This place is great! Came here twice! I had ordered the falafel wrap the other day and it was delicious! Their portions are huge. Their ingredients are fresh and they are made to order! They will be moving soon to Route 9 so be aware!
(4)
Steve S.
Simple. Honest. Food. I am beginning to believe that the processed food we eat consistently may actually be the source of many of our problems So, when I was in Framingham and yelping a place to eat, I was happy to find Big Fresh amongst Thai, Papa Ginos and Five Guys in the same area. Big Fresh is a small place with multi colored booths in the front and a counter in the back The place is known for their falafel and other organic foods. I have a bowl of chili on my first visit, which was good but not extremely filling. The Chicken Tangine, however, was excellent with good flavor and a high quality meat. The humus is excellent as well This is a great place for lunch. You do not feel sluggish after eating good food. Definitely worth a try
(5)
Brian L.
As a meat-inclined type of guy, I tend to avoid vegetarian-friendly places. I was therefore quite pleasantly surprised with my experience with the food at Big Fresh. The falafel wrap was solid. Tons of big chunks, with a nice tahini sauce. My only issue was that I ordered it spicy and barely detected any heat. The Big Fresh special, which is a tofu/peanut sauce veggie plate, with collard greens and brown rice, was actually quite delicious. They really nailed the sauce. If I had to eat vegetarian (for some terrible reason), this would be a dish I would actually look forward to eating! The place did have an odd, soapy odor throughout. Perhaps they had just done the floors... Anyway, I had a solid meal here and would definitely be back the next time I'm in Framingham.
(4)
Scott M.
Excellent. The food was great , the service very friendly. They had signs they are moving which is prob good bc ambience was the only thing lacking - eat there again soon ! I ate the Mediterranean chicken and it did not disappoint. Perfect spicy.
(5)
Amy M.
When it comes to veggies, Big Fresh lives up to its name. Hummus and salads have been fresh and tasty. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options on the menu, and there's a separate gluten free menu. While veggies are great, the meat options are lacking. The beef kofte and chicken are only decent, but not super. The falafel is far better. Atmosphere is super casual, with bench style seating in a less than glamorous interior. Good for a quick, non-chain-food meal.
(3)
Marzena W.
Fantastic healthy and quick place to eat, great organic tea selection. Highly recommend this place.
(5)
Nathan R.
Good, clean food that comes out quickly and hits the spot. Solid healthy alternative to most of the fast food type places in the area. I usually go with the Falafel wrap but the stir frys and Falafel/chicken plates are also good. They brew their own tea as well. Gotta respect their commitment to high quality seasonal ingredients at a fair price
(4)
Nicole C.
Been here one time and it was sooo gooood! Tastes super clean. I got the chicken Caesar wrap. Definitely the best I've had. Only thing is is I asked for a tomato wrap and got wheat.
(5)
L L.
We like to get the falafel from here as it is the only place near rt 9 to get a good one. We have also had them cater a few events, with the the falafel, feta/beet salad and Chinese chicken salad as favorites. Their hummus is yummy too! Kids like the teriyaki salmon and chicken with brown rice. It is a feel good place to eat since we feel they are responsible restaurant owners trying to provide healthy, quality food.
(4)
Rokitjogo G.
Delicious Mediterranean food. I had the morrocan tagine and it was super healthy and fresh tasting. Super quick and they have self-serve iced tea. Oh and they undersold the Jammie cookie. I thought it was amazing!
(5)
Roger M.
In a land surrounded by malls and chain restaurants, Big Fresh is an oasis of freshly prepared food made fast. Not fast food. No. It is really good food made quickly and custom, Big Fresh is located in one of those strip malls that is next to a Boston Market and across from McD's. You walk in and there are a few tables and a counter. No waiters and nobody greets you at the door. And, at that moment, your dreams of a good meal go out the door. Don't be discouraged. Walk up to the counter. You can place an order, or customize it. For example, I wanted salmon instead of chicken -- no problem. I like the Israeli style chopped salad. Of course, no problem. Anything you want adjusted. And, they take care of you. The food comes out quickly. Perhaps not as fast as the chicken in the warming tray at the chicken restaurant next door. But, this meal is tasty and fresh. The ingredients are top notch. And, don't miss the Moroccan Mint Iced Tea. Yummy.
(4)
Michelle B.
My first and last time going there was today - very cold and rainy and asked for a cup of soup , it was very good ... But my throat began to itch very bad after just a couple of bites . I asked the man who had taken my order if he could just simply switch the coup for something of the same cost , he turned around and said "no, we don't do that . Drink some water." ... Well okay then , thanks for nothing guy ! As I pop Benadryl and go to the hospital .
(1)
Juliana L.
Everything is consistently delicious at Big Fresh. It's so good to have an amazing meal with real food that is filling and nutritious! I've had a few different dishes, but my go-to order is the tempeh special (with molasses!!) - absolute heaven. Natural teas are yummy. Prices are reasonable, the staff is nice and attentive. Love, love, love!
(5)
Joel D.
It wasn't that good! The hummus was pretty awful tasting and the pita was kinda hard. The meal itself "Toboule Chicken Plate" lacked flavor and I had to added seasoning to help with that. The best part of the meal was a little sauce they had in a small plastic container. I just dumped that on my food (I dunno if I was supposed to) which made it better. They also have a sign that they prefer cash instead of credit card. I get that there are fees with credit card but I travel for work and using my AMEX for food is a major must for me. Don't try and make me feel guilty for using it! If you don't want to accept cards mark your yelp account that you don't accept cards and I'll move on to a different restaurant.
(2)
Eamon M.
What food they have is good but help me understand something. You have falafel, you have pita. But for some reason you can no longer put the falafel in the pita? Really? I guess I could live with that except that when I asked why the answer was "we can't do that". What? Can't? Why? The answer to that was "we don't do that". Okay, thanks, that really cleared that up for me. I'll be back when you figure out how to get the falafel into pita.
(2)
Stevie O.
One of the few local places you can get a real deal falafel wrap and Moroccan mint iced tea. Fresh, organic ingredients. Get the spicy Harif in your sandwich; you won't be disappointed.
I hate giving a review like this. Yelpers love this place and I really can't see why. This was a solid 3 star spot, yet yelp has 200+ reviews that think this is amazing. I had the falafel (the most popular item on the menu). Everyone in my group thought it was 3 stars at best for all the dishes we had. My GF wife didn't like her dish. We the carrot cake is way better than the chocolate cake. It's not bad, it just was not 4 or 5 stars for anyone in our group.
(3)
Kendra N.
Holy moly, is their Falafel Wrap amazing! It's a definite must try.
(5)
Diana Z.
Love the food and the ambiance. The service is quick and the Mediterranean plate is super yummy.
(5)
Claude C.
Love this place! Food is always fresh and there are so many fun combinations to try! It's my go to for a healthy and satisfying meal in the Framingham area. Just wish they served wine :) My goto meals here for dinner are the Big Fresh Special, the tempeh special, and Moroccan Tangine.
(5)
Kate M.
This restaurant is amazing. So amazing. I ate the Moroccan Tagine and I will never forget how good that was. And so healthy. I must learn how to make this for myself. And my friend got a wrap which she says was "everything she ever hoped. What a great menu and place to eat :) I love it.
(5)
Andrew S.
Came here on a Saturday afternoon after shopping at the Natick Mall. Overall, it was a pretty bad experience for me and my girlfriend. First, the woman taking our order didn't notice we were there and kept us waiting for just a little too long. Then not all the tables seemed to be cleaned, despite the small crowd in the restaurant. They are clearly short on staff. The menu looked great, and I was excited for my falafel wrap. However, it came out salty and soggy. The portion size was good, but nowhere near the quality I look for in a $9 wrap. My girlfriend got garlic lentil pasta. The veggies were just warmed up frozen veggies and the whole wheat pasta tasted cheap. $19 later we were less hungry, but no more satisfied. I will not be back and I urge other visitors to look for the difference between fresh food this place advertises and the actual items served. TL;DR - Not fresh, a lack of service, unsatisfied.
(2)
Angels s.
Good food. I had a salad and my hubby had a falafel plate. Both were good. I felt the price is little expensive for a salad....
(3)
Laura W.
Delicious options, huge portions, and cooked to order. Great take out option. Small dining area. Bring cash as they prefer it.
(4)
Kim D.
I don't understand the hype. I ordered the falafel salad. Yes portion was large with 5 mini sized falafels. However they didn't taste very good. Maybe it's just me and the fact that I don't like fried food. I did not like the salad dressing either. Not sure what it was exactly, tahini maybe??? And as for the "fresh" hummus, there was so reminiscence of garlic or lemon in it. Fail in my bookmark. Sorry yelpers.
(2)
Cliff U.
Amazing food. We went for a casual dinner and had the Moroccan Tagine plate which was amazing and vegan, the falafel plate - also amazing and vegan, the chicken caesar wrap was great as was the Med Chicken Plate (but could have benefited from some salad). Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Brianna M.
I was really skeptical about this place when I pulled up. Have never been a fan of places that look like a strip mall. They served me a delicious salad though with beets and goat cheese. My boyfriends dish was super fresh and he was very pleased as well.. We will be back when we are in the area. Thanks!
(4)
Lucio F.
Great amazing place to eat! I've been working in Framingham for the past year and a half and order lunch almost four days a week from this place. The food is amazing, healthy reasonably priced with lot of options....
(5)
Andrew M.
I love to come here for their hummus falafel in pita. The falafel has this great browned, slightly crispy but not dry texture, and the vegetables are always really fresh. The spicy side sauce they make for it is a great compliment. The atmosphere of the place is comfortable and simple, and not pretentious. They have a good range of healthy stir fries and other foods.
(4)
Fred T.
If they have something you are looking for, they are great, even if you don't know what you want they have a good variety and you can try something new and see if you like it. It's not a big place but found a place to sit and our meals were delicious, like the name, fresh and plentiful. I'd go back again just to try something different than what you get at most food places.
(4)
Xuan Z.
Seriously, I have been sitting in front my laptop for 10 mins not knowing what to write for the review. I thought about every single item on the plate and I really don't have any comments, good or bad. I guess except for the unique and cozy environment, I don't like anything in particular. But at the same time, there isn't anything unforgivably bad.
(3)
Yasa E.
Love!!! Tabbouleh chicken wrap....enormous, filled with delicious veggies, wrapped an a yummy tomato tortilla. Healthy and absolutely delicious. Also tried the Mediterranean plate and it was sweet/spicy and huuuuge. The staff inside is nice. The food is fresh and cheap. 5 stars for sure!!!
(5)
David S.
The big fresh lives up to its name. Situated between burger shops this little family owned restaurant is your best bet for a extremely tasty, healthy, Mediterranean-inspired meal.
(4)
Doro R.
Truely- one of the best Mediterranean meals I've ever had. Oddly, also dealt with one of the most miserable restaurant workers of all time too. She single-handedly removed the fifth star from my experience. Honestly she took 2 stars but the food was so good that I just can't bring myself to rate this place 3 stars due to one teenage brat. I'll begin with the bad. I walked in to see several employees sitting in the dining room- possible on their lunch break. That seems reasonable. They were all facing the door in order to see customers coming in. This also seems reasonable. I walked up to the counter, reviewed the menu, looked for a sign to direct me where to go for my order to be taken. I went to the register and waited. I waited. I looked up and around thinking maybe I misread a sign. It was my first time, after all. A cook person yelled out something to the effect of 'customer waiting'. Less than a minute later one of the people who had been sitting in the dinning room watching me since I walked in, stomped over to the register. The look she gave me made it clear that I'd better be quick and not ask any questions or cause any problems. I was so taken aback that I forgot to order something. Unfortunately for me, as soon as she had change in my hand she was on her way back to her co-workers at the table up front. Oh well. I got my drink and sat down waiting for my number to be called. A number was called and I walked up. It looked like what I thought my order would look like but I happened to get a look at the ticket that was under my plate and it had an add on that I didn't ask for. I pulled my hand back and looked up at the menu to see if I'd missed something or if that was someone else's order. The order-taker happened to walk by while this was happening. When she saw me pull my hand back she barked 'that's what you ordered. the .......'. I said 'oh. ok. it just looked like there was an extra side and I wasn't sure this was mine' as I was picking up the plate and heading back to my seat. She almost did an eye roll at me! She made the face that translates into 'what an idiot'. She then began spraying bleach based cleaner about 2 feet in front of me. A minute later she was walking around the rest of the dining room wiping things down with cleaner and sneezing. She wasn't sneezing into her shoulder or arm bend- the way you are supposed to. Nope. She was just letting them go. Once she finished and got the hell out of the dinning room I was able to really get into my lunch and allow her poor people skills to melt away. The food was amazing. Like A-M-A-Z-I-N-G amazing. I got the falafel salad plate. I ate every little bit and had to seriously consider licking my plate clean. I may have run a finger over it a few times... It was a lot of food too- but so good that I don't know that I would be willing to share with anyone. I am very very sad that I don't live close enough to go here for lunch everyday. My biggest tip... Call ahead to get your food to-go so that you aren't angering any teens who might have to get up and take your order. They have a lot of tacky signs up about how much things cost them... like 'please use cash because we're trying to reduce cc fees' and 'please only take the napkins you need'. No wifi offered, however the free wifi from a neighboring business is strong and can by used.
(4)
Brian M.
It was anything but Fresh. The chicken tabouli tasted as if it were prepared in cleaning solution. The hummus had a strange pool of liquid on top and tasted stranger than it appeared. The Beef Kofte was over priced. It was 9.50 for shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, with 3 tiny hard beef discs. I had to wash it down with the spicy side. Couldn't finish the plate. Terrible.
(1)
Skye G.
I always find comfort in the Tofu Curry Rice dish. It is a simple dish of firm tofu, soft broc, and rice in a curry sauce that is made up fresh one pan at a time. There are booths for two and larger ones along side the counter. You can have some freshly made teas or something from the bottle cooler (just behind the cashier). We tend to go here when we want something fast but also something healthy and tasty. Thanks Big Fresh!
(4)
Sara D.
Delicious, flavorful, and interesting. We had the Mediterranean chicken plate and the beer and feta salad. Both were delicious. I had the vegan chocolate cake which was decent but a tad dry. I don't really care it was dry because i am on a dairy free diet and desperate for dairy free sweets. The meal was so good we ordered another dish (spicy peanut noodle stir fry) to eat tomorrow. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Amanda C.
I've been going to Big Fresh for probably the better part of 10 years now. Everything I've ever ordered I've enjoyed. I've been working my way through the menu when I can tear myself away from my favorites (falafel wrap, chicken tabouleh plate, cod cakes...) and have always been delighted with what they make. I've started ordering dishes I'm not usually even all that into - like the thai curry with salmon (I typically don't really like salmon, and I'm not a huge curry fan), and I still love it. This place is consistently awesome. And the spicy harif is wonderful. More spciy harif please!
(5)
Becca S.
One of my favorite, go to, quick and healthy spots around! Love the salmon wrap. Keep doing what you're doing! :-)
(5)
Ashok V.
woman at the cashier told me I was holding the dish wrong when I came back and told the lady that it was spilling. well excuse me lady I was not instructed on how to hold it and my entire suit was soaked in some oil . These woman (cashier and another lady at the counter )pack really really bad , I would strongly suggest not to ever take a to go from this place
(1)
Caitlin C.
My girlfriend and I love Big Fresh! We always get the falafel wraps because they are so tasty and filling. Always come out hot and delicious! I love the spicy tahini.. So good with the fried falafel. Service is very fast and for a "fast food" place everything is prepared well. We love this place, really a diamond in the rough.
(5)
Luke F.
Finally tried Big Fresh and I'm glad I did. Food is really good, lots of fresh vegetables, you can taste the freshness. I have only done take-out there and it seems that is what it is best suited for - the dining area is pretty small. Food comes out fast. It is nice that they have an open kitchen. I like to see how my food is being prepared. Have tried several dishes and have to say the peanut noodles are my favorite, but there are many more items on the menu I plan on trying. Servings are generous, I can get two or three meals out of one of their dishes.
(4)
Jeff S.
Will always go here when in the area from now on, loved today's lunch of Mediterranean Chicken!!! I don't eat this type of food often so I'm no expert but the mix of flavors from the sauces was out of this world...
(5)
Allison B.
I stopped here on the way through town (I'm not from the area) based on the positive Yelp reviews and now know that if I lived here, I would be a Big Fresh regular. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but the inside is pretty charming with the way they have the wooden bench booths painted different bright colors. You walk up and place your order (that girl needed to pop on a smile, but otherwise, the process went okay). They have an extensive menu but I ultimately decided on the cod cakes that were served with a green salad and carrot slaw. My husband had the hummus/falafel salad. Both were awesome and fresh in a big way (see what I did there? "big and fresh" -- Big Fresh). As far as those cod cakes go, with the salads and all -- I could eat that everyday. That's going to go down as a top dish of all time. Delicious! Also, for the amount of food you receive and how it is presented on your plate, it's really fast. I was impressed overall and would definitely think about stopping back if we're around in the future!
(5)
James C.
Really unique place with interesting culture-fusion dishes. It's a hole in the wall that's also a diamond in the rough. Whatever you do, don't sit in the booth by the trash. It's... kind of gross, and also really busy. Awkward quirk: They have a sign on the register that says they don't like to take credit cards because of the processing fees... which always makes me feel a little guilty. I'd rather they just add 10 cents to their menu items instead of operating on such low margins they have to discourage credit cards. #CashFreeLife
(4)
madalyne c.
Incredibly tasty and fresh, a great fast food option that will leave you satisfied. Get the hot sauce for the falafel.
(5)
Bruce F.
Why can't I order falafel in a pita? They only serve in "wraps" which I find have unpleasant texture. They said I could get a pita on the side?!
(3)
J D.
excellent and healthy, plus an amazing value. Get the grilled salmon on couscous with the side of roasted beats and asparagus. AMAZING.
(5)
Lydia B.
So good! We had different versions of their falafel and was super impressed. The falafel was flavorful and the accompanying ingredients were fresh and presented well. Don't forget to get the their version of the "hot sauce"- a kind of mint, cilantro, garlic, pepper dressing that goes so well on the wrap. I could have scooped that out with a spoon! The staff was very friendly too! Can't wait to try some of their other offerings.
(5)
Tara C.
This place is great! I had a bad day cuz I went somewhere else to eat and it was cured by coming here. Everything's good afterwards... Everything is always good afterwards, especially when this one lady works there behind the bar. Someone tell me what her name is or find out soon. I always order the falafel wrap with extra spicy sauce and hummus on whole wheat. YUM.
(5)
Brendan R.
Found this place when searching for falafel in the Framingham area. Service is average, nothing spectacular. Food is delicious, a great tasting falafel. Not too much flavor outside the falafel itself, but the salad piece of the pita I usually order is nice. I'm used to falafel a being able to have every ingredient in every bite, but this place can be inconsistent. Also, I always get falafel warm and there have been occasions where they've simply given me a cold/room temp salad/pita. Best Falafel in the area!
(4)
L. S.
I have liked EVERYTHING I've tried here so far! I really enjoy the cod cakes, hummus, falafel salad or wrap, and the Thai curry (not spicy, wish it had a bit more of a kick). The only downside is it's always packed during lunch hours.
(4)
Michael C.
Small hole in the wall place that could use a new exterior. Probably would have never stopped by here if it weren't for the reviews and the fact that I was traveling with a recent "born again" vegan friend. I ordered the Falafel, Hummus, Salad Plate which was OK. The salad was just a salad. The hummus was good but I've had much better when traveling to the Mediterranean. The falafel were excellent. Not too hard after deep frying. Other than that, there was minimal wait and plenty of parking at 8pm on a Saturday night.
(4)
Mona B.
I love this place. I work down the street from this place and I go in at least once per week. Everything on their menu is delicious. Specially their felafel; since I'm middle eastern and I know what "real" felafel's taste like and theirs is legit. I recommend EVERYTHING on their menu. Also the service is wonderful.
(5)
Jen C.
The most amazing place ever. I get take-out from here at least once a week, but I also enjoy eating in - the space is small, adorable, and colorful. Favorites are the Spicy Peanut Noodle, Thai Curry, and Morrocan Tagine, all with Tofu. Carrot cake and vegan chocolate cake are incredible. Some of the freshest, most delicious food I have ever eaten. Quality is consistently stellar. Friendly staff. Eat here!!!!
(5)
Kirk G.
Eat here each time I am in Framingham. LOVE Big Fresh more each time I have something new! Big Fresh Special tonight. Great sauce, awesome tofu, perfect veggies on Brown rice. YUMMMMMM!!
(5)
Brendan G.
Good food, inexpensive... this was a great find. I pity anyone in the area who has not eaten in this restaurant.
(5)
Will R.
For "fast food", this place is quite a surprise. Healthy, interesting combinations, made to order, and reasonably priced. A great selection of iced teas also - it's a cheap night out that you can feel good about - highly recommended!
(5)
Chris M.
The food is fresh and tasty! I love the salmon they serve here. Both the Salmon Wrap, and Salmon teriyaki stir fry are delicious! They brew and serve their own fresh ice teas. My Favorite Side: The Asparagus & Beets are marinated in a very tasty asian dressing. The portions are of good size with a reasonable price to match. The decor inside is colorful and artful.
(5)
Jason Z.
inexpensive and a hidden gem. Foods are tasty, without the heavy uses of butter and deep fryer. My favor is the salmon wrap
(4)
Suzanne L.
My favorite salad is the lentil veggie ball salad. I have also had the Big Baby which is also wonderful. There are so many wonderful dinners it is hard to pick. I also love the carrot cake. This is a place for healthy eating. Parking is great and the prices are good. The only downside is that my favorite little spot seems to have been discovered by many others so sometimes it can get a bit crowded. Enjoy.
(5)
Melissa H.
My favorite lunch spot during the work week. Everything is fresh, delicious and good for you too. Highly recommended :) love the salmon wrap and the peanut noodle stirfry.
(5)
Chris C.
I wish this place was closer to where I work as I would eat here everyday if it was. Falafel!
(5)
Tony B.
This place is a diamond in the rough. Food was amazing and served quickly. Just an excellent place, no frills, but a nice place to grab a bite. Looks like a small family run operation. Flavors are abundant. Food is fresh. Veggies galore. Kudos to these guys for being fresh, awesome and affordable
(5)
Sophia J.
Love the falafel here. I called ahead to order takeout, a falafel wrap with spicy sauce on pita... even though they only offer it in wraps I specifically asked for pita. I came to pick it up and they gave my order to someone else........ What??!!?! So, don't bother calling ahead. I wish they gave me a sorry cookie or something. I didn't even have the energy to b****about it to them, which I usually would.
(1)
Julie N.
Love this place for a fresh, creative lunch! The fishcakes are super, as is the Mediterranean plate. (I always get the same thing. I can't help it.). I like to come here in the winter during off hours for a delightful, hot healthy meal and enjoy quiet time alone in the midst of route 9 madness.
(5)
R Y.
Cousin recommended this place to grab a veggie bite and it was delicious! Had the Falafel wrap on tomato tortilla. The portion was filling! The wrap is filled with 8 falafel a and a mix of chopped vegetables. Get the hot sauce on the side. It's medium hot and tastes great with the wrap.
(5)
M A.
Super friendly and well made food. Tiny shop and the owner went to great lengths to see that our group of six was comfortably seated and quickly served. Excellent, satisfying dishes all around. Seemed like a local hot spot as many people came and went with take at while we ate.
(4)
K. L.
While on a business trip, we needed a quick healthy lunch. Found Big Fresh while searching on Yelp. They have 5 stars for a reason! You can't go wrong with the falafel plate. Tasty falafels with creamy hummus over a fresh salad. I recommend it spicy! I hope I find my way out in Framingham again... Big Fresh is a must try!
(5)
Kyle S.
Been there at least 5 times. Always good, always quick and fresh. Doesn't get much better than this for lunch.
(5)
Sara L.
The lack of a star is due to there being very little chicken in my spicy peanut stir fry. Came to this place for lunch today at around 12:45. When we walked in it packed to the max, but by the time we were at the front of the line, most of the tables had cleared. Good call coming towards the end of the lunch rush. Guy @ the cash register was really friendly and actually answered me when I said, "hi, how are you?" There were 4 in my party, but one went next door for Tennessee's BBQ and brought it in to join us. Coworker 1 got a tabouli chicken wrap that looked good and was HUGE. Coworker 2 got the Big Fresh Special with tofu. She wrapped the rest up, so I am going to assume it was good enough to take home. And like previously mentioned, I got the spicy peanut stir fry with chicken. The vegetables were super fresh, which solely based on the name BIG FRESH, I had high hopes that my stuff would indeed, be fresh. Way to live up to your name, Big Fresh. My dish wasn't spicy at all, but it was okay considering it tasted awesome. I'll definitely be returning.
(4)
Vlad W.
On my repeat visit - the place is good but missing a certain spark, an identity of its own. So four stars, not five.
(4)
Dosia S.
I have only been to Big Fresh once, though I know it has been around for years. I enjoyed my meal, it being the Teriyaki Stir-Fry with rice (also comes with the choice of noodles). The place itself is very small and only has a handful of small booths and tables, but I imagine it is a place that is popular with people who just want to get take-out rather than sit down for a whole meal. The food tastes very good for food that is technically "fast food", made in just a few minutes' time. The menu includes a lot of stir-fry choices, as well as a few different kinds of salads, and some felafel and hummus appetizers. A nice change from what we can usually get quickly and affordably elsewhere, where most menus are the same. The only negative aspect of the experience was feeling like we were customers somewhat "on our own" in the whole facility: the kitchen staff member we interacted with was polite and the most we exchanged was a greeting, followed by our order, and "Thank you"/"You're welcome" when our food was ready. That is all fine, and nothing to complain about, but the hostess was not very friendly and did not appear to care about our service much. Would it be too much to ask for a smile? We are customers, after all, and deeper than that-we are friendly people who greet everyone pleasantly and our only expectation would be to at least get a smile in return. It is always awkward to smile at someone who shoots you down with a glare or disinterest (little to no eye contact, neutral tone of voice). I could understand if someone is having a bad day, or who is at the end of their very long shift and simply does not care for being there anymore, but I that is of little importance when I am judging my experience from a basic customer perspective. If I pay for my food, receive a bare minimum of acknowledgement, and return one minute later to order a drink I forgot I wanted to order the first time around, I should not have to interrupt a hostess' conversation she is having on her cell phone, typing away to someone before she realizes that a customer is standing in front of her. The fact that the green color of her cell phone case is one of the three things I remember about Big Fresh is not one I should be having. That is a minor detail I choose to overlook as I give my final words about the diner, as I do not imagine it is a regular occurrence. Big Fresh is a good place to go to for a quick bite of something that falls under the "healthier choice" category. The food is tasty, the menu is reasonably-priced, and as long as you are in good company, you will walk out of there completely satisfied.
(3)
Paulina R.
I love, love, love this place! The only reason it did not get 5 stars from me is because it is not a white linen, blow-my-socks off place, but don't let that deter you this place is GOOD! Not JUST good, but good for you! I have tried several of their dishes and my favorite is their falafel wrap. But their fish specials with those yummy vegetables slathered over the rice is absolutely delicious and satisfying....and good for you! How happy am I to find a place that has healthy food in Metrowest?!?! One of the things I love, love, love about this place is that they offer stevia for your home-brewed herbal teas....and they have orange roobois, one of my favorites! They also have gluten-free options and a desert cookie that resembles a lindsor torte...one of my favorites! In the summer time you can't beat their salads! Big, full of color, flavor, and texture (and nutrition!), these salads are enough to send you off satisfied until dinner. The people are courteous, efficient, receptive, responsive and serious about their place. And the customers are great, too! As a single gal I notice good-looking men and I've seen several in Big Fresh at lunchtime. (They all look quite married, but are fun to look at anyway). The place is always full, but never so much so that you are uncomfortable. Though I end up spending more than I want to on food, I enjoy this place so much I will come back often. I guess my health and taste buds are worth it!
(4)
Merry L.
This place is small and can get pretty crowded, but that definitely is an indicator that the food is absolutely amazing! It tastes fresh, spices and flavors compliment each other very well, and the portions are quite generous. Absolutely worth the drive to Framingham.
(5)
Jeremy D.
Love this flavorful restaurant! The hummus and falafel are amazing and also had a very tasty salad on the side. It made for a great healthy lunch..
(4)
Ruby M.
I really love the quality of their meals! taste great! - the staff is beyond pleasant and friendly! -the "spicy" sauce is gross. Idk if it was just my tast buds but it had no taste. I just ate my meal with out and it was fine!
(4)
Keavy L.
After raving to a coworker about the falafel at the Turkish place, she told me that I HAD to try the falafel at Big Fresh. Tonight I stopped by and had a fafafel and hummus pita, a cup of black bean soup, and mango black iced tea. The falafel pita was pretty big for the price and was and well-seasoned. I still prefer the fafafel plate at the Turkish place for the texture, but I'll DEFINITELY go back to Big Fresh. I really liked the variety of self-serve iced teas, and I wish I'd gotten the lentil veggie balls, they looked really good!
(4)
Carol K.
Had not been in awhile, so glad we went back! Pretty crowded on a Saturday at 7pm. 5 of us had a great meal. I had the Lentil veggie ball salad and asked them to put feta cheese on it. It was SO good. Huge too. My daughter had the oriental chicken salad and had brown rice instead of noodles. Also huge, she could not finish it. Others had chicken caesar wrap, which was very good, Big Fresh salad, a bit boring, but tasty (and big) and the seared Cod plate, which was really good. The prices are decent for fresh, mostly organic food and the service is quick. We also shared 3 desserts; a brownie, carrot cake and a cookie. They are vegan, I think, and really good! Highly recommend Big Fresh and must remember to come more often The food is so much better than most other places. Not loaded with sodium, and really delicious.
(5)
Lindsey H.
We got take out from here for the first time today. The inside is pretty small, clean,average decor wise. We ordered a small Asian chicken wrap and a falafel pita, and a diet coke for $16. Prices are ok, maybe a bit high. Our order was ready in about five minutes. The Asian chicken wrap had veggies chicken, corn, and an Asian teryaki type sauce. I thought the sauce was ok, but tasted like it came out of a bottle and a bit sugary. The wrap was kind of small. The falafel pita was really good - best falafel I have had in a while, but I had a problem with the sandwich construction. The pita was nice and thin and chewy, but it held up as I ate my sandwich. The bottom of the pita was filled with maybe 4-5 good sized falafel balls, which were nice and garlicky with a good crunch. The hummus was good, but there could have been a little more for my taste. On top of the falafel was a ton of diced tomatoes and seasoned greens, all topped with tahini. I wish they had maybe put some of the salad in the bottom, then falafel, then salad. My one problem was that the first half of the bites I had were just veggies since the falafel is at the bottom (and if I ate it the other way it would have fallen apart). They do have a falafel wrap (on a wheat or tomato wrap) but for me you need to have falafel on a pita. Ive been elsewhere where they make a wrap with a pita, which is my ideal. Will definitely go again.
(4)
Rachel W.
Such a great place! Delicious, fresh food for anyone and everyone. If you're not a fan of mediterranean food- try it again here! Or, don't- and get something you're more comfortable with (chicken caesar salad/wrap, chicken stir fry over rice or noodles). Well-priced and unique. Would have five stars if the cashier was a little friendlier and attentive- she missed part of my order and I had to go back (bummer!) I can get over it for the falafel wrap though :)
(4)
David B.
great food. great vibe. Great Iced Tea selection. I'm a huge fan of the Spicy Peanut Noodle Stir Fry (salmon). I think they used to serve wine but I don't think they do anymore.
(4)
Aarti C.
