Chopped Leaf — Restaurant in Saanich

It was one of the truly hot days of the summer. I wanted something light and cool, so I decided to give Chopped Leaf a try.

I decided on the Signature salad, with added steak. I asked about the steak twice, but didn't get a clear answer. I just wanted to know if the meat was AAA quality.

The salad came quickly. I was starving, so tucked in. It appeared to be composed of the pre-washed mixed green that you can get at Superstore. I could detect no feta, or sun-dried cranberries. There were a couple of slivers of red onion and plenty of basalmic vinegar. I didn't notice any oil.

The steak was the worst steak I can ever recall eating since that piece of meat I forced myself to eat at Applebee's in Lynnwood, Washington about twelve years ago.

One of the staff told me that the "steak" was actually cooked elsewhere then quickly warmed up in their convection oven. It tasted like I would imagine that old, microwaved, leftover hamburger must taste.

I suggested that they remove meat from their menu. I can only imagine how the dry, skinless, reheated, corporate chicken must taste.

In summary, I like their concept, but would like to see Chopped Leaf fully lean into high quality vegetarian food. Each ingredient should be fully present in the dish offered. If savings are important, reduce the ingredients so that only top quality remains.

I paid between $17-$18 for a dish that tasted like it couldn't have cost more than $4 to make. In comparison, the simple Caesar salad at Just Jake's in Duncan is over $18, but is really flavourful and satisfying. I wouldn't mind paying $24 if the salads really slapped.

If I was to ever visit Chopped Leaf again, I would try the Mediterranean salad, hold the pita chips, add avocado.

This concept could really hit the target if they would work on...

I am giving this a 2 star review for a couple of reasons. We use this place a few times for staff lunch meetings and have it delivered. The last time they sent us someone else's order, which was no no big deal until we called to get it corrected. We were told they were too busy to deal with it and we could come pick it up .This defeats the purpose as we are in a meeting . I asked them to deliver in a cab as it was their mistake. We were told that they were not going to do that. Finally I had to have someone leave their job to go pick up. The wraps were all pushed across the counter to her and when she asked for a bag they said . . . Sorry we are too busy . Too busy to put 6 wraps in a bag? How does that even make sense? The food is good we always enjoyed it , but if staff has that attitude and their hands are tied when they make mistakes , this isn't a place we will continue to give our business to or recommend to our clients. I did send a feedback letter but...

Had the Hippie Cobb salad.... Paid for a full size...it was medium sized. Had so much siracha or cayenne or some such heat in the salad dressing as to make it inedible, and I am a spice/heat fan in many foods. Also generally overdressed and waaay to much bacon bits. Drowned $10 salad flagged by a single rock hard triangle of some sort of bread product...was it supposed to be a pita chip? Didnt try it, too hard. Also purchased a lime and cranberry water (refillable for $1.50) which chilled overnight with the lime peel and so water tasted only like bitter peel and pith... Ew. Undrinkable. hint: unless you half the cranberries for flavor theyre just there for show. Manager VERY nicely exchanged it for an unsweetened mango tea, which is lovely. I ate about half the salad, and departed, mouth on fire and declined to complain about the dressing, assuming I did not see the type of dressing in the description. Small (maybe 6oz?) cup of soup is $5ish. Will...