Le Boulanger — Restaurant in Los Altos

Been going to Le Boulanger since I was a child and only writing a review because of my recent disappointments.

This was my favorite place for sandwiches growing up. I went weekly for almost 15 years, before I moved a way from school and later for work. Even then, every time I'd come back to the Bay Area I'd stop by.

In the past few years, the quality of the food has been noticeably decreasing despite prices going up with inflation. Notably for me:

The sandwiches are smaller now. They are roughly 60-70% the size they were before, and less protein is used. The grilled chicken sandwich (previously called the Classico) used to be in a thick Ciabatta roll and had a thick slab of chicken inside. Now it's in a meager flat Ciabatta roll and has a thin slice of chicken inside.

Previous sandwich offerings are no longer available. Some of my other favorites, such as the Chimichurri steak sandwich and the Salmon sandwich on a roll are no longer available.

Other iconic baked goods offerings are no longer available, and replaced with mediocre substitutes. Their iconic chocolate crunch cookie is no longer for sale. I used to get one every time I went, and it was my first exposure to Le Boulanger as I distinctly remember a kindergarten field trip to their headquarters where they handed the cookies out. They're now replaced by generic cookies you can find in any grocery isle that are half the size. Similarly, fresh bread offerings seem way more meager, and I haven't seen my favorite cinnamon raisin loaf there in a while. Instead I just see slices of ciabatta, baguettes, and rolls. Nothing like the variety or quality of the original bread offerings that you could have sliced and take home.

Honestly it's just sad to see one of my favorite places get ruined by what I can only assume is corporate greed. It's not like this place is struggling either, it's always packed during...

The coleslaw SUCKS! There's no flavor in it at all! I'd rather eat macaroni salad than that junk! They have great sandwiches but their sides are ridiculously small and they put them in tiny plastic containers that only hold 1 tablespoon of food. Definitely not worth it and it's WAY OVERPRICED. The quality of this place has gone to the toilet. It used to be good in the 90's but not anymore. Expect to pay 25 bucks for a small sandwich and a teaspoon of cheap unflavored coleslaw. For 2 people, eating here will cost you over 50 dollars. It's not worth it. You'd get better quality and more food at Togos. I'd skip this place if I were you. It's too overpriced and the quantity and quality of the food are just plain SAD. You will pay at least 50 dollars for 2 sandwiches....

One of my favorite places for breakfast in little LA, and the other meals are also great (if you are visiting for lunch I recommend the miso salmon salad). Everyone is friendly and clearly takes pride in their work. If you are new to town, this is a great place to meet the locals. And my experience is also that the wifi is more reliable than in the past. (and to make sure this review isn't completely fawning, I do wish they would open at 6am like before the pandemic). Also, this location is more reliable than the one in Mountain View (in my experience the MV location gets something wrong every time and the wifi doesn't work)....