Absolutely love this place! It's small, cozy, perfect place for a quick low key, healthy Mediterranean food. Well, it's not just Mediterranean food, they serve Thai stir fry as well. The first time I was there I ordered their falafel wrap which was too messy to eat for me...so since then I have always ordered the falafel plate which comes with a fresh and warm pita bread...yumm! The location is bit odd - between Boston Market and Papa Gino's. The only reason I went there the first time was because of the glowing yelp reviews. The service is decent, but for a small place it's not too bad. The only reason I'm giving this place four stars is because it's a bit pricey for me...you order the food at the counter, pick it up yourself and clean up afterwards.
(4)
tron j.
Excellent meal. Nice people. A great find...and they had sweet potato pie !
(4)
Nick D.
Don't judge the book by its cover here. While it sits somewhat nondescript in a stripmall, the food here is outstanding. Between four people we had the Big Fresh Special (tofu in satay suace), tagine chicken, lentil veggie balls, and spicy peanut noodle stir fry with salmon. All were excellent and cooked just right. Sauces were highlights of each dish, and meats/tofu were cooked well. Generous potions, and top-notch ingredients. Great teas (unsweetened, too, so you can make it how you like!), and accommodating to food allergies/needs. Service is quick and efficient. Give it a try!
(5)
Shoshi K.
This place is so delicious! Everything i have tried is great. My kids love too. My favorite is the falafel salad plate. I spent 6 months in the Israel a long time ago and I am always looking for a "taste". This is very very close! Ingredients taste so fresh, always comes out hot and cooked to perfection. Very generous portions, reasonably priced. Perfect healthy and quick lunch/dinner spot. Very friendly staff. Lunch time is very busy and tight space so need to be a bit patient when ordering...or better yet call ahead for take out!
(5)
Saurav S.
This is my third time at big fresh, I have to say I have not been let down. Everything is fresh and made to order.
(5)
Dawn E.
This is my new favorite place. It is difficult living so far from Boston and finding a place that offers healthy alternatives. More difficult still to find local products being served at that place. Big Fresh is somewhere between fast food and "slow food." You order from a counter and they'll call your number when your order is ready. The place is warmly lit with cozy little booths and they serve a selection of wine and beer and sodas (many organic also). Unlike similar concepts, this place is warm and inviting and someplace that you can pop in and out or linger for a while while an old friend. I wouldn't bring large parties here, because it's just not big enough to accommodate them, but a friend or three is perfect. I went for the first time with my Mom, because she is in town and I was dragging her to Trader Joe's to buy beer and stuff. I remember expecting decent food because of the reviews, but I really didn't expect such a comfortable place to be. I ordered the Big Fresh Special, because what else would you start with? This was some baked and browned tofu slices in a delicate but delicious peanut sauce over a bed of brown rice with some teriyaki stir fried veggies and a side of collard greens. For me, tofu is either wonderful or horrid depending on how it's prepared, and this was wonderful (and not fried!). The rice was perfectly cooked and the greens were easily the best collard greens I've ever had (and I'm from the south, y'all). The vegetables were light in delicious, without too much oil or sugar. My mother ordered the teriyaki stir fry with chicken, which was a larger portion of the same veggies I has, more brown rice (although you could also have wheat pasta) and, of course, chicken. She seemed very satisfied with her meal as well. The food came out very quickly and we were in and out in a flash (we had stuff to do!) but, oh, how I wanted to linger there with a glass of organic wine. I will definitely return soon with one of my best mates. We each only ate half of our food and combined the rest into a takeout tin (yes, tin, not echy styrofoam but old school aluminum with a paper top that I will dutifully recycle when I am done with it). The leftovers provided me with lunch for today and there is still plenty for tomorrow as well. I want to try everything on the menu! I'm definitely going for something with hummus next... Big Fresh, I know we only just met, but I love you.
(5)
Justin G.
This place isn't as good as it used to be. It seems like something happened or changed sometime late summer 2011. The meals aren't "WOW" level like they were before. I've tried most of the menu, and for my latest visits (say last 6 times), it just hasn't been right. This place set the bar high, and now I can't help but feel disappointed with the mediocre dishes lately.
(3)
Jonah B.
Fantastic Falafel. Super fresh. Organic teas. Hidden gem.
(5)
Helen M.
Went here with a couple of girlfriends yesterday for lunch before shopping at Natick Mall. We must have been the first people here because it was empty and our order numbers were 2-4. I ordered the teriyaki stirfry with salmon and brown rice. The vegetables were great - fresh and crisp - and the teriyaki sauce was great too - not too sweet or too thick. The salmon was a bit of a disappointment though. The texture was really rough (I think the salmon was frozen and not fresh) and did not feel like the usual buttery texture of this fish. The portions were very filling and I was satisfied without feeling stuffed. My girlfriends ordered a falafel wrap (which was good) and a chicken meatball wrap (which was also good but a bit salty). Overall, I'd give this 4 stars. I would definitely come back for fresh food if I'm in the area but I'd avoid the salmon.
(4)
Colin M.
This place is well-hidden but a great place to get Mediterranean food as well as stir fry, salads, and a few other items. I've always had great-tasting food that is fresh and delicious. They try to use organic and local items whenever possible which is a bonus. Try the Thai Curry!
(5)
Katherine D.
Such an excellent place - never disappointed and I've been here dozens of times. I hope they never change their menu, and I'd love to see them open another restaurant. Definitely worthy of their five stars!
(5)
John K.
Falafel wrap...tasty and healthy.
(4)
Joette S.
Absolutely amazing food. DELICIOUS. We will return when we are back in Boston. - no doubt about it.
(5)
Keith R.
Perfect for a quick style tasty meal. If your trying to eat relatively healthy but don't want a traditional restaurant go here. The oriental wrap is a awesome.
(4)
dan w.
The food is good, as is the quantity. They are not afraid of spices and the freshness (it is called Big Fresh after all) is apparent in all the dishes. The help, at least on weekends, can be somewhat disengaged, bored and indifferent,(or maybe they are just tired), especially the young lady at the cash register. One minor, but infuriating quirk- if you want another piece of pita bread- small to begin with, to go along with your chicken tagine and hummus plate- definitely a 3 pita dinner, they charge you 50 cents. You have to go to the cash register, wait for it to be rung up, etc. The cashier looked a little embarassed and said "It's not my fault, My boss makes us do it" . Of course the boss is nowhere to be found. I guess he can't get mad if a Mexican restaurant charges him for extra chips. We will be back- but will do a better job of rationing the one, lonely pathetic little piece of of pita that comes with the dinner. (ok, petty- but grrrrr!!!)
(3)
Samantha G.
This is the best place I've found to eat in the Boston metro west area. Fresh, delicious, and cheap food ! The big fresh special is hands down my favorite!
(5)
Jen Y.
Why oh why are you sooo far away and in an awkward strip between boston market , a chinese place and and mickey d's across the street? But you know what? neeeaaar, faaaarr, whereever you are (celine chest pump) I am finding you and devouring you. Everything I've had here is not only delicious, but also fresh- made to order ingredients, and organic. Their salmon wrap (dill mayo on the side) is one of my faves....and most recently I went with my brother and tried the cod wrap with marinara and asparagus and it was like heaven in my mouth. I've also had the veggie quesadillas, a few of the greek dishes (falafel. tabouli) and I love the sides they offer (beets with asparagus, collard greens, brown rice options, etc) ...Everything on their menu are such unique mixes of things you would never put together that I usually spend like 10 minutes just staring at the menu before I decide. It's also a great place to go for a lot of veggie options and all the seafood and meat is super fresh! They also have a bunch of home made brewed teas which is awesome since I am a big huge tea obsessed freak. I only wished the cups were bigger LOL. The decor is cute simple colorful and organic-y. You also get real plates and silverware which is nice! I only knocked off one star because they are pretty pricey for "lunch"...me and the bro both got wraps, an order of quesadillas and a side of collard greens and it was about $30- I mean it's not horribly expensive but for a quick bite to eat it adds up when you want everything on the menu HAHAHAH....but the food is well worth it and yummy and I'm glad there is a place like this around! Open more locations pleaseeeeee! :)
(4)
S S.
I LOOOOOVVVEEEE this place!! The food makes me want to drool! I've eaten here thrice - my first dine-in experience wasn't the best (the hummus tasted a little burnt while the cashier wasn't the nicest person to talk to). But I'm glad I gave it a second go because..oh my god, the food is amazing! I've had the Mediterranean Chicken Plate (spicy and sweet), Lentil Veggie Balls salad, The Big Fresh salad (who knew tofu dressing is so yum?!), Thai Curry (such a unique flavor! I had it with the chicken but felt that the meat was too bland for my liking..will try the tofu next time), the Monterey Cod Wrap (wow, what a delicious mix of rice and fish in a wrap) but but but I'm saving the best for the last - Seared True Cod. This unique dish makes me crave more even though I cannot finish off their portion in one sitting! Lip-smacking goodness, I tell you! If you like fish, definitely try it out :)
(5)
Bob M.
Been going here for a few years - absolutely love it. Great vegetarian options, as well as fish. Wonderful flavors, fast service, affordable, friendly. Just a great little family restaurant. Be sure to try the tempeh special - yum!
(5)
Georgina C.
I had a wonderful visit at Big Fresh yesterday , I ordered the Moroccan Tangine Stirfry and a side of falafel balls. I also enjoyed two glasses of the iced black tea. Its great that they offer Stevita instead of sugar or Splenda. The hostess had somewhat of a glacial attitude, but my food arrived promptly, was delicious, the perfect temperature and flavorful. The bathrooms are clean and parking is ample. There is enough seating that allowed my friend and I to spend a few hours lingering over our meal and teas, catching up without feeling like we needed to vacate to make room for others. The holistic magazines offered in the seating area are a great touch. I will definitely be back, I love this place. So healthy, so delicious!!!
(4)
Loz L.
As Californians in Metro West for business, we were craving what we think of as "regular" food but which folks in MA seem to call "hippie" food. Big Fresh did not disappoint. Every dish we had at Big Fresh had great flavors. I'm grateful that Yelp led us to this place!
(5)
Eric M.
I can see that Big Fresh really doesn't seem to need yet another good review, but I've gone here so often, I feel bad that I haven't given them kudos here on Yelp for their great food. I'm partial to their falafel, but I and my friends have tried a number of their dishes, and all have been very fresh and tasty. The only problem, honestly, is that one can never predict the ebb and flow of crowds if you want to dine in. Very suitable for take-out, though, so go if you can.
(4)
Michael H.
Delicious! Very friendly staff and the food has had great flavor each time I've visited.
(5)
Ash N.
Horrible service especially during lunch hour. Place is run by rookies who don't know how to handle a restaurant. Like the food but service drowns out the taste.
(1)
Natasha R.
I really like their falafels, but the last few times I've gotten for whatever reason they aren't giving me the spicy red falafel sauce and look at me like I'm on crack whenever I ask for it. I really dislike the brown/green hot sauce they have. Boo.
(3)
Jessie C.
Yum. I've been dying to try this place since we moved to town and the reviews are right. It very tasty. I had the falafel and hummus pita with a side of the jasmine coconut rice. Delicious. I'm very picky about my falafel and this place was good. It was crispy on the outside and soft in the middle, but not undercooked. The flavor was good as well. I'm looking forward to trying a few of the other menu items. It's set in a mini strip mall full of food that my husband loves so to have a healthy option available is fantastic.
(4)
Lisa D.
My sales rep for New England took us here for a light healthy meal. The lentil balls were amazing. Loved the hummus & the fresh salads. Will definitely be back if we are in the area.
(4)
Stephanie G.
Desperately seeking refuge in delicious, organic, healthy food in Framingham, I was told about Big Fresh. The name and decor are certainly outdated, but the food is phenomenal. I've tried the tempeh, the cod cakes, the grilled salmon, and many of their amazing vegetables. After my first visit, I grabbed a menu so that I could ask my husband to stop for "fast food" on the way home from work some evenings. With McD's across the street, Boston Market and 5 Guys next door, this is a superior choice for a quick meal with ample nutrition and flavor. I'm a repeat customer and will be for a long time.
(4)
Jen K.
I cannot say enough about their falafel pita. It is simply amazing and you need to go there and try one, as soon as possible.
(5)
Mary B.
I come here all the time for a quick bite on the go. Things to get: Chicken Caesar Salad on Tomato Wrap, The Big Fresh Salad, Falafel Hummus Salad Plate, Black Bean Soup with Hummus, and Lentil Veggie Balls. The food here is always full of great flavors. Only one complaint: One time I called in an order and I asked for a "peanut chicken noodle dish with curry" (I didn't have the menu in front of me so I didn't know the official name... I assumed she would understand when I mentioned those key ingredients). When I went to go pick it up, I found out the official name on the menu board so I recited the name of the dish. The lady at the counter told me "it's not what I ordered and that the Thai Curry dish with rice was already done and it's too late". Too late? I told her there must have been a misunderstanding, because that's not what I ordered. Rice and Noodles are not the same so correct it. She then rolled her eyes and replaced the order. I didn't appreciate her attitude, being that I come here all the time. She made the mistake and tried to make me feel bad about it. I didn't want to knock down the rating because of this one incident. Other than that, I have always had pleasant experiences with all the other cashiers and the cooks here work hard to get orders done fast.
(4)
Vulc K.
I didn't expect the restaurant to be deli-style, but I should've read the reviews. I was pleasantly surprised with the flavorful Thai coconut curry (w/ chicken). However, I don't necessarily get the "Healthy Eating" part. I didn't really get the sense of made fresh, organic fresh, and felt that it was more a marketing scheme. I'm not sure about the price either (I was expecting more chunks of chicken and broccoli for $10. Instead, my chicken were square shreds and broccoli grounded up). The service was awkward, as you are tending for yourself (plus the numerous signs of paying by cash preferred, taking napkins, etc.). And it didn't help that another customer was referred to as the "difficult one" by one of the cashiers. 3-stars for over-hypeness.
(3)
James B.
I do like the food, but main reason for going is that they claim to be organic. I asked if the bread was organic for wraps, and the lady comes over say yes it is as she shows me regular bread, now I can get that crap anywhere, the man who speaks better English says about 60-70 % is organic but could not say what is or isn't, the meat or sauce or what? I just don't trust them now!
(5)
Timothy G.
I'm Lebanese and I'm always looking for a good Mediterranean place to eat. I work down the street in Framingham and found this place on Yelp and decided to try it out. It was extremely good, coming from a Lebanese family that regularly makes homemade food I highly recommend it.
(5)
Alex F.
Big Fresh is everything I look for in a dining experience. I wish all restaurants were as focused on serving delicious, healthy meals with quality ingredients. The staff is always helpful, friendly and engaging. I could eat the Lentil Veggie Ball salad everyday until I die.
(5)
John L.
I work closeby and order from here just about every week. Consistently great food
(5)
Pre S.
Wanted to try some Lebanese food last night after a good one we had in Dubai. Relied on yelp and been to Big fresh since we were out in Framingham. We ordered the meatball chicken wrap, peanut stir fried salmon noodle and the Mediterranean plate.. The salmon noodle was probably the best I have ever tasted in my life yet ! Each bite of the noodle spoke salmon.. The aroma the taste of the fish still lingers on my tongue. AWESOME. It definitely needed some salt and pepper for me but then the salmon masked the blandness too. Hubby had the Mediterranean plate and he kept saying the pita is too good ! He also raved about the portion size for the money.. Value for the money absolutely ! My 4 year old had the meat ball wrap and was the happiest birthday boy yesterday ! Will visit the place again when we are around..
(5)
Ashley T.
I have been to this place several times as I work very close to it. It is a really good lunch place. I think the name says it best. The portions are BIG! and the food is FRESH! The prices are also reasonable. I have liked everything I have tried so far. The salmon wrap and falafel wrap are both delicious, but my absolute favorite is the spicy peanut noodle stir fry with chicken. I love the noodles with fresh vegetables in a coconut and peanut flavored sauce. Super good! They also have a lot of great vegetarian and vegan options for every chicken dish it seems like they have an equivalent where salmon or tofu can be substituted. If you are in the area it is a great place to check out!
(4)
CJ N.
Moving from Cambridge to Framingham, we were concerned that we couldn't get a good Mediterranean wrap. Boy were we wrong. Thank goodness we found Big Fresh. The outside may be nondescript in strip mall fashion, but once you're inside, the menu speaks for itself. They are not kidding when they say Big Fresh! They also have a row of fresh iced teas in various flavors - and BONUS - stevia packets! Thank goodness for people who understand natural food AND natural sweeteners. No exaggeration, I think I had the best wrap of my life -- Chicken Tabouleh on wheat. The chicken tajine is also excellent. So is the hummus, which tastes like a wonderful middle eastern cool whip. :) Service is efficient and friendly, and the atmosphere is casual. The walls are bright and cheery. We are so happy that this will be out new go-to place! Thanks Big Fresh!
(5)
Elizabeth M.
Yummy food that you don't have to feel guilty about. My personal favorite is the Thai Curry (with brown rice). Portion sizes are huge. Only downside to Big Fresh is their customer service, which could easily be improved with a smile or two from the employees at the cash register.
(4)
Matthew O.
Buy Local. Eat Global. Great food at Big Fresh. They buy a lot of their stuff locally and tell you where your food comes from. While they have a regular menu, they also serve up fantastic dishes based on what's in-season locally. You can order most dishes with organic meats and fish, or with tofu or locally made tempeh. Everyone who works there is very nice and a few seats allow you to sit and watch your food be made; great for kids.
(5)
Tom M.
I'm sitting in my car because I'm too spacey to remember the keys to my band's practice space. So while I wait for the drummer (who's never on time...amirite?) to unlock the door, I'm chowing on a killer falafel wrap. I didn't know metro west had this going for it. I have no idea about the other stuff available here, but!! I really liked the colors and cleanliness of the restaurant, the girl at the counter was super friendly, and their menu actually looks pretty good. Seriously though, this falafel is fantastic!! And the wrap is huge. Aww yeah. ALSO! High five for repping Worcester with George's bread.
(4)
Jon T.
Big Fresh is easily my favorite area restaurant. Everything on the menu (and I've tried almost everything) is tasty, fresh, and HEALTHY. Many of the ingredients are locally grown, and there's a good variety of dishes. Several of the dishes are vegeterian/vegan too. My favorite meal is the Tempeh special - Tempeh with molasses sauce on a bed of brown rice, onions, and kale with a side of beets.
(5)
Shannon D.
The title says it all, big servings and food is fresh (and delicious)! Big Fresh has a variety of healthy meals including wraps, stirfrys and salads. I wouldn't recommend bringing any picky eaters here. Great restaurant for vegetarians and people looking for something different. The food is reasonably priced for the amount you get and service is quick. I've also found them happy to customize the dishes to a certain extent if you would rather not have a certain veggie. There isn't a lot of seating but I also haven't seen it very packed before either. Not a lot of room for large parties. The decor is fun and artsy, they have local artists works on the walls. My favorite dish: coconut curry, yummm! Definitely try out Big Fresh, it is a lot better than the multitude of chain restaurants in the Framingham/Natick area!
(5)
Rita V.
Tired of traditional "fast food"? Pipes need a cleaning? Its small and cramped, very "70's love and peace", food is cooked to order, fresh as the name suggests, portions are hefty, prices are small in comparison to the portions, and its flavorful. I had the moroccan tangine with chicken (chicken a bit dry), which is prepared with sweet potato based curry, veggies and served over whole wheat couscous. VERY good, and I had enough left over for dinner. I sampled a vegan chocolate cake - moist and you can tell made with whole wheat flour, without having that pasty feeling - also good. My lunch partner had a salad - HUGE enough to share. So as we enjoyed one of their iced teas, we pondered what our next lunch sampling will be. Different, delicious, won't bust your wallet or your waist-line (I can't believe, ME the queen of stuffing myself has said this!)
(4)
Brittany T.
Fantastic food and service. Perfect place for lunch. Super healthy options and the falafel hummus salad pita was excellent!
(5)
Christina L.
Not really sure what all the hype is about this place... I got the taboule chicken wrap. My other family members got the fafafel plate, the cod wrap, and the tabloue chicken plate. I think the taboule chicken wrap was the best. The falafel were pretty small so it was mainly a crunchy crust and not much of a chickpea center. The cod wrap was mostly rice. All the dishes were fresh, and the portions were pretty big... So in that sense, it does live up to its name, but I didn't find the food to be extremely flavorful.
(3)
B M.
Great food, great staff. Very friendly people, very fast and accurate service and the food is delicious. They also have an amazing vegan chocolate cake which is hard to find.
(5)
Jimmy H.
My advice, Leave your pita bread last when you order "Mediterranean Chicken Plate". You do not want to leave humus and/or sauce on your plate because they are sooo precious. Finish the chicken and humus. Then clean out the plate with the pita bread. Absolutely gorgeous!
(5)
Matt K.
This place rules! The best falafel I have ever had. The taboule chicken wrap is also fantastic. It's small and can get crowded around lunch time but you can always get take-out instead. They use all organic ingredients and they have many vegetarian/vegan options. Not to be missed.
(5)
Tiff D.
ok, so Ive lived in the area for 3 years. Driven by the sign many times. After reading the reviews I decided to go and took the reviewers advice. Falafel Wrap. AMAZING!!!!!! WHAT IS FALAFEL??? Who knows...but its DAMN GOOD! Fresh ingredients and flavors. Perfect for a hot day. Something light and healthy. We also had the Tahi Curry Salmon wrap. That too was good. I dont generally love curry so I wasnt in love with this wrap but it was good and Id eat it again. Wraps are HUGE. More like a burritto size. We had 2 wraps and couldnt finish them between 2 adults. (we made sure to eat ALL the falafel though! HAHA). We also had their organic iced tea. VERY GOOD. Light, refreshing. PERFECT. If you live in the area, you have got to try it!
(4)
Suzy L.
I wanted to love this place, I really did. It was good, but didn't quite live up to my expectations. I was having a falafel jones (why I suggested this place to begin with), so I had the falafel salad plate, and it was good, but not great. The falafel balls themselves were tasty, but a tiny bit dry. The hummus was pretty nondescript, not bad, but not wow either. What really threw me off was the dressing on the salad. I didn't like it as much as similar dressings from other places. My black mango iced tea was DELISH, however. I would go back to try something else (my BFF loved her Moroccan tagine chicken), but when I return, won't bother with the falafel salad!
(3)
Emily A.
Aboslutely wonderful vegetarian (and meat eater) food! Fantastic hummus and tabouli, wonderful salads, can't wait to try the stir fry. The food is fantastic, I want to try everything on the menu. Don't wait. Go. Now. Why are you still reading? You're going to pay $10 for a meal, but it's fresh and homemade, so what do you want?
(5)
Kristen F.
A-maz-ing...worth the 40 minute drive. Organic and produce tasted like it was plucked from the field that morning. Salmon was wild and I am too for the Freshest of the Fresh. What I would do to have this closer to our work...Staff very friendly as well.
(5)
Pravin D.
This is an outstanding little place to eat with a variety of things to choose from. I liked the taboulie chicken or the Thai peanut tofu dish. This place has Thai, Chinese, Mediterranean dishes and their hummus is top notch. It is a healthy joint with a lot of local organic farm produce used.
(5)
Derick F.
Hands down best Falafel I've had, and their other dishes (cod cakes, homemade seaweed salad) are always made with the freshest ingredients. Delicious and inexpensive place to grab a quick bite - I don't frequent here enough.
(5)
C C.
Cod, Salmon and Big Fresh Special are very good, although the cod portion is a bit smallish. The organic tea choices are excellent. It's a no frills restaurant.
(4)
Rob F.
Let's get the bad part out of the way: you can't have everything on the menu in one meal. At the last minute, I needed to meet a friend somewhere near Framingham, for dinner. Yelped the area and opted for this place. Good call. Since I arrived 15 minutes before my pal, I figured I'd have time to make my choice, but the aromas wafting from the open kitchen, the steady stream of plates being taken away from the counter by people who are obviously regular customers, and the huge number of dishes from which to choose left me paralyzed. Finally, I put my faith in Yelp! and ordered the Hummus Falafel wrap, and a side of succotash. Sufferin' succotash! I can't remember the last time... no, there has never been a time when I was still talking about vegetables 4 hours after I ate them. This stuff was so freakin' good!â„¢ I know it had beans, I still remember the sweet sauteed peppers, and some kind of sauteed greens. Heck, it probably had corn, I don't know. I was hypnotized by a plate of organic greatness. The green sauce served on the side was surprisingly spicy hot and lent occasional punctuation to the dish when I dipped my fork in it before scooping up another mouthful. The Falafel wrap? Loaded with fresh, crisp veggies, tangy tahini, smooth fresh hummus, and light hot balls of fried chickpea. The pita pocket was a fresh, over-sized pouch like loaf. On another day I might be more effusive about the wrap. Don't get me wrong. It was very, very good. It pales next to the succotash. Not a reflection on the wrap, I swear. The "freshness" of all the vegetables was, quite honestly, notable, as was the "bigness" of the servings. Hence the name, I guess. My friend had the Moroccan Chicken Tagine. He was not bowled over. He had also had a hellacious weekend, a long day at the office, a miserable drive to the restaurant through Mass pike rush hour traffic, and wanted an alcoholic beverage immediately upon entering the place. Honestly, had nubile nymphs been pouring nectar and peeling grapes, I think Fred would still not have been all that happy without a stiff drink. It looked good to me. He did admit that he loved the philosophy of the place and that all the food looked good. So, thanks Yelp! for once again steering me towards greatness when I don't know where I am or know what I want. Today, I know I want more of that succotash! And to try the sweet potato pie. (Dear Readers: I think "so freakin' good!â„¢" will be my new personal catch phrase, indicating that a thing is unsurpassed. Hopefully to go down in media history more like "telling it like it is" than "boom goes the dynamite." Of course, only time will tell. :-) )
(5)
Shane T.
My go to place for a veggie lunch in Framingham, easily worth the 15 minute drive. Everything is cooked to order with care, aka sauteed vegetables are still crisp, or the chicken/tofu has a nice golden crust.
(5)
Gillian S.
Odd location but great food. The sauces are complex and yummy! The choices are great. Not the best atmosphere as it's more a take out place than a sit down. Food is excellent, fresh and makes you feel good knowing it was grown with care! If you like thai, middle eastern or that hybrid international vegetarian food it's a must try palce.
(4)
Jef S.
I hate it when people call a restaurant a "hidden gem". Those goddamned Andelmans have taken over Boston as it is...don't encourage them any more! However, if "hidden gem" wasn't such a loaded term, it would fit nicely for Big Fresh. This small deli-ish, restaurant-ish, I'm not even sure what to call it is located off Route 9 in the shoppers' hell that is Shoppers World. There are 7 billion places to eat in the area, (including the super BBQ calorie bomb lure of Tennesee's right next door) so why choose Big Fresh? The food is good. That's why. Hummus is tasty (almost, but not quite as good as my wife's homemade) and falafel cannot be beat. They have great salad offerings and fresh vegetables on every plate or wrap that leaves the kitchen. Staff is very friendly, but they can be disorganized when the line gets busy...wait times are variable. The room itself is tastefully decorated, but small. I wouldn't recommend coming here with a group larger than four. Big Fresh, understandably, is also more expensive than, say, the local fast food joints, but the food is worth it, worth it, worth it, all the way. And they're cheaper, faster, and tastier than a lot of places in the vicinity. 4.4999999 stars with some extra hummus to go.
(4)
Double J.
Sitting on the side of a second-rate shopping center, next to a Papa Gino's of all places, at first glance this place doesn't look like anything to write home about. But my wife and I are vegans, and when we're doing take-out this place is first on our list. I can't speak for the meat dishes, of course, but the Big Fresh meal, felafel salads, and the teriyaki dishes (both tofu and salmon) are great. The vegan chocolate cake is pretty good too - tastes a little like ginger bread. Great, cozy place to eat in or take out!
(4)
Shaina P.
You might not expect to find something worthwhile in a strip mall of restaurants, but Big Fresh Cafe is a diamond in the rough. Like Esther L. wandered in here for lunch one day, I did exactly the same. ATMOSPHERE This cafe, though called "big" (you'll see why, just read on) is actually quite small. There is enough seating for about 25 people, but not in the most comfortable way. The decor is bold, bright, and fun, with bright walls, specials announced on large chalk boards, and some very cool glass panels hanging between the seating area and the tight kitchen. The lighting is a little dark, because it's a long, narrow, shape, despite it's big windows on the front. FOOD So, Big Fresh Cafe truly serves fresh food, in a BIG way. The menu consists of salads, wraps (more like huge burrito-sized thingers), stir fries, and sides in an Asian-MidEast-Veggish-Local way. I ordered the Big Fresh Special, which was a BIG plate of pan fried tofu, smothered with salty sweet and peanut-buttery satay sauce over a bed of rice. This all came with a side of fresh, crisp-tender stir fried vegetables lightly oiled and well seasoned AND nicely braised collard greens (spicy and sweet!). That's right folks. BIG FRESH. I will undoubtedly return to this fine establishment even though my HUGE meal and a Nantucket Nectar threw me back $11.50!! Also, a long wait for a fresh, cooked-to-order meal was longer than I was hoping for. Maybe next time I'll get a monstrous wrap. I was also very pleased to find that Big Fresh serves Wolaver's Organic Ale (yum yum!), local produce when available, AND they recycle.
(4)
Douglas S.
My go-to healthy eats place. Big Fresh is a small locally owned restaurant serving organic, locally sourced food. You order at the back (don't be that guy standing at the service area waiting to be noticed, look for the register), they should probably have a sign at the open kitchen pointing to the back. Their home-made teas are really good. Water is available free (by the tea). Seating is limited, but turns quickly so a seat usually comes available prior to your order being served. Nice people, nice place.
(5)
Charlotte H.
I was really, really pleased with this. Sometimes I am nervous about these new earthy-crunchy places because often the food is a little weird for me, and I absolutely hate the taste of whole wheat pasta! But here, I was really happy. We ordered take-out for an office lunch. It was ready, hot, on-time, and well-packed when we got there. Everything was delicious! A coworker and I split a Chicken Meatball Wrap and a Big Baby salad. Both were delicious! The chicken was tender and the wrap was just awesome. All of the flavors worked. Big Baby salad was also decent. Field greens, pears, gorgonzola, raspberry vinaigrette, how can you go wrong? The dressing was great. Everything was fresh and organic, but it was still really reasonably priced! Lunch for 10 people was $92. However, I hate their location. They're in this ugly strip mall with red overhangs. Right next to a Papa Gino's or something. I think with a better location, they'd be fabulous. Their location does not fit with their style and menu. But the restaurant looked nice on the inside! So I'm still happy.
(5)
Diego S.
Where do you grab something to eat after watching Food Inc.?? Well this was the place I chose!! Last Saturday, after watching that depressing and disgusting documentary I decided to look up for a fresh, organic place to eat and, just because it was close to home, I ended up at Big Fresh. I had the Falafel Wrap and I was awesome. I'm not a vegetarian, and I usually HAVE TO have meat in my meals, but let me tell you, this all-veggie-wrap is one of the best I've ever had in my life. ENJOY!
(5)
Catherine C.
My husband and I are pretty much regulars at this place. It's one of our favorite casual places to go for both lunch and dinner. We love the concept of the restaurant - organic food with emphasis on buying from local farms. I've tried almost every dish here. My favorite is the definitely the Big Fresh Special, which is tofu with brown rice. The Big Fresh special is an awesome deal. It comes with brown rice, sauteed veggies, tofu and a side of collard greens. All of wich are delicious. I especially love the peanuty sauce that they use for the tofu. The falafel is really good here - both in the salad plate and in the wrap. The portions are pretty generous too. If they have it, get their sweet potatoe pie. Super delicious! Other dishes I love from here is the Blackened Salmon and the Cod Wrap.
(4)
Peter P.
With their amazing falafel wrap to blackened salmon all their ingredients are fresh, local, and/or organic. The menu is unique and vegitarian friendly. One of my favorite and healthier spots to eat.
