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Name: Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen
Address: 6985 El Camino Real,Ste 108, Carlsbad, CA, 92009
Telephone: (760) 431-5323
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.03

Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen

6985 El Camino Real,Ste 108, Carlsbad, CA, 92009

(760) 431-5323
Store is closed

Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen Menu

Homemade Soups

Garden Vegetable Soup

Lentil Soup

Tomato Bisque Soup

Santa Maria Tri Tip Chili

Garden Vegetable Soup

Lentil Soup

Tomato Bisque Soup

Santa Maria Tri Tip Chili
Small Simple Salads

Hearts of Romaine Salad

Mixed Field Greens Salad

Baby Spinach Salad

Wild Arugula Salad

Hearts of Romaine Salad

Mixed Field Greens Salad

Baby Spinach Salad

Wild Arugula Salad
Signature Salad

Tinleaf Salad

The Orient Express Salad

Simply Tossed Salad

Mediterranean Salad

Baby Kale & Portabello Mushroom Salad

Tri Tip Steak Salad

Sesame-Crusted Ahi Tuna Salad

Grilled Loch Duart Salmon Salad

Grilled Shrimp Salad

Santa Fe Chicken Salad

Tinleaf Salad

The Orient Express Salad

Simply Tossed Salad

Mediterranean Salad

Baby Kale & Portabello Mushroom Salad

Tri Tip Steak Salad

Sesame-Crusted Ahi Tuna Salad

Grilled Loch Duart Salmon Salad

Grilled Shrimp Salad

Santa Fe Chicken Salad
Craft Your Own Salad

Craft Your Own Salad

Craft Your Own Salad
Daily Specials

Turkey Pot Pie Daily Special

Beef Bourguignon

Chicken Picatta

Turkey Pot Pie Daily Special

Beef Bourguignon

Chicken Picatta
Hand-Carved Sandwiches

Santa Maria Tri Tip Sandwich

Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast Sandwich

Char Sui Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

Santa Maria Tri Tip Sandwich

Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast Sandwich

Char Sui Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
Specialty Sandwiches

Avocado, Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich

The Twisted BLT Sandwich

Backyard BBQ Sandwich

Thanksgiving on a Bun Sandwich

Turkey Melt

Spicy Cubano Sandwich

Marinated Portobello Sandwich

Grilled Loch Duart Salmon Sandwich

Pork Char Sui Bahn Mi Sandwich

Seared Ahi Tuna Sandwich

Havana Chicken Sandwich

Avocado, Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich

The Twisted BLT Sandwich

Backyard BBQ Sandwich

Thanksgiving on a Bun Sandwich

Turkey Melt

Spicy Cubano Sandwich

Marinated Portobello Sandwich

Grilled Loch Duart Salmon Sandwich

Pork Char Sui Bahn Mi Sandwich

Seared Ahi Tuna Sandwich

Havana Chicken Sandwich
Entree Plates

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms Plate

Char Sui Pork Tenderloin Plate

All Natural Roasted Turkey Breast Plate

All Natural Santa Maria Tri Tip Plate

Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna Plate

Grilled Shrimp Skewer Plate

Seared Loch Duart Salmon Plate

3 Side Combo Plate

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms Plate

Char Sui Pork Tenderloin Plate

All Natural Roasted Turkey Breast Plate

All Natural Santa Maria Tri Tip Plate

Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna Plate

Grilled Shrimp Skewer Plate

Seared Loch Duart Salmon Plate

3 Side Combo Plate
Fries

Solo Fries with 1 Sauce

Share Fries with 2 Sauce

Solo Fries with 1 Sauce

Share Fries with 2 Sauce
Sides

Crispy Onion Strings

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Coleslaw

Spicy Asian Green Beans

Bok Choy & Shitake Mushrooms

Fresh Fruit Medley

Potato Salad

Mac & Cheese

Belgian Style French Fries

Sage Stuffing

Quinoa Taboule

Brussels Sprouts

Farro Radicchio Salad

Chickpea Pesto Salad

Crispy Onion Strings

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Coleslaw

Spicy Asian Green Beans

Bok Choy & Shitake Mushrooms

Fresh Fruit Medley

Potato Salad

Mac & Cheese

Belgian Style French Fries

Sage Stuffing

Quinoa Taboule

Brussels Sprouts

Farro Radicchio Salad

Chickpea Pesto Salad
Little Chefs

Kids Tender Lovin' Chicken Tenders

Kids Golden Mac & Cheese

Kids Gooey Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Kids Roasted Turkey Plate

Kids Tri-Tip Plate

Kids Tender Lovin' Chicken Tenders

Kids Golden Mac & Cheese

Kids Gooey Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Kids Roasted Turkey Plate

Kids Tri-Tip Plate
Desserts

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Gluten Free Whopper Cookie

Lemon Ricotta Scone

Pecan Bundt Cake

Coconut Cake

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Gluten Free Whopper Cookie

Lemon Ricotta Scone

Pecan Bundt Cake

Coconut Cake
Beverages

Stubborn Soda

Home Brewed Iced Tea

Water

Stubborn Soda

Home Brewed Iced Tea

Water

Healthy Meal suggestions for Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen

Homemade Soups

Garden Vegetable Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lentil Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tomato Bisque Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Santa Maria Tri Tip Chili [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Vegetable Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lentil Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tomato Bisque Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Santa Maria Tri Tip Chili [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Small Simple Salads

Hearts of Romaine Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Field Greens Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baby Spinach Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wild Arugula Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hearts of Romaine Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Field Greens Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baby Spinach Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wild Arugula Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Signature Salad

Tinleaf Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Orient Express Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Simply Tossed Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mediterranean Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baby Kale & Portabello Mushroom Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tri Tip Steak Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sesame-Crusted Ahi Tuna Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Loch Duart Salmon Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Shrimp Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Santa Fe Chicken Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tinleaf Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Orient Express Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Simply Tossed Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mediterranean Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baby Kale & Portabello Mushroom Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tri Tip Steak Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sesame-Crusted Ahi Tuna Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Loch Duart Salmon Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Shrimp Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Santa Fe Chicken Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Craft Your Own Salad

Craft Your Own Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Craft Your Own Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Daily Specials

Turkey Pot Pie Daily Special [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Bourguignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Picatta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Turkey Pot Pie Daily Special [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Bourguignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Picatta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Hand-Carved Sandwiches

Santa Maria Tri Tip Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Char Sui Pork Tenderloin Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Santa Maria Tri Tip Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Char Sui Pork Tenderloin Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Specialty Sandwiches

Avocado, Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Twisted BLT Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Backyard BBQ Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Thanksgiving on a Bun Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Turkey Melt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Cubano Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marinated Portobello Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Loch Duart Salmon Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Char Sui Bahn Mi Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Ahi Tuna Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Havana Chicken Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Avocado, Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Twisted BLT Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Backyard BBQ Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Thanksgiving on a Bun Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Turkey Melt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Cubano Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marinated Portobello Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Loch Duart Salmon Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Char Sui Bahn Mi Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Ahi Tuna Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Havana Chicken Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Entree Plates

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Char Sui Pork Tenderloin Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

All Natural Roasted Turkey Breast Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

All Natural Santa Maria Tri Tip Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Shrimp Skewer Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Loch Duart Salmon Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

3 Side Combo Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Char Sui Pork Tenderloin Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

All Natural Roasted Turkey Breast Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

All Natural Santa Maria Tri Tip Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Shrimp Skewer Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Loch Duart Salmon Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

3 Side Combo Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fries

Solo Fries with 1 Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Share Fries with 2 Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Solo Fries with 1 Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Share Fries with 2 Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides

Crispy Onion Strings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garlic Mashed Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Creamy Coleslaw [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Asian Green Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bok Choy & Shitake Mushrooms [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Fruit Medley [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Potato Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mac & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Belgian Style French Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sage Stuffing [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quinoa Taboule [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brussels Sprouts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Farro Radicchio Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chickpea Pesto Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Onion Strings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garlic Mashed Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Creamy Coleslaw [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Asian Green Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bok Choy & Shitake Mushrooms [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Fruit Medley [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Potato Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mac & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Belgian Style French Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sage Stuffing [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quinoa Taboule [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brussels Sprouts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Farro Radicchio Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chickpea Pesto Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Little Chefs

Kids Tender Lovin' Chicken Tenders [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kids Golden Mac & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kids Gooey Grilled Cheese Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kids Roasted Turkey Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kids Tri-Tip Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kids Tender Lovin' Chicken Tenders [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kids Golden Mac & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kids Gooey Grilled Cheese Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kids Roasted Turkey Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kids Tri-Tip Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Chocolate Chip Cookie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gluten Free Whopper Cookie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lemon Ricotta Scone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pecan Bundt Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coconut Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Chip Cookie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gluten Free Whopper Cookie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lemon Ricotta Scone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pecan Bundt Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coconut Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beverages

Stubborn Soda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Home Brewed Iced Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Water [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stubborn Soda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Home Brewed Iced Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Water [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Carlsbad for healthy meals suggestion.

Cinnabon ( 2525 El Camino Real )

Visit below restaurant in Carlsbad for healthy meals suggestion.

Cinnabon ( 2525 El Camino Real )

Write An Anonymous Review

Susie L.

Fresh, delicious, wish it was cheaper though but worth the price! Yum!
(5)
Chizzzy B.

I am a tri-tip expert. My qualification is simply being from Santa Maria. The Tri-Tip sandwich was great. The Tinleaf does a good job in putting a gourmet twist on cowboy food. I really enjoyed the fries and my wife loved the spinach salad. We will be back for more.
(5)
David W.

A really great high class food feeling in a chipotle style decor. Great food at a fair price. Loved the tri-tip and mashed potatoes.
(4)
C P.

A hidden gem so to speak. Ambiance = 4 stars Food = 4 1/2 stars Price = average Overall = 4 stars Been there 5 or 6 times. Every time was a very good experience. I don't have a favorite, as 'everything' is good. Check out the cane sugar soda fountain! Yummy flavors.
(4)
Kristie B.

amazing desserts!!!!! yum
(5)
Betsy S.

The Place is modern, clean and just has a great vibe. The food is delicious. The belgian fries are bountiful and light, crisp on the outside and mash potato like on the inside. I love that they have options for vegetarians/pescartarians. The homemade dipping sauces are full of flavor; a delicious condiment to dip the fries in. But lets face it, you can gobble up the fries with no sauce because they are so scrumptious. The soda fountain is very unique, all the sodas are made with cane sugar...no corn fructose syrup. My favorite option is the marinated mushroom sandwich. The mound of goat cheese is soft and tangy, delectable. A nice touch is the take out bags are compostable and the to-go containers are not styrofoam and are recyclable. I like that.
(4)
Bridget A.

I think this is a fabulous addition to Carlsbad, great healthy food at a reasonable price for the quality of the food. I went here for dinner with the family, dad, grandma, aunt, and bf. I wanted something different, fresh, and that doesn't break the bank. They delivered in spades! There was so much to choose from on the menu that we we may have caused a bit of a traffic jam but it was worth it. We had: Tri tip with sage stuffing and crispy onion rings Salmon with fresh veggies and mashed potatoes. Sesame Crusted Ahi with spicy asian green beans and quinoa taboule Shrimp Skewers with (I can't remember because I didn't try this one) To drink hot tea and ice tea. You order at the counter and they deliver the food, they delivered the food quickly, they were attentive with refills and clearing the plates away. It was like being in a regular restaurant and everyone was very nice. Between the food and service we were happy campers, I will be going back.
(5)
Tara C.

Just ate here tonight- service was so fast, food is healthy and fresh- it has great gluten-free options, and it's a pleasant atmosphere. Great for families, friends. Might not go for date night because the service is too fast :)
(4)
Friitzy G.

ALL the s|k|i|n|n|y Bitches...put yer hands UP! Home of the 2mm thin portobello sandwich. So majorly disappointed. I was most excited to lunch at Tin Leaf. Loving their concept and decor - even the font of their logo - I was joyful to find they offered a portobello sandwich, as most of the sandwich-type places in Carlsbad do not seem to offer a tasty vegetarian sandwich. The sandwich portion was perfect for the skinny girl on the go, not for majority of the population. Big points on the use of arugula, however, the lovely goat cheese portion was larger than the actual portobello portion, leaving a very mushy texture. Alongside the sandwich, I ordered the fresh cut Belgian-style fries which came with a selection of one of many aioli choices and/or other sauces. I chose the garlic chive aioli - good flavour, a bit spicy - but the fries were greasier than a fast food joint's fries and the overall taste of fry and aioli was very very salty. $15 for a tiny sandwich that lacked the main ingredient which was mushy with greasy fries and an overall salty flavor - no gracias. The tree in which grew the Tin Leaf is barren.
(2)
Carmela S.

Although food is not bad, unfortunately the management/owner staff take the rating all the way down for friends & I. They aren't friendly at all, & that matters to the overall customer experience. The food is pricey as it is, and when you add in their aloof attitude, like you are bothering them, it all makes for an unpleasant experience. Plus, when you can hear them talking down to their staff for orders...Yeahhhhh...no, not a fun, relaxing place. I can get "fresh" food many places that are much more pleasant of an experience. We will be taking ourselves to a more accommodating eatery, with equally fresh & unique food, possibly less $, but even if it's more $, a friendly atmosphere is worth the extra cost!
(1)
Ashley W.

I LOVE this place. They seriously have some amazing fresh, healthy and good food. We have had all of their salads and they are all soooooo good. My favorite so far is the Tin Leaf Salad, followed by the Tri Tip one. My husband loves all of their Asian salads. They also have some really good sandwiches too. The fries are delicious and all of the dipping sauces are great. There lentil soup is amazing. The beef bourguignon looks wonderful, I always say I'm going to get it, but I really love their salads so I end up getting that instead. There soda fountain is even better. They serve a company call Boyland. All of the soda is made with cane sugar, so it's perfectly sweet. We've never had their desserts, but they are suppose to make most of them on site. They also have a nice array of wines and beers to choose from. I would have to say if you haven't been yet, you are truly missing out. So get your butt over there, you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Emilee R.

Trip tip sandwich is really good, and it's a nice atmosphere inside. The only complaint I have is every time I get the fries here they taste stale.
(3)
Kathalyn N.

The concept is good. The location is good. The atmosphere is good. The execution on the food is lacking. And even though it's on the pricier side, I think the pricing is appropriate for the area. I ordered a Cubano Sandwich with fries and Macaroni and cheese. The sandwich was dry and there was too much bread, but the horseradish cheese packed a nice punch. The fries were super soggy, and I got the garlic aioli dipping sauce...whoa, I will never order that sauce again...I love garlic, but it was over the top, no bueno. Date canceling amounts of garlic. The Mac 'n Cheese was creamy and delicious! I would definitely order it again. My roomie ordered the Mediterranean salad, and I actually liked the salad more than my sandwich. It was good, but she said there was way too much dressing. My other friend ordered the Meatloaf dinner with green beans and mashed potatoes. I felt bad because she really only enjoyed the mashed potatoes. She ate the meatloaf, but only because she was really hungry. I thought everything on that plate was mediocre, which means I will also not be ordering the meatloaf sandwich any time soon either. Carrot cake was bomb though. Way way good. I would come back to Tinleaf to try a salad--and I'm not really a salad person. They have so much going for them, and I think they could totally get by without making any changes because that area of Carlsbad need a place like Tinleaf...but it's pretty clear that everyone wants more out of this place. I just want to love it, and I don't.
(2)
Corey W.

We came here for lunch today, and it was pretty tastey! We got the blt with avocado and i got the bbq tri tip sandwich. We must have been checked up on every couple minutes so that was a little much as we are low maintenance. Other than that, we definitely come back!
(4)
Matt T.

First time there today for a business lunch and it was gooooood. Had the salmon salad and it was great, plenty of dressing, nice toppers, good size salmon but it didnt come with bread and that kind of sucked. I was happy but it should of been about 10% more of everything for the price.
(4)
Martin P.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference. Everything I've had was excellent. Sunday night can be crazy-packed with kids.
(5)
Avi G.

I like the idea...healthy food and when we get it delivered at work I'm happy for the healthy option. Thing is, my eating companion got sick from eating here and the fact that the quality varies...gives it the mixed results.
(3)
Frank Lee Wong Z.

I love this place but it cost so damn much. $15 for the Ahi Sandwich. It's good. But very pricey. I only come here because my co-workers like this place. Can't complain about the quality of food or the service. Portions are small but that's good if you want to eat healthy. Would give this place 5 starts if It was like 25% cheaper.
(4)
M P.

3.5 Been here a bunch of time with the kids and each time, I tried something different, and overall, its an OK restaurant. Its nice to have this in the neighborhood. I have tried all the salads... they are decent and fresh. The Grilled Salmon and shrimp skewers were a little greasy last time, seared ahi tuna was good, but kinds bland, tri tip steak was really good one time, then tough another time. The carved turkey is decent. The kids love the chicken tenders and the portion was big. They dont love the mac and cheese, it has parsley in them and he wants to take the chopped leaves out which is impossible. Tonight, we are trying the meat loaf - it was alright, along with a side of Quinoa salad that light and good. My ahi tuna sandwich was just average tonight, it was bland and even with the wasabi mayo, there was not much taste to it. I do love the fries that comes with the sandwich. Overall, they have a good selection of salads and I think I will stick to that. Will come back again for salads and the kids chicken tenders.
(3)
Nate O.

CLOSE THE DOORS WHEN IT'S COLD. that's my only complaint on this place love the food and service is great!
(4)
Sofie D.

LOVED this place, they have something for everyone in the family. Their tri tip arugula salad was THE BEST! Perfectly seasoned & balanced! They had a great kid's meal, with tri-tip, fries, and veggie sticks. My daughter loved it. I love a place that cooks their meat perfectly. And all their salads are super fresh with no bad piece of lettuce anywhere. Their macaroni & cheese is amazing, and I love their fries with different dipping sauces! It's a great, casual eatery for the entire family!
(5)
Jimmy H.

Nice trendy upscale cafe. The decor is very modern and the staffs are super friendly. The people that eats here are beautiful (including me). The arugula salad was really good and the cubano sandwich was not too bad either. Overall a good lunch spot.
(3)
Nicolette M.

I keep going back to this place--can't help it. The salads are great and big enough to share. My favorite is the Mediterranean salad with chicken. The soda fountain drinks are made with cane sugar, The root beer is awesome. Although I was able to stay away from the fries the first few times I ordered food, I finally gave-in and ordered them at lunch. They tasted as good as they looked and smelled. The children's dining options are a positive as is the clean, modern decor and prompt service. The patio has space heaters which makes it easy to dine outside anytime. Will definitely be going back to get my weekly fix after my next evening workout.
(4)
Christine F.

WOW! atmosphere/decor: excellent. very techy, new, clean. food: excellent. i had a delicious tri-tip salad. drinks: THEY HAVE CREAM SODA ON TAP. also good beers! price: totally reasonable for fresh, clean, and yummy!
(5)
Jane D.

We've been here several times, and although it's not always perfect, it is always good. We really like the salads and any of the turkey sandwiches. The tri tip is hit or miss- I would recommend skipping it. They also have a good menu for kids.
(4)
Jennifer P.

Wow, this place is such a great find! I went here for the first time for lunch recently and can't wait to go back. Seriously one of the best salads I've ever had. Ever. I didn't feel stuffed when I left yet I wasn't hungry again for most of the rest of the day -- definitely a great salad! This place is the epitome of the build-your-own-salad restaurant, only it's not a salad bar. (Always better, in my opinion, when you don't have to make your own food.) They have a ton of options for creating your own perfect salad, as well as a selection of pre-designed salads, paninis, sides, and other goodies. One of my favorites -- they offer local microbrewed beer. Can't go wrong there! I pulled together my own salad creation and was very happy with the results. It was a great big salad, too! (I got the full size.) Didn't even feel like I needed a side of fries (which might be a first), though I spied them on neighboring tables and they looked pretty darn good. I doubt I'll resist next time. The dressing even came on the side in a cute little bottle. They've really nailed down the details nicely. Ingredients all tasted fresh and crisp; a huge plus in my book. I'm not usually quite so impressed with a newer restaurant but this place earned its five stars from me. The service was impeccable during my visit (and on a busy weekday lunch hour, no less). Every employee I came into contact with was pleasant, helpful, and seemed to enjoy working there. Whoever is running this place is doing it right! The dÃ©cor is really fun and modern. They've got some great pieces (both indoors and on the patio dining area) and lots to look at. Overall, very impressed and will be returning soon (and often!).
(5)
John C.

Local favorite of my family and I. We live minutes away and ever since discovery we've been very regular customers for months. Very casual place and easy to drop by for quick bites and the majority of their menu is very good with very fresh ingredients. Highly recommended from my family side is the backyard BBQ sandwich, tri tip ANYTHING (salad, entree etc), meatloaf, and of course the kids love their mac & cheese (they make a nice one, not just reheated kraft). The drinks are great too, very refreshing tea, lemonade, and sugar cane sodas. Kids always have a good time since they can run around in the back fountain area. Their staff is always more than friendly and kids eat free on Sundays.....so it can be a bit hairy to eat during dinner time here on Sunday heh. They have a lot of great options too as sides for their entrees....can't say enough great things since I think it's one of the best casual quality dining places in north county SD.
(4)
Cheryl B.

Good food, fresh, tasty and reasonably priced...enjoyed the steak salad. Can get crowded here and seating is limited may want to consider take out. This is another family operated business -- my preference over any of the chain restaurants that serve over processed food.
(3)
Duncan B.

Wonderful food! Great environment! Try the portebello sandwich or the ahi tuna. This places is great, and vegan/ vegetarian friendly!
(5)
Shelly S.

YEA a new great lunch spot in Carlsbad near the office! I'm always on a quest for unique & tasty salads, something beside the same ole' caesar and mixed salad you see everywhere. That's why I'm ecstatic that Tinleaf is here to the rescue. Today me and my honey shared a mediterranean salad and the California cubano sandwich, and while the sandwich was pretty darn tasty, the salad was better :-). Nice level of spiciness on the sandwich and the dressing on the salad was just right. Good proportion of salad toppings to greens, and no shortage of chicken. Honestly we could have just shared the salad and been ok, but the sandwich made it a very satisfying meal. We will definitely be back to try thanksgiving on a bun very soon :-) Oh yeah, need to go back and get a little saucy :-) 9 different dipping sauces for fries is intriguing.
(5)
Gabriel J.

I'm sorry to say I was disappointed by this place. I came in one evening and got the Cubano sandwich with coleslaw. The slaw wasn't bad, though it wasn't anything particularly spectacular. The sandwich.... the meat seemed to be of a decent quality, but the bread and the mustard were really disappointing. The first problem was the bread: it seemed like very cheap ciabatta. It was pale and white and uncooked looking. Perhaps this was just my sandwich? It just didn't have that "yum" look to it. It didn't taste like anything beyond WonderBread. Bummer. The mustard that was then liberally smeared onto this bread was....dare I say offensively spicy? I like spicy food. When I get pho, I layer on the sriracha sauce. This mustard though had pooled/collected in the nooks in the bread, and forced me to try to re-spread it the mustard. That failed to solve the problem, so I ended up scraping the "bread" part out of the bread. Bummer #2. The service was good though, and people were friendly. The point of a restaurant though is to provide a good meal, and I just wasn't wild for Tinleaf. **update** I originally gave this place 2 stars. Somebody there messaged me though, to apologize and invite me back in for a second go of things. Unfortunately, I don't live in the area, so there won't be an opportunity to start things "fresh." So for courtesy, and the fact that I can't reassess the situation, I boost their star rating.
(3)
Karen S.

Turkey sandwiches made with turkey carved from the breast instead of from a deli case, tasty Cubano. Coconut cake sinful. Good Beer choices
(4)
Laura And Justin W.

Ok- it is official. I am obsessed with the s'mores cupcakes at this place. And oh, the Thanksgiving On a Bun certainly doesn't suck either. This is my third stop here this week so I guess that says it all.
(5)
Veena P.

Th tinleaf salad was delicious!
(4)
Lianna S.

I realize that I rarely give 3's. That's because I am choosy and I'm either a satisfied fan or I am severely disappointed with my choice. Regardless, Tinleaf is worthy of a 4 since they offer a substantially healthy menu with matching taste. I had a delicious mediterranean salad and the boyfriend had some kind of carved sandwich. We were both happy, it felt healthy and we didn't spend too much.
(4)
Darcy G.

I loved this restaurant. I found it on Yelp and gave it a try when we were down in San Diego for Legoland. I had the create your own salad. Summer yummy. And my son had the spare ribs. Everything we tried was wonderful. It is an order at the counter type restaurant but the food is top notch and they serve wine & beer. Yummy!!
(4)
Shaun S.

So after my first visit I've gotten quite a few cravings to come back here and have put it in my weekly rotation. My g/f is also a huge huge fan of their tomato bisque soup. They also redid their web site menu so props on that too (see my earlier review). My niece and nephew had more fries with their kids meals than I did with my tri-tip sandwich so not sure what's up with that! Pricey for some but worth it for me.
(5)
Stephen E.

High quality, fresh food....you can count on being satisfied every time!
(5)
Carrie M.

This place is so good. My favorite sandwich is the Twisted BLT with side salad. I am so glad there is a fast restaurant that I can get healthy food at. The young staff is always very friendly.
(5)
Tony L.

I have to give credit to this place to try to bring a Tender Greens type atmosphere, decor, and food to north county. There really isn't another option unless you consider soup plantation. The salads, ehh, I was hoping for more flavor. The chinese chicken salad was just ok. The belgian fries, time to rethink this. Not very good. It might be easier to just put truflle salt on some frozen fries. I ordered the daily special, and it wasn't bad, but a little on the oilyer side. Given that the restaurant just opened, I will definitely continue to try it to see if the food gets better. They've definitely nailed the decor, just refine the food a little more.
(3)
Theresa G.

If you want a great salad with the freshest lettuce in San Diego, then you must try Tin Leaf in the Von's shopping center in La Costa. We eat a lot of salads out and no one can beat these guys for clean, fresh, cold and crisp! Pick your toppings, eat in or take out. Beats CPK and Sammy's by, well, there is just no comparing!
(5)
Karen M.

This place is a tad pricey but the food tasted pretty good and fresh. I got tri tip sandwich. I felt it was alright. I had half of my brother turkey melt and that was delicious. If you like turkey, I highly recommend it. The decor inside is modern. Good service as well. I also like the assortment of teas
(4)
Jayne W.

Was finally able to try this place out this week. I have heard so many good things about the food. I actually thought it was new, but they have been there for 3 years. (I guess I don't get out much) I really enjoyed my portabella mushroom sandwich and loved my husbands ahi. The fries were great with a side of wasabi mayo. I will definitely go back:)
(4)
Cody R.

One of my new favorite spots. The sandwiches are epic and the dipping sauces for the fries are amazing, they have like 15 different options. A lot of places claim fresh, but this place actually tastes fresh. I loved it. Can't go there every day just because it's a little pricey for an everyday lunch, but maybe once a week would be good. Also, not a huge soda guy, but their sodas are super good. Loved the creme soda.
(5)
Lane M.

Love this place! I am addicted to their Mediterranean salad but everything I've tried here is delish. Great affordable kids' menu, too.
(4)
Melanie G.

We went here recently to celebrate a birthday and it was fabulous. We sampled from each others' plates and everything was really tasty. A few weeks have gone by and I'm still thinking about the salad with the Green Goddess dressing. My tri-tip was perfectly cooked. Thumbs up to the french fries with aioli and the ratatouille. Dinner came to about $15-$20 per person so it is on the pricey side for such a casual place. Portions are generous so you'll be able to get two meals out of your order if you aren't ravenous. Their lemonade mixed with the tea makes a splendid Arnold Palmer. I'll be back, even if it's just for that crazy delicious salad!
(5)
Tanya B.

