sweetgreen - Healthy Salads, Bowls and Plates — Restaurant in Pasadena

UPDATE: I responded to Sweetgreen’s rote response to negative reviews by emailing the “owner.” Stephany - Sweetgreen customer specialist🌱 replied and doubled down.

“While emotional support animals + pets are not allowed to dine inside sweetgreen, we try to be as dog-friendly as possible. We offer leash hooks outside (next to water bowls!) so that guests can leave Fido outside at ease. If you’re picking up your salad, feel free to pop your head in + let a team member know so they can bring it out for you.”

To me, Sweetgreen’s stance reads as a lack of sensitivity. Perhaps we can now add to Sweetgreen’s list of those not welcome in their restaurant, those doing their best to manage their mental health??

I reminded Stephany that I wasn’t dining in their restaurant, in fact, I wasn’t even planning to dine inside of the restaurant. I wanted to get food to go. Sweetgreen makes no accommodation to order from outside. As recommended by Stephany, if you place an order online, when you arrive at the restaurant you’re required to “pop your head in + let a team member know so they can bring it out for you.” The problem is in Pasadena the front door is over 25ft from the register. Am I to shout from the door, “Hey! Excuse me, can you bring me my salad since my dog isn’t allowed inside?”

Her email also said Sweetgreen abides by the health department’s code to only allow service animals in their stores. I searched for the code, but could only find wording that stated, while animals are not allowed in food preparation areas, service animals are allowed in restaurants and accessibility to ESA’s and pets are at the owner’s discretion. This leads me to believe that Sweetgreen’s policy is a choice.

I did explain to Stephany that I wasn’t asked if my dog was a service animal. I was only told that she wasn’t welcome.

Stephany’s second email was apologetic. She then offered credits on an app. I turned down the offer. Maybe I’m taking this too far, but I’m not going to leave my dog in the car or on a leash in front of the restaurant. On the day of the incident it was 103 degrees in Pasadena. And, I’m not going to leave her leashed outside where she would be vulnerable to theft. She is also very anxious and wouldn’t do well left alone on the street. I admit that she isn’t a service animal. She also does not have an ESA letter with her name on it. And, while technically she isn’t my emotional support animal, I am certainly her emotional support person.

Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I’m over-reacting, but I just don’t understand exclusion unless it means excluding excluders.

For the record, my dog’s name isn’t Fido.

Sweetgreen Pasadena hates dogs. I was standing in line waiting to order food to go. I was with my 10 lb Maltipoo who was in a sling hanging off of my hip. A worker on the other side of the counter said, “I’m sorry but we don’t allow animals inside.” Since it’s impossible to order from the courtyard or sidewalk where the City of Pasadena does allow dogs, the only conclusion I can reach, aside from the fact that Sweetgreen hates dogs, is that Sweetgreen doesn’t want dog owners/lovers business. I left and went to Guisados for tacos. The first thing the server behind the counter said was, “What a cute dog!” For the record, Abu Kabob in Altadena loves dogs too. Dog lovers, see you at Guisados and/or...

Walked here so didn’t have to worry about parking. It’s only street parking and it can be hard to find.

There are plenty of seats outside and inside.

Inside has a very home-y feeling and matches the theme with tons of plants all over.

It is quite loud (one of the employees was preparing ingredients and kept banging on something and noticed it drew attention to her. I don’t blame her for doing her job but it was pretty loud) inside.

I noticed they have outlets all over for people to study or work but not sure how much you can get done if you are sensitive to noise (there was a radio going off playing good music but it was competing with the store speakers that was playing something else).

The employees were friendly and made the order quick (and i was very impressed they mixed the salad for me after applying the dressing. That was super helpful cause usually I make a mess not having proper tools like the tongs she used).

I ordered the chicken + brussels bowl and it was delicious and filling! The bowl is huge and i loves the ingredients like the cut up apples and sweet potatoes.

My husband ordered the miso salmon and the sauce is amazing!! However, it was ridiculous how small the amount of food was given for the price of $16 and considering mine was $14 with a much larger portion.

We would come back though cause there are many other flavors we want to try. It is healthy and filling. I just wish they had garlic sauces like other...

I ordered the mushroom tofu salad $16. Tofu and rice are salty. Miso dressing (regular) is a bit oily too. Otherwise a decent salad, definitely filling and a large portion.

Upsells are kinda ridiculous tho $1.50-2.00 for things like avocado and cheese (basically everything tasty).

It was served with a slice of wheat bread (olive oil if you ask but no butter).

“Hot bowls” are misleading to a new visitor - it’s still a cold salad… so not exactly hot in any way… I guess they just mean “cooked” additions to your salad.

What’s nice is there’s a variety of protein or “hot” choices like salmon, chicken, tofu, etc.

Outside seating is fun because it’s an old theater but you’re on a slant so if you vertigo - eat inside.

Staff was friendly although half of them gave off an arrogant vibe just with glaring looks, no smiles, etc. Maybe it was because they had a lunch rush? I don’t know I was one out of 2 other guests… customer service (from my point of view) should feel like they’re happy you’re there not excited to get rid of you.

The server who made my salad was hyper sensitive to my nut allergy for which I’m extremely grateful. Thank you for that - I wish I had asked your name to give you public recognition!

I’ll go back and try something different just to give it another chance.

Recommended at least once for salad...