(5)
Wendy S.
i'm gonna say it was just so so. now it's not like this sucked or anything like that, but it just could have had more zing. i want my food to bite me back and this falafel wrap just kinda said, don't hurt me, i'll enter meekly. needless to say, i found myself resorting to the tabasco with a heavy hand. the vegan chocolate cake was also just so so. i'm a girl who wants her cake to scream, i'm a luscious treat! savor me! but this was clearly a "healthy" vegan chocolate cake, meaning not so decadent. more on the bland but sweet side. overall, considering the lack of vegan options in the area, i guess i would return, but i'm glad to live where more vegan opportunities prevail!
(3)
Renzie J.
Such great food, and the best part is that it is extremely fresh, organic and healthy. My favorite is the falafel wrap, such deliciousness, and so fulfilling; and it's pretty humongous, I can't always eat the whole thing at ones. I've also tried the meatball wrap, also yummy. The only thing I didn't llke is the salmon wrap, the salmon was a bit too chewy for me, but I'm picky when it comes to fish so it might be just me. They also have a bunch of stir fry and salad options. Homemade iced tea is also really good, and includes free refills. Oh and their vegan pies are amazing as well. Overall, I absolutely love this place. Although it's tiny, it is such a relief to have great organic, delicious food here in Framingham (which is ironically surrounded by papa ginos, boston market, and mcdonalds...aka crap) and it's not that expensive.
(5)
Maggie E.
I am new to falafel and boy am I glad I came here to try it for the first time. I have gotten both the hummus/falafel pita and the falafel wrap. Both amazing. Love the hummus. Only downside was that I tried the vegan chocolate cake and was underwhelmed. Overall great place though and I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Evan K.
Get the falafel in pita
(5)
Sneha S.
it is strictly OK- especially for non vegetarians .
(2)
Cory M.
I went here because people keep telling me it's one of the only places in Framingham where you can get vegetarian food. It was super crowded when I was there and I felt really rushed while I was ordering, so I might be wrong about this, but I didn't think they had very many veggie options. All those fresh veggies and only one meatless wrap? That's just silly. I had the falafel wrap because it was the only non-meat thing that could be eaten without a fork. It was really big, which was good because it was also stupidly expensive (for falafel anyway). I guess it might be a good idea to use it to feed 2 people and then the price wouldn't seem so high. If you are in the area looking for vegetarian food, go next door to the Indian place, Gold Star. My actual review of Big Fresh is 2 stars, but they get one additional star for having a decent concept and being in Framingham.
(3)
Munchie B.
This is the first decent (good, actually) falafel I've found in Boston. I've passed by this place for years (it's in a horrible location), but tried it out after reading reviews on Yelp. The falafel plate was plenty of food, with delicious falafel, genuine Middle Eastern hot sauce, and a big fresh salad with tahini dressing. I'll be headed back to try some of their seafood dishes.
(4)
Jen M.
Vegan, gluten free, & omnivore friendly. I'm a fan. Love their hummus!
(4)
kate m.
Yes, this place is very very great. My vegetarian friend loves it too. It's counter-order, but the seating is cute.
(4)
Sneakers A.
A good place to grab a healthy meal, but I wonder if they're spreading themselves too thin with the number of cuisines that they present. The falafel is decent, and I also thought that the Moroccan chicken dish that I tried was ok. No soda because of the hippie/eastern-medicine/psychic healing crowd that they're trying to attract, but they do have a couple decent teas. Prices are reasonable.
(3)
Liz O.
I really, really like the Salmon Thai Curry here, so they would get 5 stars for that, but there really isn't much else on the menu that I've been excited about, plus the people at the register can be a bit snippy sometimes (sometimes they're great), so it's not really a five-star place. Also, although I love the home-brewed ice tea, they always seem to be almost out of every flavor, so I end up mixing mint and berry and orange... not so great. Parking is easy, and the prices are good, but I'm not a huge fan of bussing my own table. I guess I'm a bit of a princess... It is worth it if it keeps costs down. I probably wouldn't mind so much if they emptied the bins more frequently. The food is freshly prepared and tasty, and they are willing to make changes like swapping in brown rice. The last time I went with my boyfriend and he ordered something that came with hummus and tahini and a pita and the amount of tahini was overwhelming. And I LOVE tahini. I would love to try the falafel, but I can't stop ordering the salmon Thai curry. It's just SO good.
(3)
Ira H.
Excellent falafel. Nice atmosphere. The place is small. They have around 6-8 tables. It is counter service and you bus your food at the end. The Falafel was authentic and the hot sauce that came with it is as well. The pita bread was slightly thin so.. prepare to get messy. Will definitely return.
(5)
David Y.
I tried their Monterey Cod Wrap ($8.75) and Tagine Salmon plate ($9.25). I really liked the cod wrap but felt he salmon plate wasn't as packed with flavor. Their ingredients are fresh and delicious. I also tried their sweet potato pie ($2.50) which was great. It was a more relaxed meal than Chipotle probably cuz the food took so long to prepare. Chipotle is definitely faster and their food is cheaper. Chipotle's burritos have a higher impact of taste whereas Big Fresh has a cleaner taste (one where you taste all the different ingredients instead of just one big mixture of tastes) and of course, has an overall feeling of healthier eating. Overall, a good meal and a nice little restaurant and I look forward to their other wraps.
(4)
Ronda Y.
Big Fresh is my favorite lunch spot in Framingham. The food is healthy, delicious and prepared in creative, interesting ways. I have never had a meal there I didn't enjoy. How refreshing to find a restaurant where everything is good and good for you instead of desperately searching for the one item which might not give you a heart attack in the next 10 minutes. Plus they have made an effort to make it pretty inside with art work, stained glass, wooden furniture and attractive paint colors. It has a very homey, hand made, family feel. I would so much rather be there than one of the many chains nearby which seem entirely decorated in either metal or plastic and designed to make you not want to sit down and eat your meal.
(5)
Kendra L.
I really really like their Falafel Hummus Salad Plate. Hummus with a pool of olive oil in the center, field greens and 7 or 8 small deep fried, well done falafel balls. Their selection of fresh brewed organic ice teas is a nice alternative to standard lunchtime beverage choices. Big Fresh could stand to improve their Feta and Beet salad. The beets are excellent however, the field greens are full of a lot of very long stems.
(4)
Evilee E.
Awesome menu, everything is fresh and you will never find a more perfectly prepared falafel sandwich anywhere!! Can't wait to go back for my next one. I want to try their stir fry dishes too but it would be hard to pass on that falafel. I may need to go twice in one day :-)
(5)
Steve R.
We have been at Big Fresh at least 10 times (actually used to go to Rami's, a falafel place that was there- they still use the falafel machine). The food is locally grown, fresh and delicious. The falafel are crispy, tasty and plentiful. My favorite non-falafel dish is the Spicy Peanut Stir Fry.
(4)
Archie R.
Hey Big Fresh... Your hummus is just as good as mine. Your peanut sauce is light and delicious. Your whole wheat pasta is perfectly cooked. Your options are plentiful and healthy. I am not sure if I really really love you or really really hate you (for not being in my area). Regardless, I am down on bended knee asking your hippie vegan ass to marry me. As my friends in Boston say..."you ah wicked good kid." Tahini.
(5)
Jennifer C.
So good especially if you're a vegetarian or vegan. Kinda expensive but still awesome
(4)
Kristen R.
My husband and I went here last night for a quick dinner before going to the movies. We both ordered the hummus falafel in pita which is a pretty good deal at $6.50 each. If you have any intention of dining in and are at all concerned about other patrons seeing you completely covered in hummus, I would order something else. The pita they use is basically a cheap vehicle for the yummy stuff they put inside and they pack it so full that the flimsy pita has no chance. The good news is that this is GOOD falafel. Falafel is so hit or miss and it seems easier to find falafel that would be better suited for putting practice on the golf course than for human consumption. Not so with the falafel here. Here the falafel is full of flavor and not even a little dry. We both got it with the hot sauce and the result was a nice tang, but no real heat. Overall the sandwich was really good. If only I didn't need to take a bath after eating it.... I think next time I'll go with the falafel wrap which looked much more manageable. I sure wish I'd seen the Yelp review about the maple seltzer because I definitely would have gotten that (I didn't even look at the drink menu, but did did see that they have a nice variety of freshly brewed iced teas). The other dishes looked good and I really like the focus on healthy, locally sourced real food as well as their commitment to being ecologically responsible. In an age where fresh food has become trendy and everyone's throwing the word around willynilly (I'm looking at you Fresh City), it's refreshing to find healthy, appetizing food that has nothing to do with trying to keep up with the latest fads.
(4)
Erika C.
what would i do without big fresh? I honestly do not know. It is incredible. You cannot make healthier, tastier food at home or anywhere (that i've been to for that matter!). It is very consistent and their stir-fries are amazing. One of the coolest parts about big fresh is that they try to get as much of their produce possible from local farms in the framingham/natick area. Not only do they support local businesses, but they are serving up the freshest products they can get their hands on. My favorite entrees include the teriyaki stir-fry with tofu or the thai curry stir-fry with chicken. They're falafel wraps are INCREDIBLE. The prices are surprisingly and sometimes I wonder if they are profiting enough. The people there are very friendly and hospitable. It's always busy too, which is a sure sign that it is delicious!
(5)
Jo R.
amazing food only thing that would make it a 5 in my book was if the website or dine in menu had calorie count. :-)
(4)
A B.
I love this place!!! I am a bit biased as I used to work there. When I worked there and ate their somewhat religiously, I can definitely say the food is fresh, from locals, made wonderfully and all the employees are awesome.
(5)
Prince V.
I wouldnt call this place Meditterean, but more of a Asian fusion and middle eastern mix. Food is very tasty here. I had the Falafel plate. They give you good amount of food and fast. Everything tasted very fresh. I would definitely go back here.
(4)
Roberta N.
Thanks fellow Yelpers. You never let me down. We were staying in the area and of course went to Yelp to find a place to eat. This was a really nice cafe a few miles from our hotel. The ambiance/environment is utilitarian but the food was good and fresh. They prepared it exactly as we requested. It was reasonably priced. We got lunch and dinner there. We got a salad and a wrap for lunch; both were excellent. Lunch was $20. For dinner we got the black bean soup, roasted asparagus and beet side, Mediterranean Chicken Plate and Chicken Tabouli Plate with pita bread. Total $32. Everything was fresh and tasty. The soup and the asparagus were great. The portions were generous. Hummus was really good. We didn't eat in but service was fast. I hope this place stays in business. Thanks again Yelpers!
(5)
Jeannette L.
They use local harvest and it's good to support local businesses. But mainly I love this place because the food is so good!!! The fish is always fresh, both the cod and the salmon. The thai curry and tempeh are also really good. I like their vegetable side, which is the swiss chard and succotash. Never been there for lunch on the weekdays, but I can imagine it could be pretty crowded. The food doesn't take that long, but it might be hard to find a place to sit. I usually go for dinner or take it to go.
(5)
apple w.
So ...in general- i wait till I have been somewhere more than once and /or have had time to reflect a while. HOWEVER, I had the best lunch that I have had in oh........................ since I moved to New England- and I think that is noteworthy in itself! I ate at the Big Fresh today. I got the Mediterranean chicken plate and I kid you not... it was the best food I have eaten in forever -that i did not make. Tabouli and grilled chicken salad and hummus and some hot sauce stuff i cannot remember the name of.... SOO good. (it also comes with some sort of piccalilli which i skipped as I hate the pickled stuff) My only complaint? my stomach wasn't big enough and i wasn't going directly home- so i couldn't save the left overs. I also had the mint iced tea.. very nice and refreshing! Reasonably priced. healthy. and soooooo yummy. Did I mention it was yummy? Everything on the menu looked good- salads, wraps etc... FYI- They have a sign up that says they prefer cash because they are trying to cut back on CC fees.. so plan for cash if you've got it. Oh. and the inside is really cute and kinda funky creative- (the outside not-so-much... its more what we call strip mall ugly.) I will be going back. In fact, when my company comes in town next week I will probably drive 1/2 hour away to take them to a strip mall to get the yummiest food they have had in ages!!
(5)
Maria T.
Not too much to even say, no need for flowery language. I remember when they first moved into this location and I have supported them ever since! I'm no foodie but they manage to really get it right every time. Great food, even better variety, everything I have ever tried (regular menu or specials) has been EXCELLENT. Vegetarian friendly, vegan options, good prices, great organic selection, quick, easy, and great service from seriously nice people!!! My personal favorite, besides all the falafel dishes (really authentic and I have no idea how they make it) and stir-frys (also in great portions and good for take-out!) the sweet beets and feta salad is my favorite item on the menu. HIGHLY recommended.
(5)
Cheuk S.
I've been here a few times with my co-workers for lunch and overall it's a pretty good place to go. The food is pretty healthy since it's mostly vegan but there are meat options. Last time I came here, I order Spicy Peanut Noodle Stir Fry and I also tried the Chicken Penne the other time. The location is pretty convenient on right on route 9 or route 30 in Natick area. There's plenty of parking. The inside is actually pretty small and can probably accommodate maybe at most 20-30 people, so don't expect to easily find seating if you plan to dine in. I would suggest go after the rush hour such as 1PM if you plan to dine in, otherwise takeout is pretty quick. The flavour the dishes is very good and the meat was cooked just about right, or at least not overcooked. If you do decide to dine in, there is free water and other drinks for sale. I guess my only complaint is that the prices aren't cheap. It's close to $10 bucks every time you come here and that is a bit high for lunch as usually $5-7 is fair for lunch. But guess you gotta pay a little extra for good and healthy food. The quantity is big enough to fill you up for lunch so the value is there. Overall, a good place to go for healthy and delicious lunch, take out or dine in.
(4)
Jason R.
Wow. I can't believe food this good can be found in a what looks like a strip-mall, fast-food restaurant. Yes, that's Boston Market to the left and Papa Gino's to the right. One taste and you'll be amazed how little you paid. The beet salad was comparable to the best such salads we've had in restaurants---beets were tender and seasonsed, the greens were evenly dressed with a properly seasoned vinaigrette. The falafel wrap was also yummy---well seasoned with a nice dressing, various veggies and moist, tender falafel; most of the falafel I've had has been dry and under-seasoned. A step above all the wraps I've had in the Central and Kendall square areas of Cambridge. We got noodles and meatballs for our daughter. The noodles needed salt, but the meatballs were great---flavorful with great texture (tastes like they were made fresh by hand!).
(5)
Dharia M.
i've been eating here for a few years, and i LOVE it. I like to call it "Hippie Fast Food", the kind of food that i grew up eating in california. The kind of place i miss from living in college towns, and definitely didn't expect to find in the shadow of the mall. I used to commute along rte 9 three evenings per week and when you're starving and cranky its so easy to get sucked into gross junk food. Big Fresh is awesome for vegetarians, but i've also hooked several of my carnivorous friends on the place! everyone else has already touted their organic, local ingredients. yay. i recommend ordering the Big Fresh Salad with sauteed tofu on top, that's my fave.
(5)
Shanna L.
This place is so, so so good. Best falafel I've ever had. Tons of vegetarian options, all with extremely good flavor. I recommend the peanut noodle stirfry. This place has all organic ingredients and is family owned. They also serve a small selection of beer and wine. They're good for the environment, too - they have real dishes and silverware. I LOVE THIS PLACE. I really see no downside...every time I've come here both the service and food is incredible. Also VERY reasonably priced, beautiful local artwork and quick food. Can't beat it.
(5)
Nicole S.
I took my fellow Yelpers advice and decided to go against my very strict "No Falafel outside of the San Jose Falafel Drive-In Ever Ever" rule (this was a VERY big step mind you), and check out Big Fresh. I don't think I'm as excited and wowed as other reviewers, but you put up a noble fight in the reign for Master Falafel. I had to bring it home and smother it in garlic chili sauce, but if I closed my eyes and pretended hard enough I could trick myself for a second or two and think I was eating a real SJ style lunch. It was fresh, it was good, and the other stuff I saw coming out of the kitchen looked fabulous. I *guess* I'd recommend it if you've never had the Jesus Falafel in CA because then you wouldn't know what you're missing.
(4)
Megan T.
Consistently excellent, locally grown & in season foods when possible. Been there many times and never had a bad dish. I wish there were more places like this instead of all the fast food chains out there! Prices are reasonable for the quality and portion.
(4)
Kelly G.
This is a great place to go for fresh, healthy food. Great salads, wraps and stir frys!
(5)
Jeremy G.
Great healthier alternative for this area. Taste is top notch. Ingredients are fresh. Chicken meatball wrap is a favorite.
(4)
Kevin W.
Since there are already alot of reviews here, I'd thought I'd try something different. My love for Big Fresh - in haiku form: Big Fresh - delicious Falafel hidden off 9, Lunch break, here I come.
(5)
Esther L.
Went here for lunch and was pleasantly surprised. Big Fresh looks kinda dingy from the outside, but that is only because its part of a strip mall and next to a Papa Gino's. But once you get inside, its cute with brightly painted walls. You order in the back. I had the hummus plate, which included tasty falafel (they were a bit on the small side though). Their hummus was tasty too, but a bit on the dry side. But I think that's because they didn't douse it with a ton of oil (which is a good thing). I liked how they had Stevia sweetener available for your iced tea, etc. I'd like to go back and try some other things on their menu. Would recommend this as a quick place to grab a bite of good food. Also, its kind of rare to find a non-chain restaurant out there around the route 9 shopping area, so I'm glad Big Fresh is around!
(4)
Allyson C.
Hi! I am pretty certain the new restaurant is Norish in Lexington. It has great reviews but I have not been yet as I have just learned this in the last 24 hours. I will be sure to update as soon as I visit :)
(1)
Anna F.
One word: YUM. Everything they make here is absolutely delicious. My personal favorite item is the chicken meatball wrap. If you eat in, they give you real plates and silverware to minimize waste. The service is really great. The artwork on the walls is all by local artists and is for sale. All in all, a great place to eat great food.
(5)
Dorothy M.
Since I found out about Big Fresh (back in my teenage years when I converted to a vegetarian diet), it's been my favorite place to eat. That wasn't too long ago, but I feel like I've been coming here forever. I went by myself earlier this week. I got (I think the big fresh special) baked tofu w/ satay sauce, jas. rice, vegs = awesome. They have mini books on sale that are titled something like how to conserve water, riding your bike to work, how to change how you use utilities at home to help the environment. I read the water booklet while I ate in BF's calming, dimly lit mini restaurant. I don't like to call it a restaurant though because it does much more than food. On a black chalkboard posted to the wall I read about the locally bought foods that were on the menu. A busy corkboard displays a variety of cards and nearby earthy crunchy things (places, events, info) I find interesting. Big fresh supports local small businesses, buys from local farmers, and always makes the same foods delicious. AND, the people who work there are welcoming and friendly: they let me try tempeh for the first time. The manager has always been visible and working around the store and recognizes a familiar face ;-) Main point = You must go before you die! Big Fresh is pretty sweet.
(5)
Sofia A.
Food is tasty and fresh. I had the tangine chicken, and my friend got the beet feta salad. Both were great! The place is small, but with enough tables and space to be comfy. The one item I was not crazy about was the vegan chocolate cake. It did not have any sort of fudge, or frosting... flavor wasnt there.... seemed more like a muffin.
(4)
Sameer K.
Big Fresh has the best hummas ever made. No lie, in a Bobby F. like throw down, it would beat them all. Now when you go in the first time, it is a big confusing on what you need to order. I would suggest the Plates. They give you falafel and boat load of greens. Also for the spice lovers, as for some hot spicy sauce on the side. This stuff is not really sauce but it tastes great and packs a good kick. Also the staff is real nice and if you ask them nicely, they will also throw in a piece of bread for no charge. The decor is also great. Always interesting art hanging on the walls. For sale but not in my budget. The place is green friendly and the owner uses only locally grown produce. The true original healthly place to eat and no gimics to prove to you that they are healthy. I love this place and recommend it.
(5)
Pete D.
Everything we tried rocked. We had a wrap w/ falafel, falafel + hummus in a pita, a spinach falafel plate and Succotash side.
(5)
meg a.
The baked tofu with peanut sauce was ridiculous. So delicious it had me talking to it. I can't wait to work my way through the menu.
(5)
Sasha A.
They have such delicious falafel here and a great deal of vegan options. They have tempeh too, which is tasty on a salad. The tea is really awesome. I had a mango black iced tea last time mmm. The service is great and the people are really nice. The inside is lovely and colorful.
(5)
Jenna H.
Although they have amazing massam curry, I have to give this place three stars because I have gone there more than once and the food was so hot it was inedible. The flavors and spices of their curry are a great balance and the vegetables are cooked perfectly. I would not suggest getting the black bean soup. They left bay leaves in the soup which are crunchy and just not enjoyable. In addition, the soup was served so hot to me that after my friend and I finished eating our meals the soup was still steaming. This same heating issue has occurred in the past with the curry. However, when the curry is not too hot, it is delicious. In addition, their jammies, or jam cookies, are a tasty treat that are wrapped individually and easy to take on the go. As I already said, their dishes are great when served at the proper temperature. I recommend going there, just be careful not to burn your mouth!
(3)
Wendy D.
I tried the falafel wrap and two of the stir frys. The smell alone was enough to make me nauseated. I tasted it. It was terrible. I make vegan food at home and can make super yummy stuff. I was looking for a break from cooking. Our bill was $60 for 3 wraps and 2 stir frys. That is outrageous. I would love my money back right about now.
(1)
Sameer P.
I've been to this place several times and I every single time get the Mediterranean Chicken plate with a whole wheat wrap (instead of the normal white flour pita). It's really good. The sauce they cook the chicken is finger licking good and the hummus is nice too. I've had a few bites of the other dishes and they seem good except one of the fish dishes (I believe the Cod) but they only give you a 4oz fish and call that a real meal? Anyway, try it out. Only downside is that its expensive for a casual place. But its pretty healthy.
(5)
AJ M.
Love this place! All organic and locally grown food! If you like to eat healthy you have to check out Big Fresh... by the way their Maple Seltzer water is ridiculously awesome.
(5)
Clark E.
I love this place. Its always fresh, locally grown food for short money. I love the blackened salmon. Very unique meals and you can get in and out fast. Plant based diet friendly.
(4)
R B.
Love the concept, but the delivery was just okay. Reminded me too much of what I churn out at home to get excited about it.
(2)
Dawn G.
I liked the food I got here all 3 times, but I thought it tasted salty and later each time my hands swelled up from the sodium so I won't be going back :(
(2)
Phil S.
6/5 stars. Food was organic, healthy, and tasty. Atmosphere was phenom.
(5)
Pam J.
Thanks Yelp! Great recco. Excellent food. Everything super fresh and tasty. I had teriyaki stir fry. DH had oriental wrap. DD had ceasar wrap. Yum! Iced teas excellent as well.
(5)
Scott G.
Not so big. Not so fresh. The tastes are clearly aimed at a "lowest common denominator" palatte, without much effort; in other words, fairly flavorless.
(2)
Sara M.
This place is awesome. The falafel is the the best I have ever had! My second choice would have to be the Coconut curry with Tofu, yum! They are earth friendly which I like, and they have both vegetarian as well as meet options so everyone is happy. I must say the the outside does not really do the place Justice, took me years to actually go in, but now I'm hooked.
(4)
Alan M.
I've eated at the Big Fresh many times. Not to be confused with Fresh City. My wife always suggests it as a good place to go for a healthy meal, and I dutifully go along. I say "dutifully" because it's not always the most comfortable place to eat, but the food is tasty, and perhaps good for you. I usually have a stir-fry of some sort, with chicken or salmon. I've had hummos and falafel plates on occasion, and have never been disappointed. The portion sizes are what I'd call "large." My trepidation is that between the large portions and the sauce they put on, you're probably consuming a lot of extra calories that you really don't need (I'm talking to YOU!). But they have brown rice, so it's gotta be healthy, right? The other thing I like about going to the Big Fresh is that you get to feel superior to the people going to the adjacent restaurants: Papa Gino's, Tennessee's BBQ, and Boston Market. And, coming soon, 5 Guys Burgers. My least favorite part of the experience is the interior. It's a very small place, and the seating is not ideal. Occasionally on cold days, I feel that the place is kept just a few degrees too low. In such a small location, it's easy for the gust of wind that accompanies an arriving or departing guest to have a significant impact on the temperature of the ambiant air.
(4)
Gary B.
The best hummus I have ever had. I tried to get them to give me the recipe because there has got to be something special in it, but they would not give it up. Every time I am there I buy some hummus to bring home. I really enjoy the "plate" meals. The falafel plate is great and so are the other plates I have ordered. I have not been crazy about the wraps though, but I am not sure why. Maybe it is because they just seem to fall apart so quick and are so messy that you may as well just start with it on the plate anyway. It is a little more expensive than what I would expect, but not by much. Whatever you do, make sure you get something with hummus.
(4)
Christopher R.
A restaurant with vegan options in the suburbs? Unthinkable Nope..it's true. The grilled vegetable quesadilla is great...even without the cheese holding everything in. Messy, but delicious. I find that the most delicious food is also the messiest. I had the tofu, veggies in the peanut curry sauce and it was out of this world. Everything was so FRESH! The boy had the falafel and it was seasoned so well. Service was fast and GREAT. I will defintely make this my suburb eating spot for fast, fresh and great tasting food.
(5)
Vic H.
One of the best Mediterranean restaurants in the area! The food was prepared fast and was excellent. There is limited seating but the atmosphere is nice.
(5)
Aron S.
It's a testament to the dearth of restaurants in the suburbs that prepare vegetarian / healthy alternatives that Big Fresh gets such high marks. Were there worthy competitors I have no doubt that people wouldn't be falling over themselves to praise this option. Don't get me wrong; it's passable and even has a few high points, but it pales in comparison to restaurants that really get this genre right. Having been raised on the grub from the original Moosewood Restaurant in Ithaca and others of its ilk that buy fresh ingredients, create original and adventurous vegetarian and healthy food at reasonable prices I feel qualified to opine on Big Fresh. As a local, I've visiting Big Fresh on 6+ occasions and can give them points for being consistent. Generally, you get the same version of the item that you did the last time except for minor inconsistencies like the time the side dish of succotash was nothing more than sauteed romaine lettuce. When I queried the kitchen, the response was, "well, that's our version of succotash." Service is non-existent as you order at a cash register and then wait for your food to be prepared and set-up deli style. They do offer real plates and silverware for those staying in, but you have to bus it yourself, scrape trash and uneaten food into a huge stainless steel bin a la college cafeteria style. The plates and silverware go into plastic bus bins. I didn't see any place to recycle which seemed to me an inconsistency in what they are trying to do. The sitting areas are plain wooden benches and tables set around the side and front of the restaurant, nothing inviting enough to actually make you want to stay there unless you didn't have a choice. Many of the items are freshly prepared and they do have some interesting homemade condiments, but garnishes tend to be pretty boring and not always very fresh or ripe. I suspect the fish is frozen and is inevitably overcooked and dry. The middle eastern alternatives are decent enough, but nothing to rock your world, you'll find much better fare at the Red Fez in Boston or Moody's Falafel in Central Sq, Cambridge. I appreciate carefully prepared food and nothing about Big Fresh suggests to me any more than indifference by those actually preparing the food. I think the original concept was a good one, but the execution falls short. As a yelper and chowhounder, I'm always on the look out for good food at good prices and this is a place where I have a real bone to pick with Big Fresh. The portions aren't huge for the plated food and the prices are pretty high. And $8 for a falafel sandwhich? Please. Not a bad choice for this oasis of healthy food in an area chock full of chain steak houses, fast food, bar food and bad BBQ (forget Tennessee's, go to Firefly's for BBQ), but not the over-the-top experience that other posters have gushed about. My 2.
(2)
Brenda P.
This used to be my most favorite place to eat. Over the years it has become more and more not so good. I went there yesterday with my boyfriend. I got the lunch salmon not the greatest price for 1 inch of salmon and he got the Cod. What he got was the tail end of the cod so not worth the $10.50. I must say everytime I have come here I get disappointed every time. I'm not sure I will be going back here the menu hasn't been updated and the falafel you can get anywhere and tastes the same for the same price. I would try and once but I have had everything on the menu and no need to go back especially where they seem to be getting skimpy on the portions.
(1)
John C.
I just moved to natick (will be here for the next 2 months for my first clinical rotation) and my friend and i were looking for a diner for some breakfast. after reading yelp reviews i decided to check this place out. upon entrance the place had a strong aroma of spices which was nice (but not so nice for my jacket). the place was dimly lit, but cozy. food: i had the morrocan tangine with wild alaskan salmon and my friend had the taboule chicken plate. we also had a side order of the coconut jasmine rice and roasted asparagus (locally grown) my place was subpar from what i had expected. the spices were good but the presentation was terrible. it looked like a lazy hungover college student made it. but ok, i got some sweet salmon, nope. the salmon was COLD. after reading the reviews i expected the salmon to be cooked to order, instead it was cold, clearly cooked the previous day. all in all my place though having flavorful sauce was subpar. 2/5 my friends plate was fantastic. the chicken was moist (i expected it was boiled or steamed) the hummus met the praise it received from other reviewers. the spicy harif was fantastic. the only gripe i have about this plate was the lack of pita. one pita for all that food is just not enough. hence why she ordered the jasmine rice. all in all i give her plate a 4/5 and the jasmine rice a 4/5 as well it was fluffy and had just enough coconut flavor in it. the asparagus on the other hand was fantastic. it was a bit pricey at 2.50 but seeing that a whole bunch will run you about 2 bucks at stop and shop it's not too out of control. 5/5 for asparagus i think the big fresh really needs to upgrade the plates. plastic plates are not the way to go, food doesn't stay as warm on it and it just looks crappy. price: you're paying restaurant prices you should have better presentation. i do feel that the other food on the menu will be and is superb. but from my one experience today it did not meet the expectations that i had set based off of the reviews i have read. i will be back at least twice (i always go 3 times before i make any final conclusions)
(3)
Greg B.
Stopped here tonight and couldn't believe how great the falafel was. I can't recall the last time I tasted veggies this fresh. My only regret is I didn't have room to try the homemade carrot cake. Maybe tomorrow?
(5)
Carrie M.
I love this place! The falafel is fantastic, as is the hot sauce that goes along with it. Their vision is great, it's good to see restaurants using local ingredients and not using overly processed restaurant service ingredients.
(5)
Sarah B.
After reading all the positive reviews, I decided to have BF cater a dinner I was throwing for some Slovakians. I spoke with the owner when I called. She was so accommodating with my budget, as well as with helping me figure out what to order. I ended up getting the tofu curry, which came with rice, broccoli, salad, pita and hummus. Although I ordered food for 8 ($100), I could have fed 20 comfortably. And I did. And it was good. It came with plates, cutlery, easy easy. Maybe someday I'll eat at the actual restaurant.
(4)
Dee H.
Great place for a fresh and nutriciouly delicious bite to eat. My favorite is the salmon moroccan tangine with couscous. The small place has a subtle granola crunchy kind of atmosphere. Just a perfect stop to catch your breath between shopping expeditions.
(4)
Sergei B.
Agree with the falafels being great... You can also taste the freshness and flavor of the tomatoes and other veggies in the falafel wrap, I guess organic and local does make a difference. I like the selection of loose leaf iced teas that they have, as mentioned before you get a free refill. This place is decent for a date, although it doesn't look like much from the outside.
(5)
Jude G.
I am rarely in Framingham, but after eating at Big Fresh once, I will travel there more often. I had the falafel plate. All of the food (salad, salad dressing, falafel, humus, a curried cauliflower pickle and hot sauce) was certainly big fresh, and amazingly big delicious. Would love to try many other items. The menu is a mouth-watering read.
(5)
John W.
4.5 stars I will round up to 5. I've never had such tasty "local and/or organic and/or vegetarian" food. If you're a locavor, you'll love this good-value place with its healthy, great tasting food and funky/hippie decor. If you're a meat eater, order anything on the menu with one of their great beers and say "hey, this healthy stuff can be good!". Many people think of Framingham/Natick route 9 area as chain heaven, but there are many hidden gems in this area and Big Fresh is definitely one of them.
(5)
J W.
