Tender Greens- a chain concept that is not cookie cutter

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog, written by Kirk, ed (from Yuma) and Cathy.  Whenever we feel like it.  Today, Cathy feels like it.

Hi.  If you have been to Liberty Station-( the old Naval Training Center- where part of Top Gun was filmed), you have probably seen the Trader Joe's, the very cool Vons (you enter in a courtyard/open roof area and then go inside to the left for more or less  prepared foods and to the right for more or less groceries- with an extensive adult beverage area), the Starbucks, Sammy's, Panera, La Salsa, as well as The Rock Church and High Tech High.

If you go to the Southern side of the main complex, you'll see on the other side of the fountain,

The overhead sign, and then walking down a long corridor, you'll see

 The smaller overhead sign and the entrance door around the corner.

Step inside, and there is a menu overhead, where you can peruse the offerings (including daily specials in the center bottom  portion)

Basically, the mains are either $5 or $10, with and without protein and then there are a few variables (soup of the day, hot plates, sandwiches).

You order right there, as you see above, and then walk along the line, seeing orders being made...

Varieties of lettuces, dressings, toppings.

Fresh and grilled vegetables...

and flank steak, chicken and seared ahi tuna

Everything is assembled in front of you and at the end of the line, where you can order beverages (including wine) and a choice of desserts.  You pay here.  

Then you find a seat.

  There is an interior area and an outside eating area. It is clean, modern and there are plenty of tables.

This is the $5 baby spinach salad, with goat cheese, hazelnuts and served with a cabernet vinaigrette.

This is the Grilled Chicken Cobb ($10).  It is made with Romaine, Point Reyes blue cheese, Heritage bacon (thick, large cubes of the cooked smoked, deep flavored bacon), avocado, egg, tomato and the dressing is not very garlic-y.

The plates are given to you on these -jelly roll pans, and the water glasses are just so nice.  

The Nicoise Tuna Salad ($10) is plentiful, with green beans, olives, capers, potato, tomatoes and the teensy egg you see there, topped with a sherry vinaigarette.  The tuna is cooked rare and is tender and very, very good, the topping on the tuna is light and parsley-oil based.  

The hot plate of flank steak, yukon gold mashed potatoes and side salad (this one Romaine with Caesar dressing) ($10) was perfectly seasoned and *really* good.

Yes, technically it is a chain -possibly franchised since the website shows different menu items (especially desserts are listed as being made by someone's mom and change daily).  There are only three locations (here, Culver City and West Hollywood).  The food is done extremely well.  Maybe when we aren't full, dessert will be chosen and included in another post.

Tender Greens, Liberty Station Marketplace, 2400 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego 92106 (619)226-6254   Website

  

Comments

[cathy]

Thanks for the compliment, RT. Taken with two different cameras on different days. You'll like the food here.

[Heather Long]

I love this resteraunt! We hAve one in Santa Monica
But is it realy a franchise?

[Cathy]

Hi Heather, and welcome to our blog. Each TG store is independently managed and each has a slightly different menu, dependent on locally available produce, breads/bakers and desserts as well as Daily Specials. All of the stores have the same sort of layout/open kitchen area. The concept works so well doesn't it?-Fresh, local and simple.