Previous reviews state that the servings are small and people are reluctant to order a $10 salad. Let me assure you, the salads are ENORMOUS (Maybe the owners read your reviews!!) No side bread required. Two things I love about this place: 1. It is CLEAN 2. It is CLEAN!!! I'm not crazy about eating in a strip mall, but hey, we are in America, so it's hard to avoid these days. They do their very best to create a "Plaza" feel. The enclosed patio is lovely any time of day or night. I don't FEEL like I'm in a Panera or Pei Wei, that's for sure (and the sodium content is lower than either of those two...check the Pei Wei and Panera calories/sodium/fat on line. They are NOT serving "health" food, that's for certain!) This is a welcome addition to the La Costa restaurant line-up.
(4)
Debbie P.

The staff was great with gluten free and if they didn't know the answer they had an allergen binder readily available. Their salads are delicious and seem to be the best bang for your buck. They can make sandwiches on gluten free bread and the bread was good but the sandwich was not worth the money; in that regard they were a little overpriced. The soda was fresh, real, and I'd go back to try some thing else but it might take some convincing to get my husband to go back with me.
(3)
Steve S.

Been here many time since it has opened. The menu is just OK, the food quality is very inconsistent, portions are small and prices are high. I only go here when I can't decided on where else to go.. On the positive the concept is good, maybe 5 times out of 10 the food is decent and service is always good.......however, this place needs to step it up a notch! They also need to update their menu for repeat customers.
(2)
Laura C.

I love nothing more than fresh, delicious food at a very reasonable price. I especially love nothing more than food that satisfies my DH, my in-laws, and myself all at once. I am definitely a fan of Tin Leaf. The food is made with the freshest ingredients. The flavors are matched very well. Seriously, try the tri-tip. It is fabulous and perfectly cooked. My father in-law got the meatloaf which he loved. Even my mother in-law loved her turkey. I absolutely love that you can choose your meat and which sides you'd like with it. Also, they have cane sugar sodas here which I love! This is unusual for me as I don't normally drink sodas. I have a hard time choosing what to drink here since they have very good, real iced teas, soda, and lemonade. The atmosphere is great and the staff are super nice and courteous as well. I have never tried the desserts here as I normally stuff myself with the main course since it's so good. However, they always look amazing and I end up kicking myself because I want to try them.
(4)
Katerina J.

I've been to this place a few times during the lunch and so far never left disappointed. I am very happy about everything from their great service to fresh ingredients to value I get from this place. Unless you order a sandwich Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen may come across as slightly overpriced (for lunch particular), however, my usual choice is create-your-own salad. The portion of the salad is always huge and this place provides a good variety of fresh ingredients. There is a patio with several table outside - my favorite spot to spend my Friday lunch at.
(5)
Veronica B.

This place is excellent! Delicious food, great atmosphere, awesome drinks, easy parking. It is a little bit pricey, but I feel like that's because the ingredients are of top quality. Their mac 'n cheese is my favorite, and the salads are delightful. Wonderful spot!
(5)
Michael S.

Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen is a hard one for me to review. I love the concept, setting and menu. A colleague of mine whose opinion on food I trust and value thinks really highly of Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen, and the reviews on Yelp are really good too. My problem is I've been there twice and I haven't loved either of my sandwiches or sides, especially given the premium price point. They were ok, but not great. This week I ordered the turkey melt, which featured sliced tomatoes, horseradish cheddar cheese, wild arugula, and basil mayo on a ciabatta roll. I thought the horseradish and cheese both blended too much in color, texture and flavor with the very blond turkey - for me horseradish works much better with roast beef or lamb. I'm not a huge ciabatta guy but I loved the ciabatta at Tinleaf - definitely the highlight of the sandwich. My side of potato salad was equally frustrating. The potato was cooked fine but dunked in the sauce it tasted really bland and mayonnaisey. Next time I'll go for the slaw or fries. One of my buddies got the salmon plate with fries and green beans. He said the salmon was good but the portion was quite thin and small - he thought maybe 4 oz. My other friend got the Cuban sandwich, which he liked, although he shared my mixed assessment of the potato salad. Love the outdoor seating. Nice interior too. The tv screen menu board really pops. So much promise! I just want to like the food better. Hopefully next time.
(3)
Amanda S.

Great for lunch because of its outside seating. Delicious, healthy options and great for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Food is always fresh and the service is great here. A tiny bit pricey (compared to lets say Panera) but you get what you pay for!
(5)
Robert B.

Excellent food. I'm giving it 4 stars because of price. It's expensive for what you are getting in my opinion. I've been about 10-15 times and I've always been satisfied with the food. Service is fast and friendly. I would recommend it.
(4)
Kelly K.

The food is always great here and has both traditional family options like meatloaf and healthier options like grilled salmon or salad. Customer service is always great and cute little dining area. I love sitting outside in the courtyard though, especially when the sun is out or it's warm enough during the evenings. The only issue is that the lines during rush hour when everyone is eating dinner can get long, but it moves pretty quick. It gives you time to browse the menu though haha.
(4)
Kathryn N.

Came here with some friends and loved it. Made my own salad and the basil dressing (the first one on the list) is really good. Huge portions. Bf got the tri tip (decent) and the curried couscous (yum) and fried onion strings (awesome!) The short ribs were braised well. The onion soup is okay. Def had leftovers! Would love to come back again but only in SD for a day :(
(5)
Wolfgang E.

Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen developed into one of our favorite lunch places with the family. They have many good choices if you want to avoid eating carbohydrates and sugar. I recommend the Salmon Salad and the Marinated Portobello Mushrooms.
(5)
Yvette S.

Tin Leaf is such a cute lunch spot. I've eaten here 3 times since moving to the area & I love it. They have a nice patio area by a fountain outside, unique real soda options (not like the stsndard Coke/ Pepsi products) and their brisket sandwich is soo good. I wish I could review another plate there but I always look forward to that sandwich. Service is always fast and polite, I've never encountered a negative here. Try it!
(4)
Virginia B.

Very good flavor profiles. Fast, courteous service. Salads are huge and flavorful. Tri-tip can stand to be a bit more tender. Overall a good dining experience.
(4)
Laura M.

I don't know why, but I've just never been able to get into this place. I'm not a huge fan of any of the salads I've tried here and the portobello sandwich was just ok. I love a good salad, but Tin Leaf just doesn't do it for me. On the plus side, their new restaurant, Beach Plum, is great!
(3)
Chris H.

After reading the numerous positive reviews of this place, and being in the area for the first time ever, my wife and I visited this little establishment. Overall, I like the look and feel of the place. It feels welcoming and inviting, a bit homey without being homey. The food, to me is okay, like people stated it is very much like Trader Joe's of restaurants, a bit pricey. However, for me, I've had restaurants similar to the Tin Leaf and feel overall that the price is a bit too high for the food. I paid 15 dollars for 6 slices of crusted Ahi tuna, a fruit dish, and Belgian style Fries. I felt like I was paying more for the sides than the main dish. The food was okay overall for my taste. It tasted a bit fresher, but not 15 dollars worth. My wife got green salad with Salmon on top. This cost us 14 dollars, and the greens were nothing out of the ordinary, just a generic green salad. My wife really liked the Salmon though and said that saved the salad overall. Would I come back here? Maybe to try something else. Would I recommend it to a friend? No, I would suggest looking elsewhere if you want fresh food.
(3)
Lauren H.

Food is absolutely delicious and fresh. The portions are huge and the pricing is on point for the quantity and quality of food. I love the sandwiches, specifically turkey, which is not lunch meat turkey, but carved off of the bone. They cook fresh turkeys everyday. Bonus points for that! The salad dressings are to die for as well and their French fries are amazing. If I could eat here everyday I would.
(5)
Infin K.

This place was very good. I got the ahi tuna they had and it was cooked well. The natural sodas are very good they serve. Was hard to find a table as this place was very busy.
(4)
Cindy S.

Simply one of my favorites. The whole concept is great. It's quick, fresh, good, affordable, good service and good for lunch and dinner, with or without kids. I haven't tried anything that I haven't liked. I'm stuck on the romaine salad and lentil soup, it's just so delish! Kids meals are great and they eat free on Sundays (1/adult meal). It's my go-to and I love it!
(5)
Scarlett C.

My co-workers frequently ordered from here so I decided to try it out. The Tri Tip Steak salad is very good. Make sure you get your dress on the side, if not it could be soggy. I brought my husband here after enjoying the salad. He had the thanksgiving on a bun and said it was very dry. I have also tried there mac and cheese and special pot pie, both lacked flavor. This makes me wary to try anything new. Hopefully other people have had better luck with items outside of the steak salad.
(3)
Amanda H.

The food my family and I had was very bland. We had the tri tip which was tough, dry, and overcooked. Also had the meatloaf which was also dry and flavorless. The only thing I liked about my dinner was the curry ketchup that accompanied tasteless, cold Belgian fries. I read good reviews about this place and was sorely disappointed.
(2)
David H.

Good food. Good service. Fresh and ecologically minded. This place is a little gem in a sea of mediocrity. I enjoy coming here alone or with others.
(5)
Dee M.

The twisted BLT is alright with me! Added avocado to that bad boy and I was in heaven. The basil mayo also added a nice touch. I would've opted to add turkey (2.95 extra) but I still had a fridge full if it from the big Thanksgiving shindig. I am not an expert, but do my best toMy Boyle Cream soda was also delicious. It paired nicely with the BLTA. The service was spectacular. Friendly face at the register, followed by excellent recommendations, and just overall great service. This coupled with CA fresh ingredients completely won me over. I'm a sucker for Farm to Table Cuisine, a concept I grew to love while living in DC. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with any NC Farm to Table restaurants. I generally just make the drive to Prep Kitchen or the like when I want to experience the closest thing to Farm to Table. In NC, Tin Leaf promotes the fresh ingredients platform, and i can taste the love in every bite. I love it and can't wait to return!
(4)
Michelle E.

The employees didn't even compliment my skirt! Jk it was awesome I really enjoyed experience at tin leaf. They had a GREAT atmosphere. Everyone was working hard, the food was really REALLY good. I had one of the do it yourself salads and it was quite honestly the FRESHEST salad I've ever had. Their website was extremely informative and surprisingly modern for how small the business is. Whoever is running the place knows how to run a business in the heart of Carlsbad/ Encinitas area. When I found out that you could take full dinners home in awesome looking dishes, I was sold on so much more than just a restaurant. It is going to be a delicious resource for many days to come!
(5)
Jerry R.

Very good healthy food. This place reminds me of Tender Greens. We got the tri-tip plate and seared ahi salad with a cup of chili. All the food was great and the sodas are fun too. Save some room for their awesome desserts!
(4)
Joshy F.

Santa Maria tri tip hand carved sandwich with Belgium style fries was really good. I'd come back for sure. It's a smaller establishment with a small outdoor seating area in the corner of the shopping center. Not far from the hwy. Service was good and good quality on par as well!
(4)
Carrie N.

I've tried this place twice now and it's great! Turkey melt was delish and the Tri-tip plate was awesome. I had mine with fries. Don't forget the garlic aioli dip & the chipotle ketchup. I also had a side salad with yummy lemon-caper dressing. Service is good. Prices seem fair.
(5)
Julianne B.

Father's Day (6/15/14) Update: Weird day today - My Orient Express Salad was really limp, fries should have been cooked more, onion rings were limp and soggy as well and my son's grilled cheese was barely toasted on one side and the other didn't even touch the heat. Normally I've loved this place, something was off today. --------------- What a great restaurant! So fresh (well, it's supposed to be! lol) and yummy. I actually even like the natural sodas. A great twist. The salads are my favorite. Try this place!
(5)
Katie T.

Craving a salad? This is the place to go. I had the ahi-tuna salad customized just slightly. It was incredible. Salads are huge but it hit the spot. I also had a black currant iced tea that I mixed with lemonade and it was delicious, I highly recommend the combo. Ambiance is modern and casual. The guy at the cash register was super nice and offered to guide us through the expansive menu (we clearly looked lost). I took a star off because one of the older female food runners was a bit harsh when we tried to sit outside this glass area with my fiancÃ©'s beer (yes they have beer and wine), after someone told us we could. I thought it could've been handled better. Also, if you're not from here (I'm not), it's basically Beverly Hills pricing. For my salad, my fiancÃ©'s entree, two Arnold Palmers, and 1 beer it was $40. Regardless, I would come back here. Very tasty.
(4)
Lorraine M.

The only reason I even give it a star is because they refunded us our full amount. I ordered "Mom's" meatloaf for 12.95. There's nothing Mom about this meatloaf at all! Dish came with two sides, I ordered the bokchoy and mushrooms and asked for a side of "vegetables" with dressing. 1. Meatloaf was served lukewarm at best 2. "Vegetables" was a bowl of brownish greens with a side of dressing, just greens, nothing else. 3. Now to describe what they call "meatloaf" Perfectly rectangular slice of some mystery meat that was darker and crispier on the top (obviously sitting for a long time). Driest rectangular piece of meat I've ever seen and the top was crispy critters! The meat had absolutely ZERO texture to it! I mean, the meat and cut was absolutely smoothe! It looked like it was preformed, prepackaged and then cut up. Reminded me of that cat food I use to serve my cat, where you open it up and the food is really smoothe and comes out perfectly formed. Shouldn't meatloaf look like MEAT and not some smoothly formed rectangular shaped mystery meat? The one carrot I did manage to see was dehydrated. Does that sound like a meatloaf your mom would make? I can't believe they allowed that to even be served! 4. On the upside, the bok choy was good. Needless to say, I won't be returning. They need some serious quality check in the kitchen. If you decide to go, you've been warned, the meatloaf is no bueno! Blech!
(1)
serina c.

Tomato bisque 3 stars Caesar salad 5 stars, loved the hint of basil in the dressing Thanksgiving sandwich 3stars. Ok but needed a little more stuffing to make it taste more thanksgiving like.
(3)
Torrey S.

What a nice first experience at Tin Leaf this past weekend. Stopped by here to meet for lunch. Service was great, and it was nice that they have such a large area outside with shade or no-shade options. I opted for half the Mediterranean Salad which proved to be the perfect portion for lunch. And of course had to get a beer to compliment the nice, relaxing atmosphere outside for a laid-back lunch.
(4)
Rhondi S.

Excellent salads, sesame encrusted ahi over greens, grilled salmon salad, grilled tri tip over greens, excellent fresh dressings, great delivery service for office lunches!
(4)
Susan R.

Needed a quick and easy lunch and tried this. It was great! Terrific soup, great salads, wonderful onion rings and homemade lemonade. Definitely coming back!
(5)
Joann N.

Yummy! My husband and I both had the salmon entree and it was cooked just perfect. I normally don't like the "counter line" format for a restaurant, but the quality of the food was worth it. Nice wine I will definitely come back for food. Wish it was a bit nicer of an environment , the outside setting was nice
(4)
Erin W.

This place is decent, but forgetful. I've tried it twice and wasn't exactly taken with the food. The salmon was WAY over cooked, mac-n-cheese was dry and flavorless and the ahi in the ahi-salad was not fresh (gray in color rather than red). My husband had better luck with a pork loin dinner there. It's not on our list to return... twice was enough. They get an extra star for good, freshly made drinks (iced teas and such).
(3)
Darryl M.

This place is great for the la costa community. There are so many new fast farm-to-table restaurants opening in the county it's hard to tell the difference between them, however, Tin Leaf does a great job at differentiating their menu from its competitors. No doubt the best healthy choice for lunch in the neighborhood.
(4)
Shelley H.

Wowza, delicious! Had the turkey dinner with ratatouille on the side. First time trying this dish and it was amazing! The turkey pot pie was also very very good. We had a gluten free chocolate cookie. Heavenly. It wasn't the cheapest but their food is very high quality so you get what you pay for. The place is decorated very cute. It's far from home but if were ever in the area again we'll go back.
(5)
ty D.

Really good eats! They had a nice looking menu with reasonable pricing. I had the portobello mushrooms, Brussels sprouts and Belgium fries. No serious complaints. Friendly service and not a long wait for being as busy as it was. I will be back for sure.
(4)
Liz M.

Love this place--It is the perfect mix of high quality food, speed and price. I usually come here for lunch during the work week (they have a lunch punch card where you get the 13th meal free) but have been here for dinner a few times as well (nice that they offer beer and wine). The salads (I usually get the Mediterranean Chicken salad and Oriental Chicken salad), sandwiches (I've had the BLT with avocado and turkey and Cuban --both excellent) and plate entrees are delicious and of good quality. They have a variety of different and yummy sauces for french fries (curry ketchup and the spicy aioli are my favs) and their potato salad and coleslaw are delicious as well! The mushroom soup is one of the best I've had, full of rich earthy mushroom and the perfect sprinkling of fresh parsley on top. Ambiance is cute modern with a nice patio area. The staff is always friendly and very efficient.
(5)
Mindy O.

We found about this place on Yelp and tried it for lunch for the first time . PROS: We had Tin Leaf salad with salmon and Greek salad with chicken. The salmon was grilled to restaurant quality. So delicious! Salad leaves were fresh and had just right amount of tasty dressing. The cozy patio setting, upscale color coordinations of interior, "create your own" style menu are all great. CONS: The hard metal chairs may look stylish but are NOT COMFORTABLE. The seating and the casual atmosphere do not match the price of the food. My salad was almost $15 and the drink was $2.50. ($17-18). For the amount of money, I may think about going to a real sit down place. For the price, the salad plate was rather small compared to full size salad at other restaurants. The inside is a little dark and felt a little like being in a cave. The gourmet sodas are $2.50 and contain real sugar, which is supposed to be better than fake sugar in diet sodas, but still are very sugary. I had unsweetened ice tea but will stay with water next time. Overall, I'm happy that I found this place and will definitely return when I'm in the area. I see we are paying extra for the benefits of gluten-free and custom-made and all that goodies, but my impression is that it is hard to justify the price difference from Panera or Boudin and the ambiance difference from full sit-down restaurants for about the same price.
(4)
Pity D.

Ate here with a large group and everyone loved everything they ate. Every item was fresh, perfectly cooked and well prepared. The recipes and combinations they use are all excellent. Even though you order at a counter, the staff is still very friendly, helpful and makes sure you are taken care of. Overall, the quality of the food is higher than you would expect at a restaurant where you order at a counter. It's higher, even, than the quality you will get at many local sit-down restaurants. Overall, Tinleaf is an excellent value. For the price the food is awesome. Everyone in our party loved it and can't wait to eat here again.
(5)
Shannon T.

Amazing Amazing Amazing! !! They need more locations. its healthy and organic, they even have gluten free meals and desserts!
(5)
Robin P.

Yummy food for a good price. Close to Cinepolis so we will be coming again.
(5)
alisha o.

Great quality ingredients and amazing service. They were very helpful with anything regarding gluten and the staff was friendly and accommodating. Travis in particular stood out as a great employee. He was friendly, made sure I had everything I needed, and sang me a beautiful birthday song! The food was delicious and there were solid portions. I'm excited to come back again.
(5)
Bay F.

This restaurant reminds me a bit of Tender Greens. The food was very fresh and tasty. I ordered the tri tip sandwich with sides of onion strings and coleslaw. The tri tip was very tender but my primary issue was that the onion strings were lukewarm at best - closer to room temperature. My wife ordered the chicken piccata special. We often order this at the Cheesecake Factory and the serving was about half the size (yes, I understand that Cheesecake Factory has large portions) but overall, it was also tasty. For an order-at-the-counter restaurant, the fact you can order bottles of wine helps to class it up a bit (though of course, there were no issues with us all being in shorts and flip flops). They easily sat our group of 16 (on a Tuesday evening) and they keep the restaurant very clean. I'm from out of town but I'd definitely come back here in the future.
(4)
Keyrollos I.

I LOVE THIS PLACE! The staff are absolutely amazing. Their friendly service makes every trip an enjoyable one. The fast causal style makes it a great place to stop and have a great bite to eat but the awesome desserts and draft beer makes it a great place to stay and chat a while. If you have a gluten-free diet this is the place to be! Their gluten free menu and wide selection make it super easy to build an enjoyable plate (they have the best gluten free cookies!). The staff and kids menu make the place very kid friendly already but to top it all off kids eat free on Sunday nights. All the food is very fresh and you can taste the difference it makes. I always go for the Tri-tip or Ahi but just about everything I have had here has been delicious. The all natural Boylan sodas are a must try, they dont have that syrupy goopy taste that normal sodas do. I highly recommend you give this place a shot, I bring all my friends here and we are all raving fans now!
(5)
Cassie K.

This food is disgusting! I have not found one item I enjoy. My friend is a chef and says the food they make is nothing special. It is to overpriced and the quality is awful.
(1)
Tim H.

We went to Urban Plate in Encinitas- line out the door at 7:45, probably a half hour wait just to order. Heading north, went to Tin Leaf instead. No line at all; that was probably a sign. Ordered the turkey melt with "Belgium hand cut fires". Cheese was not melted and turkey was cold, bread dry. Fries were room temp and served with a small soggy paper cup of ketchup - really? Wife had salad ODed in dressing. Servers were too busy clearing tables to close to ask if we needed anything - like salt or pepper, which were not on our table or if we needed another soggy paper cup of ketchup.. We have been coming here once every three or four months since they opened and food is just getting worse. Fortunately Urban Plate has opened a mile or so away.The 4 and 5 star ratings for this place must be from shills........................
(1)
Kathy D.

Love Tin Leaf. Food is fresh, portions good size for the price & atmosphere is great. Love the outdoor seating & the fountain & green space entertains the kiddos. Real fountain drinks (instead of the mainstream stuff) are a nice change. The desserts are yummy too! Try the tri-tip in a salad, sandwich or entree.
(5)
Dani J.

This place is a little gem in Carlsbad! We've been here a few times now, and the food is so fresh and tasty. I keep telling myself to get something different every time, but I can't help but order the portobello mushroom sandwich nearly every time. It is DIVINE. The fries and dipping sauces are good, too. I recently ordered the tossed salad with roasted chicken and swapped out the gorogonzola dressing for the basil vinigarette. Also incredible! I love the atmosphere, decor is cozy and cute. Soda fountain is adorable and the cherry cola is the best I've had. Highly recommend stopping by this place for lunch, it is GOOD!
(5)
Jessica M.

Delish! Been here twice and loved it both times! A tad pricey but so worth it! The ahi was fab! Super yummy food and nice seating outside!
(5)
Ronin E.

I've been here twice now, both good experiences. It's a cross between a sitdown and a counter-ordering place, but with more upscale food. The pricepoints are spot-on for the quality of good you get. I had a Cuban sandwich, which was good. Slightly dry meat but that's what you get when it's not processed... but toppings were great. My wife had the salmon platter... if I remember right, it was around $13 but she felt it was a little small (but keep in mind if you pay for $13 worth sashimi - how much salmon do you get in that? Not much). I felt it was fair. Everyone else liked their meals. Where they standout is the service... which shouldn't be a factor when you order from a counter. As my family was sitting there, my daughter dropped an empty cup and the manager immediately came over and gave us a new one when I was fine to just wipe it off and still use it. Various staff (including the manager) repeatedly asked us how our meal was, if they could get us refills, clearing plates, etc. Also, just a footnote but I think this manager here is great. (I'm assuming he's the manager - the redheaded guy?) We sat in the booth right next to the register and I couldn't help but notice how he worked with his team. When I was in high school and part of college, I worked in restaurants (dishwasher, then bus boy, then prep cook and then waiter) and I've worked for some terrible managers, just horrendous. It was a pleasure watching him work with his team. The workers seemed happy and it just translates to better service across the board, you can feel it in the air vs. other places where the workers are dragging around, miserable to be there. Also, these two ladies were being (quite frankly) pains in the asses about their salads, like, you know, just nothing could please these two old hags. The manager dealt with it like a champ where us mere mortals would have told them to shove it up their leather-skinned 'rears' ;) Anyway... give this place a try, I like what they're doing here all around.
(4)
Laura A.

First time here and I loved it wish I had one closer to me all the staff is very helpful and friendly you can't find places like this anymore every thing is so good and freash you got to try this if your in the area
(5)
Josh F.

They have an awesome mediterranean salad with chicken. The organic soda fountain is good as is the beer selection. The deserts are great and its a prime location to eat a casual dinner before hitting Cineopolis.
(4)
Lisa L.

Amazing delicious fresh food! Considerate, efficient Staff. We came for Mothers Day dinner. Fantastic place to come with kids.
(5)
Sarala W.

So Flavorful and Fresh! I wish I lived closer but will dine her again next time we are in the area.
(5)
Patrick B.

We eat in or take out from Tin Leaf 2-3 times a week, love this place, healthy, organic and always fresh. It helps living just around the corner. We try other places in Carlsbad and than realize the best place is right where we live. Love the tri tip salad. Thanks, Patrick
(5)
Maiah M.

I LOVE this place, mostly because of the options and that their food is fresh and easily customizable. They are great for food allergies, and very knowledgable about what's in the dishes. I love the customizable salads as you can choose from tons of options. I feel safe eating here, as I get sick from most restaurants (allergies to soy, gluten and dairy) but am able to choose from several options at this restaurant. The staff is friendly and service is very quick. The outside seating is great too!
(5)
Jennifer L.

Atmosphere is cool. Great location. Food was SO mediocre. Half of my friend's salad was from a can. And I also think that my salmon was frozen. So I'm not sure how "fresh" this place actually is. I wouldn't recommend or go back. Bummer....I really wanted to fall in love with this place since it's right up the road from the Chopra Center!
(2)
Augusta F.

Awesome awesome experience! We know their food is amazing but their catering service was just beyond exceptional. Neils was so very helpful and kind from start to finish. Very understanding, patient, and so willing to help in every way possible. Arrived in perfect timing and looked like perfection. Thanks for an amazing experience Tin Leaf!
(5)
Dean H.

Great value and a diverse menu. Pleasant atmosphere even though it feels a bit cafeteria as you order.
(4)
Tony O.

We love Tin Leaf! The ingredients are fresh, the staff is friendly and attentive, and most importantly, the food is great. There are tons of salad options (my favorite is the Mediterranean), but if you don't see any that appeal to you, you can have them make pretty much any salad you want. The sandwiches are good and innovative, entrees are well-executed, and the beef bourguignon (they only have it on certain days) is spectacular. Highly recommended!
(5)
Erica L.

Portions are just ok I got skimped on my salmon, but I do have to say the quality of the food is amazing! Love the no hfc sodas and the fact that they have a gluten free menu makes them even better :) Big fan!
(4)
Caroline P.

I like that this place a a lot of gluten free items on the menu. It is always nice to have choices! Everyone in my party seemed to enjoy their meals. It is a bit pricey, but good! I like the simplicity of it and not having a waiter. Ask the person at the register for a gluten free list. I'll be back to try out more items!
(4)
Connie G.

Now this place can make a good sandwich! I came here with a friend and glad she introduced me to this hidden gem! I loved it! The service was amazing and the wait was about 15 minutes. Our food was served fresh and hot and the portions were great! What I ordered: Twisted BLT: Applewood Smoked Bacon, sliced tomato, leaf lettuce, basil mayo, multigrain bread 7.95 I added avocado (.95) My choice of side (French Fries) I also tasted my friends she ordered: All natural Turkey Breast Sandwich with a side of fries as well 9.95 I would come here again and would love if there is an expansion of it in North County!
(4)
Suzette M.

Very good! Ordered the beef stew lunch special, tasty and good comfort food. Will definitely be back! Staff was very friendly and helpful.
(4)
Meadow B.

We had an amazing grilled salmon for dinner - I really like that this restaurant offers healthy dining.
(4)
Victoria K.

This place is a gem. Yes, the food is a bit more expensive than you might expect, but every time I've come here, the food has been 100% fresh and delicious. The staff is friendly and helpful, no matter who you talk to. The variety on the menu ensures that you are never bored, even if you've come here oodles of times. This is one of my favorite places to go in North SD County for a really fresh meal.
(4)
Sarah W.