I like the falafel (wrap, pita or salad), salmon wrap and chicken meatball wrap at this place. A bit more expensive than the usual lunch fare, but you get your money's worth because Big Fresh buys the food from local farms. I don't have to worry as much about the chemicals that the industrial farms use.
(4)
Jenna J.
LOVE this place! The location is kind of weird, it's a hole in the wall, you have to know where it is. The food is amazing! Finally, a place that cares about the environment, organic, local food, and supporting local businesses and the community. Not your regular chain restaurant. Falafel wrap is my favorite and my boyfriend loves their tobouli chicken wrap. Very hearty, you can tell the food is made with love. Gotta try their sweet potato pie (omg!), next thing for me to try is their vegan chocolate cake. Can't wait! Iced tea is really good, and refills are free. Maybe a little bit pricier that your local sandwich shop (although not by much), but it is totally worth it. I like what they stand for and I'll support them any day of the week. I wish there were more food joints like this around MA.
(5)
Anurag M.
Great food reasonable prices great quality
(4)
Amar C.
I've only been to this place a couple of times... and admittedly haven't ordered anything to eat other than the Falafel sandwich. But Oh My GOD is it good! Now when I go I get a falafel with hot sauce "for here" and one to go for lunch the next day! Also, the Moroccan Mint green tea... dee-lish. Strangely, I think this health-oriented place is owned by the same people as Tennesee's, the BBQ joint in the same plaza... or at least they share a catering menu.
(5)
Emily C.
Very yummy falafel and lentils. no atmosphere, but that's okay!
(4)
Andrew M.
Hooray for Big Fresh! Fantastic sandwiches, wraps, and stir fry for people who like to eat right. It may be a shade on the expensive side for fast food, but $6-$10 for a satisfying, healthy meal is nothing less than a bargain.
(5)
Rick C.
This place is a good as it gets for local, inexpensive organic food. Place is small, and sometimes you wait for a table, not much atmosphere but the food quality is excellent, falafel is good, medditeranean chicken is good, salds are good, you cannot go wrong
(5)
Lindsey M.
A vegetarian's dream. Literally. Although you have every reason by the looks of his place to think they are just another greasy fast-food joint, DON'T BE DECIEVED. This hidden gem is cozy and charming offering an amazing selection of nutritious veg and non veg entrees. Their organics come from local farms and couldn't agree with the restaurants name more. Everything from tofu, falafel, hummus, and salads to whole grains poultry and meats. I am a huge fan of the Moroccan Tangine.
(5)
Bella and Aleksey R.
This offers healthy, organic food choices that are also tasty. I like their falafel wrap - falafel is nicely fried and complemented with some veggies and hummus, the wraps are always soft and fresh, just how I like them. I feel rather cliche saying this now, having read that most reviewers seem to favor this dish also, I thought I was so unique! Haha. It's a little bit pricey, but it's worth it. They seem to prefer that you pay by cash, though they do accept cards (I never seem to have cash though and feel guilty). They also have a good hot tea selection. Their entrees taste a bit exotic to me (even though I usually like that), so I don't usually get them. Food is prepared relatively quickly, even during the lunch rush. Btw, if you are super hungry all you need is the chicken meatball wrap - even a small one will leave you extremely full.
(4)
Ker T.
I go to this place about once a week when working in nearby Westborough - its cheap, good, healthy and they have organic wines that actually taste good. Plus I love supporting locally-owned businesses with a conscience. Try it - the food tastes much better than any fast food restaurant and doesn't leave you feeling like you should run 5 miles as penance.
(5)
John F.
This place is fantastic. I would never have noticed it if not for Yelp, and I'm so glad I did. I went here for lunch a week or so ago, and had the Thai chicken curry, and a side of couscous, both of which were delicious. The curry was so epic I couldn't finish it, but damn if I didn't want to. The falafel looked very tasty, and the whole restaurant had a great vibe of good food and local business. Definitely recommended for your lunch break in Natick/Framingham.
(5)
Matt C.
My wife and I started eating here just after they opened, and man has the place changed since. New look, new vibe, new everything - but the one thing that hasn't changed is the amazing food. I don't think i've ever been bummed out by any selection...but 9 times outta 10 I'm getting the chicken meatball wrap with wheat and no cheese. It's just nice to have a place within a mile of my work that you can eat at and not feel bad about after. It's good for you, it's good for the earth, and it's really not too bad on the wallet if you choose wisely.
(5)
Jessica B.
So good! You have to try the falafel- best in the state!
(5)
paige m.
officially my favorite restaurant in massachusetts. for two reasons: one..the food was amazing...we had the noodles and tofu with peanut curry sauce and the falafel plate. best falafel ever. ever. and it's in small, bite sized balls which makes it fun to eat, and not as thick and tiresome as the larger balls of falafel. other highlights on the menu were the moroccan veggies with a sweet potato marinara, and the coconut curry with your choice of meat or tofu. they also have a bunch of wraps. a lot of times, smaller restaurants like this have a lot of variety ,but they never specialize in anything, making for a dull and often greasy eating experience. this place, however, specializes in every single menu item. our meal tasted homemade and perfect. this is hands down the best vegetarian food that i've had in mass. (they also have ample chicken and fish dishes). the second reason this place is my favorite is because of the service. when we walked in , we couldn't decide what to order because there were so many awesome choices. not only did they give us a sample of the peanut curry sauce, they also fried up two falafel balls just for us to sample. not to mention, this place is family owned, and the owners; daughter, who took our orders, offered excellent customer service...and excellent samples. oh yeah, and a lot of their selections are organic and local! oh and also, there's so much character! by the door they have their new year's resolutions posted (things like expand catering delivery zone and world peace). there is also a bunch of information about environmental and locally-driven movements, causes and resources. i would do anything for one of these in jamaica plain. but in the meantime, i absolutely will drive out to natick just for this restaurant. their menu's on their website. check it out and go there.
(5)
Elizabeth S.
LOVE. Have been going here for years and the quality has stayed the same! Best falafel I have ever had!!
(5)
Blake M.
yum; reasonably priced
(5)
Sweta B.
I really loved this place...I love anything falafel and Hummus...and I have tried them in all places you can get around Boston...and I can tell you the falafel at this place is really good...also loved the morocan cous cous dish....Its has a very casual yet fresh feel to it.....I am yet to try the wines and their teas but they look good as well....if you wanted try something different them forget the thousands of food options in around that area and try this place, you wont be disappointed...
(4)
Jeff W.
This place is interesting. It's local and they've done a great job with the decor. Lots of cool art and character. It's small but space is used well.. booths for 2 are cozy. As the name implies, the ingredients are fresh and organic - including the beer and wine! I had the Stir Fry Special with tofu and peanut sauce over brown rice. My GF had Spicy Noodles and Peanut sauce over wheat noodles with chicken. Both were yummy. The price for both,and a brew, was $22, a good value. Try it for a healthy break from the usual corporate mall fare.
(5)
Katie R.
The Falafel here is AMAZING! I drive all the way from the lower Cape just to eat it!
(5)
Hillary W.
I love this place, this concept, everything. The food was good, real, fresh and fast. The joint is cute and comfortable. Please open one in Harvard Square. I know all of my co-workers and myself would go here all the time !
(5)
Jody G.
I regularly crave the big fresh special with tofu, veggies, the best peanut sauce and the surprisingly addictive collard greens. Seems like a strange combination, but it works so well! Also love their hummus, hot picalilly sauce, homemade soups, and the chicken meatballs. Service is friendly and fast!
(4)
Han K.
I'm skeptical of health food restaurants but with such high recommendations I had to give a try. I was not disappointed. The menu does span a lot of different areas between delicious falafels to very tasty thai curries and blackened salmon, but all the food is served quickly, served fresh, and the quality of the ingredients are left to shine on their own. Beats the pants off Fresh City or Know Fat any day because they're not touting just being healthy, but also being sustainable and local as well. Big plus to selling Wolaver's Organic beers as well.
(4)
Kupkake K.
I had the chicken Morrocan Tangine and Salmon Wrap which were delicious. The fish was extremely fresh and cooked perfectly. I enjoyed the mid-eastern taste of the Morrocan Tangine which had the right spices. I'm a repeat customer...Nice cozy atmosphere...
(4)
Ken P.
As a vegetarian, I absolutely love this place, although there are plenty of options for non-veges. I get the spicy peanut noodle stir-fry with tofu or the falafel every time I'm there. Everything is fresh and, as far as I know, organic. It doesn't get much better than this for quick vegetarian food in MetroWest.
(5)
Callie G.
Do something good for yourself and eat here. Like everyone else said, the exterior will not beckon you in, but the food is great. Cuisine is a bit Mediterranean, a bit Middle Eastern. They have pasta dishes and salads. It's very healthy and fast. Average meal costs less than $10. Yes, it's more expensive than McDonalds, but healthy fresh food always is.
(5)
Arik C.
One of the very few plces you can actually find a meal that isn't gresed up and has ingriedients that are fresh, hence the name. Great falafel, tofu dishes and the chicken meatball is awesome. I only with their were more options for food. They charge like $2 for a 12 oz can of natural soda, a bit ridiculous.
(4)
Gregory W.
Great Mid East veggie food served here. Try the falafel plate but bring a friend, its much bigger than you think. They also have Wolaver's Pale Ale, an incredibly great tasting, hoppy pale ale from the Wolaver's/Otter Creek brewery in VT. Every time I'm in the area I try to go here for a plate and a pint.
(5)
esther s.
Big Fresh is the place we turn to for a cheap but healthy night out! I always get the falafel wrap and my husband gets the chicken stir fry with noodle. The falafel wrap is soo good, along with the seaweed salad is wonderful.
(5)
Stephanie B.
We love this place. This place reminds you what good food is about. The plus is that they try to get as much as possible locally. I have never had a bad meal here.
(5)
Aly H.
I can't believe anyone would give this place less than 4 stars. This whole idea that fresh, local, vegetarian food is better on the west coast is crap and Big Fresh proves it. Yeah, there may be more places to get this kind of food out west but the quality of the food at Big Fresh is as good as any. The FALAFEL WRAP is a must try.
(5)
acrid r.
I visited on a Saturday night. The place was pretty busy. I had the spicy peanut noodle stir-fry with tofu and my friend had the Thai curry with tofu. As tofu lovers and vegetarians, we were excited about the menu choices. Unfortunately, while the food tasted okay, it was really, really greasy. Greasy to the point where the oil pooled at the bottom of the bowl. While the vegetables seemed fresh enough, the tofu was tasteless and greasy. I was disappointed and would not order those two dishes again. The restaurant was nicely decorated with (local?) art on the wall and stained glass light fixtures, and the lighting was not too bright. The seating was comfortable, the place seemed clean, and the staff were fine. However, restaurants are all about the food, so I'm giving 2 stars based on the dishes we had.
(2)
Reid F.
I'd like to offer an opposing viewpoint to all the people who like this place. I've tried it twice, and both times, it was slow, the cashiers made mistakes, and the food was not all that fresh. I usually love these kinds of places, but this one doesn't measure up.
(2)
Ridge R.
uh yuh. it's really good food. and a very reasonable deal too. the fish is usually good. the noodle dishes too. the asian salad is great. but to be fair, even though it's a convenient location, you gotta admit the whole strip center thing kinda kills the whole vibe. and the general friendliness quotient is very low. still the deal of the week - just needs a nice, kinda funky, stand-alone sorta new home.
(4)
John A.
I must have driven by the sign for Big Fresh fifty times before but never felt compelled to explore it. Thanks to my fellow Yelp'ers, I discovered that it had a wide range of vegetarian options and had a focus on local organic foods. Visited last night, a busy Friday, and was very pleasantly surprised. Unfortunately, it is in a shopping plaza whose best days are past, and the seating area is a bit small, but the restaurant itself is funky, warm, vibrant, and inviting. Food is made for all to see. The Moroccan Tangine with tofu was flavorful and exotic, the spicy noodle stir fry was equally good. Tasty hummus and pitas. The organic sauvignon blanc was a treat. Prices were very reasonable -- two of us each had an entree, glass of wine and shared a hummus/pita appetizer for $33. For real food!! Can you say bargain?? Would be nice it they would add a vegan dessert or two. This is a restaurant for people who respect the food they put in their bodies and I applaud Karen and Kevin, the owners (who I do not know but only read about), for their passion for supporting local growers. Definitely a place I will return to again and again, and heartily recommend.
(5)
Eric B.
I was pretty bummed when this place replaced the Rami's Falafel. And it wasn't so good at first in terms of atmosphere or food. But it's really grown into itself and is absolutely the best place to get a fairly quick, healthy meal. Excellent stir fries and wraps using fresh, organic chicken, fish and vegetables. Everything is available with brown rice or whole grains. Even their beer (rare for a self-service/take-out place) is organic (Wolaver's). My favorites are the salmon stir fry and the Mediterranean chicken plate. Great quick and easy place with kids too -- my toddler loves their chicken meatballs. The place is tucked away between a Papa Gino's and a Boston Market in a dreary strip plaza on Route 30, making you think it's probably a disgusting sub place. But it's not. Check it out. My one criticism -- certain rotating specials should be available all the time, especially the Mediterranean chicken wrap!!!!
(5)
Ashley I.
Love their falafel! Stir fry is also really good. Kind of on the pricier side for a cafe, but I don't mind paying more for healthier food made with quality ingredients.
(5)
Aleks D.
This place is a great alternative to your typical fast food restaurant. The chicken thai curry rocks! Only wish the menu was a bit bigger.
(5)
Rainbaby K.
This place is great. It's reasonably priced and you can get healthy "fast food". Everything is super fresh because they buy locally which is great for the consumer but also for the local farmers. In addition they have local artists' work hanging on the walls for purchase. It's just a great place all around. I've tried many items on the menu and haven't found one that I didn't like. A particular favorite of mine is the BIG BABY SALAD but whatever you order, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Debbie M.
I love this place for fast, fresh, yummy food and friendly service. This is my favorite place to go with my family when we are running late for deciding what to eat and I feel like eating something healthy. The decor is funky. The staff is cool. The food is very fresh and includes local organic produce. My favorite is the Thai Chicken with Broccoli on Coconut rice (YUM!) and my husband usually really enjoys a falafel plate. My 9 year old likes the meatball wrap and my 3 year old likes the teryaki noodles or a side of chopped tomatoes (not on the menu but they are happy to oblige this strange craving she always has). They have the cutest little teapots and I love the Moroccan Mint Green tea. The drinks are expensive but the reasonable prices for fresh, fast and unusual mix of dishes in a cool environment makes up for it. They have added a lot more choices for drinks since they originally opened. I also like the Oh Baby salad I think it has gorgonzola cheese, walnuts and apples. They have local art on the walls which I always like too.
(5)
Susan E.
I have lived in the Framingham area for 15 years, and it took me 14 to discover little Big Fresh among all the neon on Route 9. I had seen it many times on my way into Papa Ginos or Boston Chicken, but never went in because I thought it was just an average salad bar and wrap place. But my sister finally nudged me in to try, and boy was I surprised. First of all, you feel like you have stepped out of the chain eatery capital of America right into Brattleboro, VT. The restaurant is small and cozy and a little dark--and SO unlike everything around it. I am a vegetarian wanabee, but I can't seem to give up chicken entirely. Here, I can eat veggies and tofu and hummos and falafel and Morrocan Tangine and feel GREAT and full at the same time. I have also tried the Thai Curry Salmon which is fantastic. If you are reading this review, you will love this place. I only wish I had known about it sooner...
(5)
Amy M.
When it comes to veggies, Big Fresh lives up to its name. Hummus and salads have been fresh and tasty. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options on the menu, and there's a separate gluten free menu. While veggies are great, the meat options are lacking. The beef kofte and chicken are only decent, but not super. The falafel is far better. Atmosphere is super casual, with bench style seating in a less than glamorous interior. Good for a quick, non-chain-food meal.
(3)
Marzena W.
Fantastic healthy and quick place to eat, great organic tea selection. Highly recommend this place.
(5)
Rokitjogo G.
Delicious Mediterranean food. I had the morrocan tagine and it was super healthy and fresh tasting. Super quick and they have self-serve iced tea. Oh and they undersold the Jammie cookie. I thought it was amazing!
(5)
Julie N.
Love this place for a fresh, creative lunch! The fishcakes are super, as is the Mediterranean plate. (I always get the same thing. I can't help it.). I like to come here in the winter during off hours for a delightful, hot healthy meal and enjoy quiet time alone in the midst of route 9 madness.
(5)
R Y.
Cousin recommended this place to grab a veggie bite and it was delicious! Had the Falafel wrap on tomato tortilla. The portion was filling! The wrap is filled with 8 falafel a and a mix of chopped vegetables. Get the hot sauce on the side. It's medium hot and tastes great with the wrap.
(5)
M A.
Super friendly and well made food. Tiny shop and the owner went to great lengths to see that our group of six was comfortably seated and quickly served. Excellent, satisfying dishes all around. Seemed like a local hot spot as many people came and went with take at while we ate.
(4)
Nathan R.
Good, clean food that comes out quickly and hits the spot. Solid healthy alternative to most of the fast food type places in the area. I usually go with the Falafel wrap but the stir frys and Falafel/chicken plates are also good. They brew their own tea as well. Gotta respect their commitment to high quality seasonal ingredients at a fair price
(4)
Nicole C.
Been here one time and it was sooo gooood! Tastes super clean. I got the chicken Caesar wrap. Definitely the best I've had. Only thing is is I asked for a tomato wrap and got wheat.
(5)
L L.
We like to get the falafel from here as it is the only place near rt 9 to get a good one. We have also had them cater a few events, with the the falafel, feta/beet salad and Chinese chicken salad as favorites. Their hummus is yummy too! Kids like the teriyaki salmon and chicken with brown rice. It is a feel good place to eat since we feel they are responsible restaurant owners trying to provide healthy, quality food.
(4)
Kate M.
This restaurant is amazing. So amazing. I ate the Moroccan Tagine and I will never forget how good that was. And so healthy. I must learn how to make this for myself. And my friend got a wrap which she says was "everything she ever hoped. What a great menu and place to eat :) I love it.
(5)
Sophia J.
Love the falafel here. I called ahead to order takeout, a falafel wrap with spicy sauce on pita... even though they only offer it in wraps I specifically asked for pita. I came to pick it up and they gave my order to someone else........ What??!!?! So, don't bother calling ahead. I wish they gave me a sorry cookie or something. I didn't even have the energy to b****about it to them, which I usually would.
(1)
Brian L.
As a meat-inclined type of guy, I tend to avoid vegetarian-friendly places. I was therefore quite pleasantly surprised with my experience with the food at Big Fresh. The falafel wrap was solid. Tons of big chunks, with a nice tahini sauce. My only issue was that I ordered it spicy and barely detected any heat. The Big Fresh special, which is a tofu/peanut sauce veggie plate, with collard greens and brown rice, was actually quite delicious. They really nailed the sauce. If I had to eat vegetarian (for some terrible reason), this would be a dish I would actually look forward to eating! The place did have an odd, soapy odor throughout. Perhaps they had just done the floors... Anyway, I had a solid meal here and would definitely be back the next time I'm in Framingham.
(4)
Scott M.
Excellent. The food was great , the service very friendly. They had signs they are moving which is prob good bc ambience was the only thing lacking - eat there again soon ! I ate the Mediterranean chicken and it did not disappoint. Perfect spicy.
(5)
A S.
This place is great! Came here twice! I had ordered the falafel wrap the other day and it was delicious! Their portions are huge. Their ingredients are fresh and they are made to order! They will be moving soon to Route 9 so be aware!
(4)
Steve S.
Simple. Honest. Food. I am beginning to believe that the processed food we eat consistently may actually be the source of many of our problems So, when I was in Framingham and yelping a place to eat, I was happy to find Big Fresh amongst Thai, Papa Ginos and Five Guys in the same area. Big Fresh is a small place with multi colored booths in the front and a counter in the back The place is known for their falafel and other organic foods. I have a bowl of chili on my first visit, which was good but not extremely filling. The Chicken Tangine, however, was excellent with good flavor and a high quality meat. The humus is excellent as well This is a great place for lunch. You do not feel sluggish after eating good food. Definitely worth a try
(5)
Roger M.
In a land surrounded by malls and chain restaurants, Big Fresh is an oasis of freshly prepared food made fast. Not fast food. No. It is really good food made quickly and custom, Big Fresh is located in one of those strip malls that is next to a Boston Market and across from McD's. You walk in and there are a few tables and a counter. No waiters and nobody greets you at the door. And, at that moment, your dreams of a good meal go out the door. Don't be discouraged. Walk up to the counter. You can place an order, or customize it. For example, I wanted salmon instead of chicken -- no problem. I like the Israeli style chopped salad. Of course, no problem. Anything you want adjusted. And, they take care of you. The food comes out quickly. Perhaps not as fast as the chicken in the warming tray at the chicken restaurant next door. But, this meal is tasty and fresh. The ingredients are top notch. And, don't miss the Moroccan Mint Iced Tea. Yummy.
(4)
Michelle B.
My first and last time going there was today - very cold and rainy and asked for a cup of soup , it was very good ... But my throat began to itch very bad after just a couple of bites . I asked the man who had taken my order if he could just simply switch the coup for something of the same cost , he turned around and said "no, we don't do that . Drink some water." ... Well okay then , thanks for nothing guy ! As I pop Benadryl and go to the hospital .
(1)
Juliana L.
Everything is consistently delicious at Big Fresh. It's so good to have an amazing meal with real food that is filling and nutritious! I've had a few different dishes, but my go-to order is the tempeh special (with molasses!!) - absolute heaven. Natural teas are yummy. Prices are reasonable, the staff is nice and attentive. Love, love, love!
(5)
Joel D.
It wasn't that good! The hummus was pretty awful tasting and the pita was kinda hard. The meal itself "Toboule Chicken Plate" lacked flavor and I had to added seasoning to help with that. The best part of the meal was a little sauce they had in a small plastic container. I just dumped that on my food (I dunno if I was supposed to) which made it better. They also have a sign that they prefer cash instead of credit card. I get that there are fees with credit card but I travel for work and using my AMEX for food is a major must for me. Don't try and make me feel guilty for using it! If you don't want to accept cards mark your yelp account that you don't accept cards and I'll move on to a different restaurant.
(2)
Eamon M.
What food they have is good but help me understand something. You have falafel, you have pita. But for some reason you can no longer put the falafel in the pita? Really? I guess I could live with that except that when I asked why the answer was "we can't do that". What? Can't? Why? The answer to that was "we don't do that". Okay, thanks, that really cleared that up for me. I'll be back when you figure out how to get the falafel into pita.
(2)
Stevie O.
One of the few local places you can get a real deal falafel wrap and Moroccan mint iced tea. Fresh, organic ingredients. Get the spicy Harif in your sandwich; you won't be disappointed.
I hate giving a review like this. Yelpers love this place and I really can't see why. This was a solid 3 star spot, yet yelp has 200+ reviews that think this is amazing. I had the falafel (the most popular item on the menu). Everyone in my group thought it was 3 stars at best for all the dishes we had. My GF wife didn't like her dish. We the carrot cake is way better than the chocolate cake. It's not bad, it just was not 4 or 5 stars for anyone in our group.
(3)
Kendra N.
Holy moly, is their Falafel Wrap amazing! It's a definite must try.
(5)
Diana Z.
Love the food and the ambiance. The service is quick and the Mediterranean plate is super yummy.
(5)
Claude C.
Love this place! Food is always fresh and there are so many fun combinations to try! It's my go to for a healthy and satisfying meal in the Framingham area. Just wish they served wine :) My goto meals here for dinner are the Big Fresh Special, the tempeh special, and Moroccan Tangine.
(5)
Andrew S.
Came here on a Saturday afternoon after shopping at the Natick Mall. Overall, it was a pretty bad experience for me and my girlfriend. First, the woman taking our order didn't notice we were there and kept us waiting for just a little too long. Then not all the tables seemed to be cleaned, despite the small crowd in the restaurant. They are clearly short on staff. The menu looked great, and I was excited for my falafel wrap. However, it came out salty and soggy. The portion size was good, but nowhere near the quality I look for in a $9 wrap. My girlfriend got garlic lentil pasta. The veggies were just warmed up frozen veggies and the whole wheat pasta tasted cheap. $19 later we were less hungry, but no more satisfied. I will not be back and I urge other visitors to look for the difference between fresh food this place advertises and the actual items served. TL;DR - Not fresh, a lack of service, unsatisfied.
(2)
Angels s.
Good food. I had a salad and my hubby had a falafel plate. Both were good. I felt the price is little expensive for a salad....
(3)
Laura W.
Delicious options, huge portions, and cooked to order. Great take out option. Small dining area. Bring cash as they prefer it.
(4)
Kim D.
I don't understand the hype. I ordered the falafel salad. Yes portion was large with 5 mini sized falafels. However they didn't taste very good. Maybe it's just me and the fact that I don't like fried food. I did not like the salad dressing either. Not sure what it was exactly, tahini maybe??? And as for the "fresh" hummus, there was so reminiscence of garlic or lemon in it. Fail in my bookmark. Sorry yelpers.
(2)
Cliff U.
Amazing food. We went for a casual dinner and had the Moroccan Tagine plate which was amazing and vegan, the falafel plate - also amazing and vegan, the chicken caesar wrap was great as was the Med Chicken Plate (but could have benefited from some salad). Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Brianna M.
I was really skeptical about this place when I pulled up. Have never been a fan of places that look like a strip mall. They served me a delicious salad though with beets and goat cheese. My boyfriends dish was super fresh and he was very pleased as well.. We will be back when we are in the area. Thanks!
(4)
Lucio F.
Great amazing place to eat! I've been working in Framingham for the past year and a half and order lunch almost four days a week from this place. The food is amazing, healthy reasonably priced with lot of options....
(5)
Andrew M.
I love to come here for their hummus falafel in pita. The falafel has this great browned, slightly crispy but not dry texture, and the vegetables are always really fresh. The spicy side sauce they make for it is a great compliment. The atmosphere of the place is comfortable and simple, and not pretentious. They have a good range of healthy stir fries and other foods.
(4)
Doro R.
Truely- one of the best Mediterranean meals I've ever had. Oddly, also dealt with one of the most miserable restaurant workers of all time too. She single-handedly removed the fifth star from my experience. Honestly she took 2 stars but the food was so good that I just can't bring myself to rate this place 3 stars due to one teenage brat. I'll begin with the bad. I walked in to see several employees sitting in the dining room- possible on their lunch break. That seems reasonable. They were all facing the door in order to see customers coming in. This also seems reasonable. I walked up to the counter, reviewed the menu, looked for a sign to direct me where to go for my order to be taken. I went to the register and waited. I waited. I looked up and around thinking maybe I misread a sign. It was my first time, after all. A cook person yelled out something to the effect of 'customer waiting'. Less than a minute later one of the people who had been sitting in the dinning room watching me since I walked in, stomped over to the register. The look she gave me made it clear that I'd better be quick and not ask any questions or cause any problems. I was so taken aback that I forgot to order something. Unfortunately for me, as soon as she had change in my hand she was on her way back to her co-workers at the table up front. Oh well. I got my drink and sat down waiting for my number to be called. A number was called and I walked up. It looked like what I thought my order would look like but I happened to get a look at the ticket that was under my plate and it had an add on that I didn't ask for. I pulled my hand back and looked up at the menu to see if I'd missed something or if that was someone else's order. The order-taker happened to walk by while this was happening. When she saw me pull my hand back she barked 'that's what you ordered. the .......'. I said 'oh. ok. it just looked like there was an extra side and I wasn't sure this was mine' as I was picking up the plate and heading back to my seat. She almost did an eye roll at me! She made the face that translates into 'what an idiot'. She then began spraying bleach based cleaner about 2 feet in front of me. A minute later she was walking around the rest of the dining room wiping things down with cleaner and sneezing. She wasn't sneezing into her shoulder or arm bend- the way you are supposed to. Nope. She was just letting them go. Once she finished and got the hell out of the dinning room I was able to really get into my lunch and allow her poor people skills to melt away. The food was amazing. Like A-M-A-Z-I-N-G amazing. I got the falafel salad plate. I ate every little bit and had to seriously consider licking my plate clean. I may have run a finger over it a few times... It was a lot of food too- but so good that I don't know that I would be willing to share with anyone. I am very very sad that I don't live close enough to go here for lunch everyday. My biggest tip... Call ahead to get your food to-go so that you aren't angering any teens who might have to get up and take your order. They have a lot of tacky signs up about how much things cost them... like 'please use cash because we're trying to reduce cc fees' and 'please only take the napkins you need'. No wifi offered, however the free wifi from a neighboring business is strong and can by used.
(4)
Brian M.
It was anything but Fresh. The chicken tabouli tasted as if it were prepared in cleaning solution. The hummus had a strange pool of liquid on top and tasted stranger than it appeared. The Beef Kofte was over priced. It was 9.50 for shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, with 3 tiny hard beef discs. I had to wash it down with the spicy side. Couldn't finish the plate. Terrible.
(1)
Fred T.
If they have something you are looking for, they are great, even if you don't know what you want they have a good variety and you can try something new and see if you like it. It's not a big place but found a place to sit and our meals were delicious, like the name, fresh and plentiful. I'd go back again just to try something different than what you get at most food places.
(4)
Xuan Z.
Seriously, I have been sitting in front my laptop for 10 mins not knowing what to write for the review. I thought about every single item on the plate and I really don't have any comments, good or bad. I guess except for the unique and cozy environment, I don't like anything in particular. But at the same time, there isn't anything unforgivably bad.
(3)
Yasa E.
Love!!! Tabbouleh chicken wrap....enormous, filled with delicious veggies, wrapped an a yummy tomato tortilla. Healthy and absolutely delicious. Also tried the Mediterranean plate and it was sweet/spicy and huuuuge. The staff inside is nice. The food is fresh and cheap. 5 stars for sure!!!
(5)
David S.
The big fresh lives up to its name. Situated between burger shops this little family owned restaurant is your best bet for a extremely tasty, healthy, Mediterranean-inspired meal.
(4)
Skye G.
I always find comfort in the Tofu Curry Rice dish. It is a simple dish of firm tofu, soft broc, and rice in a curry sauce that is made up fresh one pan at a time. There are booths for two and larger ones along side the counter. You can have some freshly made teas or something from the bottle cooler (just behind the cashier). We tend to go here when we want something fast but also something healthy and tasty. Thanks Big Fresh!
(4)
Sara D.
Delicious, flavorful, and interesting. We had the Mediterranean chicken plate and the beer and feta salad. Both were delicious. I had the vegan chocolate cake which was decent but a tad dry. I don't really care it was dry because i am on a dairy free diet and desperate for dairy free sweets. The meal was so good we ordered another dish (spicy peanut noodle stir fry) to eat tomorrow. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Amanda C.
I've been going to Big Fresh for probably the better part of 10 years now. Everything I've ever ordered I've enjoyed. I've been working my way through the menu when I can tear myself away from my favorites (falafel wrap, chicken tabouleh plate, cod cakes...) and have always been delighted with what they make. I've started ordering dishes I'm not usually even all that into - like the thai curry with salmon (I typically don't really like salmon, and I'm not a huge curry fan), and I still love it. This place is consistently awesome. And the spicy harif is wonderful. More spciy harif please!
(5)
Becca S.
One of my favorite, go to, quick and healthy spots around! Love the salmon wrap. Keep doing what you're doing! :-)
(5)
Ashok V.
woman at the cashier told me I was holding the dish wrong when I came back and told the lady that it was spilling. well excuse me lady I was not instructed on how to hold it and my entire suit was soaked in some oil . These woman (cashier and another lady at the counter )pack really really bad , I would strongly suggest not to ever take a to go from this place
(1)
Caitlin C.
My girlfriend and I love Big Fresh! We always get the falafel wraps because they are so tasty and filling. Always come out hot and delicious! I love the spicy tahini.. So good with the fried falafel. Service is very fast and for a "fast food" place everything is prepared well. We love this place, really a diamond in the rough.
