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Tender Greens – Westwood
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Tender Greens – Westwood
7.8
The Westwood outpost of Tender Greens is a fast-casual, chef-led spot built on produce from Southern California farms, turning salads, bowls, and plates into everyday farm-to-table meals. Lines of students and office workers cycle through for customizable plates, from backyard-marinated steak to the plant-forward Happier Vegan salad, with plenty of patio seating when the weather cooperates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Happier Vegan salad with falafel and farro, Backyard marinated steak plate with greens and potatoes, California bowl with chipotle BBQ chicken
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Fast-casual salads and plates anchored by locally sourced farm produce.
Who should go: Students and workers wanting quick, healthier counter-service meals.
When to visit: Weekday lunches or early dinners to avoid peak student rush.
What to order: Happier Vegan salad, backyard marinated steak plate, California bowl.
Insider tip: Order ahead online, then grab a patio table off Glendon.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Glendon and Weyburn is the primary option; metered spots turn over frequently but fill during lunch. The Broxton public garage is the most reliable choice and usually has space.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; gym clothes, campus casual, and office-casual attire all blend in.
Noise level: Moderate during peak lunch hours due to the counter-service bustle; quieter on the patio during off-peak times.
Weekend wait: Minimal to none; weekends are calmer compared to weekday lunch rush.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes depending on the student flow; mobile orders shorten the wait significantly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong selection of salads, bowls, and customizable plates with plant-forward options.
Vegan options: Good options including the Happier Vegan salad and build-your-own bowls with plant-based components.
Gluten-free options: Most plates can be made gluten-free; many salads and proteins naturally qualify.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a traditional date—it’s counter-service and fairly high-turnover—but great for a casual meet-up, quick lunch date, or a low-pressure first hangout.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's entirely walk-in. Snag a patio seat if the weather is nice; indoor tables turn quickly even during peak hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes. The menu is flexible, portions are manageable, and the casual layout works well for families with toddlers to teens. Patio seating is especially kid-friendly.
Best For
Better for: Healthier, customizable meals at approachable prices with fast-casual speed and reliable produce quality.
Skip if: You want a full-service experience, crave complex cooking, or need a quieter, more atmospheric setting.
Tender Greens – Westwood
7.7
The Westwood Tender Greens location stays busy with students and office workers cycling through salads, plates, and bowls built around Southern California produce. It’s a dependable option when you need a quicker, lighter business lunch that still allows for a focused conversation at a sidewalk or indoor table.
Must-Try Dishes:
Backyard marinated steak plate, Happier Vegan salad, Chipotle barbecue chicken plate
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 6.8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 6.5
What makes it special: A fast-casual, farm-leaning lineup ideal for lighter working lunches.
Who should go: Health-conscious teams that still want real plates over desk salads.
When to visit: Slightly off-peak weekday lunches to avoid student rush lines.
What to order: Backyard steak plate, Happier Vegan salad, barbecue chicken plate.
Insider tip: Grab a corner patio table for one-on-one check-ins between meetings.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Westwood Boulevard and Broxton Avenue; the Broxton Public Parking Structure usually has open spots during weekday lunch.
Dress code: Casual and work-appropriate; athleisure, jeans, and business-casual attire all blend in.
Noise level: Moderate during peak student hours but manageable for focused conversations, especially at indoor corner tables.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—dinner traffic is lighter and typically has no wait.
Weekday lunch: Expect a short line at peak times, usually 5–10 minutes before ordering.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple salads, bowls, and customizable plates with plant-based sides.
Vegan options: Yes—several salads and bowls can be made vegan; the Happier Vegan is a reliable default.
Gluten-free options: Yes—many plates can be prepared gluten-free; ingredients are clearly labeled on the menu.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date since it’s fast-casual and counter-service, but fine for a quick meet-up or low-pressure coffee-style intro.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—seating is first-come, first-served, and turnover is quick. Arrive a bit before peak lunch to secure a quieter spot.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—casual setup and simple bowls/plates work for most kids, though there are no dedicated kids’ amenities.
Best For
Better for: Quick, healthier lunches where you want reliable produce-driven plates without a long sit-down commitment.
Skip if: You need a more formal business setting, full table service, or a quieter room for confidential conversations.