The Gluten-free indicated menu is a plus of going here. They have fresh, heartily portioned salads, tasty Sammy's and really great dinner selections that include options like pork tenderloin, meatloaf & salmon. I love their outdoor seating area because they've basically taken over the complex's entire fountain area and made it a part of their outdoor, extended patio. Seems like it'd be a great option for families with small kids, so they can frolic around the fountain, grass & trees after they eat.
(4)
Jenn M.

I always love going here when I'm in town! The create your own salad is the best and I love their gluten-free friendly options!
(5)
Doug P.

Nice people/service but food just ok. Not up to standards at Urban Plates or Tender Greens. Kitchen needs to tighten up presentation and quality to meet their front of house smiles.
(3)
Julia W.

A year or so ago I found myself pressing my face against the window of this establishment. I'm not in this area often and we were looking for somewhere to eat. Tinleaf wasn't open yet but it bothered me that day to eat at Daphne's after I knew this was an option. Nothing against Daphne's. I just wanted something new. Tinleafust have open a week or two after that day because it look all ready to go. Fast forward to two weeks ago. I had forgotten all about this place having never actually been there and again searching for a place to eat in the area. I did a yelp search and this place came up and a light bulb went off in my head. I really like the concept of good healthy nutritious food without a side of pretentious. The outside seating is beautiful. I recommend so long as you are also cool with wondering toddlers. Onto the food. DH had a stone beer while I had a hef, yum. I ordered a turkey plate with crispy onions and spicy Asian green beans. Turkey was good. It came with cranberry sauce and gravy just like thanksgiving. I was expecting onion rings for some reason but the onions were more like the little ones you sometimes get in burgers...harder to eat but possibly more delicious. Green beans... I've mentioned this before. If it isn't spicy, please don't call it spicy. I wanted something healthy on my plate. I thought, "green beans? I like those. Spicy? I like that. Asian, huh I guess that could be okay." If it was labeled correctly as sweet Asian green beans I would have gone for the mushroom snap pea side. Much to my chagrin that is what the person next to me ordered and it looked delicious. I'll know better next time. DH ordered a Cuban sandwich special. He are every bite. I liked that it had real deli style pickles in it. The fries he ordered were also tasty. We were stuffed but we saw some yummy looking desserts. Apparently house made? Coconut cake....Next time...
(4)
Mari A.

We've got another Urban Plates and Tender Greens type restaurant here! Except at a much smaller scale. Tucked in a grocery shopping mall, it can be a bit hard to see this place so keep a look out. They've got the entree plates, the salads, the sandwiches. At the time, I was trying to stay healthy for Vegas but totally gave in: I got the steak, mash potatoes, and coleslaw. SMH... my friend got what I originally convinced myself I would get: the ahi salad. My entree was unfortunately disappointing. The steak was dry and rough and the mash potatoes we're just not fluffy enough. But my coleslaw was good! My friend's ahi salad though was DELICIOUS! The herb crusted rare ahi on a bed of lettuce in some satisfying vinagrette dressing was what I definitely should have ordered! Good thing she didn't mind sharing or I would have been thoroughly disappointed. Since this was my friend's birthday outing to me she got me a bottle of wine for my birthday and paid the cockage fee so we could have it along side our meal. We caught up for 3 hours without feeling rushed out (as they were closing) and had a great time! I probably wouldn't come back epecially since I live further down south and have Tender Greens next to work AND my place. But! If I do ever come back, I'm that much wiser enough to get the ahi salad. =)
(3)
Sharon V.

We stopped in here last week on a whim and were amazed of what a transformation this place has made. A few short months ago, it was a boutique store that carried high end furniture and misc. home decor pieces. Now, it's a high end, fast food restaurant. It has an urban feel and the restaurant is super clean. The staff here is very helpful and friendly - being a new restaurant, they go above and beyond to explain the menu and ensure you have a pleasant dining experience. I had the Tri tip sandwich and my husband had the meatloaf sandwich. I found the Tri tip sandwich a little hard to eat and bite through and the flavors were just ok. My husband really liked the meatloaf but again, hard to eat. The bread was a little tough and the meat loaf started to fall apart on him. He thought that is was average. We will definitely be back to try other things on the menu but what we chose for dinner, wasn't our favorite. I do love the concept of this restaurant though and I really hope these guys do well. They use fresh ingredients and something you'd actually cook in your own kitchen. A great alternative to what you'll typically find in and around Carlsbad.
(3)
CC H.

Came for a quick lunch, was promptly served and sat by the fountain in back. I got the tomato bisque soup added to a small spinach salad and it was more than enough food. The soup was hot and tasty, the salad had too many onions in it but otherwise was good. I'd ask to leave off the onions next time.
(4)
Gorgea D.

I loved my meal. I ordered the BLT with turkey and avocado. The multi-grain bread was so fresh and delicious, so was the bacon. It's smoked applewood I think - they are NOT chintzy with it, it was layered and covered every inch/surface area. It was perfectly cooked, juicy not dry and incredibly flavorful. It was all very fresh. My mouth was ecstatic. I really enjoyed the homeade potato salad also. The fresh squeezed lemonade seemed a bit sweet but that's a preference things. I don't mind the decor our "hard" seats as was indicated by a previous reviewed. I will definitely be back to this place. Eager to taste other dishes. Bon Appetite!
(4)
Ryan W.

Very good, fresh, reasonably priced fare in a comfortable and enjoyable environment. Salads, soups, sandwiches, beer, wine... what's not to love? Almost everything is local, which is an awesome plus. I've had the Cubano sandwich and the tri tip sandwich. Both were awesome. You can't go wrong with a nice cold Stone Pale Ale, a sandwich, and fries on a warm early summer afternoon. And, the service is impeccable. Everyone is knowledgeable, friendly, and punctual. You will have no problem finding someone to help you get a napkin or two, or just to chat about the menu. 4 stars!
(4)
Mark J.

Tin Leaf has good (not great) food at reasonable prices. We don't eat there often - usually once every couple months, when we're too tired to make dinner ourselves. It's a very convenient take-out, that seems more like home cooked than most places.
(4)
Ted U.

My wife and I love Tin Leaf. Every time we've had a meal there, we've been extremely pleased with the quality of the food, the fast, efficient service and the affordable prices. We highly recommend it.
(5)
Charlene M G.

Good food but a little pricey for the portion size. Love the fresh food and fountain drinks! The atmosphere is beautiful. It is a great place for quick and healthy alternative for the family.
(4)
Chad R.

Would come here frequently for lunch. It's a great setting and the food (particularly salads) are consistently good and fresh. Certainly fits the trendy farm to table genre of restaurants. Good stuff! Finding a table can be a challenge during lunch..otherwise..its 5 stars
(4)
Jenn T.

Came here because my friend had a coupon and it was close. This place was pretty neat, with different types of sandwiches, entree plates that boasted fresh veggies, healthy choices and great steak/meat. I went for the BBQ sandwich, which was a tri-tip sandwich and it was delicious. It came with french fries, but my friend got some onion rings, which I liked better (not that the fries weren't good too though). They have great service here, where you order, pay and the bring you the food. They even have local beers and sodas here!
(4)
Lawrence K.

This is a great healthy choice in Carlsbad. They offer done great salads and entrees. I always like to create my own salad. I recently tried the family dinner, which was awesome. There was plenty of food for everyone and I think it's reasonably priced at $30. Just make sure to call early to order.
(5)
Corey D.

Quality, fresh, great tasting food. The ambience and decor is also really well done. For the geeks out there, all their menus are TV screens that cycle through different photos of the menu items. Pretty cool. They also have cane sugar sodas that are delicious: cream, root beer, cherry, cola, diet cola, and lemon line. Also serve lemonade and two kinds of iced tea. I highly recommend this place, even though it is in the pricier side.
(4)
Brooke C.

I honestly cannot get enough of this place. Everytime I meet a friend at Tinleaf for lunch I have an enjoyable experience and the service is always so friendly. Even their extra touch of grinding fresh pepper over my salad when it arrives is appreciated. Their menu caters to vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters alike and I know even kids would be happy with the options...who doesn't love a bowl of macaroni and cheese with a side of french fries?! Thank you, Tinleaf for making my indecisiveness when ordering less stressful since I know that anything I order will come out fresh and full of flavor. My favorite salad is the simply tossed with their Green Goddess dressing. The ahi tuna plate with a side of quinoa is also a winner! The desserts always look delicious as well as the wine list...I may have to stop by for dinner one of these nights!
(4)
Michael B.

A very nice restaurant for fresh food, and good variety. I had yelped a restaurant in the Carlsbad area and came up with this one. Glad I tried it out. We had two of the salads, a tri-tip for my wife, and a make-your-own for me, along with soup of the day. All excellent! There was a bit of a mixup when we received our food, but it was promptly corrected. The staff that we dealt with in particular went out of the way to make us feel welcomed and were very attentive. Which was actually rather surprising for a counter-service restaurant. They really seemed interested in doing a good job and making a success of this 3+ year old restaurant, and I think they've done an excellent job. Kudos!
(4)
Sandra A.

I love this place. They have the best ahi tuna sandwich and green beans. Every time I go in there they are always happy and smiling, they are very quick and I like how there is always a manager walking around making sure your meal is to your expectation. Definitely recommend, delicious food, even better service.
(5)
Sabrina G.

As a newbie to the gluten free movement (oh wheat, can't we find a way to work this out!?) I was pretty stoked to find Tin Leaf. There is a lot of standard GF goodness at Tin Leaf and happily, some GF bread is available for when I just *need* a sandwich or can't deal with yet ANOTHER salad. Between the fresh fixings, beverages and gluten free desserts, it's a go-to for me. Try the Cali Cubano with potato salad. You'll be glad you did.
(4)
Steve M.

This is a great lunch spot for tasty healthy dining at a very moderate price. Cali Cubano sandwich and the mixed green salad is my favorite combo. Thanksgiving on a Bun is excellent as well - healthy comfort food. In fact my wife and I have tried just about everything and nothing has been short of delicious. I can make my own natural Arnold Palmer too and go back for more. Outside seating atmosphere is quiet and relaxing. And the staff all seem like owners, very high quality service from everyone. Love this place.
(5)
Alexandra L.

I've been kicking myself for waiting so long to come here. It is not the cheapest place, but the food is awesome. Create your own salad and bacon and avocado don't cost extra?! Who could say no to that?! I've been really happy with the service, quality, and portions every time. Plus, for every 5 lunches you purchase with their stamp card, you get one free!
(5)
Kimberly H.

I like the flow of this place but the food wasn't crazy impressive. Its cute and we will be back but we will be a little more selective with our dinner choices. The Mac & Cheese was flavorless and dry and the mashed potatoes were "eh" the meatloaf was sub par, not terrible but not memorable either. The steak salad was amazing and their desserts were good too. The outside sitting are is cute and kind of romantic in the evening. The employees were all very friendly and helpful. I recommend the Coconut Cake and the Salted Caramel Brownie. The brownie is plain and drab looking but it will be a surprise to your taste buds.
(3)
C A.

Owners & management UNFRIENDLY. Not the ambiance I want to be around when I bring in colleagues, family, or friends. Their food is okay, some of it is excellent, but unfortunately the rudeness exhibited by the owners to their staff is quite disconcerting and really ruins the enjoyment of having a nice fresh healthy meal.
(1)
Mindy Y.

This is an excellent option if you're looking for something fast and fresh. The food is reasonably priced and some of the menu items are share worthy. Their menu consists of salads, sandwiches and some home cooking type dishes. I can definitely see myself frequenting this place. I typically try to maintain a healthy lifestyle but don't always have the time to prepare a healthy meal. This is the perfect restaurant for fast food without the grease.
(4)
Jeenee Y.

YUMMY!!! Best arugula salad! all fresh plus with an outdoor seating= perfect! their BLT is deeeliciouss!!!
(5)
Alain G.

An interesting establishment. I was a little thrown off at first by the "fresh kitchen" title. Like, what the heck does that even mean? Tin Leaf is a walk in, order and then sit down to eat type of place. So this also makes it easy for take out. Essentially, the menu consists of fresh American food options. So you'll have options like soup and salad along with meatloaf, mac and cheese or turkey breast. While not exactly a gourmet steak or farmer's market, it is fresher than a fast food joint. I would place it in the same genre as Panera Bread. The food is quite good and not at all a bad option for a fast, sit-down lunch or dinner. I've yet to order something I didn't like. There are enough menu options to appeal to both health conscious parents and hungry kids.
(4)
Charla A.

WHY IS EVERYTHING IN SD (or in proximity to) SO DELICIOUS? Atmosphere: Really cute decor. Just being around the furnishings and artwork make you feel like you're eating healthy?! Wooden benches, brown and green tones throughout the restaurant and just the right amount of lighting makes me feel like I'm an eco-friendly, organic munching, granola girl at heart. Customer service: SUPERB! Food: SO freaking good. Had the tri-tip bbq sandwich, and it was to die for. Prices were fair, and the food was good. Worth a shot if you're in the area!
(5)
Jennifer W.

Great spot for a quick and healthy lunch - whether it's to go or eat in, you will have a great experience. My husband and I were visiting carlsbad for the weekend and had lunch here twice - once we sat outside and once we got food to go to take to the beach. The salads are big and fresh and delish. I had the "small" romaine salad twice with basil green goddess dressing - so good. And the curried couscous side was amazing, although the quinoa tabouli was a bit dry and lacking flavor. My husband had the tri tip salad and then the backyard BBQ tri tip sandwich. He loved both. The iced tea with currants is also great. (They also have a great beer and wine selection.)
(4)
Angela B.

Had a delicious meal here of tri tip, mashed potatoes and Asian green beans. Food was fresh and came out super fast. They do not have waiter service here, but there are servers who bring food to your table after you place your order at the counter. Our server was very friendly and went above and beyond to be helpful during our visit. The restaurant was very clean and very cute! Very nice outdoor seating area with a fountain. Perfect place to go to with kids!
(5)
jessica m.

I've eaten here twice, meat is good but that's about it. I got salad with shrimp and there was rotted lettuce and the shrimp was overly fishy such that I couldn't eat it, leading me to believe that it was not so fresh. For the prices I expect much better quality. I will not try it a third time.
(2)
M D.

Great home cooking food at a great price. I love all the choices I can make and I love having a casual relaxed family friendly atmosphere that isn't fast food available. The sandwiches are amazing hearty and are great combos. I love the turkey sandwiches - thanksgiving without all the hassle! Worth trying over another place next door - for the same price you'll feel full and like you got your money's worth.
(4)
Jennifer D.

Tried this place for the first time while visiting SD. Had the Tri Tip Steak Salad and an Ice Tea. Open kitchen so you can see what they are doing. Great outdoor seating area and service. Another place to visit again when I return to SD!
(4)
Alana D.

This is one of our new favorite spots to go to when we do decide to go somewhere nice for a healthy fast dinner. We even brought our friends who were visiting from another country to this place and they enjoyed it just as much as we did! The customer service was great, and the food is absolutely delicious. There's always enough to bring home leftovers. Good selection of drinks, including natural sodas. We'll be back again, and soon!
(4)
K B.

Tasty healthy dishes, sandwiches & salads prepared with care & quality ingredients. Friendly service. Reasonable prices. One of my favorite spots in North County!
(5)
J L.

I ordered the dinner special and ordered the pork tenderloin and beef kebab. My Review Pork Tenderloin - Tasted great and the meat was moist with great flavor. Beef Kebab - Tasted great and great flavoring as well.. CONS: The only thing I didn't like my Beef Kebab were small. Overall I enjoyed my experience here and the food is delicious.
(4)
lila s.

I am not sure why this place has such good reviews--maybe because everyone orders the salads and I guess for the price that does seem to be the best option, But I rate places on the overall quality of everything on the menu, not just the the most basic. Not being too familiar with the area we saw this place and thought to give it a try. My daughter wanted the shrimp skewer she saw on the menu and a cup of tomato soup. Reading the menu it seemed as if they were at least trying to make the impression of healthful eating, although I didnt see Organic or farm fresh written anywhere. The cashier said the shrimp came with two sides so we made the choice of mac and cheese and spicy green beans. With the cup of soup added up to a whopping 20$, yikes!! Expecting succulent shrimp, crisp-tender green beans, and flavorful soup for our investment, very disappointed to get a small skewer of bland and dried out shrimp, awful beans drenched in some sweet teryaki type sauce and soup that gave me heartburn after two mouthfuls. The mac was edible though not worth the price for sure. I asked a gentleman , maybe manager?, if the tomatoes were organic and he said they were not although they try to use organic whenever possible...only the salad greens at this time. Although I am not sure why they have so much trouble finding organic tomatoes--they are everywhere, have they visited the local farmers market, specialty produce, even trader joes? The oil they use for frying is soybean oil(one of the mosr unhealthful oils out there) and for everything else an olive oil "blend"..The term "all Natural" is everywhere , very ambiguous and deceptive since the alternative would be what? Unnatural?? Not knocking this place for what they serve, just for the somewhat deceptive marketing making customers think they are paying a premium for a top of the line, healthy alternative to conventional food when they could get the same at soup plantation. I encourage those in north county who want truly delicious food that is actually organic and cheaper to venture out and try Green Acre, Tender Greens or Urban Plates for similar fare. Or for a 20$ meal, Rimels,True Foods, Fish 101, etc etc..
(2)
Chelsea C.

My favorite restaurant! I'm currently home for spring break from college and I've already made my family go there twice this week! I love all their salads! Everything on the menu is so fresh and comforting. Nice staff and clean
(5)
Shannon D.

I finally went in to dine and the food was really good. I ordered their French fries (just right, very tasty) and a Mediterranean salad (fresh and flavorful). Prices aren't bad and they've got a decent wine and dessert menu.
(4)
Brian H.

Tin Leaf blows my mind. I've never had a lousy meal here. Tri-tip, ahi, beef bourguignon, everything here is good. It is slightly cheap or slightly expensive depending on how you look at it or what you order. I really like this place so I tend to come here once in a while and just splurge.
(5)
Charles C.

The food here is amazing as well as the service! Very fresh and satisfying! Cant wait to go back!
(5)
George P.

Great service. I had the tri tip salad. It was good but steak was cooked more than I would have liked. Beers on tap. Always a plus, especially at a place with a healthy vibe.
(3)
Zarina S.

I tried this place for the first time today, based on the Yelp reviews. It was better than everyone said! I get so tired of eating at restaurants that make everything fried and battered and soggy and dry; it seems like even the "healthy menu" restaurants are still missing the mark. But the Tin Leaf absolutely hits a home run. Their menu is small enough that they can make everything fresh to order without too much advanced prep. It seems the menu makes multiple uses of the same ingredients so they can further keep everything fresh and not so mass-produced. But at the same time, their menu holds quite a wide variety - something for every mood, every taste, every diet, every appetite. It's the kind of food that you can fill up on but still feel good the rest of the day! I had the Sesame Ahi Tuna Salad (+drink = $18) and I would describe it like "Sushi as a salad". I was concerned about the Wasabi dressing being too spicy, but they've managed to get all the flavor and none of the spice! So it was perfect. My friend got the BBQ sandwich and we spent our entire meal raving to each other about how delicious everything was, and the great seating, and the friendly staff, and the cute bird bathing in the fountain on the patio. Great food, great environment, and I can't wait to go back!
(5)
phyllis s.

The best food and great service. This is a gem and I only wish I could come more often. The people who deliver the food are very helpful and kind.
(5)
Alice T.

Cute place with all the latest "trendy" food options. They don't just have potatoes and green, they do quinoa taboule, belgian style fries, onion strings... The portions are big, and the food is solid. I got the oven roasted turkey with sage stuffing (yum!) and quinoa taboule. I like how they pair all the sauces for you. They gave me both gravy and cranberry sauce for my turkey. Like a little Thanksgiving meal in a few months early! my co-worker also really liked her tri-tip. I'm interested in trying their take-home dinners. They cook it in a Le Creuset pot and you take it home to heat up. You put down a deposit on the pot and get your money back when you bring back the pot... interesting. Only thing I think would make Tinleaf better is if they offer a lunchtime entree option. I hate paying more than $10 for a casual lunch, so I'd rather them make the food a smaller quantity and charge maybe $7-8, so it's a little more budget friendly.
(4)
Jennifer L.

Once upon a time, I had a shrimp quesadilla at a small Mexican shop, got food poisoning, and then threw up all the next day. The day after, I needed something light, but filling as well, since I had only had a cup of apple sauce in the past 24+ hours. I had been to Tinleaf before after some shopping in Carlsbad, but knew I had to come back again because I knew it would aid in my recovery! Like the one other time I came here, I ordered a small Mediterranean salad, which is actually... not very small at ALL. It's HUGE. It comes with a lot of chicken, a lot of ...artichoke-like things, pistachios, peppers, onions... all these awesome ingredients that make the salad hearty / make you feel full, but you don't feel weighed down afterward! When I crave salads in San Diego, I don't know anywhere else to go, but here! Sure, it is on the pricier end for just a salad, but at least the portions are huge! Everything on their menu is really fresh so I recommend coming here. They're also like... organic / local / green or something as well. Something good. Come try it out!
(5)
Robyn E.

I was with a group of 5 other co-workers last week on a rare out of the office meeting and it was time for some grub. Luckily one of the ladies had done a search on Yelp for great spots in the area and we arrived at the Tinleaf at about a quarter to 2pm. To say I was getting HANGRY is an understatement as I normally eat by noon so I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into something satisfying. We missed the lunch rush (yay), and were greeted by a friendly employee. I asked him what his favorite item on the menu was and he passionately spoke about several choices that all sounded fantastic. I found myself in a familiar positon, too many choices! Nearly everything sounded yummy but I was craving something green. Normally I shy away from salads when i'm this hungry but then I saw one of my great loves, goat cheese, on the list of pick your own salad toppings and I knew what I had to do. As someone who loves salad but has a lot of oddball "salady" dislikes i.e. no peppers of any kind, no olives, onions, chickpeas etc. I was thrilled with building my own salad. After selecting mixed greens I happily started picking my 5 allotted toppings; goat cheese, tomato, cucumber, candied pistachios and hearts of palm with a blasamic-basil vinegrette. I also added grilled chicken and a small drink. My bill was a little bit more than I would have liked, somewhere around $14 but I could not wait to try this salad. We found a table in the shade outside and waited for our meals. I'm happy to say that everyone ordered something different and everyone was thrilled with the flavor, portion size and overall experience. My salad was amazing, a heaping pile of greens with a perfect amount of a super flavorful dressing and all of my favorite ingredients spread throughout. Every bite was culinary bliss. The chicken was juicy and seasoned just enough. I became quiet, thoughtfully guiding each forfkfull into my mouth and savoring it with a sleepy look and a smile. I was in food heaven and I no longer cared about the price tag. If this place was closer I'd be a regular! Now that I have told you how much my co-workers and I enjoyed our food let me tell you how happy I was to find out what a great place this is, inside and out. They are green, they source food locally whenever possible, they have a gluten free menu and they care about people even hiring people that need that second chance (read between the lines). So not only do I support their food philosphy but I'm a big fan of their business and community game plan as well. Tinleaf is a refreshing choice that I can't wait to make again!
(5)
Craig W.

Now, THIS place knows what they are doing. They deserve to make it. Yeah, I read the reviews where a few folks bitched about some "soggy" fries. Our fries did not happen to be soggy but regardless, the overall experience of a restaurant should go beyond one side dish, folks. Our sandwiches were delicious and the sides (fries and potato salad) were plentiful and also very good. Two huge sandwiches, with fresh fillings and fixins, and the sides, were about $20 out the door. For the very high quality and the quantity, trust me, this is a very good deal. The trip tip sandwich was insanely good. I don't usually eat red meat unless the occasion or restaurant seems to call for it, which I thought it did here and I was not disappointed. The turkey/Thanksgiving type sandwich was also good, but didn't thrill me as much as the tri tip. Interesting, solid beer and soft drink selection, comfortable seating both inside and out, attractive decor, friendly staff, varied selection on the menu, and very good food. And yet, some people still think Subway is the bomb. Yes, yes, yes.
(5)
S C.

The food was ok. I did like the "make your own salad" menu and the candied pistachios were really good. I got the pecan blondie because they ran out of the pumpkin cheesecake brownie. Pecan blondie was super sweet but good. It's a nice little place in a plaza with some outside seating.
(3)
Mila D.

This place is great! The food has always been fresh and delicious. My husband and I have been here several times since discovering it 2 months ago. We've had the Mediterranean Salad, All natural Santa-Maria Tri Tip and Sesame crusted Ahi Tuna. All were excellent. The fries are to die for and go great with the spicy aioli sauce. The service is also great. I agree that it is pricey but it's OK to splurge once in a while for great food.
(5)
Leonard L.

Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen Carlsbad Saturday July 9, 2011 Four Stars I think this style of fast casual restaurant is the future of food. Very Gourmet Sounding Menu with daily changes and seasonal selections. I ordered the Chili and Cesar Salad Combo and a Foundation Drink. The Chili was full of flavor and served in an individual ceramic dish. The Cesar salad was light, fresh, and served with homemade croutons. They had a Boylon Foundation dispenser. I had a couple ounces of the Black Cherry, Orange, and Root Beer. Sara ordered a custom salad. Spinach and Mixed Greens topped with red onions, feta, diced avocado, sundried cranberries, and candied pistachios and a delicious balsamic concoction served in a little glass jar. The Service was very friendly. The bathroom was nice and clean. Overall, a Good Meal for Cheap ($25 for Two). Next Time, I am going to get an adult float (Beer and Ice Cream)
(4)
Kay J.

Joyce at the front is a doll. The food here is fresh and the portions are large. I like the decor here too. Awesome, friendly staff, they are all chippy.
(5)
Christine L.

Great menu especially for gluten free options. Everything was so fresh. Very family friendly too.
(4)
Alex W.

Fun atmosphere, definitely a hidden gem in the Vons shopping center. expect a busy lunch hour, but well worth it. While overpriced and decently expensive, the salads are very large and could last you more than one meal! Their fries are delicious, along with the variety of dips they come with. Don't forget to try their fresh lemonade, so good!
(3)
Chris B.

Tried for the first time and was impressed great quality food all around I had the tri tip chili and. The simple salad good size portions and great staff. It's now on my go to list!
(5)
Sumer O.

Love the make your own salad - also really like the service, people are so pleasant and seem happy too see you.
(5)
Mary P.

Mmmmmmm...tin leaf.... Yummy entree plates and sandwiches. We usually order for pick-up and eat at home. Our go-to order is the BLTA with fries and the Tri-Tip entree plate with the Asian green beans and the Mac and cheese. We've also tried the cous cous, the salads and the thanksgiving sandwich, all of which were pretty decent. The only things we've had that weren't so great we're the daily specials (I know, odd). Oh, and the service is great too!
(4)
Dominic S.

Had the tri-tip and enjoyed it a lot. Good food good service everything you expect from a good restaurant. Has a nice out door seating area! Perfect for a quick healthy lunch.
(4)
Lisa H.