(5)
Luke F.
Finally tried Big Fresh and I'm glad I did. Food is really good, lots of fresh vegetables, you can taste the freshness. I have only done take-out there and it seems that is what it is best suited for - the dining area is pretty small. Food comes out fast. It is nice that they have an open kitchen. I like to see how my food is being prepared. Have tried several dishes and have to say the peanut noodles are my favorite, but there are many more items on the menu I plan on trying. Servings are generous, I can get two or three meals out of one of their dishes.
(4)
Jeff S.
Will always go here when in the area from now on, loved today's lunch of Mediterranean Chicken!!! I don't eat this type of food often so I'm no expert but the mix of flavors from the sauces was out of this world...
(5)
Brendan R.
Found this place when searching for falafel in the Framingham area. Service is average, nothing spectacular. Food is delicious, a great tasting falafel. Not too much flavor outside the falafel itself, but the salad piece of the pita I usually order is nice. I'm used to falafel a being able to have every ingredient in every bite, but this place can be inconsistent. Also, I always get falafel warm and there have been occasions where they've simply given me a cold/room temp salad/pita. Best Falafel in the area!
(4)
L. S.
I have liked EVERYTHING I've tried here so far! I really enjoy the cod cakes, hummus, falafel salad or wrap, and the Thai curry (not spicy, wish it had a bit more of a kick). The only downside is it's always packed during lunch hours.
(4)
Allison B.
I stopped here on the way through town (I'm not from the area) based on the positive Yelp reviews and now know that if I lived here, I would be a Big Fresh regular. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but the inside is pretty charming with the way they have the wooden bench booths painted different bright colors. You walk up and place your order (that girl needed to pop on a smile, but otherwise, the process went okay). They have an extensive menu but I ultimately decided on the cod cakes that were served with a green salad and carrot slaw. My husband had the hummus/falafel salad. Both were awesome and fresh in a big way (see what I did there? "big and fresh" -- Big Fresh). As far as those cod cakes go, with the salads and all -- I could eat that everyday. That's going to go down as a top dish of all time. Delicious! Also, for the amount of food you receive and how it is presented on your plate, it's really fast. I was impressed overall and would definitely think about stopping back if we're around in the future!
(5)
James C.
Really unique place with interesting culture-fusion dishes. It's a hole in the wall that's also a diamond in the rough. Whatever you do, don't sit in the booth by the trash. It's... kind of gross, and also really busy. Awkward quirk: They have a sign on the register that says they don't like to take credit cards because of the processing fees... which always makes me feel a little guilty. I'd rather they just add 10 cents to their menu items instead of operating on such low margins they have to discourage credit cards. #CashFreeLife
(4)
madalyne c.
Incredibly tasty and fresh, a great fast food option that will leave you satisfied. Get the hot sauce for the falafel.
(5)
Bruce F.
Why can't I order falafel in a pita? They only serve in "wraps" which I find have unpleasant texture. They said I could get a pita on the side?!
(3)
J D.
excellent and healthy, plus an amazing value. Get the grilled salmon on couscous with the side of roasted beats and asparagus. AMAZING.
(5)
Lydia B.
So good! We had different versions of their falafel and was super impressed. The falafel was flavorful and the accompanying ingredients were fresh and presented well. Don't forget to get the their version of the "hot sauce"- a kind of mint, cilantro, garlic, pepper dressing that goes so well on the wrap. I could have scooped that out with a spoon! The staff was very friendly too! Can't wait to try some of their other offerings.
(5)
Tara C.
This place is great! I had a bad day cuz I went somewhere else to eat and it was cured by coming here. Everything's good afterwards... Everything is always good afterwards, especially when this one lady works there behind the bar. Someone tell me what her name is or find out soon. I always order the falafel wrap with extra spicy sauce and hummus on whole wheat. YUM.
(5)
Michael C.
Small hole in the wall place that could use a new exterior. Probably would have never stopped by here if it weren't for the reviews and the fact that I was traveling with a recent "born again" vegan friend. I ordered the Falafel, Hummus, Salad Plate which was OK. The salad was just a salad. The hummus was good but I've had much better when traveling to the Mediterranean. The falafel were excellent. Not too hard after deep frying. Other than that, there was minimal wait and plenty of parking at 8pm on a Saturday night.
(4)
Mona B.
I love this place. I work down the street from this place and I go in at least once per week. Everything on their menu is delicious. Specially their felafel; since I'm middle eastern and I know what "real" felafel's taste like and theirs is legit. I recommend EVERYTHING on their menu. Also the service is wonderful.
(5)
Jen C.
The most amazing place ever. I get take-out from here at least once a week, but I also enjoy eating in - the space is small, adorable, and colorful. Favorites are the Spicy Peanut Noodle, Thai Curry, and Morrocan Tagine, all with Tofu. Carrot cake and vegan chocolate cake are incredible. Some of the freshest, most delicious food I have ever eaten. Quality is consistently stellar. Friendly staff. Eat here!!!!
(5)
Kirk G.
Eat here each time I am in Framingham. LOVE Big Fresh more each time I have something new! Big Fresh Special tonight. Great sauce, awesome tofu, perfect veggies on Brown rice. YUMMMMMM!!
(5)
Brendan G.
Good food, inexpensive... this was a great find. I pity anyone in the area who has not eaten in this restaurant.
(5)
Will R.
For "fast food", this place is quite a surprise. Healthy, interesting combinations, made to order, and reasonably priced. A great selection of iced teas also - it's a cheap night out that you can feel good about - highly recommended!
(5)
Chris M.
The food is fresh and tasty! I love the salmon they serve here. Both the Salmon Wrap, and Salmon teriyaki stir fry are delicious! They brew and serve their own fresh ice teas. My Favorite Side: The Asparagus & Beets are marinated in a very tasty asian dressing. The portions are of good size with a reasonable price to match. The decor inside is colorful and artful.
(5)
Jason Z.
inexpensive and a hidden gem. Foods are tasty, without the heavy uses of butter and deep fryer. My favor is the salmon wrap
(4)
Suzanne L.
My favorite salad is the lentil veggie ball salad. I have also had the Big Baby which is also wonderful. There are so many wonderful dinners it is hard to pick. I also love the carrot cake. This is a place for healthy eating. Parking is great and the prices are good. The only downside is that my favorite little spot seems to have been discovered by many others so sometimes it can get a bit crowded. Enjoy.
(5)
Melissa H.
My favorite lunch spot during the work week. Everything is fresh, delicious and good for you too. Highly recommended :) love the salmon wrap and the peanut noodle stirfry.
(5)
Chris C.
I wish this place was closer to where I work as I would eat here everyday if it was. Falafel!
(5)
Tony B.
This place is a diamond in the rough. Food was amazing and served quickly. Just an excellent place, no frills, but a nice place to grab a bite. Looks like a small family run operation. Flavors are abundant. Food is fresh. Veggies galore. Kudos to these guys for being fresh, awesome and affordable
(5)
Jen Y.
Why oh why are you sooo far away and in an awkward strip between boston market , a chinese place and and mickey d's across the street? But you know what? neeeaaar, faaaarr, whereever you are (celine chest pump) I am finding you and devouring you. Everything I've had here is not only delicious, but also fresh- made to order ingredients, and organic. Their salmon wrap (dill mayo on the side) is one of my faves....and most recently I went with my brother and tried the cod wrap with marinara and asparagus and it was like heaven in my mouth. I've also had the veggie quesadillas, a few of the greek dishes (falafel. tabouli) and I love the sides they offer (beets with asparagus, collard greens, brown rice options, etc) ...Everything on their menu are such unique mixes of things you would never put together that I usually spend like 10 minutes just staring at the menu before I decide. It's also a great place to go for a lot of veggie options and all the seafood and meat is super fresh! They also have a bunch of home made brewed teas which is awesome since I am a big huge tea obsessed freak. I only wished the cups were bigger LOL. The decor is cute simple colorful and organic-y. You also get real plates and silverware which is nice! I only knocked off one star because they are pretty pricey for "lunch"...me and the bro both got wraps, an order of quesadillas and a side of collard greens and it was about $30- I mean it's not horribly expensive but for a quick bite to eat it adds up when you want everything on the menu HAHAHAH....but the food is well worth it and yummy and I'm glad there is a place like this around! Open more locations pleaseeeeee! :)
(4)
S S.
I LOOOOOVVVEEEE this place!! The food makes me want to drool! I've eaten here thrice - my first dine-in experience wasn't the best (the hummus tasted a little burnt while the cashier wasn't the nicest person to talk to). But I'm glad I gave it a second go because..oh my god, the food is amazing! I've had the Mediterranean Chicken Plate (spicy and sweet), Lentil Veggie Balls salad, The Big Fresh salad (who knew tofu dressing is so yum?!), Thai Curry (such a unique flavor! I had it with the chicken but felt that the meat was too bland for my liking..will try the tofu next time), the Monterey Cod Wrap (wow, what a delicious mix of rice and fish in a wrap) but but but I'm saving the best for the last - Seared True Cod. This unique dish makes me crave more even though I cannot finish off their portion in one sitting! Lip-smacking goodness, I tell you! If you like fish, definitely try it out :)
(5)
Bob M.
Been going here for a few years - absolutely love it. Great vegetarian options, as well as fish. Wonderful flavors, fast service, affordable, friendly. Just a great little family restaurant. Be sure to try the tempeh special - yum!
(5)
Georgina C.
I had a wonderful visit at Big Fresh yesterday , I ordered the Moroccan Tangine Stirfry and a side of falafel balls. I also enjoyed two glasses of the iced black tea. Its great that they offer Stevita instead of sugar or Splenda. The hostess had somewhat of a glacial attitude, but my food arrived promptly, was delicious, the perfect temperature and flavorful. The bathrooms are clean and parking is ample. There is enough seating that allowed my friend and I to spend a few hours lingering over our meal and teas, catching up without feeling like we needed to vacate to make room for others. The holistic magazines offered in the seating area are a great touch. I will definitely be back, I love this place. So healthy, so delicious!!!
(4)
Loz L.
As Californians in Metro West for business, we were craving what we think of as "regular" food but which folks in MA seem to call "hippie" food. Big Fresh did not disappoint. Every dish we had at Big Fresh had great flavors. I'm grateful that Yelp led us to this place!
(5)
Eric M.
I can see that Big Fresh really doesn't seem to need yet another good review, but I've gone here so often, I feel bad that I haven't given them kudos here on Yelp for their great food. I'm partial to their falafel, but I and my friends have tried a number of their dishes, and all have been very fresh and tasty. The only problem, honestly, is that one can never predict the ebb and flow of crowds if you want to dine in. Very suitable for take-out, though, so go if you can.
(4)
Michael H.
Delicious! Very friendly staff and the food has had great flavor each time I've visited.
(5)
Ash N.
Horrible service especially during lunch hour. Place is run by rookies who don't know how to handle a restaurant. Like the food but service drowns out the taste.
(1)
Natasha R.
I really like their falafels, but the last few times I've gotten for whatever reason they aren't giving me the spicy red falafel sauce and look at me like I'm on crack whenever I ask for it. I really dislike the brown/green hot sauce they have. Boo.
(3)
Jessie C.
Yum. I've been dying to try this place since we moved to town and the reviews are right. It very tasty. I had the falafel and hummus pita with a side of the jasmine coconut rice. Delicious. I'm very picky about my falafel and this place was good. It was crispy on the outside and soft in the middle, but not undercooked. The flavor was good as well. I'm looking forward to trying a few of the other menu items. It's set in a mini strip mall full of food that my husband loves so to have a healthy option available is fantastic.
(4)
Lisa D.
My sales rep for New England took us here for a light healthy meal. The lentil balls were amazing. Loved the hummus & the fresh salads. Will definitely be back if we are in the area.
(4)
Mary B.
I come here all the time for a quick bite on the go. Things to get: Chicken Caesar Salad on Tomato Wrap, The Big Fresh Salad, Falafel Hummus Salad Plate, Black Bean Soup with Hummus, and Lentil Veggie Balls. The food here is always full of great flavors. Only one complaint: One time I called in an order and I asked for a "peanut chicken noodle dish with curry" (I didn't have the menu in front of me so I didn't know the official name... I assumed she would understand when I mentioned those key ingredients). When I went to go pick it up, I found out the official name on the menu board so I recited the name of the dish. The lady at the counter told me "it's not what I ordered and that the Thai Curry dish with rice was already done and it's too late". Too late? I told her there must have been a misunderstanding, because that's not what I ordered. Rice and Noodles are not the same so correct it. She then rolled her eyes and replaced the order. I didn't appreciate her attitude, being that I come here all the time. She made the mistake and tried to make me feel bad about it. I didn't want to knock down the rating because of this one incident. Other than that, I have always had pleasant experiences with all the other cashiers and the cooks here work hard to get orders done fast.
(4)
Vulc K.
I didn't expect the restaurant to be deli-style, but I should've read the reviews. I was pleasantly surprised with the flavorful Thai coconut curry (w/ chicken). However, I don't necessarily get the "Healthy Eating" part. I didn't really get the sense of made fresh, organic fresh, and felt that it was more a marketing scheme. I'm not sure about the price either (I was expecting more chunks of chicken and broccoli for $10. Instead, my chicken were square shreds and broccoli grounded up). The service was awkward, as you are tending for yourself (plus the numerous signs of paying by cash preferred, taking napkins, etc.). And it didn't help that another customer was referred to as the "difficult one" by one of the cashiers. 3-stars for over-hypeness.
(3)
James B.
I do like the food, but main reason for going is that they claim to be organic. I asked if the bread was organic for wraps, and the lady comes over say yes it is as she shows me regular bread, now I can get that crap anywhere, the man who speaks better English says about 60-70 % is organic but could not say what is or isn't, the meat or sauce or what? I just don't trust them now!
(5)
Timothy G.
I'm Lebanese and I'm always looking for a good Mediterranean place to eat. I work down the street in Framingham and found this place on Yelp and decided to try it out. It was extremely good, coming from a Lebanese family that regularly makes homemade food I highly recommend it.
(5)
Alex F.
Big Fresh is everything I look for in a dining experience. I wish all restaurants were as focused on serving delicious, healthy meals with quality ingredients. The staff is always helpful, friendly and engaging. I could eat the Lentil Veggie Ball salad everyday until I die.
(5)
John L.
I work closeby and order from here just about every week. Consistently great food
(5)
Pre S.
Wanted to try some Lebanese food last night after a good one we had in Dubai. Relied on yelp and been to Big fresh since we were out in Framingham. We ordered the meatball chicken wrap, peanut stir fried salmon noodle and the Mediterranean plate.. The salmon noodle was probably the best I have ever tasted in my life yet ! Each bite of the noodle spoke salmon.. The aroma the taste of the fish still lingers on my tongue. AWESOME. It definitely needed some salt and pepper for me but then the salmon masked the blandness too. Hubby had the Mediterranean plate and he kept saying the pita is too good ! He also raved about the portion size for the money.. Value for the money absolutely ! My 4 year old had the meat ball wrap and was the happiest birthday boy yesterday ! Will visit the place again when we are around..
(5)
Ashley T.
I have been to this place several times as I work very close to it. It is a really good lunch place. I think the name says it best. The portions are BIG! and the food is FRESH! The prices are also reasonable. I have liked everything I have tried so far. The salmon wrap and falafel wrap are both delicious, but my absolute favorite is the spicy peanut noodle stir fry with chicken. I love the noodles with fresh vegetables in a coconut and peanut flavored sauce. Super good! They also have a lot of great vegetarian and vegan options for every chicken dish it seems like they have an equivalent where salmon or tofu can be substituted. If you are in the area it is a great place to check out!
(4)
K. L.
While on a business trip, we needed a quick healthy lunch. Found Big Fresh while searching on Yelp. They have 5 stars for a reason! You can't go wrong with the falafel plate. Tasty falafels with creamy hummus over a fresh salad. I recommend it spicy! I hope I find my way out in Framingham again... Big Fresh is a must try!
(5)
Dosia S.
I have only been to Big Fresh once, though I know it has been around for years. I enjoyed my meal, it being the Teriyaki Stir-Fry with rice (also comes with the choice of noodles). The place itself is very small and only has a handful of small booths and tables, but I imagine it is a place that is popular with people who just want to get take-out rather than sit down for a whole meal. The food tastes very good for food that is technically "fast food", made in just a few minutes' time. The menu includes a lot of stir-fry choices, as well as a few different kinds of salads, and some felafel and hummus appetizers. A nice change from what we can usually get quickly and affordably elsewhere, where most menus are the same. The only negative aspect of the experience was feeling like we were customers somewhat "on our own" in the whole facility: the kitchen staff member we interacted with was polite and the most we exchanged was a greeting, followed by our order, and "Thank you"/"You're welcome" when our food was ready. That is all fine, and nothing to complain about, but the hostess was not very friendly and did not appear to care about our service much. Would it be too much to ask for a smile? We are customers, after all, and deeper than that-we are friendly people who greet everyone pleasantly and our only expectation would be to at least get a smile in return. It is always awkward to smile at someone who shoots you down with a glare or disinterest (little to no eye contact, neutral tone of voice). I could understand if someone is having a bad day, or who is at the end of their very long shift and simply does not care for being there anymore, but I that is of little importance when I am judging my experience from a basic customer perspective. If I pay for my food, receive a bare minimum of acknowledgement, and return one minute later to order a drink I forgot I wanted to order the first time around, I should not have to interrupt a hostess' conversation she is having on her cell phone, typing away to someone before she realizes that a customer is standing in front of her. The fact that the green color of her cell phone case is one of the three things I remember about Big Fresh is not one I should be having. That is a minor detail I choose to overlook as I give my final words about the diner, as I do not imagine it is a regular occurrence. Big Fresh is a good place to go to for a quick bite of something that falls under the "healthier choice" category. The food is tasty, the menu is reasonably-priced, and as long as you are in good company, you will walk out of there completely satisfied.
(3)
Paulina R.
I love, love, love this place! The only reason it did not get 5 stars from me is because it is not a white linen, blow-my-socks off place, but don't let that deter you this place is GOOD! Not JUST good, but good for you! I have tried several of their dishes and my favorite is their falafel wrap. But their fish specials with those yummy vegetables slathered over the rice is absolutely delicious and satisfying....and good for you! How happy am I to find a place that has healthy food in Metrowest?!?! One of the things I love, love, love about this place is that they offer stevia for your home-brewed herbal teas....and they have orange roobois, one of my favorites! They also have gluten-free options and a desert cookie that resembles a lindsor torte...one of my favorites! In the summer time you can't beat their salads! Big, full of color, flavor, and texture (and nutrition!), these salads are enough to send you off satisfied until dinner. The people are courteous, efficient, receptive, responsive and serious about their place. And the customers are great, too! As a single gal I notice good-looking men and I've seen several in Big Fresh at lunchtime. (They all look quite married, but are fun to look at anyway). The place is always full, but never so much so that you are uncomfortable. Though I end up spending more than I want to on food, I enjoy this place so much I will come back often. I guess my health and taste buds are worth it!
(4)
Merry L.
This place is small and can get pretty crowded, but that definitely is an indicator that the food is absolutely amazing! It tastes fresh, spices and flavors compliment each other very well, and the portions are quite generous. Absolutely worth the drive to Framingham.
(5)
Jeremy D.
Love this flavorful restaurant! The hummus and falafel are amazing and also had a very tasty salad on the side. It made for a great healthy lunch..
(4)
Ruby M.
I really love the quality of their meals! taste great! - the staff is beyond pleasant and friendly! -the "spicy" sauce is gross. Idk if it was just my tast buds but it had no taste. I just ate my meal with out and it was fine!
(4)
Keavy L.
After raving to a coworker about the falafel at the Turkish place, she told me that I HAD to try the falafel at Big Fresh. Tonight I stopped by and had a fafafel and hummus pita, a cup of black bean soup, and mango black iced tea. The falafel pita was pretty big for the price and was and well-seasoned. I still prefer the fafafel plate at the Turkish place for the texture, but I'll DEFINITELY go back to Big Fresh. I really liked the variety of self-serve iced teas, and I wish I'd gotten the lentil veggie balls, they looked really good!
(4)
Carol K.
Had not been in awhile, so glad we went back! Pretty crowded on a Saturday at 7pm. 5 of us had a great meal. I had the Lentil veggie ball salad and asked them to put feta cheese on it. It was SO good. Huge too. My daughter had the oriental chicken salad and had brown rice instead of noodles. Also huge, she could not finish it. Others had chicken caesar wrap, which was very good, Big Fresh salad, a bit boring, but tasty (and big) and the seared Cod plate, which was really good. The prices are decent for fresh, mostly organic food and the service is quick. We also shared 3 desserts; a brownie, carrot cake and a cookie. They are vegan, I think, and really good! Highly recommend Big Fresh and must remember to come more often The food is so much better than most other places. Not loaded with sodium, and really delicious.
(5)
Lindsey H.
We got take out from here for the first time today. The inside is pretty small, clean,average decor wise. We ordered a small Asian chicken wrap and a falafel pita, and a diet coke for $16. Prices are ok, maybe a bit high. Our order was ready in about five minutes. The Asian chicken wrap had veggies chicken, corn, and an Asian teryaki type sauce. I thought the sauce was ok, but tasted like it came out of a bottle and a bit sugary. The wrap was kind of small. The falafel pita was really good - best falafel I have had in a while, but I had a problem with the sandwich construction. The pita was nice and thin and chewy, but it held up as I ate my sandwich. The bottom of the pita was filled with maybe 4-5 good sized falafel balls, which were nice and garlicky with a good crunch. The hummus was good, but there could have been a little more for my taste. On top of the falafel was a ton of diced tomatoes and seasoned greens, all topped with tahini. I wish they had maybe put some of the salad in the bottom, then falafel, then salad. My one problem was that the first half of the bites I had were just veggies since the falafel is at the bottom (and if I ate it the other way it would have fallen apart). They do have a falafel wrap (on a wheat or tomato wrap) but for me you need to have falafel on a pita. Ive been elsewhere where they make a wrap with a pita, which is my ideal. Will definitely go again.
(4)
Rachel W.
Such a great place! Delicious, fresh food for anyone and everyone. If you're not a fan of mediterranean food- try it again here! Or, don't- and get something you're more comfortable with (chicken caesar salad/wrap, chicken stir fry over rice or noodles). Well-priced and unique. Would have five stars if the cashier was a little friendlier and attentive- she missed part of my order and I had to go back (bummer!) I can get over it for the falafel wrap though :)
(4)
David B.
great food. great vibe. Great Iced Tea selection. I'm a huge fan of the Spicy Peanut Noodle Stir Fry (salmon). I think they used to serve wine but I don't think they do anymore.
(4)
Aarti C.
Absolutely love this place! It's small, cozy, perfect place for a quick low key, healthy Mediterranean food. Well, it's not just Mediterranean food, they serve Thai stir fry as well. The first time I was there I ordered their falafel wrap which was too messy to eat for me...so since then I have always ordered the falafel plate which comes with a fresh and warm pita bread...yumm! The location is bit odd - between Boston Market and Papa Gino's. The only reason I went there the first time was because of the glowing yelp reviews. The service is decent, but for a small place it's not too bad. The only reason I'm giving this place four stars is because it's a bit pricey for me...you order the food at the counter, pick it up yourself and clean up afterwards.
(4)
tron j.
Excellent meal. Nice people. A great find...and they had sweet potato pie !
(4)
Nick D.
Don't judge the book by its cover here. While it sits somewhat nondescript in a stripmall, the food here is outstanding. Between four people we had the Big Fresh Special (tofu in satay suace), tagine chicken, lentil veggie balls, and spicy peanut noodle stir fry with salmon. All were excellent and cooked just right. Sauces were highlights of each dish, and meats/tofu were cooked well. Generous potions, and top-notch ingredients. Great teas (unsweetened, too, so you can make it how you like!), and accommodating to food allergies/needs. Service is quick and efficient. Give it a try!
(5)
Shoshi K.
This place is so delicious! Everything i have tried is great. My kids love too. My favorite is the falafel salad plate. I spent 6 months in the Israel a long time ago and I am always looking for a "taste". This is very very close! Ingredients taste so fresh, always comes out hot and cooked to perfection. Very generous portions, reasonably priced. Perfect healthy and quick lunch/dinner spot. Very friendly staff. Lunch time is very busy and tight space so need to be a bit patient when ordering...or better yet call ahead for take out!
(5)
Saurav S.
This is my third time at big fresh, I have to say I have not been let down. Everything is fresh and made to order.
(5)
Stephanie G.
Desperately seeking refuge in delicious, organic, healthy food in Framingham, I was told about Big Fresh. The name and decor are certainly outdated, but the food is phenomenal. I've tried the tempeh, the cod cakes, the grilled salmon, and many of their amazing vegetables. After my first visit, I grabbed a menu so that I could ask my husband to stop for "fast food" on the way home from work some evenings. With McD's across the street, Boston Market and 5 Guys next door, this is a superior choice for a quick meal with ample nutrition and flavor. I'm a repeat customer and will be for a long time.
(4)
Jen K.
I cannot say enough about their falafel pita. It is simply amazing and you need to go there and try one, as soon as possible.
(5)
Kyle S.
Been there at least 5 times. Always good, always quick and fresh. Doesn't get much better than this for lunch.
(5)
Dawn E.
This is my new favorite place. It is difficult living so far from Boston and finding a place that offers healthy alternatives. More difficult still to find local products being served at that place. Big Fresh is somewhere between fast food and "slow food." You order from a counter and they'll call your number when your order is ready. The place is warmly lit with cozy little booths and they serve a selection of wine and beer and sodas (many organic also). Unlike similar concepts, this place is warm and inviting and someplace that you can pop in and out or linger for a while while an old friend. I wouldn't bring large parties here, because it's just not big enough to accommodate them, but a friend or three is perfect. I went for the first time with my Mom, because she is in town and I was dragging her to Trader Joe's to buy beer and stuff. I remember expecting decent food because of the reviews, but I really didn't expect such a comfortable place to be. I ordered the Big Fresh Special, because what else would you start with? This was some baked and browned tofu slices in a delicate but delicious peanut sauce over a bed of brown rice with some teriyaki stir fried veggies and a side of collard greens. For me, tofu is either wonderful or horrid depending on how it's prepared, and this was wonderful (and not fried!). The rice was perfectly cooked and the greens were easily the best collard greens I've ever had (and I'm from the south, y'all). The vegetables were light in delicious, without too much oil or sugar. My mother ordered the teriyaki stir fry with chicken, which was a larger portion of the same veggies I has, more brown rice (although you could also have wheat pasta) and, of course, chicken. She seemed very satisfied with her meal as well. The food came out very quickly and we were in and out in a flash (we had stuff to do!) but, oh, how I wanted to linger there with a glass of organic wine. I will definitely return soon with one of my best mates. We each only ate half of our food and combined the rest into a takeout tin (yes, tin, not echy styrofoam but old school aluminum with a paper top that I will dutifully recycle when I am done with it). The leftovers provided me with lunch for today and there is still plenty for tomorrow as well. I want to try everything on the menu! I'm definitely going for something with hummus next... Big Fresh, I know we only just met, but I love you.
(5)
Justin G.
This place isn't as good as it used to be. It seems like something happened or changed sometime late summer 2011. The meals aren't "WOW" level like they were before. I've tried most of the menu, and for my latest visits (say last 6 times), it just hasn't been right. This place set the bar high, and now I can't help but feel disappointed with the mediocre dishes lately.
(3)
Jonah B.
Fantastic Falafel. Super fresh. Organic teas. Hidden gem.
(5)
Helen M.
Went here with a couple of girlfriends yesterday for lunch before shopping at Natick Mall. We must have been the first people here because it was empty and our order numbers were 2-4. I ordered the teriyaki stirfry with salmon and brown rice. The vegetables were great - fresh and crisp - and the teriyaki sauce was great too - not too sweet or too thick. The salmon was a bit of a disappointment though. The texture was really rough (I think the salmon was frozen and not fresh) and did not feel like the usual buttery texture of this fish. The portions were very filling and I was satisfied without feeling stuffed. My girlfriends ordered a falafel wrap (which was good) and a chicken meatball wrap (which was also good but a bit salty). Overall, I'd give this 4 stars. I would definitely come back for fresh food if I'm in the area but I'd avoid the salmon.
(4)
Colin M.
This place is well-hidden but a great place to get Mediterranean food as well as stir fry, salads, and a few other items. I've always had great-tasting food that is fresh and delicious. They try to use organic and local items whenever possible which is a bonus. Try the Thai Curry!
(5)
Katherine D.
Such an excellent place - never disappointed and I've been here dozens of times. I hope they never change their menu, and I'd love to see them open another restaurant. Definitely worthy of their five stars!
(5)
John K.
Falafel wrap...tasty and healthy.
(4)
Joette S.
Absolutely amazing food. DELICIOUS. We will return when we are back in Boston. - no doubt about it.
(5)
Keith R.
Perfect for a quick style tasty meal. If your trying to eat relatively healthy but don't want a traditional restaurant go here. The oriental wrap is a awesome.
(4)
dan w.
The food is good, as is the quantity. They are not afraid of spices and the freshness (it is called Big Fresh after all) is apparent in all the dishes. The help, at least on weekends, can be somewhat disengaged, bored and indifferent,(or maybe they are just tired), especially the young lady at the cash register. One minor, but infuriating quirk- if you want another piece of pita bread- small to begin with, to go along with your chicken tagine and hummus plate- definitely a 3 pita dinner, they charge you 50 cents. You have to go to the cash register, wait for it to be rung up, etc. The cashier looked a little embarassed and said "It's not my fault, My boss makes us do it" . Of course the boss is nowhere to be found. I guess he can't get mad if a Mexican restaurant charges him for extra chips. We will be back- but will do a better job of rationing the one, lonely pathetic little piece of of pita that comes with the dinner. (ok, petty- but grrrrr!!!)
(3)
Samantha G.
This is the best place I've found to eat in the Boston metro west area. Fresh, delicious, and cheap food ! The big fresh special is hands down my favorite!
(5)
Sara L.
The lack of a star is due to there being very little chicken in my spicy peanut stir fry. Came to this place for lunch today at around 12:45. When we walked in it packed to the max, but by the time we were at the front of the line, most of the tables had cleared. Good call coming towards the end of the lunch rush. Guy @ the cash register was really friendly and actually answered me when I said, "hi, how are you?" There were 4 in my party, but one went next door for Tennessee's BBQ and brought it in to join us. Coworker 1 got a tabouli chicken wrap that looked good and was HUGE. Coworker 2 got the Big Fresh Special with tofu. She wrapped the rest up, so I am going to assume it was good enough to take home. And like previously mentioned, I got the spicy peanut stir fry with chicken. The vegetables were super fresh, which solely based on the name BIG FRESH, I had high hopes that my stuff would indeed, be fresh. Way to live up to your name, Big Fresh. My dish wasn't spicy at all, but it was okay considering it tasted awesome. I'll definitely be returning.
(4)
Vlad W.
On my repeat visit - the place is good but missing a certain spark, an identity of its own. So four stars, not five.
(4)
Douglas S.
My go-to healthy eats place. Big Fresh is a small locally owned restaurant serving organic, locally sourced food. You order at the back (don't be that guy standing at the service area waiting to be noticed, look for the register), they should probably have a sign at the open kitchen pointing to the back. Their home-made teas are really good. Water is available free (by the tea). Seating is limited, but turns quickly so a seat usually comes available prior to your order being served. Nice people, nice place.
(5)
CJ N.
Moving from Cambridge to Framingham, we were concerned that we couldn't get a good Mediterranean wrap. Boy were we wrong. Thank goodness we found Big Fresh. The outside may be nondescript in strip mall fashion, but once you're inside, the menu speaks for itself. They are not kidding when they say Big Fresh! They also have a row of fresh iced teas in various flavors - and BONUS - stevia packets! Thank goodness for people who understand natural food AND natural sweeteners. No exaggeration, I think I had the best wrap of my life -- Chicken Tabouleh on wheat. The chicken tajine is also excellent. So is the hummus, which tastes like a wonderful middle eastern cool whip. :) Service is efficient and friendly, and the atmosphere is casual. The walls are bright and cheery. We are so happy that this will be out new go-to place! Thanks Big Fresh!
