After passing by Tender Greens in the Irvine Spectrum ever since they first opened, I finally got the opportunity to check it out. In fact, I’ve already been twice! (Once in Culver City, and once at the UCI center). With twenty-four locations (11 in Southern California I believe), it is a convenient, easy stop for me to get a healthy, delicious meal whenever I am out and about.

At the UCI location, I had the chance to meet the head chef, Rian. Each Tender Greens has their own chef- and they are allowed freedom to create daily menu specials.. I love this! Rian, one of the original chefs of TG, filled me with knowledge about the company. Everything is made fresh daily and is chef-inspired. Seasonal ingredients are always put to use; hence the menu specials.

Another great aspect of Tender Greens (other than the food)? The service. Both times I have dined at TG, I have felt at home and treated so kindly by all the team members. Really appreciate this!

So, on to the food! The menu is not huge- it pretty much encompasses salads, plates ( meat & mashed potatoes), sandwiches, and a couple side dishes. No worries to me, though, because the salads and sandwiches are awesome! Some items I have really enjoyed include :

• Chipotle BBQ Salad – You really can’t go wrong with a bbq salad… 😉 Delish!
• Harvest Salad – This is a very light, seasonal, refreshing salad. Right now it has strawberries, oranges, goat cheese, hazelnuts, & pumpkin seeds. I loved this combination of ingredients; I just wished it was bigger. It is listed as a “big salad” but, to me, it was more like a side salad.
• The Happy Vegan Salad – Love that they have vegan options! I surprisingly really enjoyed this salad- although from first looks, it seems a little strange! 4 portions of green hummus, farro, quinoa, & tabbouleh- topped with some baby greens. I felt super nutrient-packed afterwards!
• Chipotle BBQ Sandwich – Oooohh baby that was a good sandwich! Aioli & roasted red peppers on my favorite Rockenwagner Ciabatta bread? I’m in!
• Crostini served with salad – KILLER! You will want like 10 of these (if you are a bread-a-holic like me).

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Sauce Boss Suggestions : Aioli , cilantro lime vinaigrette , roasted garlic vinaigrette, chipotle BBQ sauce , & dill dressing

*Tender Greens has SO many AWESOME homemade dressings !

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All in all? Check it out! If you’re looking for a healthy, but tasty, lunch or dinner in a casual setting- Tender Greens! If you’re vegan- Tender Greens! If you just love salad like me – Tender Greens!