What isn't to love about this place? The food is fresh and the atmosphere is great. Only wish they had more locations so I could eat there more often. Food: My favorite things are their pork tenderloin and their tri Tip. Both are really juicy and flavorful. Considering I often get dry pork tenderloin and tri tip at other places, that is a true accomplishment. The Mac & Cheese is soooooo good. I know some people probably expect more cheese, but this is a true baked Mac & Cheese and it is better than my Grammy's. The Asian green beans are also really good. They are not too spicy and they have a rich flavorful sauce. Drink: Try the red currant tea. it is really good and refreshing. They also have Boylen's sodas on tap (root beer, lemon-lime, cola, diet cola and I think orange). Boylen's uses only cane sugar and natural ingredient for flavoring. I recommend the root beer. Service: I have never eaten in, but the seating area is nice with both indoor and outdoor spaces. The counter people are always super friendly and they are informative when it comes to food questions. I do not have any food restrictions but I am very particular about how my food is prepared and they are polite and don't act like you are putting them out when you ask questions. My only real problem I have is their packaging for to-go orders. They are flimsy. They use natural materials boxes and I appreciate that but they get sort of soft and soggy when the items sit overnight. They also don't have any divided sections to if you order stuff with sauce it gets onto everything (like the Asian green beans). Other places i have been have used recycled and green to-go products that are more sturdy.
(4)
Antonina G.

I've eaten there twice. And it's amazing food. I made my own salad. First time steak and the second time salmon. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Erika M.

This place has amazing home style food (yet still elegant). I'm so glad we tried it! My family had takeout, a family size order of short ribs with mashed potatoes and vegetables for four. You leave a deposit for their pot, or bring your own for them to fill. I thought that it was a good value for the quality of food. It was only a few $ more than we would spend on say, Rubios fast food (which is our typical go-to place for "healthier" fast food). The meat was a melt in your mouth, cut-with-a-PLASTIC-knife kind of dish! We warmed it for 20 minutes on the stove top at home, and comes with carrots in a lovely sauce/broth. I think for the meal we had, they request if you call earlier in the day, we just were lucky and they had it for us with only a 20 minute notice.Loved this place!!! FYI, I noticed from the takeout counter that their soda area was unique, I'm not sure what the flavors were, but they were not your typical Coke and Pepsi, although they might have those as well, IDK. I am looking forward to trying it. If you are local or on vacation, try Tinleaf, you won't be disappointed. I have a feeling we'll be getting food from this place after those lazy Carlsbad days at the beach!
(5)
Annie H.

One of my favorite salads...the tri-tip steak salad. Yummy juicy steak sliced and served over a bed of arugula that is drizzled in a balsamic dressing and mixed in are blue cheese crumbles and pickled onions. it is one of the best combinations, and i have replicated this at home. the bf enjoyed the cubano and a side of french fries. the bread is great and also all of the ingredients are flavorful and made to order. the sammy seemed a little on the small side, but non the less, still good. the decor is a fresh setting with woods and green textures. you can sit inside or on the patio. i love that there a throw pillows on the bench seating outside, it makes it seem super cozy. they have that really good pop on tap : Boylan Bottling Company...it is so so good! (they also serve this at rubicon) the service is great! they bring your food to the table and even though they are not waiters, they will get you refills and also anything else that you need. too bad i dont live near here or i would be here more often.
(4)
Amanda B.

The food is good at Tin Leaf but overpriced. The place is super nice. The employees are also very friendly. My bread was dry but had great fresh ingredients in it. The carrot cake was outstanding. I also enjoy the quirky soda fountain. I won't go here again unless someone else paid....
(3)
Briana C.

I love this place. My husband and I eat here at least twice a month. Their food is consistently fresh and delicious. All their ingredients are supreme quality; local (when possible), organic, etc. The staff is always friendly and I always enjoy trying new things there. I am obsessed with their tomato basil bisque - I HAVE to get it every time. Yes, it's "pricey" but it's quality. You get what you pay for.
(5)
Sarah H.

Before leaving any comments here, I think it's appropriate to ask a question. When are they expanding to more locations?! Tin Leaf has rightfully been added to my top 10 places in SD. All of their dishes are so fresh. I love how their staff walk around making sure everything is clean and that you have everything you need. I love love their SESAME CRUSTED AHI TUNA SALAD. I've also tried their TURKEY MELT SANDWICH with FRIES and it was all delicious. Make sure to try their special sodas and/or dessert. I have ordered takeout here before and they've always prepared our orders perfectly and on time. For some reason, every time I come here it's a bright and sunny day that I always end up eating outside. Maybe tin leaf just brings out the sun!!
(5)
Sarah E.

This is a hidden little spot tucked away in a busy shopping center. A large group of my coworkers and myself came here for a lunch one afternoon. They have an incredible selection of food. I ended up getting the mixed field greens salad with a cup of tomato bisque. The salad was a generous portion for only $4.50, and the soup was AMAZING. Hands down the best tomato bisque I've ever had! There was plenty of seating for our large party on the patio, and everyone was very nice. The pulled pork sandwich, and backyard BBQ sandwiches were the favorites. Also, they have really delicious sodas that I'm assuming are all natural. No coke or pepsi here! Overall this place is a great value for fresh and delicious food.
(5)
Erika P.

Good and consistent. Excellent customer service. Had the Ahi salad twice in two weeks.... My husband and kids were with me this Sunday and were pleasantly surprised on tastiness of the dishes. Kids dishes were larger then expected. Will continue to enjoy this restaurant again.
(4)
Rico M.

My wife and I visited this place for dinner during a recent vacation, so this review is based only on one visit but it was a pleasing one. There is a good variety on the menu and I think one drawback is if it is your first time, you hold up the line trying to decide what to get because there are so many choices (you stand in line and choose what you want from the menu board, tell the cashier, pay, and then take a number and find a table). I wish we had a place like this in our neighborhood. The Corner Bakery has a similar concept but nowhere near the variety of menu items. My wife ordered the hand-carved pork loin sandwich with potato salad on the side and I had the hand-carved tri-tip with salad greens on the side. We both liked what we got and I really liked the tri-tip. It was tasty and they put a very generous portion in the sandwich. The potato salad was only so-so. It is the mustardy type with potato chunks and I don't care too much for that style. The greens were fine and the dressing was good. We also liked sitting outdoors near a small play/lawn area. This is more like 4.5 stars (9/10) with just a little bit off for the sides. The sandwiches were great. Too bad this is the only location. Definitely it is not worth driving 120 miles from where we live to have a meal here, haha... but it is worth driving 5 or so miles. I like their concept.
(4)
Marina S.

Nothing about Tinleaf feels or looks 3-star. It's a 5 star location, with 5 star service, and 5 star "vibes". But I have been there twice now, and I think the fries and the Blackberry soda keep me happy, but the actual meals I have ordered didn't do the trick. I have tried the "Thanksgiving on a bun" sandwich. The turkey was moist, but cut in such thick slabs that it was overwhelming. The cranberry was nice, but there wasn't any additional flavors or seasonings to make this anything particularly delicious or remarkable. Next I had the grilled salmon salad and the salmon was overly oily, with little to no seasoning. The salad felt drenched in oil and again had little flavor. The fries are to die for and the dipping sauces you can choose from are unique and varied. They do make everything better. However, the saddest part was the peach cobbler. I was SO excited. Hot, fresh peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream? Count me in! However, the "cobbler" part of the peach dessert failed miserable. It was doughy, and more like a piece of freshly baked bread covering some plump peaches. It was definitely healthy, but didn't really taste like a traditional cobbler, which is fine, but perhaps a different name? I will still be coming though... I like healthy options, and Tinleaf delivers that - plus the best, most attentive customer service!
(3)
Jillian R.

This place is just okay. My "thanksgiving on a bun" sandwich was decent and I loved their selection of natural sodas. But for a place that is supposed to be a fresh, healthier dining option, I was upset with the lack of healthy options for kids. We ordered my daughter the chicken tenders, assuming at a place like this, they would be breaded & baked. We couldn't have been more wrong, they were fried, I mean deep fried, so much that they were dark brown & tough to cut. I ended up not letting her eat them & just split mine with her. So, like I said, just "okay."
(3)
Bill L.

Food is ok but service needs improvement. The older lady at the register was rude. Once we received our food and we reminded them that they forgot to bring our desert, they still forgot to bring it. This is the 2nd time it happened to us. The Salmon Salad was too leafy and just tasted green, nothing special about it.
(2)
Karl S.

This place is absolutely amazing. I can't type enough about how all 8 dishes are party ordered were amazing.
(5)
Jessica R.

I like this place. Their food is fresh, tasty and healthy. I usually end up with a salad when I go here because they are so good. Service is good and they have outdoor seating which is nice and comfortable. I definately recommend giving this place a try.
(4)
Nadine T.

I wish everyone had a make your own salad! I love that I don't have to order the salad then tell them everything I don't want on it....My son loves the Ahi Sandwich and my daughter makes her salad to her liking and adds french fries!!! It is FAST and amazing!
(5)
Claudine S.

So the bf and I were running errands Friday before I had to head up to LA... As mentioned before in previous reviews -- he's a meat lover and meat makes him tick! However, his diet is killing my figure and there isn't much in the La Costa/Carlsbad area that offers a balance of both meat and fresh vegetables. AH UNTIL Tinleaf! Oh thank you Tinleaf! How I enjoyed your fresh menu and varieties. And what a lovely setting and atmosphere. Service was gracious and diligent. The bf had the meatloaf sandwich with fries and I had their version of a chopped salad with lemon wedges and a side of their blue cheese dressing. Yum! Yum! Yummy.... My salad was perfect... it didn't even need lemon (I love lemon in my salads instead of dressing) because everything was so fresh. I ate it all and never once felt guilty. The bf's sandwich was yummy as well -- however I would have preferred a little be more of a tomato dressing (like mom makes it), but none-the-less, it was delicious. It tasted freshly baked and the bun was crispy. The few fries I did have, were crispy and tasty. So thank you Tinleaf... expect to see my face around as I also loved your Boylan authentic soda machine. Tinleaf was a bit pricey, but such a nice change from Souplantation.
(4)
Julie C.

My new husband and I absolutely loved using Tin Leaf for our wedding. They are relatively new to catering but they did a great job. And, like always, Tin Leaf's food is absolutely amazing! We ordered an overkill amount of food but it went fast since it was so good. A couple people even went back for thirds. Food is very important at a wedding and their food was absolutely perfect. Thank you Tin Leaf!
(5)
Mark H.

I've been here several times since they opened but I usually order the Tri-tip Sandwich. This time I ordered a plate dinner--Mom's meatloaf. Not good!! Dry and bland. And it's $4 more than the sandwich version. You're getting an extra side dish with the plate and losing the bread. So for $12.95 I received meatloaf that is comparable to a meatloaf plate I can get at Sprout's in the pre-made deli section for $5 or $6. Yes, it was that bad. Maybe it's a little better but not for $13. The same can be said for the Ahi plate. It's not that good. Next time I'll stick with the SM style Tri-Tip Sandwich. I gave 2 stars because on Sunday's my kid eats free. Tin Leaf is OK but there plates are way over-priced. If you want a good Ahi plate go to Seaside Market in Cardiff. At least you can go watch the sunset at the beach.
(2)
Gail H.

Great local eatery and family restaurant. Served in a casual atmosphere, you order food, get a number and find a table. The staff is very friendly and attend to you even after you have received your food. It's a popular restaurant at peak times, and that can be challenging if you have a large party. Inside is a bit noisy but they have a lot of tables on the patio, which is always my choice. There is an open area near the patio and children tend to run around there, so be prepared for that. They source food locally and thoughtfully. They have a great take on the traditional BLT, which is a great sandwich. I also like their Mediterranean salad with candied pistachios. Tasty desserts, too..
(5)
Diana L.

Still going strong you can't go wrong here. Service is great & food fresh!
(5)
Euro C.

Food is decent but overpriced. My 1 yr old daughter and I went here for lunch and paid $18 for a sandwich, one iced tea, and a kids meal. They also don't have a changing table or paper towels to dry your hands. Just one of those air blade dryers that little ones can't use. Not very kid friendly if you ask me.
(3)
Foodie G.

Food = Delicious flavors flow from freshness Ambiance = busy for lunch, with large staff attending to your needs--Nice
(5)
Celia B.

I was surprised to learn that this was a counter ordering place but so be it. The turkey and salmon entrees were both great- loved the ratatouille sides. My son ordered tri tips on the kids menu and it was way too peppery for a child. We were happy to have something besides hot dogs and chicken tenders to offer the kids.
(4)
Catherine H.

Great, healthy food that is served quickly!
(5)
Kenneth W.

Came here due to a recommendation from some friends. We have ate here numerous times and I have to say I love it. The menu has many things to choose from (salads, sandwiches, and entrees). The wine and beer choices are nice and the ambiance is casual. If you are coming to for a nice quiet dinner, think again (especially on Sunday's!). It can get a little loud, but that's okay with us. Our kids enjoy the breaded chicken, as well as the grilled-cheese sandwich. The chicken is a huge portion for kids. It is not overly salty, as most places make them. The only problem is that it is a little on the dry side. But the kids aren't foodies. No complaints from them, and no complaints from Mom & Dad.
(4)
Steve S.

Good fresh food. Friendly staff. I always get the Mediterranean salad. Love the palm hearts and candied pistachios. Like the cane sugar soft drinks. Nice place to get takeout on the way home.
(4)
Matt M.

This is an awesome place for lunch. They have a really interesting and diverse menu. I had the grilled salmon plate (with cole slaw and mac & cheese) and my friend had the turkey sandwich. We split an order of Belgian fries. The courtyard seating is really nice and well laid out. Our order was up supper quick and the food was delicious. Everything tasted very fresh and delicious The fries were crispy on the outside and little pockets of unbelievably light goodness on the inside (made even better with the chipotle mayo). My salmon was cooked perfectly. There were plenty of staff on hand working to keep the dining area clean and tidy. I was especially stoked to see that the restaurant uses metal utensils and reusable cups and plates - all in an effort to cut down on plastic waste. Awesome!
(5)
Julie P.

This place has a lot of healthy fare options and a few not so healthy options, from a build-your-own-salad with lot's o' greens, to a BLT with a TON of bacon and basil mayo. I have tried both, and the food always tastes consistently fresh. The seating outside is very relaxing, with cushions on wood benches. They have a delicious assortment of all-natural sodas, like root beer and creme soda (yum!). It is a bit pricey, but it is to be expected for fresh fare like this. I was not a fan of the chicken that goes in the salad, it tasted a bit plain, and I was expecting char-grilled warm chicken since the description says char-grilled on the menu, but instead got cold chopped chicken. I'm also not crazy about the fries. As soon as they start to cool they taste a little strange. The service here is excellent, and it is very clean, with a beautiful interior/exterior. The thing is, I have not found anything here that I love, everything has just been alright... I do return here when I'm in the salad mood... however, I just discovered the delicious spinach apple salad from Daphne's Greek right next door, so it may be awhile before I return. ;)
(3)
Sam I.

this place was amazing. I loved the curry couscous salad with the seared ahi it wasn't too over powering and really completed the fish. I also got the ratatouille the blend. it all went so well together with a nice chardonnay! my bf got the tri_tip with the Mac and cheese and fries with garlic Aoli he was very very happy with both of his choices! next time my boyfriend and I are in town we are going back here. its healthy, clean food, and decently priced :-)
(5)
Ashely E.

BEST PLACE EVER !!!! The food is so fresh and has so amazing ! I have tried the morning after meatloaf sandwich and it is to die for!!!!!, plus when you get homeade fries with a million dipping sauces to choose from what more can you ask for ! I love the curry ketcup and garlic aoli !!! and the staff is so friendly ! and give amazing service !!!!
(4)
Maria B.

Maybe this will wear off soon, maybe not--but my co-workers and I are, as a group, in love with this place. It's like Panera Bread's chic older cousin who can serve alcohol. So far I've just had a few of the sandwiches and fries, but I lust over everyone else's plates too. Oh, and give the cherry soda a try. I do NOT drink soda as a general rule, but this is the good non-HFCS laced stuff and it's a delight. Cheers!
(5)
Marilynn L.

Pretty standard food. The tri trip sandwich had no flavor to it. The tri tip was at least moist and not dry, but it could have used some seasoning. The rest of the sandwich tasted like mayo and tomato to me. The gluten free chocolate cookie redeemed the meal though.
(3)
Christine S.

Fresh casual fare in the heart of La Costa Finally a casual cafe where you can order a salad or entree or sandwich in modern, comfortable environment at a reasonable cost. I had the tri-tip salad- meat was tender and nice flavor set on a nice bed of mixed greens with flavorful bits. Service was great- very attentive- much more than I would expect from a casual type of place. Reminded me a bit of Tender Greens in Liberty Station- another great spot. My new favorite neighborhood cafe!
(4)
Therese P.

Inconsistent and over priced. Too bad because I love this concept but it wasn't successfully executed when my group of 3 came in for lunch. Two Mediterranean salads were ordered and one was half the size with half the goodie ingredients. Left hungry... bummer.
(2)
Jenna M.

Came here with my sister on a Friday night. It was busy but there were a few open tables. I ordered the turkey entree with tabouli quinoa and spicy Asian green beans as my sides. My sister ordered the tri tip entree with mac-and-cheese and also the spicy Asian green beans. The staff was mostly friendly and service was quick. My food was great the green beans were my favorite! just the right amount of flavor and crunch to them! The quinoa was good and the turkey was moist. My sister enjoyed her meal as well. For dessert we shared a slice of coconut cream cake it was very moist and delicious, BUT it was $6 which i thought was a little pricey for just one slice of cake.
(3)
AmorLaVida C.

Real homestyle food. Family meals to go are hearty, healthy and filling. Cake slices are heavenly and rich. Satisfied for sure! Reccomended for late dinners to go or casual date even. Cute patio.
(5)
Daniel P.

What Tender Greens sets out to do in LA, this place perfects. The biggest problem with Tender Greens, as tasty as it is, is the design. The lines at the front and the lines to pay and the need to return to the counter for drink refills and wait for a cashier which means you are inconveniencing the next guy or gal in line. Tinleaf has a nice, franchise friendly package with delicious, fresh sandwiches and salads very similar to TG's. I was very pleased to find this place on my way back to LA from a court appearance in San Diego.
(5)
Larry P.

The wait staff is very nice and the salads are wonderful Plus some of the best looking woman in Carlsbad eat there. Great out door seating.
(5)
Amiee L.

Just went here last week and was so surprised to see Boylan soda as the fountain drinks and I was in! The root beer is amazing! The food is really good - I had the tri-tip plate that was special and it was very good for lunch - with some veggies. My friend had the salad and she was really happy with her choice. Try it out for dinner/lunch - it won't disappoint!
(4)
Jeff C.

3.5 stars Really torn on whether this place deserves 3 or 4 stars. I appreciate the unique menu, it is very refreshing to have unique and gourmet options at lunch time instead of a deli sandwich or Mexican food. The service is friendly and the atmosphere is nice. My only complaint would be that the food isn't as good as you expect it's going to be, I mean it's not bad but it's not great either...I am torn on whether or not I think it's worth the price you pay for it. Also when I ordered the trip tip and the turkey they both came out luke warm at best. Overall this place is decent and I am glad it I have the option of something "different" for lunch.
(3)
Mr Sam R.

My family frequents this place about once a month, we love it there, the staff is friendly, they have GF options for me, and the food is tasty. I would classify it as modern americana.
(5)
Annie T.

Delicious food! I highly recommend the special- Coq Au Vin. Customer service was great. The restaurant was clean and modern. My whole family had a great experience there. We will definitely go back!
(5)
Joanne H.

We have since eaten here many times.... it's been our go-to restaurant for a while on Friday evenings, and have to say that we love the food and service here. They've woven their way into the community of Carlsbad and provide good food for fair prices. I would suggest the Beef Bourguignon special on Friday evenings.... such a tasty dish.
(4)
Nell C.

This establishment compared themselves to a Pei-Wei and Panera. I wouldn't exactly put them in the same category due to their pricey entrees and small portions. The food is good but their portions were unreasonable for the price and the extra sides for a fee? Nah, I'll pass. They should consider including the sides with their sandwiches for the price of 8.95 per sandwich. Tin Leaf tries to entice customers with their fancy menu and exotic drink choices. It doesn't cut it for my wallet. While we were waiting we saw customers splitting meals because it was so expensive. The service was lackluster. When the server brings you your meal and asks you if you need anything else, you expect them to come back with what you ask for. Needless to say the ketcup we asked for never made it to our table. And our fresh cut fries were SOGGY.
(3)
Ann A.

One of the best salads I've ever had. (I'm a bit of a salad buff.) I chose the Design Your Own Salad, a unique feature which not many restaurants have.
(5)
Laurie R.

Delicious food, Catering has very small portions and poor Customer Service; We chose to cater for a Wedding rehearsal dinner. The portions were too small to feed all the guests although we ordered for more than the actual number and were promised that portions would be more than enough. 3 "family size" pots were delivered to feed 30 people! Embarassing! When we returned to point this out, we did not even receive a discount or an offer for dessert. Really too bad as the little we had was delicious. I will not return.
(2)
Rudi R.

Its fair priced, quality food that tastes great. We ordered two entrees with two sides each was $31 and change. The tuna was seared perfectly, my shrimp tender. They have crispy onion strings which are fantastic! The staff was friendly and the outdoor patio looked inviting, definitely a relaxed atmosphere.
(5)
Tracy H.

Freakin delicious!!! I had the tri-tip plate with mashed taters and mac and cheese. Yes please!! You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Michelle D.

This place was really good! Quick service and really good food from a refreshingly different menu. For an order and sit-down kind of place, everything was delicious.
(4)
Darby W.

Excellent food and great location, relaxed atmosphere. Definitely will be back!
(4)
RL D.

Thanks for the food poisoning Tin Leaf. I got a salad and spent the next two days on the floor. Be careful.
(1)
Kara R.

Pretty darn good! My man and me went to the movies Friday night and we planned on eating at Tuscany but it was packed and there was no way we were going to make the movie so I glance over and see this place. We figured we would just grab something here! Good move. I ordered the tri tip dinner with slaw and green beans. My tri tip was a little tough (seaside market tri tip has spoiled me) but the green beans and slaw were delish. My guy got the meatloaf and it was awesome. We sat outside - plenty of heaters. Also had some wine and total bill was under $50. That being said.....there was a large "kid friendly" feel to the place. Luckily, we got a table far enough away from the family that likes to go out and ruin everyone's meal around them. I've been subject to this before. It's not my first paper route. Pick your seats wisely - just saying. Also, they have plenty of staff working - place runs like a well oiled machine.
(4)
Sabre F.

I haven't been let down by any of the sandwiches I have had here and I love the patio seating, but really for me it is ALL about their soda. I am not a huge soda drinker anymore, but this place has become a guilty pleasure for me.
(4)
Erica G.

I really like this place. It's a little pricey, but the food is so good! I'm the kind of person that finds a dish I like at a place and pretty much sticks to it whenever I go. But I've been to Tinleaf 4 times in the past couple months and I've had something different each time. My kids dig the grilled cheese. Will definitely keep going back.
(4)
A F.

Really nice fast casual in little corner if shopping center. Nice patio, very nice people. The food is varied and well prepared sandwiches and salads.
(5)
Dan N.

Some people like this type of place. Not me. It's loud, with poorly prepared cliche food priced too high, served by overworked distracted staff, in a loud room at cramped tables.
(2)
Kirby W.

A Cafeteria disguised as a fine eatery, this restaurant is not the place to take that special someone on a first date. It's where the peeps in Carlsbad and La Costa take their broods when they've grown tired of McDonald's, but they'll probably head over to the Drive Thru anyway after being served meager portions in bowls that are the size of cups in most restaurants. Packed parking lot is not from customers but the mob shopping at the mega-grocer a stone's throw away. Avoid if possible, unless you enjoy hoards of children, no waiters, poor wine and beer lists, and plastic chairs outside that smack of fast food restaurants. Oh, and the food is average considering you pay $12.95 for most of the items.
(1)
Mix B.

Liked the food at this place. Tried tomato bisque soup, cali cubano sandwich (with regular mustard), belgian fries, all were good. Chocolate cookie was ok. Nice, friendly staff. Reasonable prices. Would eat here again.
(4)
Elissa D.

We are a family of 5 and at Tin Leaf we can enjoy a healthy meal for a reasonable price! Great service, comfortable atmosphere, delicious food! GF options too! One of our favorites!
(5)
Sherilyn M.

Loves this place. Great salads made with fresh ingredients. The staff is always willing to help if you have a question as well. Tried their take home family meals and loved the White Bean Cassoulet. Only thing we haven't liked is the cubano, way too much horseradish sauce.
(4)
SH M.

Thank you, Yelpers, for helping us find this place! It's a casual dining place where you order first and they bring the food to your table. When we walked in, we asked one of the chefs for his favorite dish and he recommended the tri-tip and the jambalaya special. He even gave us a sample of the jambalaya, which made us want more! We ordered the following: - Tomato bisque: creamy and delicious - Belgian fries: light and crispy - Tri-tip: juicy and almost taste like prime rib (according to uncle) - Sesame crusted seared ahi tuna salad: very fresh, yummy dressing - Chicken & sausage jambalaya special: full of flavor with perfect amount of spiciness! - Carrot cake: moist and good cream cheese frosting The staff was very attentive and offered to refill our drinks. We want to return to try other dishes!
(4)
Rob G.

I had lunch here today. I had the turkey melt sandwich. real, carving board thickly sliced turkey, fresh baked ciabatta roll, horseradish cheddar, basil mayo, arugula and tomato. I think it was worth the $9.95 considering the cost of everything nowadays. This was my third trip and I have not been disappointed. Nice decor, organic everything including the beer. I will be returning and trying something new each time. Love that they don't have the obnoxious tip jar on the counter by the cash register. How did that start anyway?
(4)
Chris A.

Amazing find! Food is cheap and very tasty! We ordered the ahi tuna entree and the turkey breast entree. Both were very good, filling, and only $13 and $12 respectively. The sides were also good! We also started out with the share size fries (very hot, crispy, delicious!), which are enough really for three or four people. The dipping sauces were good too, though you only get one or two sauces depending on the size of fries you order, you probably have to pay extra for extra sauce cups (a little chimpy but I understand). Even the soda fountain was cool, with craft-style soda (cream, black cherry, cane cola, root beer, etc) instead of your standard Coke/Pepsi selection. For the price, this is definitely a great spot to eat, I'll be going back whenever we can make the hour drive south! Eat here before a movie at the Cinepolis theaters, you'll save money and get a much better meal!
(5)
Maria C. G.

4 stars only because these kinds of places make me happy. I like the lighter healthy type options mixed in with comfort food. There isn't anything outstanding about the place; I just love the idea of it. I'm putting this out there...I am a gal that prefers salads for lunch. Therefore I have only tried salads there, mediterranian and grilled salmon, both hit the spot. If hearts of palm are anywhere in the description, I will order it. The only downer for me are the fountain drinks, I don't remember the exact brand but it's not Coke or Pepsi. It's probably some healthy brand with less chemicals but I'll pass on that. Always order a desert!
(4)
Adam H.

It's good. I dunno. It's not HOLY #$(*BALLS AMAZING, but it's good. Their fries were fresh and hot and crispy, very nicely prepared. I had the California Cubano sandwich, and it was reasonably tasty if a little dry. I was intrigued by their fountain beverage options, since it's Boylan Soda instead of Coke/Pepsi. But to be honest, if you're accustomed to Coke/Pepsi, Boylan's cola flavored beverage just tastes kinda of strange: heavy on the clove, a little less carbonation...? The restaurant is pretty spacious and it still looks fresh and clean and new and the design is well-suited to neighborhood yuppies. Staff was perfectly friendly and helpful in describing their menu items, so I would certainly go back.
(4)
Sonny N.