(5)
Elizabeth M.
Yummy food that you don't have to feel guilty about. My personal favorite is the Thai Curry (with brown rice). Portion sizes are huge. Only downside to Big Fresh is their customer service, which could easily be improved with a smile or two from the employees at the cash register.
(4)
Matthew O.
Buy Local. Eat Global. Great food at Big Fresh. They buy a lot of their stuff locally and tell you where your food comes from. While they have a regular menu, they also serve up fantastic dishes based on what's in-season locally. You can order most dishes with organic meats and fish, or with tofu or locally made tempeh. Everyone who works there is very nice and a few seats allow you to sit and watch your food be made; great for kids.
(5)
Tom M.
I'm sitting in my car because I'm too spacey to remember the keys to my band's practice space. So while I wait for the drummer (who's never on time...amirite?) to unlock the door, I'm chowing on a killer falafel wrap. I didn't know metro west had this going for it. I have no idea about the other stuff available here, but!! I really liked the colors and cleanliness of the restaurant, the girl at the counter was super friendly, and their menu actually looks pretty good. Seriously though, this falafel is fantastic!! And the wrap is huge. Aww yeah. ALSO! High five for repping Worcester with George's bread.
(4)
Jon T.
Big Fresh is easily my favorite area restaurant. Everything on the menu (and I've tried almost everything) is tasty, fresh, and HEALTHY. Many of the ingredients are locally grown, and there's a good variety of dishes. Several of the dishes are vegeterian/vegan too. My favorite meal is the Tempeh special - Tempeh with molasses sauce on a bed of brown rice, onions, and kale with a side of beets.
(5)
Shannon D.
The title says it all, big servings and food is fresh (and delicious)! Big Fresh has a variety of healthy meals including wraps, stirfrys and salads. I wouldn't recommend bringing any picky eaters here. Great restaurant for vegetarians and people looking for something different. The food is reasonably priced for the amount you get and service is quick. I've also found them happy to customize the dishes to a certain extent if you would rather not have a certain veggie. There isn't a lot of seating but I also haven't seen it very packed before either. Not a lot of room for large parties. The decor is fun and artsy, they have local artists works on the walls. My favorite dish: coconut curry, yummm! Definitely try out Big Fresh, it is a lot better than the multitude of chain restaurants in the Framingham/Natick area!
(5)
Rita V.
Tired of traditional "fast food"? Pipes need a cleaning? Its small and cramped, very "70's love and peace", food is cooked to order, fresh as the name suggests, portions are hefty, prices are small in comparison to the portions, and its flavorful. I had the moroccan tangine with chicken (chicken a bit dry), which is prepared with sweet potato based curry, veggies and served over whole wheat couscous. VERY good, and I had enough left over for dinner. I sampled a vegan chocolate cake - moist and you can tell made with whole wheat flour, without having that pasty feeling - also good. My lunch partner had a salad - HUGE enough to share. So as we enjoyed one of their iced teas, we pondered what our next lunch sampling will be. Different, delicious, won't bust your wallet or your waist-line (I can't believe, ME the queen of stuffing myself has said this!)
(4)
Brittany T.
Fantastic food and service. Perfect place for lunch. Super healthy options and the falafel hummus salad pita was excellent!
(5)
Christina L.
Not really sure what all the hype is about this place... I got the taboule chicken wrap. My other family members got the fafafel plate, the cod wrap, and the tabloue chicken plate. I think the taboule chicken wrap was the best. The falafel were pretty small so it was mainly a crunchy crust and not much of a chickpea center. The cod wrap was mostly rice. All the dishes were fresh, and the portions were pretty big... So in that sense, it does live up to its name, but I didn't find the food to be extremely flavorful.
(3)
B M.
Great food, great staff. Very friendly people, very fast and accurate service and the food is delicious. They also have an amazing vegan chocolate cake which is hard to find.
(5)
Jimmy H.
My advice, Leave your pita bread last when you order "Mediterranean Chicken Plate". You do not want to leave humus and/or sauce on your plate because they are sooo precious. Finish the chicken and humus. Then clean out the plate with the pita bread. Absolutely gorgeous!
(5)
Matt K.
This place rules! The best falafel I have ever had. The taboule chicken wrap is also fantastic. It's small and can get crowded around lunch time but you can always get take-out instead. They use all organic ingredients and they have many vegetarian/vegan options. Not to be missed.
(5)
Tiff D.
ok, so Ive lived in the area for 3 years. Driven by the sign many times. After reading the reviews I decided to go and took the reviewers advice. Falafel Wrap. AMAZING!!!!!! WHAT IS FALAFEL??? Who knows...but its DAMN GOOD! Fresh ingredients and flavors. Perfect for a hot day. Something light and healthy. We also had the Tahi Curry Salmon wrap. That too was good. I dont generally love curry so I wasnt in love with this wrap but it was good and Id eat it again. Wraps are HUGE. More like a burritto size. We had 2 wraps and couldnt finish them between 2 adults. (we made sure to eat ALL the falafel though! HAHA). We also had their organic iced tea. VERY GOOD. Light, refreshing. PERFECT. If you live in the area, you have got to try it!
(4)
Suzy L.
I wanted to love this place, I really did. It was good, but didn't quite live up to my expectations. I was having a falafel jones (why I suggested this place to begin with), so I had the falafel salad plate, and it was good, but not great. The falafel balls themselves were tasty, but a tiny bit dry. The hummus was pretty nondescript, not bad, but not wow either. What really threw me off was the dressing on the salad. I didn't like it as much as similar dressings from other places. My black mango iced tea was DELISH, however. I would go back to try something else (my BFF loved her Moroccan tagine chicken), but when I return, won't bother with the falafel salad!
(3)
Emily A.
Aboslutely wonderful vegetarian (and meat eater) food! Fantastic hummus and tabouli, wonderful salads, can't wait to try the stir fry. The food is fantastic, I want to try everything on the menu. Don't wait. Go. Now. Why are you still reading? You're going to pay $10 for a meal, but it's fresh and homemade, so what do you want?
(5)
Kristen F.
A-maz-ing...worth the 40 minute drive. Organic and produce tasted like it was plucked from the field that morning. Salmon was wild and I am too for the Freshest of the Fresh. What I would do to have this closer to our work...Staff very friendly as well.
(5)
Pravin D.
This is an outstanding little place to eat with a variety of things to choose from. I liked the taboulie chicken or the Thai peanut tofu dish. This place has Thai, Chinese, Mediterranean dishes and their hummus is top notch. It is a healthy joint with a lot of local organic farm produce used.
(5)
Derick F.
Hands down best Falafel I've had, and their other dishes (cod cakes, homemade seaweed salad) are always made with the freshest ingredients. Delicious and inexpensive place to grab a quick bite - I don't frequent here enough.
(5)
C C.
Cod, Salmon and Big Fresh Special are very good, although the cod portion is a bit smallish. The organic tea choices are excellent. It's a no frills restaurant.
(4)
Rob F.
Let's get the bad part out of the way: you can't have everything on the menu in one meal. At the last minute, I needed to meet a friend somewhere near Framingham, for dinner. Yelped the area and opted for this place. Good call. Since I arrived 15 minutes before my pal, I figured I'd have time to make my choice, but the aromas wafting from the open kitchen, the steady stream of plates being taken away from the counter by people who are obviously regular customers, and the huge number of dishes from which to choose left me paralyzed. Finally, I put my faith in Yelp! and ordered the Hummus Falafel wrap, and a side of succotash. Sufferin' succotash! I can't remember the last time... no, there has never been a time when I was still talking about vegetables 4 hours after I ate them. This stuff was so freakin' good!â„¢ I know it had beans, I still remember the sweet sauteed peppers, and some kind of sauteed greens. Heck, it probably had corn, I don't know. I was hypnotized by a plate of organic greatness. The green sauce served on the side was surprisingly spicy hot and lent occasional punctuation to the dish when I dipped my fork in it before scooping up another mouthful. The Falafel wrap? Loaded with fresh, crisp veggies, tangy tahini, smooth fresh hummus, and light hot balls of fried chickpea. The pita pocket was a fresh, over-sized pouch like loaf. On another day I might be more effusive about the wrap. Don't get me wrong. It was very, very good. It pales next to the succotash. Not a reflection on the wrap, I swear. The "freshness" of all the vegetables was, quite honestly, notable, as was the "bigness" of the servings. Hence the name, I guess. My friend had the Moroccan Chicken Tagine. He was not bowled over. He had also had a hellacious weekend, a long day at the office, a miserable drive to the restaurant through Mass pike rush hour traffic, and wanted an alcoholic beverage immediately upon entering the place. Honestly, had nubile nymphs been pouring nectar and peeling grapes, I think Fred would still not have been all that happy without a stiff drink. It looked good to me. He did admit that he loved the philosophy of the place and that all the food looked good. So, thanks Yelp! for once again steering me towards greatness when I don't know where I am or know what I want. Today, I know I want more of that succotash! And to try the sweet potato pie. (Dear Readers: I think "so freakin' good!â„¢" will be my new personal catch phrase, indicating that a thing is unsurpassed. Hopefully to go down in media history more like "telling it like it is" than "boom goes the dynamite." Of course, only time will tell. :-) )
(5)
Shane T.
My go to place for a veggie lunch in Framingham, easily worth the 15 minute drive. Everything is cooked to order with care, aka sauteed vegetables are still crisp, or the chicken/tofu has a nice golden crust.
(5)
Gillian S.
Odd location but great food. The sauces are complex and yummy! The choices are great. Not the best atmosphere as it's more a take out place than a sit down. Food is excellent, fresh and makes you feel good knowing it was grown with care! If you like thai, middle eastern or that hybrid international vegetarian food it's a must try palce.
(4)
Jef S.
I hate it when people call a restaurant a "hidden gem". Those goddamned Andelmans have taken over Boston as it is...don't encourage them any more! However, if "hidden gem" wasn't such a loaded term, it would fit nicely for Big Fresh. This small deli-ish, restaurant-ish, I'm not even sure what to call it is located off Route 9 in the shoppers' hell that is Shoppers World. There are 7 billion places to eat in the area, (including the super BBQ calorie bomb lure of Tennesee's right next door) so why choose Big Fresh? The food is good. That's why. Hummus is tasty (almost, but not quite as good as my wife's homemade) and falafel cannot be beat. They have great salad offerings and fresh vegetables on every plate or wrap that leaves the kitchen. Staff is very friendly, but they can be disorganized when the line gets busy...wait times are variable. The room itself is tastefully decorated, but small. I wouldn't recommend coming here with a group larger than four. Big Fresh, understandably, is also more expensive than, say, the local fast food joints, but the food is worth it, worth it, worth it, all the way. And they're cheaper, faster, and tastier than a lot of places in the vicinity. 4.4999999 stars with some extra hummus to go.
(4)
Double J.
Sitting on the side of a second-rate shopping center, next to a Papa Gino's of all places, at first glance this place doesn't look like anything to write home about. But my wife and I are vegans, and when we're doing take-out this place is first on our list. I can't speak for the meat dishes, of course, but the Big Fresh meal, felafel salads, and the teriyaki dishes (both tofu and salmon) are great. The vegan chocolate cake is pretty good too - tastes a little like ginger bread. Great, cozy place to eat in or take out!
(4)
Shaina P.
You might not expect to find something worthwhile in a strip mall of restaurants, but Big Fresh Cafe is a diamond in the rough. Like Esther L. wandered in here for lunch one day, I did exactly the same. ATMOSPHERE This cafe, though called "big" (you'll see why, just read on) is actually quite small. There is enough seating for about 25 people, but not in the most comfortable way. The decor is bold, bright, and fun, with bright walls, specials announced on large chalk boards, and some very cool glass panels hanging between the seating area and the tight kitchen. The lighting is a little dark, because it's a long, narrow, shape, despite it's big windows on the front. FOOD So, Big Fresh Cafe truly serves fresh food, in a BIG way. The menu consists of salads, wraps (more like huge burrito-sized thingers), stir fries, and sides in an Asian-MidEast-Veggish-Local way. I ordered the Big Fresh Special, which was a BIG plate of pan fried tofu, smothered with salty sweet and peanut-buttery satay sauce over a bed of rice. This all came with a side of fresh, crisp-tender stir fried vegetables lightly oiled and well seasoned AND nicely braised collard greens (spicy and sweet!). That's right folks. BIG FRESH. I will undoubtedly return to this fine establishment even though my HUGE meal and a Nantucket Nectar threw me back $11.50!! Also, a long wait for a fresh, cooked-to-order meal was longer than I was hoping for. Maybe next time I'll get a monstrous wrap. I was also very pleased to find that Big Fresh serves Wolaver's Organic Ale (yum yum!), local produce when available, AND they recycle.
(4)
Charlotte H.
I was really, really pleased with this. Sometimes I am nervous about these new earthy-crunchy places because often the food is a little weird for me, and I absolutely hate the taste of whole wheat pasta! But here, I was really happy. We ordered take-out for an office lunch. It was ready, hot, on-time, and well-packed when we got there. Everything was delicious! A coworker and I split a Chicken Meatball Wrap and a Big Baby salad. Both were delicious! The chicken was tender and the wrap was just awesome. All of the flavors worked. Big Baby salad was also decent. Field greens, pears, gorgonzola, raspberry vinaigrette, how can you go wrong? The dressing was great. Everything was fresh and organic, but it was still really reasonably priced! Lunch for 10 people was $92. However, I hate their location. They're in this ugly strip mall with red overhangs. Right next to a Papa Gino's or something. I think with a better location, they'd be fabulous. Their location does not fit with their style and menu. But the restaurant looked nice on the inside! So I'm still happy.
(5)
Diego S.
Where do you grab something to eat after watching Food Inc.?? Well this was the place I chose!! Last Saturday, after watching that depressing and disgusting documentary I decided to look up for a fresh, organic place to eat and, just because it was close to home, I ended up at Big Fresh. I had the Falafel Wrap and I was awesome. I'm not a vegetarian, and I usually HAVE TO have meat in my meals, but let me tell you, this all-veggie-wrap is one of the best I've ever had in my life. ENJOY!
(5)
Catherine C.
My husband and I are pretty much regulars at this place. It's one of our favorite casual places to go for both lunch and dinner. We love the concept of the restaurant - organic food with emphasis on buying from local farms. I've tried almost every dish here. My favorite is the definitely the Big Fresh Special, which is tofu with brown rice. The Big Fresh special is an awesome deal. It comes with brown rice, sauteed veggies, tofu and a side of collard greens. All of wich are delicious. I especially love the peanuty sauce that they use for the tofu. The falafel is really good here - both in the salad plate and in the wrap. The portions are pretty generous too. If they have it, get their sweet potatoe pie. Super delicious! Other dishes I love from here is the Blackened Salmon and the Cod Wrap.
(4)
Peter P.
With their amazing falafel wrap to blackened salmon all their ingredients are fresh, local, and/or organic. The menu is unique and vegitarian friendly. One of my favorite and healthier spots to eat.
(5)
Wendy S.
i'm gonna say it was just so so. now it's not like this sucked or anything like that, but it just could have had more zing. i want my food to bite me back and this falafel wrap just kinda said, don't hurt me, i'll enter meekly. needless to say, i found myself resorting to the tabasco with a heavy hand. the vegan chocolate cake was also just so so. i'm a girl who wants her cake to scream, i'm a luscious treat! savor me! but this was clearly a "healthy" vegan chocolate cake, meaning not so decadent. more on the bland but sweet side. overall, considering the lack of vegan options in the area, i guess i would return, but i'm glad to live where more vegan opportunities prevail!
(3)
Renzie J.
Such great food, and the best part is that it is extremely fresh, organic and healthy. My favorite is the falafel wrap, such deliciousness, and so fulfilling; and it's pretty humongous, I can't always eat the whole thing at ones. I've also tried the meatball wrap, also yummy. The only thing I didn't llke is the salmon wrap, the salmon was a bit too chewy for me, but I'm picky when it comes to fish so it might be just me. They also have a bunch of stir fry and salad options. Homemade iced tea is also really good, and includes free refills. Oh and their vegan pies are amazing as well. Overall, I absolutely love this place. Although it's tiny, it is such a relief to have great organic, delicious food here in Framingham (which is ironically surrounded by papa ginos, boston market, and mcdonalds...aka crap) and it's not that expensive.
(5)
Maggie E.
I am new to falafel and boy am I glad I came here to try it for the first time. I have gotten both the hummus/falafel pita and the falafel wrap. Both amazing. Love the hummus. Only downside was that I tried the vegan chocolate cake and was underwhelmed. Overall great place though and I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Evan K.
Get the falafel in pita
(5)
Sneha S.
it is strictly OK- especially for non vegetarians .
(2)
Cory M.
I went here because people keep telling me it's one of the only places in Framingham where you can get vegetarian food. It was super crowded when I was there and I felt really rushed while I was ordering, so I might be wrong about this, but I didn't think they had very many veggie options. All those fresh veggies and only one meatless wrap? That's just silly. I had the falafel wrap because it was the only non-meat thing that could be eaten without a fork. It was really big, which was good because it was also stupidly expensive (for falafel anyway). I guess it might be a good idea to use it to feed 2 people and then the price wouldn't seem so high. If you are in the area looking for vegetarian food, go next door to the Indian place, Gold Star. My actual review of Big Fresh is 2 stars, but they get one additional star for having a decent concept and being in Framingham.
(3)
Munchie B.
This is the first decent (good, actually) falafel I've found in Boston. I've passed by this place for years (it's in a horrible location), but tried it out after reading reviews on Yelp. The falafel plate was plenty of food, with delicious falafel, genuine Middle Eastern hot sauce, and a big fresh salad with tahini dressing. I'll be headed back to try some of their seafood dishes.
(4)
Jen M.
Vegan, gluten free, & omnivore friendly. I'm a fan. Love their hummus!
(4)
kate m.
Yes, this place is very very great. My vegetarian friend loves it too. It's counter-order, but the seating is cute.
(4)
Sneakers A.
A good place to grab a healthy meal, but I wonder if they're spreading themselves too thin with the number of cuisines that they present. The falafel is decent, and I also thought that the Moroccan chicken dish that I tried was ok. No soda because of the hippie/eastern-medicine/psychic healing crowd that they're trying to attract, but they do have a couple decent teas. Prices are reasonable.
(3)
Sergei B.
Agree with the falafels being great... You can also taste the freshness and flavor of the tomatoes and other veggies in the falafel wrap, I guess organic and local does make a difference. I like the selection of loose leaf iced teas that they have, as mentioned before you get a free refill. This place is decent for a date, although it doesn't look like much from the outside.
(5)
Jude G.
I am rarely in Framingham, but after eating at Big Fresh once, I will travel there more often. I had the falafel plate. All of the food (salad, salad dressing, falafel, humus, a curried cauliflower pickle and hot sauce) was certainly big fresh, and amazingly big delicious. Would love to try many other items. The menu is a mouth-watering read.
(5)
Aron S.
It's a testament to the dearth of restaurants in the suburbs that prepare vegetarian / healthy alternatives that Big Fresh gets such high marks. Were there worthy competitors I have no doubt that people wouldn't be falling over themselves to praise this option. Don't get me wrong; it's passable and even has a few high points, but it pales in comparison to restaurants that really get this genre right. Having been raised on the grub from the original Moosewood Restaurant in Ithaca and others of its ilk that buy fresh ingredients, create original and adventurous vegetarian and healthy food at reasonable prices I feel qualified to opine on Big Fresh. As a local, I've visiting Big Fresh on 6+ occasions and can give them points for being consistent. Generally, you get the same version of the item that you did the last time except for minor inconsistencies like the time the side dish of succotash was nothing more than sauteed romaine lettuce. When I queried the kitchen, the response was, "well, that's our version of succotash." Service is non-existent as you order at a cash register and then wait for your food to be prepared and set-up deli style. They do offer real plates and silverware for those staying in, but you have to bus it yourself, scrape trash and uneaten food into a huge stainless steel bin a la college cafeteria style. The plates and silverware go into plastic bus bins. I didn't see any place to recycle which seemed to me an inconsistency in what they are trying to do. The sitting areas are plain wooden benches and tables set around the side and front of the restaurant, nothing inviting enough to actually make you want to stay there unless you didn't have a choice. Many of the items are freshly prepared and they do have some interesting homemade condiments, but garnishes tend to be pretty boring and not always very fresh or ripe. I suspect the fish is frozen and is inevitably overcooked and dry. The middle eastern alternatives are decent enough, but nothing to rock your world, you'll find much better fare at the Red Fez in Boston or Moody's Falafel in Central Sq, Cambridge. I appreciate carefully prepared food and nothing about Big Fresh suggests to me any more than indifference by those actually preparing the food. I think the original concept was a good one, but the execution falls short. As a yelper and chowhounder, I'm always on the look out for good food at good prices and this is a place where I have a real bone to pick with Big Fresh. The portions aren't huge for the plated food and the prices are pretty high. And $8 for a falafel sandwhich? Please. Not a bad choice for this oasis of healthy food in an area chock full of chain steak houses, fast food, bar food and bad BBQ (forget Tennessee's, go to Firefly's for BBQ), but not the over-the-top experience that other posters have gushed about. My 2.
(2)
Brenda P.
This used to be my most favorite place to eat. Over the years it has become more and more not so good. I went there yesterday with my boyfriend. I got the lunch salmon not the greatest price for 1 inch of salmon and he got the Cod. What he got was the tail end of the cod so not worth the $10.50. I must say everytime I have come here I get disappointed every time. I'm not sure I will be going back here the menu hasn't been updated and the falafel you can get anywhere and tastes the same for the same price. I would try and once but I have had everything on the menu and no need to go back especially where they seem to be getting skimpy on the portions.
(1)
John C.
I just moved to natick (will be here for the next 2 months for my first clinical rotation) and my friend and i were looking for a diner for some breakfast. after reading yelp reviews i decided to check this place out. upon entrance the place had a strong aroma of spices which was nice (but not so nice for my jacket). the place was dimly lit, but cozy. food: i had the morrocan tangine with wild alaskan salmon and my friend had the taboule chicken plate. we also had a side order of the coconut jasmine rice and roasted asparagus (locally grown) my place was subpar from what i had expected. the spices were good but the presentation was terrible. it looked like a lazy hungover college student made it. but ok, i got some sweet salmon, nope. the salmon was COLD. after reading the reviews i expected the salmon to be cooked to order, instead it was cold, clearly cooked the previous day. all in all my place though having flavorful sauce was subpar. 2/5 my friends plate was fantastic. the chicken was moist (i expected it was boiled or steamed) the hummus met the praise it received from other reviewers. the spicy harif was fantastic. the only gripe i have about this plate was the lack of pita. one pita for all that food is just not enough. hence why she ordered the jasmine rice. all in all i give her plate a 4/5 and the jasmine rice a 4/5 as well it was fluffy and had just enough coconut flavor in it. the asparagus on the other hand was fantastic. it was a bit pricey at 2.50 but seeing that a whole bunch will run you about 2 bucks at stop and shop it's not too out of control. 5/5 for asparagus i think the big fresh really needs to upgrade the plates. plastic plates are not the way to go, food doesn't stay as warm on it and it just looks crappy. price: you're paying restaurant prices you should have better presentation. i do feel that the other food on the menu will be and is superb. but from my one experience today it did not meet the expectations that i had set based off of the reviews i have read. i will be back at least twice (i always go 3 times before i make any final conclusions)
(3)
Greg B.
Stopped here tonight and couldn't believe how great the falafel was. I can't recall the last time I tasted veggies this fresh. My only regret is I didn't have room to try the homemade carrot cake. Maybe tomorrow?
(5)
Carrie M.
I love this place! The falafel is fantastic, as is the hot sauce that goes along with it. Their vision is great, it's good to see restaurants using local ingredients and not using overly processed restaurant service ingredients.
(5)
Sarah B.
After reading all the positive reviews, I decided to have BF cater a dinner I was throwing for some Slovakians. I spoke with the owner when I called. She was so accommodating with my budget, as well as with helping me figure out what to order. I ended up getting the tofu curry, which came with rice, broccoli, salad, pita and hummus. Although I ordered food for 8 ($100), I could have fed 20 comfortably. And I did. And it was good. It came with plates, cutlery, easy easy. Maybe someday I'll eat at the actual restaurant.
(4)
John W.
4.5 stars I will round up to 5. I've never had such tasty "local and/or organic and/or vegetarian" food. If you're a locavor, you'll love this good-value place with its healthy, great tasting food and funky/hippie decor. If you're a meat eater, order anything on the menu with one of their great beers and say "hey, this healthy stuff can be good!". Many people think of Framingham/Natick route 9 area as chain heaven, but there are many hidden gems in this area and Big Fresh is definitely one of them.
(5)
J W.
I like the falafel (wrap, pita or salad), salmon wrap and chicken meatball wrap at this place. A bit more expensive than the usual lunch fare, but you get your money's worth because Big Fresh buys the food from local farms. I don't have to worry as much about the chemicals that the industrial farms use.
(4)
Jenna J.
LOVE this place! The location is kind of weird, it's a hole in the wall, you have to know where it is. The food is amazing! Finally, a place that cares about the environment, organic, local food, and supporting local businesses and the community. Not your regular chain restaurant. Falafel wrap is my favorite and my boyfriend loves their tobouli chicken wrap. Very hearty, you can tell the food is made with love. Gotta try their sweet potato pie (omg!), next thing for me to try is their vegan chocolate cake. Can't wait! Iced tea is really good, and refills are free. Maybe a little bit pricier that your local sandwich shop (although not by much), but it is totally worth it. I like what they stand for and I'll support them any day of the week. I wish there were more food joints like this around MA.
(5)
Anurag M.
Great food reasonable prices great quality
(4)
Amar C.
I've only been to this place a couple of times... and admittedly haven't ordered anything to eat other than the Falafel sandwich. But Oh My GOD is it good! Now when I go I get a falafel with hot sauce "for here" and one to go for lunch the next day! Also, the Moroccan Mint green tea... dee-lish. Strangely, I think this health-oriented place is owned by the same people as Tennesee's, the BBQ joint in the same plaza... or at least they share a catering menu.
(5)
Emily C.
Very yummy falafel and lentils. no atmosphere, but that's okay!
(4)
Andrew M.
Hooray for Big Fresh! Fantastic sandwiches, wraps, and stir fry for people who like to eat right. It may be a shade on the expensive side for fast food, but $6-$10 for a satisfying, healthy meal is nothing less than a bargain.
(5)
Rick C.
This place is a good as it gets for local, inexpensive organic food. Place is small, and sometimes you wait for a table, not much atmosphere but the food quality is excellent, falafel is good, medditeranean chicken is good, salds are good, you cannot go wrong
(5)
Lindsey M.
A vegetarian's dream. Literally. Although you have every reason by the looks of his place to think they are just another greasy fast-food joint, DON'T BE DECIEVED. This hidden gem is cozy and charming offering an amazing selection of nutritious veg and non veg entrees. Their organics come from local farms and couldn't agree with the restaurants name more. Everything from tofu, falafel, hummus, and salads to whole grains poultry and meats. I am a huge fan of the Moroccan Tangine.
(5)
Bella and Aleksey R.
This offers healthy, organic food choices that are also tasty. I like their falafel wrap - falafel is nicely fried and complemented with some veggies and hummus, the wraps are always soft and fresh, just how I like them. I feel rather cliche saying this now, having read that most reviewers seem to favor this dish also, I thought I was so unique! Haha. It's a little bit pricey, but it's worth it. They seem to prefer that you pay by cash, though they do accept cards (I never seem to have cash though and feel guilty). They also have a good hot tea selection. Their entrees taste a bit exotic to me (even though I usually like that), so I don't usually get them. Food is prepared relatively quickly, even during the lunch rush. Btw, if you are super hungry all you need is the chicken meatball wrap - even a small one will leave you extremely full.
(4)
Ker T.
I go to this place about once a week when working in nearby Westborough - its cheap, good, healthy and they have organic wines that actually taste good. Plus I love supporting locally-owned businesses with a conscience. Try it - the food tastes much better than any fast food restaurant and doesn't leave you feeling like you should run 5 miles as penance.
(5)
John F.
This place is fantastic. I would never have noticed it if not for Yelp, and I'm so glad I did. I went here for lunch a week or so ago, and had the Thai chicken curry, and a side of couscous, both of which were delicious. The curry was so epic I couldn't finish it, but damn if I didn't want to. The falafel looked very tasty, and the whole restaurant had a great vibe of good food and local business. Definitely recommended for your lunch break in Natick/Framingham.
(5)
Matt C.
My wife and I started eating here just after they opened, and man has the place changed since. New look, new vibe, new everything - but the one thing that hasn't changed is the amazing food. I don't think i've ever been bummed out by any selection...but 9 times outta 10 I'm getting the chicken meatball wrap with wheat and no cheese. It's just nice to have a place within a mile of my work that you can eat at and not feel bad about after. It's good for you, it's good for the earth, and it's really not too bad on the wallet if you choose wisely.
(5)
Jessica B.
So good! You have to try the falafel- best in the state!
(5)
paige m.
officially my favorite restaurant in massachusetts. for two reasons: one..the food was amazing...we had the noodles and tofu with peanut curry sauce and the falafel plate. best falafel ever. ever. and it's in small, bite sized balls which makes it fun to eat, and not as thick and tiresome as the larger balls of falafel. other highlights on the menu were the moroccan veggies with a sweet potato marinara, and the coconut curry with your choice of meat or tofu. they also have a bunch of wraps. a lot of times, smaller restaurants like this have a lot of variety ,but they never specialize in anything, making for a dull and often greasy eating experience. this place, however, specializes in every single menu item. our meal tasted homemade and perfect. this is hands down the best vegetarian food that i've had in mass. (they also have ample chicken and fish dishes). the second reason this place is my favorite is because of the service. when we walked in , we couldn't decide what to order because there were so many awesome choices. not only did they give us a sample of the peanut curry sauce, they also fried up two falafel balls just for us to sample. not to mention, this place is family owned, and the owners; daughter, who took our orders, offered excellent customer service...and excellent samples. oh yeah, and a lot of their selections are organic and local! oh and also, there's so much character! by the door they have their new year's resolutions posted (things like expand catering delivery zone and world peace). there is also a bunch of information about environmental and locally-driven movements, causes and resources. i would do anything for one of these in jamaica plain. but in the meantime, i absolutely will drive out to natick just for this restaurant. their menu's on their website. check it out and go there.
(5)
Elizabeth S.
LOVE. Have been going here for years and the quality has stayed the same! Best falafel I have ever had!!
(5)
Blake M.
yum; reasonably priced
(5)
Sweta B.
I really loved this place...I love anything falafel and Hummus...and I have tried them in all places you can get around Boston...and I can tell you the falafel at this place is really good...also loved the morocan cous cous dish....Its has a very casual yet fresh feel to it.....I am yet to try the wines and their teas but they look good as well....if you wanted try something different them forget the thousands of food options in around that area and try this place, you wont be disappointed...
(4)
Jeff W.
This place is interesting. It's local and they've done a great job with the decor. Lots of cool art and character. It's small but space is used well.. booths for 2 are cozy. As the name implies, the ingredients are fresh and organic - including the beer and wine! I had the Stir Fry Special with tofu and peanut sauce over brown rice. My GF had Spicy Noodles and Peanut sauce over wheat noodles with chicken. Both were yummy. The price for both,and a brew, was $22, a good value. Try it for a healthy break from the usual corporate mall fare.
(5)
Katie R.
The Falafel here is AMAZING! I drive all the way from the lower Cape just to eat it!
(5)
Liz O.
