on the brussel sprouts and edamame dumplings and chia seed pudding.

Great attentive waiter. Love the open airy feel. Menu full of choices even for this non meat eater. Food came fast. Our meals were good although I’d say my poke bowl was a little small. Busy at lunch - get ready for a wait but worth it!!