Tri tip steak salad! Get it, sucka! The big, beefy (hormone free) strips of tri tip over a big bed of peppery wild arugula is plenty hearty enough for a man but light enough for someone on a diet. The blue cheese crumbles and caramelized onions make it rich while the vinaigrette cuts through with a nice hit of acid. Seriously, this salad is effin' awesome. For the kids, the chicken finger meal is wholesome and appetizing. They serve an actual crispy-fried cutlet, not some bizarro preformed nugget. And it's big! The sweets are baked daily. Get the whoopie pie! Their soda fountain is "Boylan." No high-fructose corn syrup and chemical flavorings. Very cool. This place is the legit north county healthy and fast dining experience. Airy and modern ambiance, nice outdoor seating area, plenty of hot and cold food options. Do your body a favor and eat here once a week. P.S. I hear that it's locally owned.
(5)
Jenna E.

This place was recommended to my boyfriend and I from his sister. We decided to try it and fell in love with the place. i ordered the Salmon and he had the Santa Maria Tri Tip. We both got mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. The food was amazing. They also have natural soda which was also yummy. The service was great. Employees were all friendly and the manager made sure we were happy and had everything we needed. We have been back to this place numerous times and have tried practically everything on the menu and everything is absolutely delicious. For all you root beer float fans, they have adult beer floats. I dont drink but if I did, Id definitely try one. Sounds yummy!
(5)
LOVEPEACE R.

I have yet to walk into Tin Leaf and not be greated by a smiling face. Friendly service and fresh, tasty food. Love the decor and music in the background. Tri Tip Salad is fabulous and the basil mayo is out of this world. If you are there on Friday you have to get the Beef Bourguinon!
(4)
Michael H.

I can't believe it has taken me this long to try Tin Leaf again. The food is still very good. The freshness of the ingredients is apparent in every bite. Most importantly my original concerns about value have been addressed. Tin Leaf now offers a choice of several sides. Of the sides I tried, the french fries were excellent and the potato salad was top notch. I feel very comfortable recommending Tin Leaf for both flavor and value. It is hard to go wrong with anything on the menu.
(4)
Alexandra G.

We were staying at La Costa Resort about 2 miles from here and wanted to get a healthy quick lunch without doing GMO, non organic, so called food and asked the front desk where to go. They lead us to this wonderful yummie restaurant. The menu selection will fit anybody's pallet from meat eater to vegetarian. The food which they serve is local and organic. I had the small cob salad and a half of the portabela mushroom sandwich. It was delicious and I was so happy to find an alternative choice which was healthy and yummy! Even their soda machine is one that serves sodas made with real sugar - no corn sugar AKA high fructose corn Syrup.
(5)
Wendy M.

SO GOOD!!! I walked in to a casual upscale environment, pretty laid back but clean and new inside. Tin Leaf has several options on the menu that looked promising, and i WILL DEFINITELY be back. I stood there for a bit staring at the digital screen menus trying to decide, since it all looked delicious. With some back & forth explanations from the cashier (very helpful and sweet), I went with a salad-- I wasn't sure that it would fill me up, but it did- pretty large portion. Good value for the price. They have an option to create your own salad, and offered tons of choices for ingredients. I especially liked that because I couldn't decide between all of their signature salads, which looked equally amazing. My salad had just the right amount of each ingredient, maximum flavor and texture potential. They had a nice patio area and indoor seating options also looked pretty comfortablr, but I ordered mine to go, since I was on my lunch break & limited budget on time. It was ready within 5 minutes, which is a big plus in my book.... hard to find fast service like this with healthy restaurants! All in all, great service, great food, I definitely suggest this place for lunch as I think there's something on their menu to make everyone happy.
(5)
Roger M.

I went in with my $5 coupon to help offset the rather expensive prices thinking I would score a nice upscale meal, but... The decore is nice with a patio that I am sure adds greatly to a meal during the day although the view is of the Delphine's and the La Costa/Alga intersection. I ordered a Thanksgiving on a bun that had sage dressing with enough sage to choke you. The fries I added were less than average and the sauce that came with the fries was enough for about 25% of them. I ordered to go and live two blocks from this place, but still everything was stone cold by the time I got home (about 3 minutes). I was hungry, but threw out 75% of this meal. Thanks to the coupon I felt only half ripped off. By the way, Delphines actually has quality food and is worth the try and if your looking for a Thanksgiving on a bun sandwich, Von's in the same shopping center has one in the deli that you will at least be able to get down.
(2)
V R.

I love their food! I am gluten free and dairy free and this is one of the few places where it is EASY to find food to eat and I have choices!!!! Their food is delicious, fresh, fast and for the most part, healthy! ;)
(5)
Greg G.

WOW! So if you really want some killer freash grind, than this is the place! The wife me and kid had dinner the other day before going to the movie theater in the same complex. Very cool atmosphere, kind of a "Go Green Theam" very relaxed and warm! The staff was really cool! Oh! and they have an outside enclosed patio with plexoglas looking out into the center courtyard with a fountain. This was cool because we chilled as we watched our kid play with other kids in the courtyard. OK, the food,,,DUDE!! They have fresh cut Belgian fries with all kinds of dipping sauce. They are served in a bucket sooooooooooooo freaking good!!! I had the Tri tip sandwich,,gave me a man tear! My wife had a salad "Craft Your Own" with grilled shrimp and it was out of this world! and th tomato bisque....that in itself is worth going! My 7 yeard old had the Mac and Cheese and loved it!! (Not your normal out of the box Mac but really freash and full of flavor) The tinleaf fresh kitchen was really needed in our neighborhood! This place rocks!!!!! Duble G Out!
(5)
Courtney K.

My fiend and I had planned to go to Daphne's for lunch not realizing that Tin Leaf had already opened. As we were walking towards Daphne's curiosity got the best of us and we meandered towards Tin Leaf. We were immediately welcomed by a very friendly gentlemen. In a few concise words he explained the menu and we were hooked. We both ended up ordering the TriTip Steak Salad and found it to be yummy. The steak was nicely cooked and the greens were crisp. I also liked the interior. It was very comfortable and "homey." I thought the pricing was fair but I think they are at the top of their price-point. In other words, in my opinion, raising prices would not be justified.
(4)
Caroline M.

Knowing I can't go wrong with Yelp, my husband and I did a search for a new place to eat while visiting Carlsbad. The Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen was an awesome choice. We ordered a salad and a turkey melt to share. The food was fresh and delicious. The staff was incredible! They went out of their way to make sure everything was perfect. We sat at a table on the grass under the trees and it was like a private little picnic. I wish I lived near this restaurant so I could visit again and again. The sodas are amazing too!
(5)
Kc S.

What a welcome addition to Carlsbad! Went with a group of eight ladies and was pleasantly surprised. Most of us had salads, I had the Mediterranean, which was very good and a lot of the girls had the tri tip and salmon salads which they were happy with as well! It was fairly busy, especially for a week night, but it is fairly spacious. Take note, while you do have a server, it is seat yourself. I am looking forward to going back and getting a family style take out dish for my family!
(4)
Diego V.

First time here... You get what you pay for... Ordered salmon and ahi tuna... Not bad, not great.
(3)
Holly F.

The food is very fresh and just delicious! The Thanksgiving sandwich and the greek salad are two of my favorates. I would say it is pricey!! Great lunch spot.
(4)
Edward H.

If someone told me there was only one restaurant I could eat at for the rest of my life, I would probably choose Tin Leaf. This is our "go-to" place for a quick, well-prepared, tasty, quality meal. We discovered Tin Leaf a few years ago by accident while driving around La Costa/Encinitas looking for a place to eat at. I just happened to look over while on El Camino Real and saw their logo and thought we'd give it a try. We were pleased with everything on that first day, and have been every time we've been since. When you first walk in, the first thing you notice is the industrial/retro decor with a cool color scheme of olive green and metallic silver/gray. The booths are also inviting as they've all been set up with bench style seating on one side with comfortable pillows. The food has been excellent every single time. I've had a chance to try all of their sandwich selections, as well as a few of their entrees and they are all very satisfying. My two favorites are the Thanksgiving on a Bun, and the Turkey Melt. It's one of the rare establishments that offer a Thanksgiving version of a sandwich. Fresh sliced turkey, stuffing, cranberries, etc...on a buttermilk bun. One word...Awesome. (But in all honesty, while everything is very good...the menu item that tops them all are the fries. I guess you can't mess up fries, but they have a variety of dipping sauces...and I recommend the garlic aioli....insanely good with the fries. I love dining establishments that have different soda selections than the standard fare. Tin Leaf is one of those places as they have Boylan brand sodas....cream soda, root beer, cola, black cherry, etc.. Grab a sandwich, get the fries & dipping sauce, and try all the sodas! You'll be pleased. My wife and I have tried a lot of the other items from soups to salads to entrees and desserts...and have never been disappointed. Definitely worth a try...
(5)
Julie L.

I'm new to Carlsbad and was anxious to try Tinleaf after noticing it while driving. I checked out the menu online and decided the Thanksgiving on a Bun was right up my alley. Yum! It has been a while since I have had that much of a party in my mouth. So good! So tasty! My husband ordered the tri-tip and had a hard time getting his mouth around it. He said he felt like a caveman trying to bite into a piece of a woolly mammoth. Already then. Portions are big, despite what previous reviews have said. I could only eat half my sandwich, despite its deliciousness. Hubby polished off the other half. Belgian style fries were yummy, crisp, and hot. Dipping sauces were fun. Loved the garlic aioli, the chipotle ketchup may have been too 'chipotle' for me. Love the concept, restaurant is very clean, staff friendly and attentive. Will go again and want to try the amazing looking salads and soups. Plus, they have family style dinners that you can order to go. It appears they come in a cool pot. I want one.
(4)
John S.

I went there for the first time last week with a group of 7 and we were all raving about our dishes. My wife was really stoked on her salad and asked me if I wanted to try it, but I was so enthralled with my dish that I didn't want to disturb my pallet. These guy's have done it right. From the atmosphere to the food, I like it.
(5)
Mikka A.

I tried this for dinner and really enjoyed it. I had the tri-tip with sides of mac & cheese and green beans. You order and pay at the same time, then choose your own seat (we opted for outside) and they bring your food to you. They serve natural sodas, beer and wine. You can even buy a bottle of wine and stay a while. I liked the food, I liked how friendly the service was, I liked the atmosephere...Bottom line, I look forward to returning! They're doing more than their part to be local and green which is a plus for me. I checked out their webiste and their tables are made from recycled material, they use their oil for biofuel, use LED lighting, the list goes on and on. It's a great casual dining experience
(5)
Ben M.

Fantastic tri tips, great turkey, son ate everything on his plate!
(5)
Gena L.

My husband and I were on a date last night and looking for something healthy, fun and within our budget. I randomly found this place on a website talking about the hottest things in North County so we decided to try it. I am so high on this place that I can't contain myself. So many times we sacrifice health, fun or money to satisfy our eating desires. Not any more...Tinleaf is healthy, fun and reasonably priced! We shared a heaping TinLeaf arugula salad, white bean soup and BLT with avocado for $22. Everything was excellent and I left feeling extremely satisfied. I will be telling everyone about this place! Next time I want to try the family-style meals to go...sounds perfect for busy families like ours. The best thing this place could do is add a location in Carlsbad Village...it could use a fresh, clean, fun vibe.
(5)
Robbie T.

What a little gem! It is so nice to have an independent restaurant do it right. I had the Cuban sandwich which was perfect. I thought the portion sizes were appropriate for lunch. Great atmosphere and a really friendly attentive staff. I will be back.
(5)
J K.

First timer, was excited over the menu and all the fresh veggies and the choice to create your own salad. The cashier was friendly, the actual salad was great along with the balsamic dressing. However I added grilled chicken to my salad and the chicken was SO dry I couldn't eat it, my boyfriend also ordered chicken and his was just as dry. Sooo disappointing. When somebody came to clear our dishes I told him about the chicken. He seemed very surprised and apologized. Not sure if I will return, if I do I will be sure to not order chicken!
(3)
J K.

Nothing extraordinary about it. Food was good. Service was nice. But nothing special.
(3)
Ashley W.

I'll start off by saying the food is delicious and very fresh. I have never once had a bad meal. This review is for the management. Due to the delicious food (my husband and I eat here at least once, if not twice per week), I decided to host my Mom's MeetUp group here. Since the weather has been wonderful I envisioned everyone would eat out on the patio in the open eating area. However on the day of the MeetUp it happened to be cool and rainy. We all have infant babies (in bucket seats, most of the women brought strollers), so we were not going to sit outside in the rain. All the covered patio tables were taken upon our arrival. After ordering our food and attempting to find a place to sit, the manager (who did not identify herself as the manager) was super grouchy and said that our strollers (we had 4 in our group with strollers) were a fire hazard and were blocking the isles. At first I had no idea why a patron was telling us we couldn't sit down. I have no idea why she didn't kindly say hi and introduce herself. Yes the strollers were large, but by no means blocking anyone. She never said, "I am sorry we need to relocate you" or "lets figure this out together", she was frowning and seemed very annoyed and off put. She began barking orders at her staff who were already trying to help us. Eventually she said we had to leave the strollers outside, they were not allowed in the restaurant. After having so many good experiences here, I am not sure I will go back. I was so embarrassed after hosting the MeetUp that I suggested we eat there. I kept apologizing to my new friends (we were all meeting for the first time). One of them made a good point, are handicap people in wheelchairs not allowed to eat because their chair pose a fire hazard?! Overall I was shocked at how rude the manager was and how off put she was by 4 women and their newborn babies. I was hoping to have our MeetUp group meet regularly at Tin Leaf due to the yummy food, but not after this terrible experience. I felt like she was discriminating against us because we had babies/strollers. NOT COOL AT ALL. A plus for food, F for management.
(1)
Sherpa M.

First visit tonight with 5 friends and we had great experience overall. I liked the simplicity yet high quality approach. Very casual and hip environment. I ordered a "craft" your own salad and was very pleased. My friends were all happy with their "signature" salads, sandwiches, etc. Professional and friendly staff. Later hours and more dessert selections would be nice. I will definitely go back.
(4)
Ailene T.

THE best place in North County for casual wholesome food. I truly appreciate the fact that all their food is prepared from scratch in their kitchen. I've tried the salad, soups and sandwiches and they are always consistently good. I'm impressed with the quality of the food and service is always friendly.
(5)
Jason s.

Two stars for an ascetically appealing restaurant. Other than that this restaurant will leave you wondering why your not as satisfied as the expectations led you to believe. A restaurant is about the food first, atmosphere is an afterthought. Unfortunately the food quality is poorly executed and you will have a small feeling of being ripped off. I gave this place two visits and 3 separate entrees before giving my yelp review. The turkey was almost dry enough to be turkey jerky and the meatloaf was completely flavorless. Sorry tin leaf but I would prefer boudin and even pat & oscars over you based solely on food.
(2)
Carey F.

Only gave 4 stars since I have only been once, but am sure to go back to try different things! Two girlfriends and our collective 6 kids went there for dinner last night for an informal, yet tasty and healthy dinner out. We were totally impressed! I ordered the portobello burger with goat cheese and pesto. It was delicious and I am certain healthy. I took off half the bun, but that's just my preference. One friend ordered the turkey plate, and the other the tri tip and both raved. We each ordered the spicy asian green beans and as I told our server, I wanted to drink that sauce! It was delicious. One of the big draws was the kids' food. They had mac and cheese and chicken tenders. These were no ordinary tenders, they were hand breaded, panko crusted chicken breasts. They were fresh and OMG, the mac and cheese was sinful. Luckily my daughter didn't finish her dinner. Another win for the kids was the soda bar. Each of the different flavors are made with natural ingredients, cane sugar and caffeine free. I tried the black cherry and it was good. Wanted it with a little rum, in fact :) Finally, we will definitely be by to pick up their family style dinners. For a reasonable price, you can get their full meals to take home. What a great concept! I am so happy that I happened upon the place and am so glad to have a neighborhood eatery like this!
(4)
Elvira J.

This place is so yummy and fresh! Great voice create ur own salad was so good!
(5)
Cotton F.

On the way back to La Jolla after a morning hike at Hellhole Canyon Open Space Preserve, we stopped at TFK for a late lunch. Crafted my own salad and had a cup of soup. All tasted fresh and good. Decent beer selection, friendly staff... solid concept
(5)
Trish M.

I've been there 3 times and the first 2 times, we highly suspect this place gave our family the runs... Decided to give it a 3rd and last try tonight (why oh why?!!! you might ask.....well because it's awfully close to where we hang out a lot and because we trust Yelp so much....we thought we'd try different things on the menu...maybe we weren't ordering the "right" dishes before?), and now I can safely say we will never go there again. The food is just MEH. And tonight's special (the boneless beef shortribs) was pretty much the same as last time's special (the coq-au-vin): same flavor, same color, same soupy sauce and everything, just beef was substituted for the chicken, and carrots for the spring onions. The pieces of beef were just floating in the broth along with 3 pieces of carrots and some chopped parsley on top.....nothing spectacular, esp. considering they charge $13 for it. Sure, it came with mashed potatoes and 2 pieces of bread, but personally I didn't care for so much carbs to accompany it....maybe a side salad instead of the bread? The Backyard BBQ sandwich? --nothing to rave about... The Cubano? -- disappointing The Morning After Meatloaf? --yes, I know it says so on the menu, but you better like your meatloaf COLD....blech...bad idea.... The tenderloin? -- DRY Their regular fries were hard and dry too :P Also, the food took a while to come out. I really wanted to like you, Tinleaf Kitchen, I really did......
(2)
Cynthia D.

I loved the idea of this concept and I like their other restaurants so I was excited to try it. And while I still like the idea, the food and pricing might make me think again. The pros - Good, friendly service. Cool decor, makes you forget you are in a strip mall! It felt very upbeat and fun, with good music and a nice vibe. Definitely needed in Carlsbad! The fresh roasted turkey sandwich was tasty and I liked the ciabatta bread. It was a little small though for $8 with no sides. Nice wines by the glass. The cons - My son got the chicken strips which had no flavor at all. The most bland chicken strips we have ever tasted. The fries had good flavor but were a tad greasy. Hopefully just the kitchen learning how to do them right. The only drinks available for kids were sodas from the fountain, albeit natural sodas. I asked someone on staff and they said milk was available but we weren't offered that choice with the kids menu, just handed a cup. They should probably have more options. We had a sandwich, kids meal and a glass of wine and the total was $25 for the two of us. Seemed like a lot for counter service when you're in and out in a half hour. Next time I want to try the salads but I just couldn't bring myself to pay $10 for a small salad if I wanted chicken on it. That to me is insane. Not to be too nitpicky, since they are just open. They do seem to be getting the service/atmosphere side right. But they may want to rethink the pricing.
(3)
Jennifer P.

Love this neighborhood joint with quality food in a modern casual atmosphere. Perfect for families and casual meals. They make their own chicken tenders from scratch (not frozen Sysco)-kids love them. Love the steak salad, family meals in a pot which feeds family of 5, belgian fries are killer, and fresh lemonade is the best. So glad I have this in my hood.
(5)
Ryan B.

I live nearby and love grabbing the Family Style meals to-go. The meals are super tasty, well prepared, and easy to have on the table in 15 minutes. The Coq Au Vin is excellent!
(4)
Sam E.

I don't know why this place is so expensive, food is good, but not great, nothing I don't do at home, but in the hole known as Carlsbad, there's not much else for lunch, so i keep going. The salads are the safe bet, fries are hit or miss, one day they'll be good, next day on the limper, soggier side.
(3)
Ashlinn G.

I'm disappointed. The first time I ate at tinleaf was a couple weeks ago-- both times the food was ordered to go. Both times, I ordered the seared ahi tuna sandwich. The first time, it was 5 stars.. The perfect combination of flavors and I was anxious to try it again. I picked up the sandwich again tonight and was disappointed... The cut of ahi tuna was EXTREMELY stringy and tough (apparently low grade). I work in a restaurant so I know that it's common to put the lower grade tuna in sandwiches but this was practically inedible... And for a $14 sandwich... Unacceptable.
(3)
Eric G.

Good wholesome food, the fries are really good. The service is really quick. This what American food should be. Good and fresh ingredients to make a dish. I would go again. A bit pricey but still a good place.
(4)
Nicole H.

Just ate at Tin Leaf for the first time. The decor is fun and modern and they have a great outdoor seating area. They also have the most awesome self serve soda fountain! They have Boylan cane sodas on tap and they are delicious. I will go back just for the soda, unfortunately the food isn't as great as the decor and soda. I ordered the tri tip plate with the fresh veggie of the day (cool concept) sugar snap peas. My tri tip was room temperature and my veggies were swimming in oil, I actually tried to towel them off because I love sugar snap peas so much :( All in all I was underwhelmed with the food but will be stopping in for a togo soda.
(2)
Todd W.

very nice, i was put off at first cause i went for dinner and wanted a beer and the selection was very poor for my taste. however i learned they only serve local products and that i can respect. i ordered a California cubano and a side of potato salad. i did not care for the potato salad but the sandwich was great very fresh tasting and well put together. i will for sure come back but for lunch.
(4)
Kirt W.

Interesting place. Apparently it's been here a while but I've gone right past it for some time. It looks like it might be a chain but it appears not. Very interesting dishes, freshly prepared, friendly service, and very reasonably priced. Food is ordered at the counter and brought to table.
(4)
Sunny M.

This place had amazing fresh food and excellent service! Their outside patio area was really nice and comfortable. We took a chance and went there with 3 babies and it was very family friendly for us. Will be back!
(5)
Garry G.

I don't know what everyone is raving about and why! The atmosphere is almost like a cafeteria and the food was awful! Never again.
(1)
Kelson P.

This is a very unique take on the fresh craze going around. The chicken dishes are really good but the unique soda machine is by far my favorite part. Everything is fresh and prepared well. I will be back
(4)
ryan n.

okay! love the concept AND the food. notable / fun item - BOYLAN SODA (Suga' Cane, Y'all .. not just the Cola, but allllll flavors). For those of you not familiar with SUGAR CANE,... it's the kind of sugar that's real ... like not fake sugar that you put in your big gulp. like from the days when ships were made of wood, and men were made of iron. Now... Here's some more sampling of highs: -meatloaf sandwich. made my belly say 'boom goes the dynamite' -salads that aren't wimpy -thanksgiving sandwich. turkey even holds a nice brine flavor -seared ahi sandwich. very pink, very good, very large cut. Crusted w/ Sesame,... chomp. sampling of the lows: -dinero... for lunch for 5 folks, can get pricey. but hey, you get what you pay for and i say it's worth it... but yikes! -to go french fries - don't do it, they'll just make you down frowny (soggy) face btw folks... too much food is not a reason to downgrade stars... c'mon now... good food, good stuff... good luck daphne's
(4)
Pamela B.

My daughter took me here last night. I had the salmon, green beans, lentil soup and fruit medley. It was delicious, light, and healthy! My daughter comes here often and says it's always consistent. I would def. recommend this for anyone wanting a quick, casual, healthy meal.
(4)
Teresa A.

I love this place - it's my favorite place to go in the neighborhood. When I'm in a rush or there's no good food in the fridge, I can always count on Tinleaf for a delicious healthy meal. I've had many great dishes there, including the amazing coq au vin family meal that I brought over to my sister's house one night. My favorite is the portabella mushroom sandwich. I try to stay away from the amazingly good-bad carrot cake with cream cheese frosting but sometimes I cheat because YUM.
(5)
RJ A.

Make no mistake, this is a fast food joint. The fast food they serve, however is a lot healthier than frozen vegetables and meat fried in oil. This place strives to use local ingredients and offers organic fare at a reasonable price. You can get a casserole to go in one of their casserole dishes, and bring it back for a re-fill at a lower price. It has a trendy little dining area for eating in, but this is mostly a to-go place. It is comparable to Waters in Solana Beach.
(4)
Karen M.

First off I've only been here once, for lunch. The sandwich was good, nice outdoor seating, pretty good variety on the menu. It's been a few months so wish I could be more detailed. Two things stood out as negatives. #1 the mixed veggie side dish (option if you don't want fries I believe) was swimming in a buttery sauce. Why? Most people who order veggies do it as a healthy option. I could have added my own butter. Why not fresh steamed? I was bothered by the fact that there were obvious things that should be allowed to be ordered together such as soup & salad, or sandwich & salad, etc. and Tin Leaf didn't offer such options. I'd pay extra but don't think it was allowed. Maybe I'll go back one day & try something else. Maybe.
(3)
Melissa R.

The Tinleaf's Seared Tuna Salad is to die for. The food is always fresh when I go there and it is refreshing to see great customer service. My friend can only eat gluten free so it is great to go to a place that offers both options. Glad there is a place that is close by that is organic, original, and a great place to relax in La Costa.
(5)
Chelsea U.

This is one of my favorite places. The food is great, I've had their salads and sandwiches and my kids have had the grilled cheese and chicken. The lemonade is freshly squeezed and the ice tea is freshly brewed. The staff is friendly and attentive. Other all it has a really great atmosphere. I haven't been here during the evening just part of the lunch rush so I haven't tried any of the beer or wine but glancing at the list it seems like a pretty good selection.
(5)
Stanton H.

Awesome ambiance for the area. My office brought me here for my going away party :) I like the set up and being able to look inside the kitchen. The staff is friendly, the service is quick and the food is good! The BLT is awesome especially with a little turkey added. Salads are pretty fantastic too! There is enough variety of tasty items on the menu to contemplate for a bit. If you bring a friend you can share and that is always a good thing.
(4)
Fran S.

Simple but really good. Had tomato purÃ©e soup which was sweet! Would go back just for that. Had roasted portobello that was flavored perfectly with baby Brussels sprouts and quinoa. The quinoa was cold and too herby for me but the mushroom and baby Brussel sprouts were fantastic. Also had the holiday turkey sandwich that was just like the day after. Good and healthy meal
(4)
Melissa M.

I tried Tinleaf with much anticipation ... love the branding, decor and outside patio ... the food is very mediocre. It does appear to be prepared with a lot of thought and care, but just fails to deliver anything worth coming back for. I have tried two salads, both wonderful in description, but unfortunately nothing exciting. The French onion soup was overly sweet and thick in consistency. In reading some other reviews, if it is true Tinleaf is comparing themselves to Pei Wei and Panera, then I suppose they are on par for what they have set out to do. From an outward appearance it seems they were inspiring to something a bit greater, which is what I would have hoped for!
(2)
Ryan B.

Really good food. Nice decor. Great service. And pretty darn good value when utilizing one of their specials. We love coming here. The kids like the food too. Also, love that they have Racer 5 beer.
(5)
Jessica D.

Not the cheapest place but the food is really good. I especially like their "natural" fountain soda that uses splenda in the diet version. Nice wine selection too and some beer if you dine in. I get the the Twisted BLT almost every time I go. Yummy!
(4)
MM T.

I ate here for lunch today. First you order then you seat yourself so some people awkwardly passed me by while I stood there squinting at the menu. I ordered the ahi tuna salad and a side of fries with garlic aioli. The seared tuna was delicious but the salad was overdressed. I knew i should have asked for dressing on the side. The seating area is casual with pillows and it has a barefoot contessa summer bqq kind of feel. Overall it is a nice place to get something quick and fresh.
(4)
A R.

LOVE this place. Have had several of the entree salads and a few of the daily specials (the coq au vin is TO DIE FOR). My husband like the Cubano sandwich, and their fries are yummy too. Our fave go-to spot when we don't know what to cook at home, or, we just want a healthy salad. Portions are really generous too!
(5)
Lilah A.

Food was alright and ambiance was about a 6 to7. I feel I left pleased, (above average) but not really hankerin' to get back there...not sure why. It's like a "purgatory restaurant" I am completely neutral.
(3)
Aliasgar D.

They serve Jones Soda from a fountain machine...that's worth 5 stars right there. The food was excellent. Very fresh and flavorful. I got the BBQ sandwich but wish I had gotten the regular tri tip. My wife got turkey melt - wasn't melted but excellent non the less. You order like Carl's Jr. But what's different here is that they check up on you to make sure everything g is okay.
(5)
Diranasaur D.