I really, really like the Salmon Thai Curry here, so they would get 5 stars for that, but there really isn't much else on the menu that I've been excited about, plus the people at the register can be a bit snippy sometimes (sometimes they're great), so it's not really a five-star place. Also, although I love the home-brewed ice tea, they always seem to be almost out of every flavor, so I end up mixing mint and berry and orange... not so great. Parking is easy, and the prices are good, but I'm not a huge fan of bussing my own table. I guess I'm a bit of a princess... It is worth it if it keeps costs down. I probably wouldn't mind so much if they emptied the bins more frequently. The food is freshly prepared and tasty, and they are willing to make changes like swapping in brown rice. The last time I went with my boyfriend and he ordered something that came with hummus and tahini and a pita and the amount of tahini was overwhelming. And I LOVE tahini. I would love to try the falafel, but I can't stop ordering the salmon Thai curry. It's just SO good.
(3)
Ira H.
Excellent falafel. Nice atmosphere. The place is small. They have around 6-8 tables. It is counter service and you bus your food at the end. The Falafel was authentic and the hot sauce that came with it is as well. The pita bread was slightly thin so.. prepare to get messy. Will definitely return.
(5)
David Y.
I tried their Monterey Cod Wrap ($8.75) and Tagine Salmon plate ($9.25). I really liked the cod wrap but felt he salmon plate wasn't as packed with flavor. Their ingredients are fresh and delicious. I also tried their sweet potato pie ($2.50) which was great. It was a more relaxed meal than Chipotle probably cuz the food took so long to prepare. Chipotle is definitely faster and their food is cheaper. Chipotle's burritos have a higher impact of taste whereas Big Fresh has a cleaner taste (one where you taste all the different ingredients instead of just one big mixture of tastes) and of course, has an overall feeling of healthier eating. Overall, a good meal and a nice little restaurant and I look forward to their other wraps.
(4)
Ronda Y.
Big Fresh is my favorite lunch spot in Framingham. The food is healthy, delicious and prepared in creative, interesting ways. I have never had a meal there I didn't enjoy. How refreshing to find a restaurant where everything is good and good for you instead of desperately searching for the one item which might not give you a heart attack in the next 10 minutes. Plus they have made an effort to make it pretty inside with art work, stained glass, wooden furniture and attractive paint colors. It has a very homey, hand made, family feel. I would so much rather be there than one of the many chains nearby which seem entirely decorated in either metal or plastic and designed to make you not want to sit down and eat your meal.
(5)
Kendra L.
I really really like their Falafel Hummus Salad Plate. Hummus with a pool of olive oil in the center, field greens and 7 or 8 small deep fried, well done falafel balls. Their selection of fresh brewed organic ice teas is a nice alternative to standard lunchtime beverage choices. Big Fresh could stand to improve their Feta and Beet salad. The beets are excellent however, the field greens are full of a lot of very long stems.
(4)
Evilee E.
Awesome menu, everything is fresh and you will never find a more perfectly prepared falafel sandwich anywhere!! Can't wait to go back for my next one. I want to try their stir fry dishes too but it would be hard to pass on that falafel. I may need to go twice in one day :-)
(5)
Steve R.
We have been at Big Fresh at least 10 times (actually used to go to Rami's, a falafel place that was there- they still use the falafel machine). The food is locally grown, fresh and delicious. The falafel are crispy, tasty and plentiful. My favorite non-falafel dish is the Spicy Peanut Stir Fry.
(4)
Archie R.
Hey Big Fresh... Your hummus is just as good as mine. Your peanut sauce is light and delicious. Your whole wheat pasta is perfectly cooked. Your options are plentiful and healthy. I am not sure if I really really love you or really really hate you (for not being in my area). Regardless, I am down on bended knee asking your hippie vegan ass to marry me. As my friends in Boston say..."you ah wicked good kid." Tahini.
(5)
Jennifer C.
So good especially if you're a vegetarian or vegan. Kinda expensive but still awesome
(4)
Kristen R.
My husband and I went here last night for a quick dinner before going to the movies. We both ordered the hummus falafel in pita which is a pretty good deal at $6.50 each. If you have any intention of dining in and are at all concerned about other patrons seeing you completely covered in hummus, I would order something else. The pita they use is basically a cheap vehicle for the yummy stuff they put inside and they pack it so full that the flimsy pita has no chance. The good news is that this is GOOD falafel. Falafel is so hit or miss and it seems easier to find falafel that would be better suited for putting practice on the golf course than for human consumption. Not so with the falafel here. Here the falafel is full of flavor and not even a little dry. We both got it with the hot sauce and the result was a nice tang, but no real heat. Overall the sandwich was really good. If only I didn't need to take a bath after eating it.... I think next time I'll go with the falafel wrap which looked much more manageable. I sure wish I'd seen the Yelp review about the maple seltzer because I definitely would have gotten that (I didn't even look at the drink menu, but did did see that they have a nice variety of freshly brewed iced teas). The other dishes looked good and I really like the focus on healthy, locally sourced real food as well as their commitment to being ecologically responsible. In an age where fresh food has become trendy and everyone's throwing the word around willynilly (I'm looking at you Fresh City), it's refreshing to find healthy, appetizing food that has nothing to do with trying to keep up with the latest fads.
(4)
Erika C.
what would i do without big fresh? I honestly do not know. It is incredible. You cannot make healthier, tastier food at home or anywhere (that i've been to for that matter!). It is very consistent and their stir-fries are amazing. One of the coolest parts about big fresh is that they try to get as much of their produce possible from local farms in the framingham/natick area. Not only do they support local businesses, but they are serving up the freshest products they can get their hands on. My favorite entrees include the teriyaki stir-fry with tofu or the thai curry stir-fry with chicken. They're falafel wraps are INCREDIBLE. The prices are surprisingly and sometimes I wonder if they are profiting enough. The people there are very friendly and hospitable. It's always busy too, which is a sure sign that it is delicious!
(5)
Jo R.
amazing food only thing that would make it a 5 in my book was if the website or dine in menu had calorie count. :-)
(4)
A B.
I love this place!!! I am a bit biased as I used to work there. When I worked there and ate their somewhat religiously, I can definitely say the food is fresh, from locals, made wonderfully and all the employees are awesome.
(5)
Prince V.
I wouldnt call this place Meditterean, but more of a Asian fusion and middle eastern mix. Food is very tasty here. I had the Falafel plate. They give you good amount of food and fast. Everything tasted very fresh. I would definitely go back here.
(4)
Roberta N.
Thanks fellow Yelpers. You never let me down. We were staying in the area and of course went to Yelp to find a place to eat. This was a really nice cafe a few miles from our hotel. The ambiance/environment is utilitarian but the food was good and fresh. They prepared it exactly as we requested. It was reasonably priced. We got lunch and dinner there. We got a salad and a wrap for lunch; both were excellent. Lunch was $20. For dinner we got the black bean soup, roasted asparagus and beet side, Mediterranean Chicken Plate and Chicken Tabouli Plate with pita bread. Total $32. Everything was fresh and tasty. The soup and the asparagus were great. The portions were generous. Hummus was really good. We didn't eat in but service was fast. I hope this place stays in business. Thanks again Yelpers!
(5)
Jeannette L.
They use local harvest and it's good to support local businesses. But mainly I love this place because the food is so good!!! The fish is always fresh, both the cod and the salmon. The thai curry and tempeh are also really good. I like their vegetable side, which is the swiss chard and succotash. Never been there for lunch on the weekdays, but I can imagine it could be pretty crowded. The food doesn't take that long, but it might be hard to find a place to sit. I usually go for dinner or take it to go.
(5)
apple w.
So ...in general- i wait till I have been somewhere more than once and /or have had time to reflect a while. HOWEVER, I had the best lunch that I have had in oh........................ since I moved to New England- and I think that is noteworthy in itself! I ate at the Big Fresh today. I got the Mediterranean chicken plate and I kid you not... it was the best food I have eaten in forever -that i did not make. Tabouli and grilled chicken salad and hummus and some hot sauce stuff i cannot remember the name of.... SOO good. (it also comes with some sort of piccalilli which i skipped as I hate the pickled stuff) My only complaint? my stomach wasn't big enough and i wasn't going directly home- so i couldn't save the left overs. I also had the mint iced tea.. very nice and refreshing! Reasonably priced. healthy. and soooooo yummy. Did I mention it was yummy? Everything on the menu looked good- salads, wraps etc... FYI- They have a sign up that says they prefer cash because they are trying to cut back on CC fees.. so plan for cash if you've got it. Oh. and the inside is really cute and kinda funky creative- (the outside not-so-much... its more what we call strip mall ugly.) I will be going back. In fact, when my company comes in town next week I will probably drive 1/2 hour away to take them to a strip mall to get the yummiest food they have had in ages!!
(5)
Maria T.
Not too much to even say, no need for flowery language. I remember when they first moved into this location and I have supported them ever since! I'm no foodie but they manage to really get it right every time. Great food, even better variety, everything I have ever tried (regular menu or specials) has been EXCELLENT. Vegetarian friendly, vegan options, good prices, great organic selection, quick, easy, and great service from seriously nice people!!! My personal favorite, besides all the falafel dishes (really authentic and I have no idea how they make it) and stir-frys (also in great portions and good for take-out!) the sweet beets and feta salad is my favorite item on the menu. HIGHLY recommended.
(5)
Cheuk S.
I've been here a few times with my co-workers for lunch and overall it's a pretty good place to go. The food is pretty healthy since it's mostly vegan but there are meat options. Last time I came here, I order Spicy Peanut Noodle Stir Fry and I also tried the Chicken Penne the other time. The location is pretty convenient on right on route 9 or route 30 in Natick area. There's plenty of parking. The inside is actually pretty small and can probably accommodate maybe at most 20-30 people, so don't expect to easily find seating if you plan to dine in. I would suggest go after the rush hour such as 1PM if you plan to dine in, otherwise takeout is pretty quick. The flavour the dishes is very good and the meat was cooked just about right, or at least not overcooked. If you do decide to dine in, there is free water and other drinks for sale. I guess my only complaint is that the prices aren't cheap. It's close to $10 bucks every time you come here and that is a bit high for lunch as usually $5-7 is fair for lunch. But guess you gotta pay a little extra for good and healthy food. The quantity is big enough to fill you up for lunch so the value is there. Overall, a good place to go for healthy and delicious lunch, take out or dine in.
(4)
Jason R.
Wow. I can't believe food this good can be found in a what looks like a strip-mall, fast-food restaurant. Yes, that's Boston Market to the left and Papa Gino's to the right. One taste and you'll be amazed how little you paid. The beet salad was comparable to the best such salads we've had in restaurants---beets were tender and seasonsed, the greens were evenly dressed with a properly seasoned vinaigrette. The falafel wrap was also yummy---well seasoned with a nice dressing, various veggies and moist, tender falafel; most of the falafel I've had has been dry and under-seasoned. A step above all the wraps I've had in the Central and Kendall square areas of Cambridge. We got noodles and meatballs for our daughter. The noodles needed salt, but the meatballs were great---flavorful with great texture (tastes like they were made fresh by hand!).
(5)
Dharia M.
i've been eating here for a few years, and i LOVE it. I like to call it "Hippie Fast Food", the kind of food that i grew up eating in california. The kind of place i miss from living in college towns, and definitely didn't expect to find in the shadow of the mall. I used to commute along rte 9 three evenings per week and when you're starving and cranky its so easy to get sucked into gross junk food. Big Fresh is awesome for vegetarians, but i've also hooked several of my carnivorous friends on the place! everyone else has already touted their organic, local ingredients. yay. i recommend ordering the Big Fresh Salad with sauteed tofu on top, that's my fave.
(5)
Shanna L.
This place is so, so so good. Best falafel I've ever had. Tons of vegetarian options, all with extremely good flavor. I recommend the peanut noodle stirfry. This place has all organic ingredients and is family owned. They also serve a small selection of beer and wine. They're good for the environment, too - they have real dishes and silverware. I LOVE THIS PLACE. I really see no downside...every time I've come here both the service and food is incredible. Also VERY reasonably priced, beautiful local artwork and quick food. Can't beat it.
(5)
Nicole S.
I took my fellow Yelpers advice and decided to go against my very strict "No Falafel outside of the San Jose Falafel Drive-In Ever Ever" rule (this was a VERY big step mind you), and check out Big Fresh. I don't think I'm as excited and wowed as other reviewers, but you put up a noble fight in the reign for Master Falafel. I had to bring it home and smother it in garlic chili sauce, but if I closed my eyes and pretended hard enough I could trick myself for a second or two and think I was eating a real SJ style lunch. It was fresh, it was good, and the other stuff I saw coming out of the kitchen looked fabulous. I *guess* I'd recommend it if you've never had the Jesus Falafel in CA because then you wouldn't know what you're missing.
(4)
Megan T.
Consistently excellent, locally grown & in season foods when possible. Been there many times and never had a bad dish. I wish there were more places like this instead of all the fast food chains out there! Prices are reasonable for the quality and portion.
(4)
Kelly G.
This is a great place to go for fresh, healthy food. Great salads, wraps and stir frys!
(5)
Jeremy G.
Great healthier alternative for this area. Taste is top notch. Ingredients are fresh. Chicken meatball wrap is a favorite.
(4)
Kevin W.
Since there are already alot of reviews here, I'd thought I'd try something different. My love for Big Fresh - in haiku form: Big Fresh - delicious Falafel hidden off 9, Lunch break, here I come.
(5)
Esther L.
Went here for lunch and was pleasantly surprised. Big Fresh looks kinda dingy from the outside, but that is only because its part of a strip mall and next to a Papa Gino's. But once you get inside, its cute with brightly painted walls. You order in the back. I had the hummus plate, which included tasty falafel (they were a bit on the small side though). Their hummus was tasty too, but a bit on the dry side. But I think that's because they didn't douse it with a ton of oil (which is a good thing). I liked how they had Stevia sweetener available for your iced tea, etc. I'd like to go back and try some other things on their menu. Would recommend this as a quick place to grab a bite of good food. Also, its kind of rare to find a non-chain restaurant out there around the route 9 shopping area, so I'm glad Big Fresh is around!
(4)
Han K.
I'm skeptical of health food restaurants but with such high recommendations I had to give a try. I was not disappointed. The menu does span a lot of different areas between delicious falafels to very tasty thai curries and blackened salmon, but all the food is served quickly, served fresh, and the quality of the ingredients are left to shine on their own. Beats the pants off Fresh City or Know Fat any day because they're not touting just being healthy, but also being sustainable and local as well. Big plus to selling Wolaver's Organic beers as well.
(4)
Dorothy M.
Since I found out about Big Fresh (back in my teenage years when I converted to a vegetarian diet), it's been my favorite place to eat. That wasn't too long ago, but I feel like I've been coming here forever. I went by myself earlier this week. I got (I think the big fresh special) baked tofu w/ satay sauce, jas. rice, vegs = awesome. They have mini books on sale that are titled something like how to conserve water, riding your bike to work, how to change how you use utilities at home to help the environment. I read the water booklet while I ate in BF's calming, dimly lit mini restaurant. I don't like to call it a restaurant though because it does much more than food. On a black chalkboard posted to the wall I read about the locally bought foods that were on the menu. A busy corkboard displays a variety of cards and nearby earthy crunchy things (places, events, info) I find interesting. Big fresh supports local small businesses, buys from local farmers, and always makes the same foods delicious. AND, the people who work there are welcoming and friendly: they let me try tempeh for the first time. The manager has always been visible and working around the store and recognizes a familiar face ;-) Main point = You must go before you die! Big Fresh is pretty sweet.
(5)
Sofia A.
Food is tasty and fresh. I had the tangine chicken, and my friend got the beet feta salad. Both were great! The place is small, but with enough tables and space to be comfy. The one item I was not crazy about was the vegan chocolate cake. It did not have any sort of fudge, or frosting... flavor wasnt there.... seemed more like a muffin.
(4)
Sameer K.
Big Fresh has the best hummas ever made. No lie, in a Bobby F. like throw down, it would beat them all. Now when you go in the first time, it is a big confusing on what you need to order. I would suggest the Plates. They give you falafel and boat load of greens. Also for the spice lovers, as for some hot spicy sauce on the side. This stuff is not really sauce but it tastes great and packs a good kick. Also the staff is real nice and if you ask them nicely, they will also throw in a piece of bread for no charge. The decor is also great. Always interesting art hanging on the walls. For sale but not in my budget. The place is green friendly and the owner uses only locally grown produce. The true original healthly place to eat and no gimics to prove to you that they are healthy. I love this place and recommend it.
(5)
Pete D.
Everything we tried rocked. We had a wrap w/ falafel, falafel + hummus in a pita, a spinach falafel plate and Succotash side.
(5)
meg a.
The baked tofu with peanut sauce was ridiculous. So delicious it had me talking to it. I can't wait to work my way through the menu.
(5)
Sasha A.
They have such delicious falafel here and a great deal of vegan options. They have tempeh too, which is tasty on a salad. The tea is really awesome. I had a mango black iced tea last time mmm. The service is great and the people are really nice. The inside is lovely and colorful.
(5)
Jenna H.
Although they have amazing massam curry, I have to give this place three stars because I have gone there more than once and the food was so hot it was inedible. The flavors and spices of their curry are a great balance and the vegetables are cooked perfectly. I would not suggest getting the black bean soup. They left bay leaves in the soup which are crunchy and just not enjoyable. In addition, the soup was served so hot to me that after my friend and I finished eating our meals the soup was still steaming. This same heating issue has occurred in the past with the curry. However, when the curry is not too hot, it is delicious. In addition, their jammies, or jam cookies, are a tasty treat that are wrapped individually and easy to take on the go. As I already said, their dishes are great when served at the proper temperature. I recommend going there, just be careful not to burn your mouth!
(3)
Wendy D.
I tried the falafel wrap and two of the stir frys. The smell alone was enough to make me nauseated. I tasted it. It was terrible. I make vegan food at home and can make super yummy stuff. I was looking for a break from cooking. Our bill was $60 for 3 wraps and 2 stir frys. That is outrageous. I would love my money back right about now.
(1)
Sameer P.
I've been to this place several times and I every single time get the Mediterranean Chicken plate with a whole wheat wrap (instead of the normal white flour pita). It's really good. The sauce they cook the chicken is finger licking good and the hummus is nice too. I've had a few bites of the other dishes and they seem good except one of the fish dishes (I believe the Cod) but they only give you a 4oz fish and call that a real meal? Anyway, try it out. Only downside is that its expensive for a casual place. But its pretty healthy.
(5)
AJ M.
Love this place! All organic and locally grown food! If you like to eat healthy you have to check out Big Fresh... by the way their Maple Seltzer water is ridiculously awesome.
(5)
Clark E.
I love this place. Its always fresh, locally grown food for short money. I love the blackened salmon. Very unique meals and you can get in and out fast. Plant based diet friendly.
(4)
R B.
Love the concept, but the delivery was just okay. Reminded me too much of what I churn out at home to get excited about it.
(2)
Hillary W.
I love this place, this concept, everything. The food was good, real, fresh and fast. The joint is cute and comfortable. Please open one in Harvard Square. I know all of my co-workers and myself would go here all the time !
(5)
Jody G.
I regularly crave the big fresh special with tofu, veggies, the best peanut sauce and the surprisingly addictive collard greens. Seems like a strange combination, but it works so well! Also love their hummus, hot picalilly sauce, homemade soups, and the chicken meatballs. Service is friendly and fast!
(4)
Kupkake K.
I had the chicken Morrocan Tangine and Salmon Wrap which were delicious. The fish was extremely fresh and cooked perfectly. I enjoyed the mid-eastern taste of the Morrocan Tangine which had the right spices. I'm a repeat customer...Nice cozy atmosphere...
(4)
Ken P.
As a vegetarian, I absolutely love this place, although there are plenty of options for non-veges. I get the spicy peanut noodle stir-fry with tofu or the falafel every time I'm there. Everything is fresh and, as far as I know, organic. It doesn't get much better than this for quick vegetarian food in MetroWest.
(5)
Callie G.
Do something good for yourself and eat here. Like everyone else said, the exterior will not beckon you in, but the food is great. Cuisine is a bit Mediterranean, a bit Middle Eastern. They have pasta dishes and salads. It's very healthy and fast. Average meal costs less than $10. Yes, it's more expensive than McDonalds, but healthy fresh food always is.
(5)
Arik C.
One of the very few plces you can actually find a meal that isn't gresed up and has ingriedients that are fresh, hence the name. Great falafel, tofu dishes and the chicken meatball is awesome. I only with their were more options for food. They charge like $2 for a 12 oz can of natural soda, a bit ridiculous.
(4)
Gregory W.
Great Mid East veggie food served here. Try the falafel plate but bring a friend, its much bigger than you think. They also have Wolaver's Pale Ale, an incredibly great tasting, hoppy pale ale from the Wolaver's/Otter Creek brewery in VT. Every time I'm in the area I try to go here for a plate and a pint.
(5)
esther s.
Big Fresh is the place we turn to for a cheap but healthy night out! I always get the falafel wrap and my husband gets the chicken stir fry with noodle. The falafel wrap is soo good, along with the seaweed salad is wonderful.
(5)
Stephanie B.
We love this place. This place reminds you what good food is about. The plus is that they try to get as much as possible locally. I have never had a bad meal here.
(5)
Aly H.
I can't believe anyone would give this place less than 4 stars. This whole idea that fresh, local, vegetarian food is better on the west coast is crap and Big Fresh proves it. Yeah, there may be more places to get this kind of food out west but the quality of the food at Big Fresh is as good as any. The FALAFEL WRAP is a must try.
(5)
acrid r.
I visited on a Saturday night. The place was pretty busy. I had the spicy peanut noodle stir-fry with tofu and my friend had the Thai curry with tofu. As tofu lovers and vegetarians, we were excited about the menu choices. Unfortunately, while the food tasted okay, it was really, really greasy. Greasy to the point where the oil pooled at the bottom of the bowl. While the vegetables seemed fresh enough, the tofu was tasteless and greasy. I was disappointed and would not order those two dishes again. The restaurant was nicely decorated with (local?) art on the wall and stained glass light fixtures, and the lighting was not too bright. The seating was comfortable, the place seemed clean, and the staff were fine. However, restaurants are all about the food, so I'm giving 2 stars based on the dishes we had.
(2)
Reid F.
I'd like to offer an opposing viewpoint to all the people who like this place. I've tried it twice, and both times, it was slow, the cashiers made mistakes, and the food was not all that fresh. I usually love these kinds of places, but this one doesn't measure up.
(2)
Ridge R.
uh yuh. it's really good food. and a very reasonable deal too. the fish is usually good. the noodle dishes too. the asian salad is great. but to be fair, even though it's a convenient location, you gotta admit the whole strip center thing kinda kills the whole vibe. and the general friendliness quotient is very low. still the deal of the week - just needs a nice, kinda funky, stand-alone sorta new home.
(4)
John A.
I must have driven by the sign for Big Fresh fifty times before but never felt compelled to explore it. Thanks to my fellow Yelp'ers, I discovered that it had a wide range of vegetarian options and had a focus on local organic foods. Visited last night, a busy Friday, and was very pleasantly surprised. Unfortunately, it is in a shopping plaza whose best days are past, and the seating area is a bit small, but the restaurant itself is funky, warm, vibrant, and inviting. Food is made for all to see. The Moroccan Tangine with tofu was flavorful and exotic, the spicy noodle stir fry was equally good. Tasty hummus and pitas. The organic sauvignon blanc was a treat. Prices were very reasonable -- two of us each had an entree, glass of wine and shared a hummus/pita appetizer for $33. For real food!! Can you say bargain?? Would be nice it they would add a vegan dessert or two. This is a restaurant for people who respect the food they put in their bodies and I applaud Karen and Kevin, the owners (who I do not know but only read about), for their passion for supporting local growers. Definitely a place I will return to again and again, and heartily recommend.
(5)
Gary B.
The best hummus I have ever had. I tried to get them to give me the recipe because there has got to be something special in it, but they would not give it up. Every time I am there I buy some hummus to bring home. I really enjoy the "plate" meals. The falafel plate is great and so are the other plates I have ordered. I have not been crazy about the wraps though, but I am not sure why. Maybe it is because they just seem to fall apart so quick and are so messy that you may as well just start with it on the plate anyway. It is a little more expensive than what I would expect, but not by much. Whatever you do, make sure you get something with hummus.
(4)
Eric B.
I was pretty bummed when this place replaced the Rami's Falafel. And it wasn't so good at first in terms of atmosphere or food. But it's really grown into itself and is absolutely the best place to get a fairly quick, healthy meal. Excellent stir fries and wraps using fresh, organic chicken, fish and vegetables. Everything is available with brown rice or whole grains. Even their beer (rare for a self-service/take-out place) is organic (Wolaver's). My favorites are the salmon stir fry and the Mediterranean chicken plate. Great quick and easy place with kids too -- my toddler loves their chicken meatballs. The place is tucked away between a Papa Gino's and a Boston Market in a dreary strip plaza on Route 30, making you think it's probably a disgusting sub place. But it's not. Check it out. My one criticism -- certain rotating specials should be available all the time, especially the Mediterranean chicken wrap!!!!
(5)
Ashley I.
Love their falafel! Stir fry is also really good. Kind of on the pricier side for a cafe, but I don't mind paying more for healthier food made with quality ingredients.
(5)
Aleks D.
This place is a great alternative to your typical fast food restaurant. The chicken thai curry rocks! Only wish the menu was a bit bigger.
(5)
Rainbaby K.
This place is great. It's reasonably priced and you can get healthy "fast food". Everything is super fresh because they buy locally which is great for the consumer but also for the local farmers. In addition they have local artists' work hanging on the walls for purchase. It's just a great place all around. I've tried many items on the menu and haven't found one that I didn't like. A particular favorite of mine is the BIG BABY SALAD but whatever you order, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Debbie M.
I love this place for fast, fresh, yummy food and friendly service. This is my favorite place to go with my family when we are running late for deciding what to eat and I feel like eating something healthy. The decor is funky. The staff is cool. The food is very fresh and includes local organic produce. My favorite is the Thai Chicken with Broccoli on Coconut rice (YUM!) and my husband usually really enjoys a falafel plate. My 9 year old likes the meatball wrap and my 3 year old likes the teryaki noodles or a side of chopped tomatoes (not on the menu but they are happy to oblige this strange craving she always has). They have the cutest little teapots and I love the Moroccan Mint Green tea. The drinks are expensive but the reasonable prices for fresh, fast and unusual mix of dishes in a cool environment makes up for it. They have added a lot more choices for drinks since they originally opened. I also like the Oh Baby salad I think it has gorgonzola cheese, walnuts and apples. They have local art on the walls which I always like too.
(5)
Susan E.
I have lived in the Framingham area for 15 years, and it took me 14 to discover little Big Fresh among all the neon on Route 9. I had seen it many times on my way into Papa Ginos or Boston Chicken, but never went in because I thought it was just an average salad bar and wrap place. But my sister finally nudged me in to try, and boy was I surprised. First of all, you feel like you have stepped out of the chain eatery capital of America right into Brattleboro, VT. The restaurant is small and cozy and a little dark--and SO unlike everything around it. I am a vegetarian wanabee, but I can't seem to give up chicken entirely. Here, I can eat veggies and tofu and hummos and falafel and Morrocan Tangine and feel GREAT and full at the same time. I have also tried the Thai Curry Salmon which is fantastic. If you are reading this review, you will love this place. I only wish I had known about it sooner...
(5)
Dawn G.
I liked the food I got here all 3 times, but I thought it tasted salty and later each time my hands swelled up from the sodium so I won't be going back :(
(2)
Phil S.
6/5 stars. Food was organic, healthy, and tasty. Atmosphere was phenom.
(5)
Pam J.
Thanks Yelp! Great recco. Excellent food. Everything super fresh and tasty. I had teriyaki stir fry. DH had oriental wrap. DD had ceasar wrap. Yum! Iced teas excellent as well.
(5)
Allyson C.
Hi! I am pretty certain the new restaurant is Norish in Lexington. It has great reviews but I have not been yet as I have just learned this in the last 24 hours. I will be sure to update as soon as I visit :)
(1)
Anna F.
One word: YUM. Everything they make here is absolutely delicious. My personal favorite item is the chicken meatball wrap. If you eat in, they give you real plates and silverware to minimize waste. The service is really great. The artwork on the walls is all by local artists and is for sale. All in all, a great place to eat great food.
(5)
Scott G.
Not so big. Not so fresh. The tastes are clearly aimed at a "lowest common denominator" palatte, without much effort; in other words, fairly flavorless.
(2)
Sara M.
This place is awesome. The falafel is the the best I have ever had! My second choice would have to be the Coconut curry with Tofu, yum! They are earth friendly which I like, and they have both vegetarian as well as meet options so everyone is happy. I must say the the outside does not really do the place Justice, took me years to actually go in, but now I'm hooked.
(4)
Alan M.
I've eated at the Big Fresh many times. Not to be confused with Fresh City. My wife always suggests it as a good place to go for a healthy meal, and I dutifully go along. I say "dutifully" because it's not always the most comfortable place to eat, but the food is tasty, and perhaps good for you. I usually have a stir-fry of some sort, with chicken or salmon. I've had hummos and falafel plates on occasion, and have never been disappointed. The portion sizes are what I'd call "large." My trepidation is that between the large portions and the sauce they put on, you're probably consuming a lot of extra calories that you really don't need (I'm talking to YOU!). But they have brown rice, so it's gotta be healthy, right? The other thing I like about going to the Big Fresh is that you get to feel superior to the people going to the adjacent restaurants: Papa Gino's, Tennessee's BBQ, and Boston Market. And, coming soon, 5 Guys Burgers. My least favorite part of the experience is the interior. It's a very small place, and the seating is not ideal. Occasionally on cold days, I feel that the place is kept just a few degrees too low. In such a small location, it's easy for the gust of wind that accompanies an arriving or departing guest to have a significant impact on the temperature of the ambiant air.
(4)
Christopher R.
A restaurant with vegan options in the suburbs? Unthinkable Nope..it's true. The grilled vegetable quesadilla is great...even without the cheese holding everything in. Messy, but delicious. I find that the most delicious food is also the messiest. I had the tofu, veggies in the peanut curry sauce and it was out of this world. Everything was so FRESH! The boy had the falafel and it was seasoned so well. Service was fast and GREAT. I will defintely make this my suburb eating spot for fast, fresh and great tasting food.
(5)
Vic H.
One of the best Mediterranean restaurants in the area! The food was prepared fast and was excellent. There is limited seating but the atmosphere is nice.
(5)
Dee H.
Great place for a fresh and nutriciouly delicious bite to eat. My favorite is the salmon moroccan tangine with couscous. The small place has a subtle granola crunchy kind of atmosphere. Just a perfect stop to catch your breath between shopping expeditions.
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 : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
A S.
This place is great! Came here twice! I had ordered the falafel wrap the other day and it was delicious! Their portions are huge. Their ingredients are fresh and they are made to order! They will be moving soon to Route 9 so be aware!
(4)Steve S.
Simple. Honest. Food. I am beginning to believe that the processed food we eat consistently may actually be the source of many of our problems So, when I was in Framingham and yelping a place to eat, I was happy to find Big Fresh amongst Thai, Papa Ginos and Five Guys in the same area. Big Fresh is a small place with multi colored booths in the front and a counter in the back The place is known for their falafel and other organic foods. I have a bowl of chili on my first visit, which was good but not extremely filling. The Chicken Tangine, however, was excellent with good flavor and a high quality meat. The humus is excellent as well This is a great place for lunch. You do not feel sluggish after eating good food. Definitely worth a try
(5)Brian L.
As a meat-inclined type of guy, I tend to avoid vegetarian-friendly places. I was therefore quite pleasantly surprised with my experience with the food at Big Fresh. The falafel wrap was solid. Tons of big chunks, with a nice tahini sauce. My only issue was that I ordered it spicy and barely detected any heat. The Big Fresh special, which is a tofu/peanut sauce veggie plate, with collard greens and brown rice, was actually quite delicious. They really nailed the sauce. If I had to eat vegetarian (for some terrible reason), this would be a dish I would actually look forward to eating! The place did have an odd, soapy odor throughout. Perhaps they had just done the floors... Anyway, I had a solid meal here and would definitely be back the next time I'm in Framingham.
