Café Zupas — Restaurant in Las Vegas

I first tried Café Zupas with an old co-worker at a different Las Vegas location back on 5 Aug 2020 and the experience was so wonderful that I wanted to bring my family to try it. Approximately a month or so later, my family and I tried this Café Zupas and overall, we enjoyed it. I didn't even consider writing a review or at least provide a rating of this restaurant because I knew my family and I (or at least I), would be back in the future to validate my initial rating of this place. Although I didn't anticipate waiting this long (almost 4 years), I finally returned for dinner on 22 Jan 2024...and overall, the rating hasn't changed.

One of the biggest things that stood out to me at this restaurant is how friendly and efficient the employees are. During my recent encounter, everyone seemed like busy little ants; whether helping customers, cleaning the dining area/drink station, or preparing food in the back...all of them seemed very productive. Unlike some of the other big name fast food restaurants in this city, the employees here are great. Well, at least the ones I encountered.

As far as the food, I don't recall everything I/we ordered during the previous visits (except for the Lobster Bisque Soup, which was outstanding), but for the Jan 2024 visit, we ordered the Mediterranean Bowl, Golden Curry Soup, Pesto Chicken Sandwich, Chipotle Glazed Salad, and Tomato Basil Soup. I'm not a fan of the Golden Curry Soup and Pesto Chicken Sandwich. For the Golden Curry Soup, some of it is my fault because I should've read that this was a soup - I expected a thicker consistency that normally accompanies traditional curry. Although the flavor was decent (slightly watered down), like I mentioned above, I felt it lacked proper consistency. However, if it's supposed to be a thinner soup base, then with the exception of the "watered down" comment, you can ignore my other comment about this soup. Additionally, the Pesto Chicken Sandwich was also slightly my fault because I assumed and I didn't pay attention to the picture. I thought pesto sauce is supposed to be green (due to the basil), but it wasn't created this way, which was slightly disappointing for me because I love basil pesto. Also, based on the picture, it shows some sort of micro greens on the sandwich; I didn't see any of that on my sandwich. Lastly, I know the majority of people love eating their salad with mass amounts of salad dressing; however, I'm not one of those people - I typically enjoy my dressing to be on the side so I can add it to my liking. Although I should've asked if the dressing was added by the employees, or just pay attention to them making my salad to flag it...but I didn't, therefore, I would recommend that this franchise have an option for "light" dressing on their menu so it's not assumed that everyone loves gallons of dressing. Plus, this could be beneficial for those new customers. Because contrary to belief, I do enjoy a little dressing on my salad and not my salad in my dressing.

Overall, the majority of the food I've experienced at this restaurant was good; the price-to-quantity/quality ratio isn't superb, but it is adequate. Aside from those minor things above, the food tastes fresh and the chocolate-covered strawberry is a nice touch for the end of your meal (it comes with your meal). As mentioned earlier, the customer service was extraordinary, and the employees were remarkable. If you haven't been to this restaurant, you really should try it - I recommend this place...

This seems to be a favorite of some people I was visiting so I went with them to try it out. I found that the people I went with typically only ordered a few things off the menu. Others they skipped for various reasons.

Trying to keep an open mind, I ordered a Pick 2 option. I went with a BBQ sandwich and a Cobb Salad. I must admit I was disappointed in both cases and came to understand the reluctance of others in our group to try them.

The BBQ sandwich was tangy but had a mild aftertaste. Further, it had a slight burning taste. For those looking for hot or spicy items, this may be fine. It just wasn't expected in this case. Beyond that the rest of the sandwich was fine.

When trying the Cobb salad I found their was a minimal amount of dressing. Honestly I thought they had just forgotten it. That was how it appeared. After getting a side and putting it in, the Salad was decent enough. Nothing special about it, but a decent salad.

My son who was with us, and only 7, had a lot more to say. Suffice to say he loved the strawberry that comes with the meals. (It is a nice touch and was pretty good.) However he didn't like the chicken fingers at all. In fact he refused to eat the second one completely. He did however like the apple slices and berries in the fruit bowl.

Food aside, the place was mostly clean. I was disappointed to see some lids, an old cup, and other trash on the floor in places. I watched a number of staff simply walk over it as they went about their duties. Right before we left, a staff member finally cleaned up most of it.

Perhaps it was an odd day, but all in all, I would say the location was about average. I may return in the future, but it is not something that excites me to do. Nor does it rate high on a family visit level. Especially for those with...

BYOM&M. Bring your own mayonaise and mustard to this sandwich shop. No, they didn't run out. Some Zupas genius decided their sandwich customers didn't need it. Company board members must have been napping when THAT decision was approved. This miscalcuation has lost them at least one repeat customer. Probably many more if the chatter that day was any indication of the general disappointment. Instead of common sense condiments, they offer something called "honey mustard" as a consolation. It tasted of neither, but brought to mind the flavor and consistancy of oil and corn syrup and perhaps cheap prison food. The sandwich, with or without mayo or mustard, is ho-hum and dry. The bread is typical tastless airy white bread. I imagine the "ancient grain" option is also full of air. Better sandwiches with slightly better bread are ubiquitous elsewhere...and offer more toppings, etc. I give the extra star only because the hard working staff were friendly and efficient and represented the company well despite being handicapped by the lack of essential sandwich ingredients. It is NOT their fault. Their faces told me they would love to give me some mayo if only they could. We can't expect them to be like teachers and provide must-have items out of their own pockets. (When the company starts to tank, they might consider some new ads, "now offering mayonaise and mustard with every sandwich purchase - just like Subway!") It's not all hopeless. The mushroom soup was good. The other soups looked good. People seemed to be enjoying their salads. If I can remember to get hold of some little plastic tubes of condiments I might give the place another...