The food is still bland considering all the extra effort they put into it (see owner comment)...sorry, I just don't like this place.
(1)
Jenn G.

I was so relieved when my husband and I found this place. We had just spent 7 hours driving from Phoenix, AZ with a 2 year old and I was dying for some good healthy Vegan-Friendly Food. We were driving to a supermarket when I saw this place. We pulled over, I went in and looked at the menu I knew this was our place. I got a Portobello Mushroom Sandwich, My husband got a seafood option, and my son had the chicken tenders and Mac N Cheese and he actually ate it! (He's a very picky 2 year old). I will definately be coming back here on our next trip to Cali. LOVED THIS PLACE!!!
(5)
rachel w.

I dig the Tinleaf. They have good, fresh food and a great little outside seating area that is perfect for a warm summer night.
(4)
Jimmy H.

Excellent little restaurant with great, healthy menu selections at a reasonable price. Love the LCD menu screens and high tech bathroom fixtures. Clean, crisp, and inviting environment. I will definitely take my family back for a visit.
(4)
Erica I.

It's a great casual dining, family friendly restaurant. Kids options are plentiful on the menu and plenty of options for grown ups and grown up beverages as well. I love their salads and their fries are very tasty as well. It is a little bit on the expensive side for soups/salads/sandwiches but everything is made to order and I believe they try and use local ingredients.
(4)
Robert B.

Been here many times now. Really liked it the first few times, then started to think it was maybe a bit pricey, and now I'm coming back around again. Main improvement is that they used to charge you for a side with the sandwich, which made it too pricey in my opinion, especially for lunch. Now it comes with one side, so prices are much more reasonable. Backyard BBQ, California Cubano, and Turkey melt are all good. The salads are good size, ingedients seem fresh, good dressing, and you can make your own. I've had the tri tip dinner with the 2 sides and really liked it (have tried fires, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese). Have gotten it to-go and dined in and both have been good. Kid friendly and nice that you can get a beer or glass of wine. it's one of those places where we go when we're thinking about just wanting something quick, but better than fast food.
(4)
N K.

Nice place reminds me of Pei Wei style dining.I had the large design your own salad, the quality of the greens was amazing, the hearts of palm and snap peas required launching a search engine, the bacon was AMAZING, the Santa Maria trip was awfully salty and had a stray on flavor taste.The shrimp skewer was good.The Cuban chicken sandwich was of the Tri tip flavor and I would not order this again. The fresh and dips were super !!! I have hopes for this place if they can bring it together early in their launch
(2)
Mellor L.

Nice little place way. Gourmet healthy food, walk up counter, def hit a sweet spot.
(4)
Yummy Y.

Love the fresh and often organic & local choices here...good food, served very quickly though NOTHING near "fast food". The salads are great, fries are yummy (esp with the basil aioli). My kids love (and share - portions are generous) the pork tenderloin carved plate (minus the sauce that comes with that one - not a fan) and the sugar snap peas with shiitake mushrooms are great. Overall GREAT food with excellent service. A true yummy addition to costal North County!
(5)
Danielle S.

Since I moved to La Costa, Tinleaf has become a new favorite. I love how fresh the food is, and the all natural soda! I've tried both salads and sandwiches and haven't been disppointed. I LOVE the seared ahi tuna. Can't wait til try EVERYTHING on the menu. The atmosphere has a great feel and the staff is nice as well. Choice of seating outside and inside... and even sitting inside feels kind of like being surrounded by nature (but MUCH cleaner!). LOVE this place!
(5)
Lance C.

I have been heading down South for the past six months planning my wedding. I have been looking a lot for new places to dine. My soon to be -sister in law suggested this place to us. So the whole family decided to come in a check it out. The menu is very user friendly and has a nice selection. A great choice of Sandwiches salads and a to go family menu. I had a Turkey melt and my soon to be Ms. had a Mediterranean salad. I saw for $1.75 you can add a salad or fries to your sandwich. So I did. When they brought my meal it was only about 3oz. of fries it was a rip I thought the food was good but they need to clean up their flavors. to make them more balanced.
(3)
Franko B.

I have been there 4 times while being in the area for business. Great meals each time and everyone with me enjoyed it as well. Generous portions of meat (when appropriate), great quality produce, and some great ideas on the menu. Salad dressings are tasty and not from a bucket. I Will be back for sure.
(4)
Erin R.

The first few times we went here it was fantastic, very helpful and friendly staff, gluten free menu, all very good and the food was good as well. However, the last few times have been a disappointment. We gave Tinleaf another shot the other night and not too sure we'll be going back. The food is ok, but its the service that could use some help. I'm only saying this because the concern is about their gluten free menu. If you are going to have gf menu and claim items to be gf, then please please PLEASE educate your staff. There are some of us that are on gf diets for medical reasons and not to be trendy, and that is where the concern comes in. On their menu, they list their fries as gf. I ask every time if they are indeed gf and I have been told numerous answers from "well I wouldn't eat it if you really can't tolerate gluten because they are fried in the same fryer as chicken fingers" to "of course they are, potatoes are gluten free!" If I had not done my research as a person with celiac disease, this misleading information could be very harmful. If you aren't gluten free and dont care about that, then there may not be as much concern, I'm only warning those who are.
(2)
Christopher J.

I have been there twice this week. Today I took 7 of my co-workers because I enjoyed it so much the other day. I loved it again and everyone else loved it also. Food is really good. I have had the Thanksgiving Dinner on a bun and the Turkey Melt. Potato salad was a little bland though. Fresh and easy. Only downside was it was a little expensive for a sandwich, potato salad and a drink. $14 plus I tipped them $3. Service is great for a place with no actual servers. Nice calming atmosphere. Great patio and they serve beer and wine.
(4)
Anne S.

Very good food and it's nice having a healthy choice restaurant near by! I do think it is way over priced though so I don't go very often.
(4)
Jennifer S.

Love that I don't have to eat alot to enjoy my meal. Everything was full of flavor. Great portion sizes. My husband and I shared a Turkey Melt Sandwich, which was so good, and filled us both up. Love that the soda is natural. Everything is very clean.I was pleased with everything about Tinleaf. I am happy it is in my neighborhool because there is not too many good places to eat and we will definitely eat here again!
(5)
Sean D.

Good food, good atmosphere, good service. I tried this place for the first time and really enjoyed it. Some say it's pricey, but I didn't feel like it was too bad. I expect to pay a little more for fresh food, so it was a non-issue for me. Service was friendly and helpful. My sandwich was fresh and delicious and the fries were really great. I think this will be a regular spot for me on days I don't feel like scarfing pizza or Mexican fast food.
(4)
Veronica P.

Loved this place, it's definitely quite the find! I had the turkey melt and mediterranean salad. The turkey melt came with a side of fries. Both were huge, so definitely share. Loved the drink choices as well. The decor of the place I would say is similar to Chipotle, modern and simple. All of the food tasted really fresh. It may be pricey, but I think the portions are worth it. Staff was friendly and the food didn't take long at all to be served. I will be coming back here again!
(4)
Isie Bee Z.

This is a genuinely nice place for a casual lunch. The food is yummy and healthy. The staff are caring - great salads or thanksgiving on a bun- The family feel is genuine yet modern and hip enough for the locals. Eat here today
(4)
Brian C.

excellent Atmosphere, service and food. My wife and I have eaten her twice in the past two months and find the food to be very fresh and tasty. We have both tried different things and found all of them to be very flavorful and feeling.
(4)
Cecile A.

A fun, modern, well designed, fresh, healthy and tasty restaurant. Their BLT with avocado is The Best! The entire family loved their food! The only thing I missed were the classic soft-drinks (i.e. Coke). Didn't like the flavor of the brand they carry.
(4)
Chris R.

This has become my go-to neighborhood restaurant! Locally owned, great service, fresh, locally sourced ingredients and green. I've been there for a quick family dinner, a birthday luncheon with the girls and swung by for a to-go dinner of Beef Bourginon (Go green-bring your own pot!!) recently for a sick friend. Everything on the menu I've tried has been fabulous. I am a particular fan of the craft your own salad with the Santa Maria tri-tip and salmon. (What exactly do they do that makes that salmon such a cut above most salmon?) Highly recommended.
(5)
adam k.

Brand new and excellent! Fast, casual comfort food. Very fresh and tasty. Nicely decorated and comfortable, including patio dining. Try the sodas, the best you'll ever have!
(5)
Will C.

Nice restaurant. Fresh food, a little pricey, but seems worth it. Ingredients seem fresh, staff is friendly, location is relaxing.
(4)
Joan C.

I really want to love Tinleaf, but am only "in like". The atmosphere is good, and the service is fast. I've eaten there twice: once I had a sandwich which was great, and the next time a salad, which was good as well, although both were too large a portion for lunchtime. Both my meals tasted really fresh and were quite flavorful. The reason I'm only "in like" is the price. While I'm willing to pay a little extra for food that is fresh and tasty, I'd prefer smaller portions for less money. The last time my husband and I were there it was $40 for lunch for two! Trim a buck or two off the entrees, and trim a little off of the portion size, and I'll give it an extra star.
(3)
Morgan D.

I LOVE THIS PLACE! I eat here almost every Friday because I work in the shopping center. I love the Mediterranean Salad and their Turkey Melt. TO DIE FOR! Oh and their Tomato Bisque Soup is amazing too. The couple that owns and runs the restaurant are so nice and accommodating. Whenever I have people visiting from out of town I bring them here. It is just so good! And the decor is awesome too. You must try it! You won't regret it!
(5)
Winegirl M.

this kitchen style restaurant is fresh change from the chain restaurants. we went for an early dinner and food was so yummy. lots of fresh organic ingredients. food was flavorful and made to order. don't forget to order dessert!! its a must!! coconut cake! fabulous!!! we will back again for lunch and dinner!
(4)
Roberta J.

I was meeting friends for an early dinner before an event in Carlsbad and had no idea where to go since I don't get up there often. I did a quick Yelp search and found this spot, especially chosen for their veg options for one of our vegan friends. Initially I was taken aback upon entering because it is the style of restaurant where you order at the counter, have a seat and they bring out your food....I was expecting a traditional sit down and order restaurant. However, once we received our food and experienced their service everyone in our group was very impressed. First of all they offer quality food choices.....a "build your own salad" that my friend absolutely LOVED that had tons of options including fresh avocado and lots of it. I ordered the grilled shrimp platter, the shrimp had great flavor and was cooked to perfection.....the garlic mashed potatoes were very yummy too. Another surprising thing is that our food was delivered to our table within 5 minutes of us ordering it....I'm not sure how they pulled that off but all of the food was fresh and tasty. They have servers that come around and clear your table and offer you refills on your drinks even though it is not that style of restaurant and I must say it was some of the best service I have encountered at ANY restaurant. One last thing...it was one of our friends' birthdays so we ordered one peanut butter chocolate cupcake and one strawberry cupcake type thing that all four of us shared and they were AMAZING!! I will definitely be back when I'm in the area.
(5)
Terri M.

The Short Rib Monday Special was as delicious as any high priced chop house. Yummmm!
(4)
Ann S.

Love, love, LOVE this place! Had the build your own salad and it was marvelous! Also had the tomato basil soup - was very pleased that I could get it without the pastry crust and both my husband and I were extremely impressed with how great it tasted. He had the grilled portobello sandwich and onion rings. We are looking forward to our next trip since there were so many items on the menu it was hard to decide which to try first. Am in particular looking forward to trying the quinoa tabouli as well as the lentil soup. We felt the portions were an excellent size - my salad was enormous. The soup was bigger than a cup size but not a huge bowlful - which would have been too much to go with such a large salad. We hope this wonderful spot with their inventive and healthy menu stay in our locale for a very, very long time.
(5)
Kristin A.

This urban, counter style restaurant is both fresh and delicious. I enjoyed the "Thanksgiving on a Bun" sandwich; fresh sliced turkey breast, tangy cranberry sauce, crisp lettuce, and the BEST sage stuffing I've ever had. Even the roll was delicious.
(4)
Jan G.

Our first time here after a recommendation by the coffee shop nearby. My husband said the tomato bisque tasted too much of "can" and too little of "tomato". He like the complex flavors of the CA cuban sandwich, but the belgian fries got soggy soon after the plate met the table. I had the tritip salad with heirloom tomatoes. I don't consider red and yellow cherry tomatoes as heirloom. Way too much spinach and arugula and oil. The tritip was overdone and lukewarm. The best thing about this salad is the cheese - very creamy and tasty. Overall - way too expensive for a very NOISY sandwich shop.
(2)
tara k.

So happy i found this on yelp! The hubby and i went here for lunch and we left full and happy. I had the oven roasted turkey sandwich with fries and a side of garlic aioli (i added avocado to the sandwich). It was great- thick cuts of turkey as if carved from an actual turkey breast, the ciabatta bun was tasty and soft (i hate when theyre hard/crunchy). The fries and dip were super good too. Hubby got the thanksgiving on a bun and fries (cranberry relish on the side) he had nothing but good things to say and ate the whole thing! This is an "order at the counter and they bring it to you" kind of place. Some indoor seating, as well as outside patio seating with umbrellas. A guy brought his dog to the patio area and a waiter immediately offered him a bowl of water for the pup; so looks lile pups are welcome :) Will def be back!
(5)
Cathy H.

Yeah, I don't get the hype on this one. The staff was nice but the food was pretty bad. I was hungry enough to eat it all, and was still hungry after finishing, which is a shame since I'm not exactly a big-portion gal. Plus, overpriced. (Obviously considering portion size and flavor...)
(2)
D G.

Great place to eat that is healthy and different." Many of us went to Chipotle for the first time because it was healthy and different. Tin Leaf is too, but actually a restaurant that has tons of delicious choices. Tin Leaf is different from most restaurants and it's all positive. Difficult to put them in a food category. Best reference I can give is they are like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter and dinner at your moms house put together. Looking on the menu online will give you a good idea about what they are all about. I'm here to say that they do a good job. Be sure to check out this menu (the daily specials) tinleafkitchen.com/familâ€¦ I had French Chicken ( loved it). My wife had grilled pork tenderloin ( little bit to salty) I tried and agree. Customer service is great. They have excellent outdoor seating that has heat lamps, quality tables and seats and is enclosed and off from the street. The entire place is spotless. Very new expensive cars outside next to my 2001 Rav 4. The rich apparently like it! Parking can be a issue, then again, it may not be when you go. Be ready to park a bit farther than your used to ON A BUSY NIGHT. You get what you pay for. I skipped the alcohol and extras, just two meals about 23.00 and some change. Thats fair.
(4)
Elise H.

I have been to Tin Leaf twice in the last two weeks and I have to say that I have not been as impressed as I have in the past. The food still tastes great, but I think that they have started skimping a bit on the toppings on the salad. My new go to is the Tin Leaf salad, which is SO yummy, but the ratio of lettuce to toppings is off. There is SO much lettuce, and only a few tomatoes, craisins, and a teeny bit of quinoa. They are generous with the sliced almonds. Last time, I also added grilled chicken, for more protein, and I think there were like 3 small pieces of grilled chicken breast on my salad.
(4)
Ron Q.

I'm so happy that more and more restaurants are providing wholesome food. Tin Leaf is one of them. This location has been around for a little while now and we've visited a couple times and never a disappointment. They advertise "minimally processed foods", regionally sourced and keeping it affordable. I like all three of those concepts! We recently dined here after church and found some new treats that we haven't sampled before. I had the seared ahi tuna. It's a sesame crusted tuna steak seared rare and served with a killer wasabi mayo that adds a nice punch to each bite. My wife had the grilled salmon which is served on a bed of mixed greens, grape tomatoes, hearts of palm and a subtle lemon caper vinaigrette. My son had the grilled shrimp skewer which came with two sides (had fries and coleslaw). Girls had their usual of chicken fingers and fries. Gma had the Santa Maria tri tip. Although it looked perfect medium rare, she prefers her beef cooked twice to very well done. She took most of it home to fry up to her liking. Not that anything was wrong with it, she just prefers well done meats. They also have a frequent diner program that is also recognized at their sister restaurants, Craft Your Own (CYO) Pizza & Salad and Beach Plum Kitchen. Each have their own unique menu, but same great service and tastes all at a reasonable price for what you get. The food here is really good, service is personable and the place is clean. Can't go wrong with Tin Leaf! Keep on Yelp'n!
(5)
Beth W.

I love this place, such a great place for lunch. Great food and good atmosphere. Seating outside is really nice and open. Staff are all very helpful and friendly. Food comes out quickly. You can get anything from sandwiches, salads, to nice entrÃ©es. Their food is healthy also. I recommend the Santa Maria Tri-tip Sandwich, so amazing.
(5)
Katrina H.

Been living in Carlsbad for almost a year and just discovered this place. I wish I had ran into it sooner. The food is yummy and not to mention healthy. All the good flavors without the guilt. I went to the Urban Plates in Carlsbad a few weeks before coming to Tin Leaf Kitchen and I wasn't too pleased with Urban Plates. It was too hectic and crazy. I didn't want to come back to Urban Plates but was still on the lookout for other healthy dining alternatives. Lo and behold, Tin Leaf Kitchen! Like Urban Plates and Lemonade combined, Tin Leaf Kitchen offers healthy, fresh options for you and your family. You order at the counter after getting in line and browsing the menu. Unlike Urban Plates and Lemonade where it is cafeteria style, Tin Leaf is like Native Foods where they give you a number and you sit down while they prepare it. Got the Sesame Ahi Tuna with Spicy Asian Green Beans and Couscous. I loved it. The fish was amazing and I was not disappointed by their sides. I would like to come back and try the other foods they have on their menu. There was too many things on the menu that sounded delicious that I had a hard time deciding what I wanted. Oh well, I guess I'll have to come back...
(5)
Sara V.

Oh Tin Leaf where have u been all my life? Just discovered this place and will definitely be coming back. It's a casual order at the counter place but they serve gourmet sandwiches and salads. I had the Thanksgiving on a bun with Belgian fries. Some of the best food I've had in a long time. You can also order entrees like meatloaf, chicken, turkey and pick yummy sides. Gourmet comfort food at its best. Yum!!!,
(5)
Cindy W.

Me and my girlfriends came here after a movie and I had the salmon salad. The salmon was good but the vegetables were just all over the place because the plate was huge! There wasn't enough salmon to veggies ratio but I didn't mind it. The plate was huge so I couldn't finish it. Though my friend's ahi tuna salad plate looks amazing. This place reminds me of panera bread to a certain extent but without all the baked pastries out front. We sat outdoors and it had heat lamps for us to keep warm since it was 8pm and was kind of chilly. It was good, but like I said, not enough fish to veggies ratio.
(4)
Lyndsey C.

I used to absolutely love this place, but was a bit disappointed with today's visit. I got Thanksgiving on a Bun which is usually a delicious sandwich. However, today it was just dry. The stuffing combined with the serious lack of mayo left the turkey crumbling in my mouth. I also used to come just for the tomato bisque soup, but today when I ordered it, it was almost like there was no tomato. The flavor was lacking. My boyfriend got the tri tip plate. The tri tip was cooked well and tasty, but his side of macaroni and cheese was disappointing. Almost no flavor. The best thing I ordered today was my side of potato salad. I'm not sure how, but since I was here last year I just feel that the food isn't the same. Three stars just because I used to love this place and can't stand to rate it lower. READER BEWARE: I'm not writing this to discourage customers from visiting this restaurant. My intention was more to alert Tin Leaf that I feel like quality has slipped a bit.
(3)
Maddie M.

Taco Tuesday? NOPE no more for me because I rather have Tri Tip and Tomato Bisque Tuesday instead. While everyone is indulging themselves in liquid calories and deep fried crunch, I was craving leafy greens. We got the Tri Tip Salad with Red Bell Peppers, Onions, Cucumbers, Carrots, and Avocado with Tomato Bisque soup and the Orient Express Salad with Lentil soup. Super fast service and the staff was eagerly friendly; they didn't mind the small talk. My tomato bisque was creamy but wasn't overly rich and drowning in cream which I find in most tomato bisques. It had this earthy after taste and still trying to pinpoint what it is! It was amazing! I thought my salad was ok, but that basil balsamic vinaigrette was fruity and savory! Definitely saved my salad! I also tried some of the Lentil soup and that's perfect for lentil lovers, but I thought my tomato bisque tasted better! Also that Orient Express Salad blew me away! I kept going back to that salad for more! I feel like that would be a perfect take out- to go lunch item. All in all, service, food, decor was a great experience and I'll be coming back for their sandwiches! I had a wandering eye and looked like the guy next to me enjoyed his sandwich more than his company!
(4)
GT W.

Type. . . . . . . . . . ..Gourmet Casual Sit-Down Location. . . . . . . ..Strip Mall, Hidden Corner Prices. . . . . . . . . ..$$ Beer Selection. . ...Craft Beer Bottles/Tap Food Level. . . . .....Very Good Staff. . . . . . . . . . ...Quick Noise Level. . . . ....Lively DÃ©cor. . . . . . . . . ...Big Open Spaces, Large Patio, Booths, Open Kitchen Kid Friendly. . ........Yes Dog Friendly. . . . ..Yes I believe on Patio Parking. . . . . . . ....Private Lot Cash Only. . . . . ....No Recommended. ....Yes Comments: One of the best places for fun, affordable, healthy dining in the Aviara, ritzy area of Carlsbad, which can otherwise be a food wasteland. Look at the menu and the food behind glass cases while you stand in line to order. Big portions, healthy options. Fun place overall where you can't go wrong given the variety of dishes available.
(4)
Layla B.

Ordered a salad to go. Under 9 bucks get you mostly spinach. Skimpy on the 5 add ins you get. 4 grape tomatoes a sprinkle of diced cucumber, 3 slices of a small avocado, 5 tiny slices of red bell pepper and a dash of bacon crumbles. Only 1 sugar free salad dressing option. Im unclear on if the vegetables are organic and local as they say whenever possible. Guess what? It's always possible to get organic and sustainable foods. So please restaurants, tell those of us who care exactly what we are eating.
(3)
Lindsey P.

Looking for a healthy restaurant with an array of choices on the menu? Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen just might be the answer to your dietary prayers! Their food is delicious, they have a lot of gluten free options, and they're always awesome about catering to my dairy-free dining needs -- thank you so much guys, really appreciate the effort! Favorites: -THANKSGIVING ON A BUN: warm hand-carved turkey, sage stuffing, cranberry relish, mayonnaise, leaf lettuce on an artisan roll -TWISTED BLT + AVO: applewood smoked bacon, sliced tomatoes, leaf lettuce, basil mayo on multi-grain bread -MEDITERRANEAN SALAD: grilled chicken, hearts of palm, cucumbers, red onions, pepperoncini, kalamata olives, sweet piquant peppers, chickpeas, feta cheese, candied pistachios, balsamic basil vinaigrette -TIN LEAF SALAD: wild arugula, quinoa, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, sundried cranberries, toasted almonds, wasabi vinaigrette SESAME CRUSTED AHI SALAD: seared rare, mixed field greens, Asian greens, crispy wonton skins, pickled ginger, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, wasabi vinaigrette -LENTIL SOUP They also do these really awesome family sized meals that come in nice baking ware. You put down a refundable $40 deposit and just pop it in the oven. So easy!
(5)
Kristin B.

This place is perfect on a warm summer day. Healthy and tasty salads, sides, and my personal favorite, lentil soup! The best thing about Tin Leaf is the customer service. Eddie, the GM, instills a culture that puts customers first and employees go above and beyond. Highly recommend!
(5)
Tanya E.

Very good. This was our first time here- and we have lived here longer than Tin Leaf has been at this location. Only reason- I HATE VONS and try to avoid the whole center. Anyway- service was EXCELLENT, food came out fast, nice atmosphere and great menu selection. Everything tasted healthy & fresh. To the chef- my only complaint: My "backyard BBQ" sandwich roll seemed like a parbaked roll that was not finished in the oven. Had that bun not been sort of "raw" tasting, this place earns a full 5 stars. Everything else was great!
(4)
Jerry W.

Looks like a pretty healthy menu. The food was good and you have the choice of inside or outdoor seating. Service was good. The manager came around a few times to check on us and offered suggestions on desserts and drinks. They also have a daily special that was quite enticing which I ended up getting.
(4)
Amanda R.

I have been to this location several times with my husband as it is one of our regular spots. I have posted my ahi tuna salad online in foodie groups and usually enjoyed the staff with their great customer service. However today we had a very rude gentlemen interact with us. He was clearly a manager as he was not wearing the uniform and was about 20 years older than the general staff. For the first second today we had to get our meal to go and as we arrived after the lunch rush, ourselves in a rush we sat down at the nearest table inside because the place was packed with people finishing. There is no where to place yourself while waiting for food togo and the general patrons must stand in an obnoxious area, interfering with the food runners and people leaving. We sat out of the way, but because it was "inside" we were rudely asked to move, even though there was no one else looking for a seat, with the follow up as to why we got "we will find you somewhere." Needless to say my husband will never come back and it might take me awhile.
(3)
Calvin H.

Tin Leaf is similar to Tender Greens but a step up from it. Some of the menu items are similar but they've also got a wider selection of entrees that aren't just some sort of grilled meat with a salad. Everyday there's a menu item which is a chef's special. I happened to come in on a Sunday and the special was chicken cacciatore over mashed potatoes. They also have a Boylan Bottling soda machine where you can get somewhat unique soda flavors made with cane sugar as opposed to high fructose corn syrup.
(4)
Rachel M.

I love places that serve good quality food with a mission of sustainability for our planet and a commitment to the health of our bodies. I recently met an old friend here for lunch and was pleasantly surprised by their extensive menu of fresh ingredients. It was hard to decide but I went with the ALT (Avocado, Lettuce and Tomato). I was a bad girl and got fries with it. The sandwich was good, but when my friend's ahi tuna with quinoa and bok choy came out I was instantly jealous. Luckily for me, he shared. Each item was fresh and delicious! I definitely recommend checking this place out. I am looking forward to my next experience.
(5)
Lesley T.

I love Tin Leaf for their healthy, REAL food and choices that will please my entire family. My husband and I both work and sometimes it is difficult to make time to cook meals at home. As we end up picking up food more often, even nicer restaurant food seems so processed. Tin Leaf has many healthy options...and some not so healthy (Belgian Fries anyone?!) and the food is fresh. They have great entrees with choices of sides from garlic mashed potatoes to quinoa salad. For myself, I love the build your own salad...and will admit that sometimes it seems to depend on who makes it as to the toppings. I recently had surgery and needed high iron foods, so I ordered a spinach salad with 5 toppings and added tri-tip on two occasions. The first time...it was perfect. The second, the vegetable toppings were not adequate for the amount of spinach, and if I had been eating in the restaurant I would definitely have complained. This is the only thing keeping this from being a perfect 5 star rating. The location is good, the food is great, the prices are fair, and everything from the seared ahi to the tri-tip is delicious. I hope they read their reviews and make sure to provide the high standard expected, as a $10 salad should not be lacking in vegetable toppings.
(4)
Ali K.

Had a relaxing lunch in the shade with the soothing sounds of a fountain to drown out road noise. Salad was good, servers in good spirits.
(4)
Stacey A.

I was very excited to try this place and was very disappointed. If you want to pay $14 for a salad that may as well be a can of tuna fish on iceberg lettuce...then you need to branch out to other "fresh" places. Save your dollars and go elsewhere or splurge and eat bad with a burger or Daphnes which is next door.
(2)
Jennifer D.

