Green New American Vegetarian — Restaurant in Tempe

Wow. I never thought I’d be compelled to write such a negative review about a place I once loved (I’m a valley native and have been vegan for almost 15 years; I remember - and celebrated - when Green opened). I’ve occasionally had an experience where I’ve considered being critical - but tonight was so egregious - with zero remorse/accountability - that I’m almost embarrassed I’ve ever recommended Green to anyone, ever.

I went to Green tonight with my son, and when we pulled into the parking lot - he independently commented on how short the ordering line was. The restaurant was fairly packed - but there wasn’t any overall wait, line, we were able to find a table after ordering without issue, etc - and, like my son observed: there were only a few people ahead of us in line.

We didn’t have to wait very long before placing our order; I ordered the Ranchero Chickn Salad, my son ordered a Big Wac & I added in some Chick’n Nuggs for my son & I to share. We weren’t provided ANY notice or advisement, concerning a potential wait time for our food - and wouldn’t have reason to suspect one, with the current crowd.

Within 10 minutes my son’s Big Wac arrived. The lady who dropped off our food didn’t communicate any updates regarding the status of my salad or nuggets.

For those of you who don’t know what a Big Wac is - it’s one of Green’s signature plates, meant to mimic (and provide a vegan version of) the Big Mac at McDonald’s - meaning it isn’t a tiny, measly burger. My son managed to finish his ENTIRE Big Wac burger - and there wasn’t a single sighting of my salad OR nuggets. Now - I’ll be fair & admit I’m not a professional cook, nor do I work in kitchen - but I’d venture to guess a SALAD is a smidge easier to create than a double patty burger. A double patty burger that a child was able to wholly consume, too - without ANY mention as to where my food was.

Almost 20 minutes after I placed my initial order, I approached the take-out area & asked an individual with dark-red hair wearing a black MISFITS shirt about my food. She went into the kitchen, came back out & reported that my food was “ready on the bar”. I asked that the remainder of my order be converted to a take-out order, as my dining partner was already finished with his meal. I received zero accountability or apology - and instead, was given an excuse as to how my food has taken longer than a double burger (that has been entirely eaten).

Now I assumed that since the individual I spoke with told me my food was “ready on the bar” that it wouldn’t be MUCH longer until I was handed a bag containing the rest of my order - but nope! Another cluster of my finite time passed by, I flagged down the same staff that had previously “helped” me - and was told my food was CURRENTLY being made (for those of you still with me - that’s more than twenty minutes after I placed my order). I asked how that was possible - and tried to explain to the staff that something has to be off, in regards to their kitchen management & timing, for a salad to take THIS much longer than a double burger - and all I got was a hasty “heard” as the staff member walked away.

I had previously tried waiting by the take-out area - but since my epic salad and nuggets were having a journey in getting to me - I decided to go sit back at the table with my son.

“ORDER FOR NUMBER FIFTY-THREE!!” was YELLED into the dining area when my food was (finally) ready - and no, they weren’t yelling & announcing every order like that - just mine. I tried to let the staff member know when I grabbed my food that we weren’t provided any indication as to how long our order could possibly take - and was provided with a catty-sounding “ma’am - just look around! Your food only took 20 minutes!”

To her credit: the restaurant DID have more folks in it than when my son and I had initially stepped in - but NOTHING - that would warrant waiting THIRTY minutes for a SALAD - and being treated like I’M somehow the issue. There wasn’t a single offer to compensate any charges or accommodate any extras, for my hassle or...

You know I love this place I really do. I love coming here why? Because one it's quiet. It's peaceful. You know it's kind of tucked away in a corner. Great food just always consistently good food. But the thing about this location that I hate the most and it really bugs. The shit of me is you've got usually just one person that wants to sit in the restaurant and have their phone on full blast watching stupid ass reels on Facebook and Instagram. Just making the most obnoxious noise. This is a restaurant. This is not your personal space to do this. It's rude. It's discardous to other people having dinner and every time I go here there's always one or two people that are doing this. I've actually been there when there was a couple that were on there computers working and talking loud. It's just so rude and then the other one she talked on her telephone like nobody else is in the building and nobody you know cared. It's like people come on and then the third person was sending out a booth to boost across from me and it was just so obnoxious to have to hear that. I wear headphones when I'm in a restaurant and I'm on my phone. If I'm going to watch reels or to watch or listen to videos or music. I don't disturb the other Patriots in the restaurant. I just wish that the restaurant would tell these people to knock it off because they're being noisy and disrespectful and it seems to be at this location versus the other location off of 7th which I visit a lot as well. But to the management you have to tell these people to shut their damn devices off or put on headphones. I don't come there to have dinner or a late lunch after work to be disturbed by people that should be sitting at a coffee shop and not...

Yummy!!! Met up with a friend here yesterday. The cafe was chill ( during lunch they are packed from past experience of getting a To go order) I wanted to give you 5 stars ... It's just the menus had dried food stuck on them and the bottle drinks are expensive ( kombucha is almost 5.oo when it's a 2-3.00 bottle Our food was sent out at different times even thoe it was on the same order. I wanted to be polite and waited for my friends food. Not a biggie it was about 8 mins after my food came he got his.I again had a good experience. The staff is friendly and fun.

Tables and chairs are clean, floor and counter tops and restrooms clean! The menu seems to be different from the other location. I didn't see the vegan Mac an cheese on there ☹️. Out side area was nice 👌 clean, no wobbly Chairs. I believe they have wifi to.

I had the curry bowl, my friend had the spicy peanut rice bowl. Both had alot of crispy fresh veggies and a good amount! About $10.50 for each bowl. Nothing included. I noticed non of the foods have sides included. I will say the burritos, bowls and sandwich items are a good size so a side dish isn't needed unless you are feeling pretty Hangery and need to tame the beast lol. My take on it , it was a quality food made fresh ,so the price Is fair.

*Added bonus: I like how the take out boxes are eco friendly! Final thoughts:Vegan and Vegitarian foods can get pricy but Green won't "take all ya green" haha(bad joke). All in All a good visit I will be back soon to try other...