Zao Asian Cafe — Restaurant in Salt Lake City

Zao is a current favorite of mine. The app is easy to use but only gives points if you order through the app, which is often slower than walking in. I’ve used it so much I’m faster now and I like the 11th meal free, so I’ll take a bit longer to get points. In person the checkout process asks for a tip….I’m paying over $10 a bowl, nobody comes to my table, I have to pick up all my own stuff and fill my own drink. It’s cafeteria style food. A tip? I paid for my meal. They want to be tipped for….not messing it up?

The inability to earn points in person and asking for a tip is cumbersome and two things I don’t like.

BUT I love the food. So I’ll happily pay the money, and I go there at least once a week….maybe twice.

I strongly recommend, just be forewarned about the app, and you can skip the tip.

If it was cheaper I’d tip, I feel like the cost of wages is already worked into the price of the food.

I recommend...

Imagine Chipotle but Asian. Overall the food isn’t bad. I think it’s a bit pricy for what you get. Your dollar stretches further at Panda. I’ll still stop by but not this location.

I’ve visited a handful of times and each time the person who asks me what I want at the beginning of the cafeteria line has a scowl on their face and they act put out. The person who bagged my meal was the only pleasant and communicative person.

They had a special where you could sub in cucumbers for noodles. I asked for that and the guy gave me grief. If it’s not an option to have cucumbers in a salad make that clear on your signs so your employees don’t pass their bad attitudes onto customers.

I understand that restaurants are going through tough times with COVID and all. I’m always the first person to strike up a conversation with employees; as I myself have worked good service and customer service...

I love this place. It's one of, if not the most, fast food place I frequent. Their food is fresh, very flavorful, and delicious. But, and I say this as one of the biggest of buts, it is not okay to have replaced their signature green beans and red onion duo with broccoli. Their claim is something about the green beans coming from their vendor as of less quality while I am seeing mounds of excellent quality green beans on every turn, especially from the farmers (i.e. farm stands). If they want to say that in the winter months/off season, I'd almost listen. But I call baloney in the height of green bean season. I allowed their addition of a corn side dish to cut the green bean portion in half that they would normally have doled out, but broccoli for green beans because of quality is pure bunk. I'm not having it. Bring back your...