Tin Leaf is like the Trader Joes of restaurants, higher quality ingredients that are fresher than you are used too, but a bit more pricey. It fits in perfectly in this area of Carlsbad. I have only eaten here twice, but with no excuse for why it's not more often. Today, I called in an order to pick up. I was going to go with a salad, until I saw that they offerred gluten free bread (.50 surcharge). I ordered the Cali Cubano with slaw as my side and an fountain drink and it came to $10 and some change. Pretty pricey for lunch, but you get what you pay for. The pork and capicola was moist and plentiful. The spicy mustard was on point! The coleslaw was the best I have ever had. Flavorful, not too watery and a nice big side of it. I was stuffed to the gills when I was done. Even though I didn't eat in, I noticed that the staff is very attentive. Even though this not a "waited on" establishment (you order your food to the counter and it is brought to you), staff was walking around, filling sodas, offerring fresh pepper, clearing plates, etc. and all with a smile. I can't wait to come back and try some other items.
(5)
Tami L.

Been eating here since they opened. Love the create your own salad. Food always comes out quick and fresh. Inside outside dining and a dog friendly patio with grass area just outside the restaurant. Delicious entrees, sandwiches and salads. When I'm lazy but hungry for something quick and delicious - I 'Tin Leaf' it. Enjoy!
(4)
Jeremy S.

I absolutely LOVE Tinleaf. Tinleaf is one of the best casual restaurants around. The food here is fantastically fresh and the ambiance is awesome. My go to meal is the pork tenderloin sandwich with fries and a side salad (mixed green). That being said, there are several other dishes that are absolutely to die for, cali cubano, thanksgiving on a bun, tenderloins, you name it, they are all delicious!!! Overall, I would highly recommend this place as it provides a spectacular ambiance, great food, great indoor/outdoor seating and fantastic attentive service. Pros- Food Menu Iced tea Freshness Ambiance Location Service Quality Attentiveness Indoor/outdoor seating Cons- Nothing really
(5)
Pilar E.

Gave them another try and again the meet is RAW and my order is wrong! I want my 40$ back!!!' 1/17/15, 4:56:47pm server: Audra Order # 25 Order# 17
(1)
April R.

My friend and I stopped for lunch after attending an event nearby. I had wanted to check this place out for a while but haven't really found the right opportunity. Parking is kinda strange but whatever. The restaurant was clean and the employees nice. The menu is sort of limited but the choices were decent. I had a meatloaf sandwich and found it lacking in flavor. The sandwich even had bacon on it so I wonder how dull it would have been without that extra bacon flavor. The fries were also pretty average. Maybe I just wasn't meant to eat healthy (ish) food?? I did like the fancy sodas though, they were yummy. Overall a bit expensive for what you get.
(3)
Michael J.

I thought this place was decent as i spent a weekend trip in Carlsbad venturing some particular food places they had to offer. I tried the grilled pork tenderloin and everything tasted great. The meat was a little dry but juicy enough to consume it all. I didn't care for the mustard gravy they gave me for the pork so i ate it plain. To each is there own, maybe you'll have a different opinion when you try it out! Keep on feeding foodies!
(3)
Yashar A.

This place is good. I am definitely a fan, and want to give it a 3 because of the price point (but that's only because I view myself as a brutally fair judge). However, the food and food quality are always on point. This is basically a better executed Urban Plates. I enjoy having meals at Tin Leaf every once in awhile!
(4)
Suzanne K.

I got the Turkey Melt but out it on whole grain instead of ciabatta and the Belgium Fried with Garlic Chive Aioli based on the employees recommendation. That aioli was AMAZINGLY w/ the fries and even used it on my sandwich too. Their drink machine was great too. Loved the Cherry soda and their homemade lemonade.
(5)
Noah M.

Decent food. I had the avocado lettuce and tomato. Paid the extra $3 (really $3??) for the little bit of turkey added to the sandwich. It tasted fine. No complaints there. But for $16 a small turkey sandwich and some fries seems a bit steep. I've had same quality food for half the price. But whatever, it's Carlsbad. I get it. The House Brewed soda was a nice change from the same old pepsi/coke everywhere else. I probably won't go again unless I'm in the mood to spend more money for smaller portions.
(3)
Janet B.

This place is ok. I actually really wanted a salmon salad and knew this place was close and had exactly what I was looking for. I had never been, so decided to keep my new restaurant streak of the weekend and attempted to try something new. Well, let me say. I like the place. Literally, lol. The place is located by the Daphne's on the corner with an outdoor patio and the inside decor is cute and green and modern. They have vegetarian and vegan options, delicious sandwiches and salads. They have awesome waiters and their drinks all don't have fructose or any of that "fake" stuff. Think "trader joes" ;). But, I was a bit dissappointed with the food. I ordered a salmon salad and it came with a very stranger dressing. The salmon had bones in it which was not so great for me and was very fishy ( I tend to like my salmon a bit more grilled and meatier). It had cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper slices, mini cucumbers that I didn't know what they were til I tasted it and these onion looking things (which I didn't want but they out anyway). I don't know. The dressing didn't do if for me. It was too oily and kind of mustardy. Maybe it was because I was immensely hungover but the dressing made me wanna barf :( and the lettuce was just drenched in it. I don't know, I think a vinegarette would do better. But I will be back to try some of the other menu. Gotta give it another shot. One thing I really DO like is their water cups! They're huge and you don't stick out like a sore thumb when you order them! Or are tiny that you gotta keep going up for more! I see they have drinks, craft beer (yay!) and desserts. Also a bonus.
(3)
Kayleena S.

Loved the large amount of parking and the accessibility of the restaurant. They have a large variety of fresh food including salads and sandwiches. Everyone is very friendly and always asking if anything is needed. They have outdoor seating and a large amount of inside seating. Enjoyed the fresh variety of drinks including cream soda. This will be a go to location when I need something different
(4)
Laura D.

Why did I have another salad? I didn't like the one I had last time, and this one wasn't much better. I like the fact that you can choose your ingredients. Had romaine hearts with avocado, toasted almonds, onions, parmesan, cucumber and beets. But some how it just wasn't really tasty., The dressing was supposed to be Green Goddess but believe me, it wasn't that Green Goddess dressing that I remember eating when my father took me out when I was a kid. It was sort of watery and not reallytasty. Mitta had spinach salad with same dressing, and also was unimpressed. There are just too many places that are better (like Daphne next door) for me to waste my time at this place. But if you want a blah salad that's fresh, you can get it here. We started off with soup. Mitta liked her tomato soup. The lentil soup was WAAAAAAAY too salty and I couldn't eat it.
(3)
Jessica C.

so, i RARELY take the time to write a review like this and i have only been to tin leaf once. i had the craft your own salad. i think you choose your greens, then choose four other vegetables to add in. i chose the spring mix (the only greens that are actually organic at tin leaf, could hardly believe when the employee told me that) i chose hearts of palm, red onions, and two servings of beets. the portions were a JOKE. i literally had to dig around my salad to see if they had even added my veggies. the chicken was decent though. i can't believe a place that claims to be "fresh" .. "healthy" .. etc .. is serving so many non organic veggies .. especially SPINACH .. the one veggie that carries the highest amount of pesticides. i typically would give a place a second chance but im honestly not sure that i trust this place. i will be sticking to urban plates. 10x better. sorry :/
(2)
K N.

Went for lunch today and got a big delicious salad made to order- mixed greens, goat cheese, roasted beets, red onion, cucumber and avocado with basil green goddess dressing. So so good, exactly what I was craving! And since I can't resist Belgian fries, my boyfriend and I split a small order with the garlic chive mayo and they were amazing!! Reminded me of Pommes Frites in NYC- that says a lot! Boyfriend got the turkey melt and finished every bite. We left full and satisfied, and happy we were able to eat outside on such a beautiful day!
(5)
Jennifer G.

I love this place. Great customer service, fresh ingredients and some awesome combinations. I have had the ahi salad and ahi sandwich with fries and both are delicious. Also awesome options for soda and tea (creme soda, what!) going back to customer service, the food has always come out in a timely manner and servers are always checking up to make sure everything is great and to even top your drink, even though the drinks are self served, that's going above and beyond! My co-worker are all super happy hanging outside by he fountain while eating. Definitely a regular here.
(5)
Raquel L.

I don't come up to Carlsbad often, so when I was stuck for a lunch break, I asked a friend for suggestions. Not knowing anything else in the area other than chains, I took the suggestion to come here... And I am SO glad I did. The staff really made the experience. Courteous and knowledgable from start to finish. Icing on the cake was the manager table checking a "diner style" restaurant and refilling drinks for guests. The turkey melt and Belgian fries were good too, but I will more likely be back next time I am in the area just for the positive vibe in here!!
(5)
Linda P.

We have been here several times & always have had good food & service. Sunday we went here for a casual dinner & split the Mediterranean Salad which was very good & the Short Rib Sandwich which was so disappointing. The meat was not tender & had a lot of fat & gristle. We will go back but will never order that sandwich again.
(2)
Amy S.

Just alright. Service is super good and super helpful. Everyone is super nice. Food was decent. LOVED their sesame crusted ahi. Tomato soup was alright. The reason I don't give this place 4 stars, is that my coworker got super sick after he ate here. I'm not sure if it was the green beans or salad or the ahi (which I doubt because I had it and felt fine) but he was in the bathroom for the rest of the day. Overall, don't know if I'd be back, but it was decent.
(3)
Tianna R.

Yummy salads, and even better Tri-tip. No branches, One of a kind (: We have enjoyed having lunch and dinner here.
(4)
Amy H.

Tin Leaf is fantastic if you are looking for an office catering option with lots of choices that is also gluten-free friendly. Over the last year I have utilized Tin Leaf for several catering orders with groups varying from 5 to 50 people. Regardless of the group size, after every meal I always hear compliments on the quality of lunch that was served. When people are in meetings all-day with their only reprieve being the time they stop to enjoy a little food, it is great to know they actually enjoyed the food! Ordering catering is super easy. After the initial phone order in which the store owner walked me through all the suggested choices, I now simply email the owners whenever I need to schedule some catering. They still will work with me on selection choices, proportions, and variety. The hot sandwiches are actually delivered hot and the gluten-free items are kept separated from everything else. I also love stopping into Tin Leaf when meeting up with friends for lunch. My typical order it the craft-your-own salad with arugula, balsamic-basil vinaigrette, bacon, avocado, goat cheese, red onions, and sundried cranberries, all topped with tri tip steak. The salad is HUGE and always delicious!!
(5)
Deena B.

Everything about this restaurant was fantastic. My daughter's soccer team and their families were in southern California for a tournament and I was charged with finding a good place to eat, at a reasonable price, for 60 people! The manager (Eddie) was amazingly helpful; by arranging his outdoor patio and having us come in before the dinner rush (5pm) he was able to accommodate our very large group. Not only was the service wonderful (all the employees were helpful and courteous), but the amazing menu of delicious fresh food allowed us to accommodate the finicky palates of 25 plus children and also pleased the adults. For example, we have the healthy salad eating parents and also the parents who wanted a more substantial, quality meal that tasted like home made. The menu is very reasonably priced and that made all the parents happy! I can't say enough great things about the staff and the food...they really made me look good as the parent who had to please everyone.
(5)
Erich C.

I've come here twice so far. The first time I had the Tri Tip Steak Salad, which hands down may be the best salad I have ever had anywhere in San Diego. They have an outdoor seating area which, during perfect weather days in Carlsbad, is shaded and very relaxing. Their sister restaurant, CYO Pizza, off Palomar Airport Rd and El Camino Real, is by far the best make-your-own-pizza place I've tried in San Diego. So it's nice to see the owners of both establishments raising the bar. FYI - they also have beer & wine, and a couple of craft beers ON TAP. #bravo
(5)
Connor B.

Very good quality food! One of those places you always crave when you're hungry! Very healthy and delicious at the same time and good service aswell!
(5)
Marcus F.

Some of the best casual food in the area. These three things. - Kids items are incredible, for kids meals. - Sandwiches are really good here ( tri tip is my favorite) - Craft your own salad. Two improvements. - Extra utensils and plates are tough to find. There seems to be a bussing station that has extras but it needs to more convenient. - Ordering here can be tough for first time customers. Everyone is corralled along a wall when you walk into this place and large video screens serve as your menus. If you don't know the menu you're basically blocking everyone in line. Summation This falls short of Urban Plates, but it's a great alternative in the area. Try it!
(4)
Shannon D.

Amazing Tri Tip!!!! Love all the natural sodas, pretty open big space. Kinda reminded me of Tender Greens and Urban Plates combined.
(5)
Mario P.

These guys are awesome. Totally bailed me out by delivering food for a business meeting with relatively little time to spare. I called in my order, and they helped me by suggesting the right assortment of food for the number of people I was planning to entertain. They delivered the food on time and even help set up the food in our conference room. Keep up the great work, this is what customer service is all about and I'm definitely calling you again. Thank you!
(5)
Trisha B.

Pros: Thanksgiving sandwich is to die for! This is the second time we ordered it and it was delicious. Hearts of Romain salad is also outstanding! Homemade coleslaw was very good as well! Ingredients are very yummy, fresh and dipping sauces are homemade. They have a lot of food runners and bussers that are always happy get you anything anything you want, so even though you order at the counter and sit down, you don't have to get up for anything else after that. Prices are very reasonable, especially considering the freshness of the ingredients. Cons: Seating is not desirable. There are only three booths. The chairs that accompany everything else are very uncomfortable. They have insufficient parking that's close to the establishment, especially considering we had a handicapped person with us. The service style of the restaurant makes tipping awkward. You don't want to really tip because it's not a full-service restaurant but you don't want to not tip because they do bring you anything you ask after-the-fact. The onion strings were soggy, as opposed to crispy, and we were not a fan of the fries either, so I probably would not order them again. Bottom line: Definitely come here and just realize that it's not a full-service sit down restaurant so it's more casual. Can't go wrong with sandwiches or salads! Sides might be hit or miss.
(4)
Nick E.

The food was fresh and the fish tacos are decent I also enjoy their many salads that they have to offer location is prime so much better than the McDonald's that was there previously!
(4)
Kathryn G.

Really delicious. I got the seared tuna salad. My boyfriend got the bbq sandwich. We shared fries. Excellent stop, will come back next time I'm in the area for sure!
(5)
Frank J.

Good healthful food and the staff will prepare meals "clean", without sauces if requested. Ordering at the counter is a snap and the food comes out pretty quickly. I'd give them five stars if they had rice on the menu as a side option. The music is bothersome out on the patio. The restaurant plays music and so does the outdoor mall area. So you are subject to dueling tunes during dinner. When we asked the server to turn one of them off he replied that the restaurant only has control over one of them and he couldn't turn it off. What????
(4)
V P.

Yum. The food is good and the service even better! I went in with a baby and little one and they offered napkins, plates and to refill my drink. I was not expecting this. My salad was relish and the kids meal is a great deal.
(4)
Laurel M.

My favorite place near my house, amazing food and truly great service! Everyone is so nice and their rewards program is awesome, they even know my previous orders when I come in and call! That's super convenient! Love this place!
(5)
Braden W.

Great place, love their food. Its healthy and delicious! This place is family friendly and kids eat for free on Sunday's. My son and I eat here often.
(5)
Olivia S.

LOVE THIS PLACE! I have been eating here since they first opened. The atmosphere is amazing and the menu is extensive and all so delicious. I highly recommend you try their fries with their garlic chive aioli. The staff is young but very well trained, and that is something I applaud them for. The healthy options add so much value to the restaurant as a whole. I will be returning for sure.
(5)
Emily S.

Fun atmosphere, definitely a hidden gem in the Vons shopping center. Expect a busy lunch hour, but well worth it. While overpriced and decently expensive, the salads are very large and could last you more than one meal! The service is great! They bring your food to the table and even though they are not waiters, they will get you refills and also anything else that you need. Too bad i don't live near here or i would be here more often.
(3)
Ryan M.

Amazing food. Turkey melt packed with arugula and a horseradish cheddar, nice combo. Amazing dipping sauces. Daughter loved her salad!
(5)
Courtenay S.

I came here for an impromptu lunch with my cousin. I ordered the tri tip sandwich with a salad and balsamic vinegar dressing. Both were delish! The greens were super fresh and the sandwich was well seasoned making it a great choice for lunch. My cousin ordered the tri tip salad and devoured it! Didn't take pics this time (I was starving - lol) but I will next time I go which I plan in doing soon.
(4)
Christina D.

Every so often I have to drive from OC to Carlsbad for work. The drive isn't fun and I usually have an obscenely mind-numbing meeting awaiting when I get there. But alas, Tin Leaf also is in waiting. I haven't eaten here since I'm usually in a rush, but their take out is delicious. I recently was in the area and called in an order, the same as the previous time, and they asked if I wanted the tomato bisque I had ordered the time before as well. Yes, they foster your indolence by saving your previous orders. Although last time the bisque was thick, rich and tomatoey, I simply wasn't hungry enough this time. As per usual, I got the tri-tip salad: large, medium-rare pieces of tri-tip sitting atop a bed of arugula, spinach, bleu cheese, and caramelized red onions, drizzled in a honey mustard vinaigrette. It quite literally is one of the best salads I've had. Simple, well-prepared ingredients all along with very minimal effort on my part. It is a little pricey for a salad (close to $13), but I think it's well worth it, especially since they don't skimp on the tri-tip.
(5)
heather b.

Well I really liked this little spot! I had the turkey pot pie special with mixed greens side salad. I got the sesame dressing and it was delicious. The lemonade and tea were good. THe FRIES were SO GOOD. They were crispy and cooked to perfection with great texture I the inside. We also got the Cuban sandwich and a Mac and cheese. There was live music the night we were there. Those fries... I will definitely be back!!!
(4)
Rachel F.

I rounded up to 3 stars... I was really looking forward to trying Tin Leaf after reading the YELP reviews. The tri tip looked great in all of the pictures and I'm a sucker for food tri trip. The fact that they serve beer & wine was also a plus. I came in just after 7pm on a Sunday night. The restaurant was about 1/3 full. Lovely atmosphere. There were a few people ordering but no line. A young man flagged me over and took my order. A tri tip entree and glass of cab came to just over $22. I received a number and found a seat. They have pillows spread out on their bench seats. I noticed that everyone sitting on the bench had move the pillows aside. I did the same. My wine came quickly and the food followed about 5 minutes later. The first thing I noticed was that my tri tip was over cooked. Then I realized that I was never asked how I wanted it prepared. I saw so many photos of beautiful medium rare meat and what arrived was medium well. I was too hungry to bother sending it back. The flavor was good. I liked the sauce that was served on the side. The mashed potatoes were okay. They were very like with a great whipped consistency but there was no creaminess and the flavor was lacking. They needed a little more salt and a side of butter. I have no complaints about the Asian style green beans. They were very tasty. Cooked right and the teriyaki glaze was fantastic. I would have been happy to give my feedback directly to the staff but no one ever checked on me. It made me curious why the table next to me left a $10 tip on the table when they left. When I pushed my plate away, a female employee came by and collected it a few minutes later while I sat finishing my glass of wine. She didn't make eye contact or say a word to me. I left quietly and without acknowledgement, unimpressed by the food and by the service. So...3 stars because I can't do 2.5. I can't say "I'm a fan" and quite honestly I feel a little ripped off. It doesn't happen often but the YELP reviews for this business did not reflect my experience.
(3)
Robert H.

Since Starting our Bootcamp and healthy choice of living we were in need of some fantastic new eateries. Boy did this place deliver. Wooo Wooo You walk in and you can feel and smell the fresh food surrounding your senses. It was delightful and heavenly. Came in after a late night bootcamp and devoured a turkey entree plate and a salmon entree plate. I ordered the turkey plate and the first thing they say is I believe we are out of turkey.... noooooo why must this happen. He walks over does the discount double check move and to my surprise turkey is out fresh and ready to serve. Joined with french fries(hey I just started the healthy eating) and fresh fruit it was a perfect pairing to end my night. They also serve you a little dish of sauce to go with the turkey. Oh my, that sauce was perfect to add over the turkey, its a must try. My girlfriend ordered the salmon plate and it was just as good. I preferred the turkey but that's just me since I am not a big fish eater. To top of our dinner we threw in a couple of Endless summer's by Karl Strauss, went down nice and smooth and complimented the turkey just nice. Everything was perfectly cooked and served fresh. I couldn't ask for a better meal. They even had this cool soda pop machine, I didn't have it but it looked super cool and definitely a few flavors I would like to try. If the rest of the food is as good as the turkey and salmon then I am looking forward to coming back for the meatloaf and some more turkey.
(5)
Mar C.

This place really reminded of those fast casual places overseas (CafÃ© de Coral) but Americanized. You order and pay at the counter, take a seat then wait for your food -- not necessarily sandwich/soup type food like Panera, but home-y meals like tri-tip, turkey breast, pork tenderloin. My partner and I ordered: Santa Maria Tri Tip with 2x seasonal vegatables Turkey Breast with garlic mashed potatoes and quinoa tabbouleh The Tri Tip was tough. The steak sauce made it a bit better . The Turkey Breast was the better dish of the two. It was nicely seasoned and not dry at all. I don't think we should have gotten the quinoa because it didn't really go with the two dishes, but we used it as palate cleanser since it was kinda bland. As an alternative to fast food, Tin Leaf provided some good eats. Bonus is their Boylan soda fountain which offers cane sugar sodas. Free refills!
(3)
Andrea W.

Pretty big place with both indoor and outdoor seating. Order at the counter, get a number, and the food is brought to you. We had the seared sesame crusted ahi tuna, and grilled pork tenderloin entrees. Our sides were mashed potatoes, baby bok choy w / shitake mushrooms, and mac'n cheese, which were pretty good. I preferred the ahi tuna over the pork, but the portion of the ahi tuna left me wanting more. The pork came with weird sauce that didn't pair well for us. Overall, decent food for the price. Service was great and they were pretty helpful as the menu is pretty intimidating at first.
(3)
Parris B.

I like Tin Leaf, but on this particular visit, I was unimpressed with the meat loaf, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. Primarily, I like gravy on my mashed potatoes, and on everything else for that matter, but this dish had none. Eating this dish gave me the worst cotton mouth. The food was well-intentioned, but lacked liquid! I love the cool soda bar and also love the desserts. I will come back again, but next time try something different.
(3)
Ralph V.

Okay so for lunch I got the tri tip entree with the side of fries and snap peas with shiitake mushrooms. With a drink your looking at spending around $18. So in my eyes of your going to drop that much money they better have good quality food. The verdict.., pretty good for what you pay for. The portions to me were good, not too big but left you satisfied. The seasoning on the tri tip was okay, not a big fan of it actually. The sauce for the tri top on the other hand was a good BBQ type of sauce that had a nice hint of a horseradish type of flavor. Biggest gripe I had really was that my tri tip was dry. No moisture to it at all, made me sad. The sides were great though and their drink selection have no high fructose corn syrup sodas which is cool. All in all I would come here again but probably not go for the tri tip.
(3)
Erin N.

Went for the first time today for lunch and the service was really great, best salads ever! Salad dressing is homemade and salads are so fresh and HUGE! I have enough for lunch tomorrow. I Can't wait to go back to try another.
(5)
jana m.

Can't say enough good things about this delicious place. GF options abound and the entrees, salads & sandwiches are excellent. Really like the roasted turkey entree with GF jus and cranberry sauce. GF desserts too! Boylan natural sodas, great beer and wine selection are beverage options.
(5)
Frank L.

Went to this place for lunch for the first time and was not disappointed! I got the salmon with bok choy and quinoa. Very delicious and quite healthy. The food is a little pricey but its all fresh and made with good ingredients so worth it if you're health conscious. The layout is pretty simple too. You can pick and choose your own combinations or select from their own creations. They'll bring it out to your table in no time too! I'd recommend this place to my friends. Cheers! Cheers
(5)
Alison P.

Excellent food. Salads are fresh and flavorful. I've never had anything here that was less than what I expected. Service is also great. Staff is friendly and helpful. Central location. There could be better parking... There are several restaurants in this corner of the plaza and parking is limited. All in all, a superb choice for a casual lunch and a better and more nutritious choice than fast food.
(4)
Michael S.

Seriously people..wake up! Healthy food is allowed to taste delicous and tin leaf is not the answer. 2 sandwiches, a bowl of soup, a lemonade, and a water. $31. Hahaha.. What a joke! Although the lemonade wasn't half bad the food was absolutely terrible . When will we get an organic restaurant that can actually serve good food? Sandwich bread was too hard, and the turkey was severely dry. I feel like people only think they like this place because it's organic but trust me, the food is really bad
(2)
Laurie B.

I would consider myself a Tin Leaf regular; I eat here a couple of times (or more!) per week as part of my regular rotation. Lately I've been disappointed, and feel the quality of ingredients have slipped, especially for the the price. The amount of chicken on the "Craft Your Own" Salad is less than what they used to provide, and at my last visit what little chicken was provided was dry and gristly (yuck!). I brought it to the cashier's attention, and she apologized and told me that they must have been running low on chicken; they cut it up fresh in the morning and since it was late in the day, they didn't have any of the better pieces left (?). She didn't offer me anything else, even though I just earned a $5 discount that day from their frequent customer club, so she knew I was a regular. Rather disappointed, and will now wait a while before going back. They will need to up the value and quality, and train their employees, in order to retain me as a regular again.
(3)
Susan G.

Pleasantly surprised but not what expected. After a long work day, it would have been nice to be seated and served instead, order/pay at the counter, receive a number and go find a table. There is quite a bit of seating both inside and outside (heaters available if chilly.) Large menu with sandwiches, entrees, salads and kids items. It was dinner time so picked the Ahi Tuna with my choice of two sides: Belgian fries (cut like shoestring fries) and quinoa. The Ahi was crusted with sesame and sliced thin with a little bit of wasabi. My coworker had the special: chicken piccata. It was served over mashed potatoes with a huge side salad. There was a lot of food and she said it was wonderful. Lemonade, teas and soft drinks (Boylan Bottling) include refills. Wine and beer were also available. Everything was good but a bit pricey. If I go back, I'll try something different!
(4)
Eley D.

For the longest time, I really didn't like this place. I tried a lot of things on the menu from the tri-tip, to soups and sandwhiches and I could not find anything that I could really rave about . . . yet my husband kept wanting to go there. Finally, I ordered what he had been ordering and it was excellent. So these are the menu items that I currently approve of: Lentil Soup Turkey Melt Handcut Belgian Fries and for the kids Mac n Cheese (baked with panko on top--- had to remove panko for my little one) Chicken Strips What I have not enjoyed: Meatloaf Tri-tip Seared tuna salad Thanksgiving on a Bun Seared Ahi Tuna sandwhich I have also tried 3 of their homemade dipping sauces. So far, I did not think the honey mustard was even edible. The wasabi mayo was okay, and the curry ketchup was okay. I don't think I will be paying extra for sauces that don't add a whole lot to the experience. Guess I know what I will be ordering next time!!!
(3)
Shayne C.

Attention healthnuts !!! This place is great for a quick bite !!! Love the extensive menu options ! Craft my own salad !! Mmm..sure why not ? Make sure if you're indecisive like me to scope the menu beforehand. Lots to choose from. I stuck with the following ingredients: Mixed field greens Balsamic-basil vinaigrette grape tomatoes cucumbers quinoa red bell peppers chickpeas added marinated portobello mushroom (~$11) Bf got: Grilled Loch Duart Salmon with spicy asian green beans and baby bok choy w/ shitake mushrooms ($12.95) Not too shabby !!! Decent portions and I was satisfied. Flavor wise it isn't much to write home about. I guess being a vegan, I can be a salad nazi ! I love my salads bursting with flavors, but I appreciate the healthy alternative. I'd check it out again if I'm in the area.
(3)
Kristen A.

Ate there tonight and I really like this place! The environment is great and they have a nice outside dining area. I ordered the Turkey Melt with potato salad. It tasted wonderful. The bread was fresh and yummy. The serving of carved turkey was generous and the sandwich tasted very fresh. The potato salad was out of the ordinary and very good, full of flavor! I will definitely be back soon!
(5)
Lulu E.

Amazing. Enough said. Went in for a girls lunch and every single item ordered was mouth watering. Salads are amazing. Build your own allows you to cater to your taste buds :) cute soda collection :) only set back is I wish they offered the white tea from their sister resturant beach plum. I was hoping they had it but eh it's a business strategy to offer different items I suppose? Staff was extremely friendly and helpful. Constantly checking on our table to help clear items. The ice machine did break on a hot day but obviously it happens. If you are looking for a delicious fresh bite- I highly recommend this place :)
(5)
Mercy C.

Yummy steak salad... Very clean fresh concept and service matched in appearance. Friendly and efficient- definitely will be back!
(4)
Jeremy F.

Disappointed!! I really wanted to like this place. The location is easy to get to from my house, the prices are reasonable but not amazing, it has good outdoor seating options, and the menu looks good. BUT I have tried it twice and have not had great experiences either time. All-Natural Santa Maria Tri Tip (Dry and not great) Grilled Loch Duart Salmon (Very dry) Wife didn't finish hers Salads are good! The proteins are not cooked well. If you want a vegetarian salad or poorly cook protein, this is your place. Otherwise, it isn't hard to find better!
(2)
Kiley G.

This is one of my favorite restaurants to go to for lunch. Their BLT is ridiculously amazing, and the tomato soup is simply divine. They use all fresh, and organic ingredients and it's made to order. It's located in the Von's shopping center so it's great for a day of running errands. There are not a lot of restaurants in the Aviara portion of Carlsbad, so it's nice to see new and inventive creations popping up, especially when they taste this good. If you haven't been before, I would definitely suggest checking it out.
(5)
Cathy M.

We've driven by this sleek-looking restaurant several times but just tried it out for the first time last week. We've been back 3 times! Finally--a really good, reasonably priced restaurant in Carlsbad! What an oasis in a culinary desert! Everything I've had has been terrific. I love their "custom salad" that you put together yourself. Their dressings are homemade and delicious. The tri-tip is perfectly cooked and tender. Ditto the roast turkey. The rolls they use for their sandwiches are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and they stack the sandwich just right with meat, cheese, lettuce and tomato. And of course, as noted here often, the French fries are out of this world. Twice-fried like I remember those I used to get from a greasy spoon on the pier in Santa Monica--you dream about French fries like these! We have yet to try their "family dinners" for $30, you take it home in a dutch oven so it's still hot when you get it home! (deposit required.) Pricing is reasonable for what you get--high quality ingredients and wonderful service. Like the James Beard quote on their wall advises, use the best and freshest ingredients and prepare them simply and deliciously. And Tin Leaf does just that!
(5)
Mike B.

The food is pretty consistant here. It's always fresh however I do feel like the portions could be a bit bigger. The one thing I absolutely love is the soda!! It is the best Soda ever because I guess it's all natural and has organic cane sugar instead of regular sugar. I would just come here for the soda.
(4)
So Cal Sweetie S.

I have been here several times. I really enjoy coming here and find the food quality and service to be very good. I really like the soda fountain with cane sugar sodas instead of the standard coke and pepsi. The black cherry soda is really good! This is a great place for lunch or dinner. The desserts are good also. I will continue to come back and refer my friends here also.
(5)
MHKW R.

We decided to check it out and were pleasantly surprised. I had the BLT w/avocado and husband had coq au vin, both tasted great. Husband was very excited to have cream soda on tap. We are planning on dinner one Sunday - kids eat free! We'll definitely be back.
(4)
Jill N.

mmmmmm tin leaf I love you. Please come to orange county. This place is awesome. I have only been here twice and ordered the make your own salad both times. The ingredients are so fresh. I love all the options they have too. I usually do mixed greens, avocado, carrots, quinoa, dried cranberries, golden beets and basil-balmsamic dressing. The workers here are super friendly too. They are so patient when your picking all the things you want in your salad. I wish they would offer nutritional info. Other than that I highly recommend coming here.
(4)
Ann S.

We really do need better restaurants like this one in the La Costa/Aviara area. And although the sandwiches were good sized and tasty, the tri-tip salad which was recommended, was just so-so. When we went there a third time we ordered the chili special, and although tasty, we almost laughed at the size of the portion along with the tiny corn muffin that came to the table. Same with the tomato basil soup size. So, I'm giving the restaurant two stars, not because of the lack of some tasty food, but your portion sizes on the above fore-mentioned were silly based on the price, $10 and $4.50 respectively. Make some portion size changes, improve some of your recipes and we'll be back.
(2)
Jan F.

What a find! Delicious sandwiches, great menu. Loved the Belgian Fries. Can't wait to go back again!
(4)
Michelle S.

Love it!! One of my favorite! Great salads
(5)
RP H.

Food was cold and salty and tasted like elephant toes.
(2)
Ernie B.

Took the family to Tinleaf for the first time tonight. My wife and I had the Tri Tip salad and It was excellent. Also noticed they had soda with cane sugar...not the High fructose garbage thats out there at most restaurants. ( Soda with real sugar is making a comeback.) I thought the service was great and the setting was very nice. Definitely on our list of Carlsbad favorites.
(5)
Denise F.

We went there on a Saturday night and the service and food was awesome. I highly recommend the santa maria tri tip sandwich, fabulous
(5)
Julie B.

Our family has been a handful of times and we have thoroughly enjoyed every dinner! I'm thankful that we have this restaurant right down the street. Unique concept in this area.
(5)
Brad L.

Excellent food and loved their concept. Would definitely eat here again. The soda machine is definitely unique.
(5)
Jessica I.

Tasty, fresh and quick!
(4)
Lauren E.

Really tasty and yummy, went with 3 girlfriends the other night we all got salads and loved all the yummy items in them. Mac n cheese was very tasty too! Tasted fresh and healthy, great options. Wish there were more locations, especially towards downtown!
(4)
Gail E.

This was my second visit to Tin Leaf. My first one left a lot to be desired in terms of service but on my second visit the service was great and the staff was very attentive. My husband said his turkey sandwich was very good and the fries were nice and crisp. I had the turkey plate and wasn't thrilled with the turkey (kind of dry and lukewarm, although a generous serving) but what I really like about this place is their sides. I've had the onion strings (which I love), the ratatouille, the fries, and the quinoa taboule and they were all outstanding. If they only had a plate with just 3 or 4 sides I'd eat here all the time.
(3)
jamie m.

this place makes a great lunch spot. they have salads, sandwiches, etc. the service was friendly and helpful and they have a cute outdoor eating area. the restaurant is nice, kind of industrial, with a "green"/organic feel to it. i had the twisted blt, which was good, but had way too much bacon on it. i don't eat much meat though, so maybe a full-on carnivore would feel differently. i wanted the portobello burger and should have gone with that - it sounded really good and i could have skipped the meat. the fries were very tasty. my husband got the thanksgiving on a bun and really liked it. overall, i think this place is good - i'm anxious to go back and try some of their salad and soup options.
(4)
Lisa S.

We just discovered this restaurant. Excellent soups and salads, reasonably priced, and all made fresh on site. Highly recommended.
(5)
M C.

love it!!!! Delicious food. Great fast service. I'll keep coming back and I'll tell everyone!!!
(4)
R C.

Fresh new approach to a great lunch. Clean atmosphere. Great Belgian Fries. Delicious salad and the option to create your own with 20 plus ingredients. Great for the picky eater. Yes it is pricey, but you get what you pay for. Something nicer than everything in the La Costa/Aviara area. Not much for kids, a bit on the fancy side for kids but I bet that will change. Owners listen and care and want to please. BOYLAN Sisters Sodas, fresh, new, caffeine free and good. Take home meals in a Le Crueset Pot, fun! Mid to upscale dining, so if that's not your style, you wouldn't appreciate it. Not fancy, you can wear shirts and shorts, jeans..but the menu is nice and caters to business people and those interested in "non chain food". Worth a try and I've been several times..heading there again soon. Yum. Designer did great with being "green". Growing herbs/fruit in the patio is pretty and smart. Friendly staff, relaxing, fast but fresh, You can watch them cook. SOUPS; terrific Tomato Basil!!! If you like the Cohen Family Restaurants..you will like this one:) (kemo sabe, corvettes, c lounge, dakota, indigo grill)
(4)
Jesse M.

they changed their fries... not even close to as good as they were.
(3)
Marshall W.

A wonderfully fresh menu; I had the tomato bisque plus a sandwich. Others sandwiches, all good. Prices are a little high but you can be assured you are not doing any nutritional damage to your body. I love those hamburger joints but know in my heart of hearts I will live a much shorter life.
(4)
Meena N.

I like it! It's like a "fast food" type of place but actually healthy...well, healthier. The people are just so friendly too. I ordered a portabello mushroom sandwich and it was REALLY good. They give you a LOT of fries too, so i was super full....and they have a lot of good sodas, so yes, I filled my cup half way each time and tried them all...including the teas. Yum in all areas, great customer service and upon seeing other patrons, their salads look delish and are HUGE!
(4)
Francisco H.

Place is nice, food is good. I had the cali cubano sandwich adn fries along w a drink. I am not sure if i was expecting more but the sandwich was missing something. Maybe some avocado. I know it increases the cost oer sandwich but for 13.00 for a meal. I few slices of avocado wont hurt. I would come back, but i would try something else.
(3)
Nanette F.

My daughter and I have started a new FaceBook page called WHY? Foods: Nutrition or Prescription. We RARELY eat out, because we have healed our bodies over the past two years with REAL food. What a treat your restaurant was today. We have posted three pictures of our amazing experience on our WHY? Foods: Nutrition or Prescription FB page. Thank you for REAL food!
(5)
Jonathan A.

I'm a picky eater and am always looking for the freshest ingredients. Tin Leaf provides this and a menu has a great selection of meals that don't put me on a food coma. Some of my favorites are: Tri Tip Steak Salad Mom's Meatloaf entree Sesame Seed Crusted Tuna Salad
(5)
Tina T.

Similar to Tender Greens and Urban Plates, Tin Leaf is a healthy, cafeteria-style restaurant where you pick and choose your entrees, sides, salad, etc. The food is fresh and tasty. Also, they make their own delicious natural sodas using cane sugar.
(4)
Kimberly V.

We stopped here for lunch upon arriving in Carlsbad. The food is fresh, the service is friendly and they have Boylan Fountain pure sugar cane sodas, which are ah-ma-zing! And I don't drink soda too often. My picky eating son had a byo salad w/ fantastic buttermilk dressing! He loved that he could create it to meet his very specific needs. My daughter had a BLTA on multigrain bread. The bacon was the best I have tasted since visiting the Ferry building in San Francisco. She loved every bite of her sandwich! My husband had the seared ahi tuna sandwich, which left him speechless (thank you) and I had the salmon and garlic mashed potatoes! Let's just say I finished my meal first, in fact well ahead of anyone else. The price was higher than our family of four normally spends, but for a vacation meal it was average. I would come here again, and again, and repeat. The manager was extremely attentive and very friendly, as was the staff. A wonderful way to start a vacation!!
(5)
Alicia F.

This was my first visit to Tin Leaf while visiting my sister in California. The food was very fresh and they had tons of options. I loved their salads and the option to create your own. I wish they had more places like this in Arizona. I really like the farm to table concept and this is a great fast casual restaurant for lunch. I highly recommend and they also have a nice patio. They have a neat soda station with a unique selection. However, the machine was out of ice... This was a good choice for a lunch spot in the la costa area.
(4)
M R.

Great Salads and sandwiches This is probably the best place for unique salads and great sandwiches. Try the Cuban or Turkey Their natural sodas are unique Great decor with nice throw cushions and plenty of out door space. Trust me as you will not be disappointed and you will find the owners there most of the time even though they have 3 new restaurants.
(5)
Kris C.

I am a HUGE fan of this place. I cannot wait to go back here for lunch. Finally someone realized that there are OFFICES in sleepy ole Carlsbad. When you walk in don't be intimidated; belly right up. You may think this is cafeteria style, but it isn't. You can see into the kitchen but you DON'T give your order to the chefs that are slicing the fresh meats and creating the wonderful salads. Nope, instead you place your order at the cash registers. From there, you will pay and they will give you a number that can be place on the "number holder" located on whichever table you choose to sit at. The food is is VERY fresh tasting. I can actually eat the crust on the bread because well, it is chewable! Big plus. Taste is good and they make all of their sauces from scratch. We all know how I feel about that...I LOVE IT. I will be looking forward to returning. Good stuff!!!
(4)
Mathias R.

I go there a couple times a week. Their meatloaf is incredible... And I don't even like meatloaf. I've had a couple of bad fish experiences there. But 9.5 out of 10 times it's absolutely perfect
(5)
Andrea L.

I'm not a salad lover and I love their Mediterranean chicken salad! Definitely order the Belgian fries too!
(5)
Chris F.

Some nice twists on classic food. BLT was good and tomato bisque decent. Love the Boylan diet cola at this place.
(4)
Kat C.

This is a great place to get hot, wholesome food fast. Prices are a little high, about $27 for two entrÃ©e platters (1 meat and 2 sides), but the flavors are good. It's true comfort food with a pinch of healthiness. They have a great cold quinoa tabouleh here. Other standouts are the meatloaf and the tri-tip. The ordering system is easy. You walk in and get funneled into a line where you get to view the menu overhead first, then you move on to the cashiers and get your number. Then you find a seat and stick your number card on the card stand, so the staff knows where to bring your food. Easy! I'd give this place 5 stars except the meat portions are smallish, compared to the gigantic portions for the sides.
(4)
Tom G.

Upon reading all the positive reviews here I figured I would give this place a try. Unfortunately, I was thoroughly unimpressed. The place looks nice, which is the reason for 2 stars. It is an order at the counter and seat yourself kind of place. I ordered the meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Let's start with the meatloaf. Completely dry and tasteless, very disappointing because meatloaf is hard to mess up. My mashed potatoes were watery and had an off flavor. My wife had the ahi salad, which she said was ok. But then spent the rest of the day in the bathroom (which is strange because I read another review that the same thing happened). Not sure that I will be coming back to tin leaf.
(2)
Rhiona A.

We have since moved a lot closer to Tin Leaf, so we have been going here a lot more. It has become one of my favorite lunch and dinner spots. I've recently discovered the portobello sandwich and have ordered that a million times now, it's awesome. Also their house made ranch is super good. Still love the fact that they have Boylan's natural soda! We have never had a bad experience here!
(5)
becca a.

Real Fresh FOOD! We had dinner here last week and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. I had the turkey breast plate and my BF had a sandwich. We sat outside which was nice. It's right off a busy corner but it isn't that noisy. There were children running around and having a great time so it is kid friendly. We didn't mind the kids running around and neither did any of the other customers. The food was cooked fresh. My green beans were still crispy but cooked and my bok choy and mushrooms were cooked perfectly too. It was my first time at this location and they did not disappoint! I've been to the one at Irvine Spectrum and can trust that I can expect the same level of service and excellent food at both locations! Thank you Tin Leaf!
(5)
Priscilla R.

My co-worker introduced me to this place, the portobello mushrooms taste like steak and she says the Ratatouille is to die for. I personally have always hated green beans but OMG they are so damn good here, they marinate it an toasted sesame sauce with red pepper flakes. Fresh ingredients, healthy and delicious.
(5)
George F.

Not so hot! Four people shared three entrees. Chicken picatta. Nice and hot. Meatloaf. Cooler than luke warm, but warmer than cold. Tri- tip served cold. Not sure of the problem but the food was not served hot. Just barely warm. Hope we don't get sick.
(2)
Matt S.

This place is great. Been here over a dozen times. Many healthy selections for lunch or dinner. There is a Daphne's Greek place right next door. Do yourself a favor shell out the the extra $2 from your lunch budget and choose Tin Leaf. Unless you like miniscule-sized kabobs and pita bread.
(4)
Robert B.

I uses to work here for two weeks when it first opened and although I quit I still go back for the good food. They've got a sandwich called thanksgiving on a bun which is awesome and all the stuff there's really fresh. There's another thing I like to get which is a skirt steak salad.
(4)
Cody S.

food is always fresh,delicious and tasty ...a great place to eat !!
(5)
Mo H.

Second time eating here...still not impressed. It has the potential to be amazing, but it tastes like they use low-quality ingredients. I had the meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes and the baby bok choy with sautÃ©ed mushrooms. Instead of gravy, they use a BBQ-type sauce which was a weird flavor for meatloaf and potatoes...and it definitely did not make my plate LESS bland. The baby bok choy with mushrooms were just okay. My buddy had the tri-tip, spicy Asian green beans, and Mac & cheese. He gave the tri-tip 3 stars...but everything else was also below par. I wanted to like this place...hoping it would be as excellent as TenderGreens...but this second visit only assured me that it was my last. Sorry, Tin Leaf.
(2)
Heather P.

Delicious. I split the tri-tip salad and salmon burger, really great food and it came out really quick.
(5)
Jerry R.

Enjoyed a great lunch recently. It is great to eat where the ingredients are fresh and he service is great. My wife had the Create you own salad and the portion was huge. I enjoyed the Tri Tip with spicy green beans. All in all it was a wonderful experience.
(4)
Michael L.

I have only gotten the turkey melt but it's pretty bomb. They have a horseradish sauce that has some nice kick to it. The fries are really good. I get the side salad sometimes which is ok but they need to put veggies in it. The dressing is tasty though. The place is pretty clean and has a cool decor
(4)
Zula L.

Great lunch place! Good healthy salads that doesn't make you feel you're on site yet so tasty!!! Definitely come back here for lunches!!!
(4)
Tinie T.

Eh. Layout: Casual - looks like Pei Wei where you order and pay at the counter, get a number, and they bring the food to you. Service: A!! The manager came by our table to ask how everything was during our meal. The girl who was also the cashier stopped by to offer water refills and again to ask if we needed a to-go box, which I thought was outstanding at a casual order-at-the-counter place like this. Didn't even have to ask. Food: Eh. Not sure I would come back again. I got the sesame encrusted ahi and picked mac n' cheese and garlic mashed potatoes for the sides. I would definitely rather go to a sushi place for ahi... it just didn't taste as fresh as it could be and I think I would like it better without the sesame on it, which just gave it a dry taste. The mac n' cheese was okay, and the mashed potatoes were good, although I was too full to finish them. All in all, casual atmosphere, good service, and "eh" food that just wasn't up my alley.
(2)
Rachel S.

What a quirky, yummy little find! In the same plaza as Cinepolis and La Costa Coffee, Tinleaf is all about natural and sustainable. The meat is antibiotic free, the baked goods have no preservatives, and for the first time that I've ever seen, the fountain beverages are Boylan sodas made with pure cane sugar. I had a Cali Cubano sandwich, which had just a little too much pork and hot mustard on it. I'm a fan of spice, but I spent half the lunch blowing my nose (I'm sure it was an appetizing sight for my fellow diners!). My husband had the backyard BBQ sandwich and enjoyed it, except that he felt the BBQ sauce was a bit too thin and bland. As for the Belgian fries... Amazing. 20% of my life's energy is spent looking for french fries with the desired level of crispness, and Tinleaf's were perfect!
(4)
D P.

BEWARE OF FOREIGN OBJECTS IN YOUR FOOD!!! I've eaten at Tin Leaf for over a year, and mostly I've been happy with my food (which is why I gave 2 stars instead of 1). However, on my most recent trip I injured myself biting down on a foreign object in the food. That, and the lackluster response by management compel me to leave this negative review. I ordered the Morning After Meatloaf Sandwich, which I've had several times and enjoyed. However, this time, about half-way through the sandwich, I feel a bone-jarring "CRUNCH" that was so loud my wife at the other end of the table immediately looked at me with a worried expression and said "Did you just break your tooth?!?" I wasn't sure but I fished something very hard out of my mouth (seriously, bordering on adamantium) and it looked as if it was a piece of glass, or maybe bone or metal. It was almost the size of a dime and was shaped like a shark's tooth. This was painful and disturbing in its own right (am I the only one who loses their appetite after biting down into something that shouldn't be in their food?), but I was concerned that a child might have ordered the same thing and might be seriously injured, so I called the restaurant and asked for the manager. I was placed on hold for a while, then a female answered the phone. She was nice and apologetic, but I could tell she was more worried about whether I was going to sue them for negligence or products liability and was talking about how she had to notify their insurance provider (which I don't really care about). I told her I was most worried about someone else being injured and that she should pull anything that had meatloaf in it, which she agreed to do. She then told me to go see a dentist (thanks). Next she asked me to send an email with photos of the object to what I presume is the owner's email address (which I did), and then took my address and promised to send me a gift card/certificate to make up for my bad experience. She promised the owner would be in contact. #1 - I did not receive anything at all in the mail from them. #2 - I did not receive any communication at all from the owner. In conclusion, while most of my experiences here have been enjoyable, I was injured by a dangerous object in my food that was not insignificant in size. I was then lied to about being sent a gift card/certificate, and my email to the owner went unanswered. Therefore I will not eat here again and will continue to tell others of my experience and warn them not to take young children there. Don't injure me with your food. And if you do, don't lie to me about what you're going to do to make it up to me and then not do it.
(2)
Natalie F.

I was torn on whether or not to get a sandwich or an entrÃ©e when coming here for lunch and ended up going with the grilled loch duart salmon with mac and cheese, and spicy Asian green beans, and I'm so glad that I did. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the mac and cheese was absolutely fantastic. The Asian sauce on the green beans was a bit overpowering and next time I'd switch it up for another side, but for the price and quality of this meal you can't go wrong. Upon request you can get a few slices of rustic table bread which is amazing. And when it comes to drinks, their lemonade is fresh squeezed and the all natural soda bar is out of this world. I wish I had a glass of their lemonade right about now...
(4)
Maria C.

Stopped in for a quick dinner. Love the concept and the ambiance. Customer service is on par with the kids being professional and very personable. I ordered the turkey melt ($10) and tomato bisque (additional $3). The sandwich came with Belgium fries and I requested it well done. They accommodated. The soup was descent, although I had to add a dash of salt to taste. I felt it was missing something - more basil??? I couldn't quite put my finger on it. The turkey in the sandwich was tender, but overall, I felt the sandwich was too dry. Lots of fresh arugula, but had to remove some since it was just too much greenery. I tried some of the tri-tip salad ($10). I felt it was too bland and the tri-tips were cold. If I eat steak, I want it hot! I appreciate the freshness of the food, but the taste was a bit lacking for me. They have great specials throughout the week with happy hour and kids eating for free. Located about a mile north of the La Costa Resort, they are located in a small corner next to Tuscany. Ample parking as it shares centers with a grocery store and other shops and eateries. Looks like they have a great following, and hope they succeed in this busy little shopping center near La Costa.
(3)
Carol J.

I have life threatening food allergies to soy and treenuts. I told the woman manager that I had dined there once before and the previous manager had been wonderful about making sure my food was allergy free. She assured me she would do the same. An hour after eating my throat was closing and my tongue was swelling. Four trips to urgent care and an ER visit later I finally was ok. I called the restaurant and found out she was new and had served me the most highly allergic meal in the restaurant salmon. Be careful not to eat here if you have food allergies. The meal could have been my last. Food allergies should be taken seriously.
(1)
Lamoni B.

This place is pretty good I've always had a really pleasant experience and the food is not only healthy but delicious.
(5)
Claire S.

I'm a fan of the order at the counter, waiter brings you food kind of service, and this restaurant does it well. The cashiers are always very helpful and kind and the waiters are very polite, quick, and unobtrusive. I always end up getting something new here because there are always so many options that are enticing, but my favorites are their Asian chicken salad, and Backyard Barbecue sandwich. The desserts are fabulous and beautiful. The owners are always in shop and available to talk to. Overall Tin Leaf is a great restaurant to pop into when you are too lazy to cook, and want everyone in your party to be able to find something they love.
(5)
Michelle S.

I was excited to eat here after reading all the reviews. I wish I had gotten there earlier, we got there 30 minutes before closing and I think is the biggest reason I wasn't completely thrilled with my experience. I had the ahi crusted tuna with curried cuscus and Asian spicy string beans. Flavors were all there it's just my meal wasn't warm enough so was my boyfriend's meal. The kids didn't touch their mac n cheese and my daughter did not enjoy the twisted BLT. My boyfriend had the tri tip with mashed potatoes and shoestring fried potatoes. Again all the flavors were there but the sides were served cold and the meat was not piping hot. Place was clean the servers were friendly.
(3)
Larry C.

Someone once said you can go an inch deep and a mile wide or an inch wide and a mile deep. Tin Leaf isn't pretentious. It doesn't try to be more than it is. This is a great place to take a group and feed them something that won't take years off of their lives, in a casual, clean environment and have it please the palate all at the same time. How many places do you know that can say that? The scoop; Create your dream salad from a wide range of options and a great list of homemade dressings (helllllllo Green Goddess), or, pick from one of the artfully crafted sandwiches (the fries and aioli are a must-have), or, select one of the several hot entrees. Great soda fountain with cane sugar sodas. Thank you, just...thank you. Now, not everything is great. The soups always leave me unfulfilled. The desserts are also hit and miss. But, the service is friendly and always willing to help. It's got something for almost everybody and, as I mentioned, the preparations are simple and well-executed. HEY!!! This is not souplantation. This is Tin Leaf. Recognize their greatness.
(4)
C A.

This place sucks. The owner is perhaps the rudest business person I have ever dealt with. She is the tall one with the chef smock on all the time. The one who never smiles and has not even the courtesy at the register to say thank you. I gave this place many tries. The last time they made a mistake on my order, not to mention it took 45-minutes. The waitress was so nice and so apologetic and went to the register to get me a gift certificate or something for my troubles. I watched the owner tell her no and then proceed to come to me and tell me 'well, we are very busy and you substituted an item on the menu and it's not my problem' without even a sorry. I mean, she really said that to me. I told her I could not believe she was handling her business that way and she said it's too bad you feel that way and turned around and walked away. Did I mention that the food is WAY overpriced, it's mediocre and the only thing it has going for it is location?
(1)
Leo H.

My wife and two kids (small) went here tonight. Being able to eat outside was a treat and the service was great. The place just has a good family vibe, no stress. The decor and environment is nice and contemporary. The food was really good I had the tri tip steak with 2 great vegetable sides. My wife had the seared Ahi entree. Anyhow it is great to see a place like this do well. Their local, social and healthy engagement really shows and is inspiring... Not the last time we will come here. We will also consider their family take home meals, they look great!
(5)
Tom C.

Love this place - I don't review often but this place deserves a review. Tri- tip was amazing. Fries were ok. Green beans and book choi were off the hook. Great atmosphere.
(5)

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Address : 6985 El Camino Real,Ste 108
Carlsbad, CA, 92009
Phone (760) 431-5323
Website https://www.tinleafkitchen.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes

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Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen

6985 El Camino Real,Ste 108, Carlsbad, CA, 92009

Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen Menu

Homemade Soups

Small Simple Salads

Signature Salad

Craft Your Own Salad

Daily Specials

Hand-Carved Sandwiches

Specialty Sandwiches

Entree Plates

Fries

Sides

Little Chefs

Desserts

Beverages

Healthy Meal suggestions for Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen

Homemade Soups

Small Simple Salads

Signature Salad

Craft Your Own Salad

Daily Specials

Hand-Carved Sandwiches

Specialty Sandwiches

Entree Plates

Fries

Sides

Little Chefs

Desserts

Beverages

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