(4)Scott M.
Excellent. The food was great , the service very friendly. They had signs they are moving which is prob good bc ambience was the only thing lacking - eat there again soon ! I ate the Mediterranean chicken and it did not disappoint. Perfect spicy.
(5)Amy M.
When it comes to veggies, Big Fresh lives up to its name. Hummus and salads have been fresh and tasty. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options on the menu, and there's a separate gluten free menu. While veggies are great, the meat options are lacking. The beef kofte and chicken are only decent, but not super. The falafel is far better. Atmosphere is super casual, with bench style seating in a less than glamorous interior. Good for a quick, non-chain-food meal.
(3)Marzena W.
Fantastic healthy and quick place to eat, great organic tea selection. Highly recommend this place.
(5)Nathan R.
Good, clean food that comes out quickly and hits the spot. Solid healthy alternative to most of the fast food type places in the area. I usually go with the Falafel wrap but the stir frys and Falafel/chicken plates are also good. They brew their own tea as well. Gotta respect their commitment to high quality seasonal ingredients at a fair price
(4)Nicole C.
Been here one time and it was sooo gooood! Tastes super clean. I got the chicken Caesar wrap. Definitely the best I've had. Only thing is is I asked for a tomato wrap and got wheat.
(5)L L.
We like to get the falafel from here as it is the only place near rt 9 to get a good one. We have also had them cater a few events, with the the falafel, feta/beet salad and Chinese chicken salad as favorites. Their hummus is yummy too! Kids like the teriyaki salmon and chicken with brown rice. It is a feel good place to eat since we feel they are responsible restaurant owners trying to provide healthy, quality food.
(4)Rokitjogo G.
Delicious Mediterranean food. I had the morrocan tagine and it was super healthy and fresh tasting. Super quick and they have self-serve iced tea. Oh and they undersold the Jammie cookie. I thought it was amazing!
(5)Roger M.
In a land surrounded by malls and chain restaurants, Big Fresh is an oasis of freshly prepared food made fast. Not fast food. No. It is really good food made quickly and custom, Big Fresh is located in one of those strip malls that is next to a Boston Market and across from McD's. You walk in and there are a few tables and a counter. No waiters and nobody greets you at the door. And, at that moment, your dreams of a good meal go out the door. Don't be discouraged. Walk up to the counter. You can place an order, or customize it. For example, I wanted salmon instead of chicken -- no problem. I like the Israeli style chopped salad. Of course, no problem. Anything you want adjusted. And, they take care of you. The food comes out quickly. Perhaps not as fast as the chicken in the warming tray at the chicken restaurant next door. But, this meal is tasty and fresh. The ingredients are top notch. And, don't miss the Moroccan Mint Iced Tea. Yummy.
(4)Michelle B.
My first and last time going there was today - very cold and rainy and asked for a cup of soup , it was very good ... But my throat began to itch very bad after just a couple of bites . I asked the man who had taken my order if he could just simply switch the coup for something of the same cost , he turned around and said "no, we don't do that . Drink some water." ... Well okay then , thanks for nothing guy ! As I pop Benadryl and go to the hospital .
(1)Juliana L.
Everything is consistently delicious at Big Fresh. It's so good to have an amazing meal with real food that is filling and nutritious! I've had a few different dishes, but my go-to order is the tempeh special (with molasses!!) - absolute heaven. Natural teas are yummy. Prices are reasonable, the staff is nice and attentive. Love, love, love!
(5)Joel D.
It wasn't that good! The hummus was pretty awful tasting and the pita was kinda hard. The meal itself "Toboule Chicken Plate" lacked flavor and I had to added seasoning to help with that. The best part of the meal was a little sauce they had in a small plastic container. I just dumped that on my food (I dunno if I was supposed to) which made it better. They also have a sign that they prefer cash instead of credit card. I get that there are fees with credit card but I travel for work and using my AMEX for food is a major must for me. Don't try and make me feel guilty for using it! If you don't want to accept cards mark your yelp account that you don't accept cards and I'll move on to a different restaurant.
(2)Eamon M.
What food they have is good but help me understand something. You have falafel, you have pita. But for some reason you can no longer put the falafel in the pita? Really? I guess I could live with that except that when I asked why the answer was "we can't do that". What? Can't? Why? The answer to that was "we don't do that". Okay, thanks, that really cleared that up for me. I'll be back when you figure out how to get the falafel into pita.
(2)Stevie O.
One of the few local places you can get a real deal falafel wrap and Moroccan mint iced tea. Fresh, organic ingredients. Get the spicy Harif in your sandwich; you won't be disappointed.
(4)Alexandra U.
We came here for late lunch. We ordered Moroccan Tagine with chicken and Taboule chicken plate. The portions were enormous and the food was absolutely fresh and beyond delicious! I felt full half way through my plate but made sure I finish the plate bc it was amazingly delicious! My fiancé ate entire Tagine plate and loved it as well! This place is a charm among all the shopping malls. We will definitely make sure to come back every time we are in this neighbourhood! A++++++
(5)Kyle W.
I hate giving a review like this. Yelpers love this place and I really can't see why. This was a solid 3 star spot, yet yelp has 200+ reviews that think this is amazing. I had the falafel (the most popular item on the menu). Everyone in my group thought it was 3 stars at best for all the dishes we had. My GF wife didn't like her dish. We the carrot cake is way better than the chocolate cake. It's not bad, it just was not 4 or 5 stars for anyone in our group.
(3)Kendra N.
Holy moly, is their Falafel Wrap amazing! It's a definite must try.
(5)Diana Z.
Love the food and the ambiance. The service is quick and the Mediterranean plate is super yummy.
(5)Claude C.
Love this place! Food is always fresh and there are so many fun combinations to try! It's my go to for a healthy and satisfying meal in the Framingham area. Just wish they served wine :) My goto meals here for dinner are the Big Fresh Special, the tempeh special, and Moroccan Tangine.
(5)Kate M.
This restaurant is amazing. So amazing. I ate the Moroccan Tagine and I will never forget how good that was. And so healthy. I must learn how to make this for myself. And my friend got a wrap which she says was "everything she ever hoped. What a great menu and place to eat :) I love it.
(5)Andrew S.
Came here on a Saturday afternoon after shopping at the Natick Mall. Overall, it was a pretty bad experience for me and my girlfriend. First, the woman taking our order didn't notice we were there and kept us waiting for just a little too long. Then not all the tables seemed to be cleaned, despite the small crowd in the restaurant. They are clearly short on staff. The menu looked great, and I was excited for my falafel wrap. However, it came out salty and soggy. The portion size was good, but nowhere near the quality I look for in a $9 wrap. My girlfriend got garlic lentil pasta. The veggies were just warmed up frozen veggies and the whole wheat pasta tasted cheap. $19 later we were less hungry, but no more satisfied. I will not be back and I urge other visitors to look for the difference between fresh food this place advertises and the actual items served. TL;DR - Not fresh, a lack of service, unsatisfied.
(2)Angels s.
Good food. I had a salad and my hubby had a falafel plate. Both were good. I felt the price is little expensive for a salad....
(3)Laura W.
Delicious options, huge portions, and cooked to order. Great take out option. Small dining area. Bring cash as they prefer it.
(4)Kim D.
I don't understand the hype. I ordered the falafel salad. Yes portion was large with 5 mini sized falafels. However they didn't taste very good. Maybe it's just me and the fact that I don't like fried food. I did not like the salad dressing either. Not sure what it was exactly, tahini maybe??? And as for the "fresh" hummus, there was so reminiscence of garlic or lemon in it. Fail in my bookmark. Sorry yelpers.
(2)Cliff U.
Amazing food. We went for a casual dinner and had the Moroccan Tagine plate which was amazing and vegan, the falafel plate - also amazing and vegan, the chicken caesar wrap was great as was the Med Chicken Plate (but could have benefited from some salad). Can't wait to go back!
(5)Brianna M.
I was really skeptical about this place when I pulled up. Have never been a fan of places that look like a strip mall. They served me a delicious salad though with beets and goat cheese. My boyfriends dish was super fresh and he was very pleased as well.. We will be back when we are in the area. Thanks!
(4)Lucio F.
Great amazing place to eat! I've been working in Framingham for the past year and a half and order lunch almost four days a week from this place. The food is amazing, healthy reasonably priced with lot of options....
(5)Andrew M.
I love to come here for their hummus falafel in pita. The falafel has this great browned, slightly crispy but not dry texture, and the vegetables are always really fresh. The spicy side sauce they make for it is a great compliment. The atmosphere of the place is comfortable and simple, and not pretentious. They have a good range of healthy stir fries and other foods.
(4)Fred T.
If they have something you are looking for, they are great, even if you don't know what you want they have a good variety and you can try something new and see if you like it. It's not a big place but found a place to sit and our meals were delicious, like the name, fresh and plentiful. I'd go back again just to try something different than what you get at most food places.
(4)Xuan Z.
Seriously, I have been sitting in front my laptop for 10 mins not knowing what to write for the review. I thought about every single item on the plate and I really don't have any comments, good or bad. I guess except for the unique and cozy environment, I don't like anything in particular. But at the same time, there isn't anything unforgivably bad.
(3)Yasa E.
Love!!! Tabbouleh chicken wrap....enormous, filled with delicious veggies, wrapped an a yummy tomato tortilla. Healthy and absolutely delicious. Also tried the Mediterranean plate and it was sweet/spicy and huuuuge. The staff inside is nice. The food is fresh and cheap. 5 stars for sure!!!
(5)David S.
The big fresh lives up to its name. Situated between burger shops this little family owned restaurant is your best bet for a extremely tasty, healthy, Mediterranean-inspired meal.
(4)Doro R.
Truely- one of the best Mediterranean meals I've ever had. Oddly, also dealt with one of the most miserable restaurant workers of all time too. She single-handedly removed the fifth star from my experience. Honestly she took 2 stars but the food was so good that I just can't bring myself to rate this place 3 stars due to one teenage brat. I'll begin with the bad. I walked in to see several employees sitting in the dining room- possible on their lunch break. That seems reasonable. They were all facing the door in order to see customers coming in. This also seems reasonable. I walked up to the counter, reviewed the menu, looked for a sign to direct me where to go for my order to be taken. I went to the register and waited. I waited. I looked up and around thinking maybe I misread a sign. It was my first time, after all. A cook person yelled out something to the effect of 'customer waiting'. Less than a minute later one of the people who had been sitting in the dinning room watching me since I walked in, stomped over to the register. The look she gave me made it clear that I'd better be quick and not ask any questions or cause any problems. I was so taken aback that I forgot to order something. Unfortunately for me, as soon as she had change in my hand she was on her way back to her co-workers at the table up front. Oh well. I got my drink and sat down waiting for my number to be called. A number was called and I walked up. It looked like what I thought my order would look like but I happened to get a look at the ticket that was under my plate and it had an add on that I didn't ask for. I pulled my hand back and looked up at the menu to see if I'd missed something or if that was someone else's order. The order-taker happened to walk by while this was happening. When she saw me pull my hand back she barked 'that's what you ordered. the .......'. I said 'oh. ok. it just looked like there was an extra side and I wasn't sure this was mine' as I was picking up the plate and heading back to my seat. She almost did an eye roll at me! She made the face that translates into 'what an idiot'. She then began spraying bleach based cleaner about 2 feet in front of me. A minute later she was walking around the rest of the dining room wiping things down with cleaner and sneezing. She wasn't sneezing into her shoulder or arm bend- the way you are supposed to. Nope. She was just letting them go. Once she finished and got the hell out of the dinning room I was able to really get into my lunch and allow her poor people skills to melt away. The food was amazing. Like A-M-A-Z-I-N-G amazing. I got the falafel salad plate. I ate every little bit and had to seriously consider licking my plate clean. I may have run a finger over it a few times... It was a lot of food too- but so good that I don't know that I would be willing to share with anyone. I am very very sad that I don't live close enough to go here for lunch everyday. My biggest tip... Call ahead to get your food to-go so that you aren't angering any teens who might have to get up and take your order. They have a lot of tacky signs up about how much things cost them... like 'please use cash because we're trying to reduce cc fees' and 'please only take the napkins you need'. No wifi offered, however the free wifi from a neighboring business is strong and can by used.
(4)Brian M.
It was anything but Fresh. The chicken tabouli tasted as if it were prepared in cleaning solution. The hummus had a strange pool of liquid on top and tasted stranger than it appeared. The Beef Kofte was over priced. It was 9.50 for shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, with 3 tiny hard beef discs. I had to wash it down with the spicy side. Couldn't finish the plate. Terrible.
(1)Skye G.
I always find comfort in the Tofu Curry Rice dish. It is a simple dish of firm tofu, soft broc, and rice in a curry sauce that is made up fresh one pan at a time. There are booths for two and larger ones along side the counter. You can have some freshly made teas or something from the bottle cooler (just behind the cashier). We tend to go here when we want something fast but also something healthy and tasty. Thanks Big Fresh!
(4)Sara D.
Delicious, flavorful, and interesting. We had the Mediterranean chicken plate and the beer and feta salad. Both were delicious. I had the vegan chocolate cake which was decent but a tad dry. I don't really care it was dry because i am on a dairy free diet and desperate for dairy free sweets. The meal was so good we ordered another dish (spicy peanut noodle stir fry) to eat tomorrow. We will definitely be back!
(5)Amanda C.
I've been going to Big Fresh for probably the better part of 10 years now. Everything I've ever ordered I've enjoyed. I've been working my way through the menu when I can tear myself away from my favorites (falafel wrap, chicken tabouleh plate, cod cakes...) and have always been delighted with what they make. I've started ordering dishes I'm not usually even all that into - like the thai curry with salmon (I typically don't really like salmon, and I'm not a huge curry fan), and I still love it. This place is consistently awesome. And the spicy harif is wonderful. More spciy harif please!
(5)Becca S.
One of my favorite, go to, quick and healthy spots around! Love the salmon wrap. Keep doing what you're doing! :-)
(5)Ashok V.
woman at the cashier told me I was holding the dish wrong when I came back and told the lady that it was spilling. well excuse me lady I was not instructed on how to hold it and my entire suit was soaked in some oil . These woman (cashier and another lady at the counter )pack really really bad , I would strongly suggest not to ever take a to go from this place
(1)Caitlin C.
My girlfriend and I love Big Fresh! We always get the falafel wraps because they are so tasty and filling. Always come out hot and delicious! I love the spicy tahini.. So good with the fried falafel. Service is very fast and for a "fast food" place everything is prepared well. We love this place, really a diamond in the rough.
(5)Luke F.
Finally tried Big Fresh and I'm glad I did. Food is really good, lots of fresh vegetables, you can taste the freshness. I have only done take-out there and it seems that is what it is best suited for - the dining area is pretty small. Food comes out fast. It is nice that they have an open kitchen. I like to see how my food is being prepared. Have tried several dishes and have to say the peanut noodles are my favorite, but there are many more items on the menu I plan on trying. Servings are generous, I can get two or three meals out of one of their dishes.
(4)Jeff S.
Will always go here when in the area from now on, loved today's lunch of Mediterranean Chicken!!! I don't eat this type of food often so I'm no expert but the mix of flavors from the sauces was out of this world...
(5)Allison B.
I stopped here on the way through town (I'm not from the area) based on the positive Yelp reviews and now know that if I lived here, I would be a Big Fresh regular. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but the inside is pretty charming with the way they have the wooden bench booths painted different bright colors. You walk up and place your order (that girl needed to pop on a smile, but otherwise, the process went okay). They have an extensive menu but I ultimately decided on the cod cakes that were served with a green salad and carrot slaw. My husband had the hummus/falafel salad. Both were awesome and fresh in a big way (see what I did there? "big and fresh" -- Big Fresh). As far as those cod cakes go, with the salads and all -- I could eat that everyday. That's going to go down as a top dish of all time. Delicious! Also, for the amount of food you receive and how it is presented on your plate, it's really fast. I was impressed overall and would definitely think about stopping back if we're around in the future!
(5)James C.
Really unique place with interesting culture-fusion dishes. It's a hole in the wall that's also a diamond in the rough. Whatever you do, don't sit in the booth by the trash. It's... kind of gross, and also really busy. Awkward quirk: They have a sign on the register that says they don't like to take credit cards because of the processing fees... which always makes me feel a little guilty. I'd rather they just add 10 cents to their menu items instead of operating on such low margins they have to discourage credit cards. #CashFreeLife
(4)madalyne c.
Incredibly tasty and fresh, a great fast food option that will leave you satisfied. Get the hot sauce for the falafel.
(5)Bruce F.
Why can't I order falafel in a pita? They only serve in "wraps" which I find have unpleasant texture. They said I could get a pita on the side?!
(3)J D.
excellent and healthy, plus an amazing value. Get the grilled salmon on couscous with the side of roasted beats and asparagus. AMAZING.
(5)Lydia B.
So good! We had different versions of their falafel and was super impressed. The falafel was flavorful and the accompanying ingredients were fresh and presented well. Don't forget to get the their version of the "hot sauce"- a kind of mint, cilantro, garlic, pepper dressing that goes so well on the wrap. I could have scooped that out with a spoon! The staff was very friendly too! Can't wait to try some of their other offerings.
(5)Tara C.
This place is great! I had a bad day cuz I went somewhere else to eat and it was cured by coming here. Everything's good afterwards... Everything is always good afterwards, especially when this one lady works there behind the bar. Someone tell me what her name is or find out soon. I always order the falafel wrap with extra spicy sauce and hummus on whole wheat. YUM.
(5)Brendan R.
Found this place when searching for falafel in the Framingham area. Service is average, nothing spectacular. Food is delicious, a great tasting falafel. Not too much flavor outside the falafel itself, but the salad piece of the pita I usually order is nice. I'm used to falafel a being able to have every ingredient in every bite, but this place can be inconsistent. Also, I always get falafel warm and there have been occasions where they've simply given me a cold/room temp salad/pita. Best Falafel in the area!
(4)L. S.
I have liked EVERYTHING I've tried here so far! I really enjoy the cod cakes, hummus, falafel salad or wrap, and the Thai curry (not spicy, wish it had a bit more of a kick). The only downside is it's always packed during lunch hours.
(4)Michael C.
Small hole in the wall place that could use a new exterior. Probably would have never stopped by here if it weren't for the reviews and the fact that I was traveling with a recent "born again" vegan friend. I ordered the Falafel, Hummus, Salad Plate which was OK. The salad was just a salad. The hummus was good but I've had much better when traveling to the Mediterranean. The falafel were excellent. Not too hard after deep frying. Other than that, there was minimal wait and plenty of parking at 8pm on a Saturday night.
(4)Mona B.
I love this place. I work down the street from this place and I go in at least once per week. Everything on their menu is delicious. Specially their felafel; since I'm middle eastern and I know what "real" felafel's taste like and theirs is legit. I recommend EVERYTHING on their menu. Also the service is wonderful.
(5)Jen C.
The most amazing place ever. I get take-out from here at least once a week, but I also enjoy eating in - the space is small, adorable, and colorful. Favorites are the Spicy Peanut Noodle, Thai Curry, and Morrocan Tagine, all with Tofu. Carrot cake and vegan chocolate cake are incredible. Some of the freshest, most delicious food I have ever eaten. Quality is consistently stellar. Friendly staff. Eat here!!!!
(5)Kirk G.
Eat here each time I am in Framingham. LOVE Big Fresh more each time I have something new! Big Fresh Special tonight. Great sauce, awesome tofu, perfect veggies on Brown rice. YUMMMMMM!!
(5)Brendan G.
Good food, inexpensive... this was a great find. I pity anyone in the area who has not eaten in this restaurant.
(5)Will R.
For "fast food", this place is quite a surprise. Healthy, interesting combinations, made to order, and reasonably priced. A great selection of iced teas also - it's a cheap night out that you can feel good about - highly recommended!
(5)Chris M.
The food is fresh and tasty! I love the salmon they serve here. Both the Salmon Wrap, and Salmon teriyaki stir fry are delicious! They brew and serve their own fresh ice teas. My Favorite Side: The Asparagus & Beets are marinated in a very tasty asian dressing. The portions are of good size with a reasonable price to match. The decor inside is colorful and artful.
(5)Jason Z.
inexpensive and a hidden gem. Foods are tasty, without the heavy uses of butter and deep fryer. My favor is the salmon wrap
(4)Suzanne L.
My favorite salad is the lentil veggie ball salad. I have also had the Big Baby which is also wonderful. There are so many wonderful dinners it is hard to pick. I also love the carrot cake. This is a place for healthy eating. Parking is great and the prices are good. The only downside is that my favorite little spot seems to have been discovered by many others so sometimes it can get a bit crowded. Enjoy.
(5)Melissa H.
My favorite lunch spot during the work week. Everything is fresh, delicious and good for you too. Highly recommended :) love the salmon wrap and the peanut noodle stirfry.
(5)Chris C.
I wish this place was closer to where I work as I would eat here everyday if it was. Falafel!
(5)Tony B.
This place is a diamond in the rough. Food was amazing and served quickly. Just an excellent place, no frills, but a nice place to grab a bite. Looks like a small family run operation. Flavors are abundant. Food is fresh. Veggies galore. Kudos to these guys for being fresh, awesome and affordable
(5)Sophia J.
Love the falafel here. I called ahead to order takeout, a falafel wrap with spicy sauce on pita... even though they only offer it in wraps I specifically asked for pita. I came to pick it up and they gave my order to someone else........ What??!!?! So, don't bother calling ahead. I wish they gave me a sorry cookie or something. I didn't even have the energy to b****about it to them, which I usually would.
(1)Julie N.
Love this place for a fresh, creative lunch! The fishcakes are super, as is the Mediterranean plate. (I always get the same thing. I can't help it.). I like to come here in the winter during off hours for a delightful, hot healthy meal and enjoy quiet time alone in the midst of route 9 madness.
(5)R Y.
Cousin recommended this place to grab a veggie bite and it was delicious! Had the Falafel wrap on tomato tortilla. The portion was filling! The wrap is filled with 8 falafel a and a mix of chopped vegetables. Get the hot sauce on the side. It's medium hot and tastes great with the wrap.
(5)M A.
Super friendly and well made food. Tiny shop and the owner went to great lengths to see that our group of six was comfortably seated and quickly served. Excellent, satisfying dishes all around. Seemed like a local hot spot as many people came and went with take at while we ate.
(4)K. L.
While on a business trip, we needed a quick healthy lunch. Found Big Fresh while searching on Yelp. They have 5 stars for a reason! You can't go wrong with the falafel plate. Tasty falafels with creamy hummus over a fresh salad. I recommend it spicy! I hope I find my way out in Framingham again... Big Fresh is a must try!
(5)Kyle S.
Been there at least 5 times. Always good, always quick and fresh. Doesn't get much better than this for lunch.
(5)Sara L.
The lack of a star is due to there being very little chicken in my spicy peanut stir fry. Came to this place for lunch today at around 12:45. When we walked in it packed to the max, but by the time we were at the front of the line, most of the tables had cleared. Good call coming towards the end of the lunch rush. Guy @ the cash register was really friendly and actually answered me when I said, "hi, how are you?" There were 4 in my party, but one went next door for Tennessee's BBQ and brought it in to join us. Coworker 1 got a tabouli chicken wrap that looked good and was HUGE. Coworker 2 got the Big Fresh Special with tofu. She wrapped the rest up, so I am going to assume it was good enough to take home. And like previously mentioned, I got the spicy peanut stir fry with chicken. The vegetables were super fresh, which solely based on the name BIG FRESH, I had high hopes that my stuff would indeed, be fresh. Way to live up to your name, Big Fresh. My dish wasn't spicy at all, but it was okay considering it tasted awesome. I'll definitely be returning.
(4)Vlad W.
On my repeat visit - the place is good but missing a certain spark, an identity of its own. So four stars, not five.
(4)Dosia S.
I have only been to Big Fresh once, though I know it has been around for years. I enjoyed my meal, it being the Teriyaki Stir-Fry with rice (also comes with the choice of noodles). The place itself is very small and only has a handful of small booths and tables, but I imagine it is a place that is popular with people who just want to get take-out rather than sit down for a whole meal. The food tastes very good for food that is technically "fast food", made in just a few minutes' time. The menu includes a lot of stir-fry choices, as well as a few different kinds of salads, and some felafel and hummus appetizers. A nice change from what we can usually get quickly and affordably elsewhere, where most menus are the same. The only negative aspect of the experience was feeling like we were customers somewhat "on our own" in the whole facility: the kitchen staff member we interacted with was polite and the most we exchanged was a greeting, followed by our order, and "Thank you"/"You're welcome" when our food was ready. That is all fine, and nothing to complain about, but the hostess was not very friendly and did not appear to care about our service much. Would it be too much to ask for a smile? We are customers, after all, and deeper than that-we are friendly people who greet everyone pleasantly and our only expectation would be to at least get a smile in return. It is always awkward to smile at someone who shoots you down with a glare or disinterest (little to no eye contact, neutral tone of voice). I could understand if someone is having a bad day, or who is at the end of their very long shift and simply does not care for being there anymore, but I that is of little importance when I am judging my experience from a basic customer perspective. If I pay for my food, receive a bare minimum of acknowledgement, and return one minute later to order a drink I forgot I wanted to order the first time around, I should not have to interrupt a hostess' conversation she is having on her cell phone, typing away to someone before she realizes that a customer is standing in front of her. The fact that the green color of her cell phone case is one of the three things I remember about Big Fresh is not one I should be having. That is a minor detail I choose to overlook as I give my final words about the diner, as I do not imagine it is a regular occurrence. Big Fresh is a good place to go to for a quick bite of something that falls under the "healthier choice" category. The food is tasty, the menu is reasonably-priced, and as long as you are in good company, you will walk out of there completely satisfied.
(3)Paulina R.
I love, love, love this place! The only reason it did not get 5 stars from me is because it is not a white linen, blow-my-socks off place, but don't let that deter you this place is GOOD! Not JUST good, but good for you! I have tried several of their dishes and my favorite is their falafel wrap. But their fish specials with those yummy vegetables slathered over the rice is absolutely delicious and satisfying....and good for you! How happy am I to find a place that has healthy food in Metrowest?!?! One of the things I love, love, love about this place is that they offer stevia for your home-brewed herbal teas....and they have orange roobois, one of my favorites! They also have gluten-free options and a desert cookie that resembles a lindsor torte...one of my favorites! In the summer time you can't beat their salads! Big, full of color, flavor, and texture (and nutrition!), these salads are enough to send you off satisfied until dinner. The people are courteous, efficient, receptive, responsive and serious about their place. And the customers are great, too! As a single gal I notice good-looking men and I've seen several in Big Fresh at lunchtime. (They all look quite married, but are fun to look at anyway). The place is always full, but never so much so that you are uncomfortable. Though I end up spending more than I want to on food, I enjoy this place so much I will come back often. I guess my health and taste buds are worth it!
(4)Merry L.
This place is small and can get pretty crowded, but that definitely is an indicator that the food is absolutely amazing! It tastes fresh, spices and flavors compliment each other very well, and the portions are quite generous. Absolutely worth the drive to Framingham.
(5)Jeremy D.
Love this flavorful restaurant! The hummus and falafel are amazing and also had a very tasty salad on the side. It made for a great healthy lunch..
(4)Ruby M.
I really love the quality of their meals! taste great! - the staff is beyond pleasant and friendly! -the "spicy" sauce is gross. Idk if it was just my tast buds but it had no taste. I just ate my meal with out and it was fine!
(4)Keavy L.
After raving to a coworker about the falafel at the Turkish place, she told me that I HAD to try the falafel at Big Fresh. Tonight I stopped by and had a fafafel and hummus pita, a cup of black bean soup, and mango black iced tea. The falafel pita was pretty big for the price and was and well-seasoned. I still prefer the fafafel plate at the Turkish place for the texture, but I'll DEFINITELY go back to Big Fresh. I really liked the variety of self-serve iced teas, and I wish I'd gotten the lentil veggie balls, they looked really good!
(4)Carol K.
Had not been in awhile, so glad we went back! Pretty crowded on a Saturday at 7pm. 5 of us had a great meal. I had the Lentil veggie ball salad and asked them to put feta cheese on it. It was SO good. Huge too. My daughter had the oriental chicken salad and had brown rice instead of noodles. Also huge, she could not finish it. Others had chicken caesar wrap, which was very good, Big Fresh salad, a bit boring, but tasty (and big) and the seared Cod plate, which was really good. The prices are decent for fresh, mostly organic food and the service is quick. We also shared 3 desserts; a brownie, carrot cake and a cookie. They are vegan, I think, and really good! Highly recommend Big Fresh and must remember to come more often The food is so much better than most other places. Not loaded with sodium, and really delicious.
(5)Lindsey H.
We got take out from here for the first time today. The inside is pretty small, clean,average decor wise. We ordered a small Asian chicken wrap and a falafel pita, and a diet coke for $16. Prices are ok, maybe a bit high. Our order was ready in about five minutes. The Asian chicken wrap had veggies chicken, corn, and an Asian teryaki type sauce. I thought the sauce was ok, but tasted like it came out of a bottle and a bit sugary. The wrap was kind of small. The falafel pita was really good - best falafel I have had in a while, but I had a problem with the sandwich construction. The pita was nice and thin and chewy, but it held up as I ate my sandwich. The bottom of the pita was filled with maybe 4-5 good sized falafel balls, which were nice and garlicky with a good crunch. The hummus was good, but there could have been a little more for my taste. On top of the falafel was a ton of diced tomatoes and seasoned greens, all topped with tahini. I wish they had maybe put some of the salad in the bottom, then falafel, then salad. My one problem was that the first half of the bites I had were just veggies since the falafel is at the bottom (and if I ate it the other way it would have fallen apart). They do have a falafel wrap (on a wheat or tomato wrap) but for me you need to have falafel on a pita. Ive been elsewhere where they make a wrap with a pita, which is my ideal. Will definitely go again.
(4)Rachel W.
Such a great place! Delicious, fresh food for anyone and everyone. If you're not a fan of mediterranean food- try it again here! Or, don't- and get something you're more comfortable with (chicken caesar salad/wrap, chicken stir fry over rice or noodles). Well-priced and unique. Would have five stars if the cashier was a little friendlier and attentive- she missed part of my order and I had to go back (bummer!) I can get over it for the falafel wrap though :)
(4)David B.
great food. great vibe. Great Iced Tea selection. I'm a huge fan of the Spicy Peanut Noodle Stir Fry (salmon). I think they used to serve wine but I don't think they do anymore.
(4)Aarti C.
Absolutely love this place! It's small, cozy, perfect place for a quick low key, healthy Mediterranean food. Well, it's not just Mediterranean food, they serve Thai stir fry as well. The first time I was there I ordered their falafel wrap which was too messy to eat for me...so since then I have always ordered the falafel plate which comes with a fresh and warm pita bread...yumm! The location is bit odd - between Boston Market and Papa Gino's. The only reason I went there the first time was because of the glowing yelp reviews. The service is decent, but for a small place it's not too bad. The only reason I'm giving this place four stars is because it's a bit pricey for me...you order the food at the counter, pick it up yourself and clean up afterwards.
(4)tron j.
Excellent meal. Nice people. A great find...and they had sweet potato pie !
(4)Nick D.
Don't judge the book by its cover here. While it sits somewhat nondescript in a stripmall, the food here is outstanding. Between four people we had the Big Fresh Special (tofu in satay suace), tagine chicken, lentil veggie balls, and spicy peanut noodle stir fry with salmon. All were excellent and cooked just right. Sauces were highlights of each dish, and meats/tofu were cooked well. Generous potions, and top-notch ingredients. Great teas (unsweetened, too, so you can make it how you like!), and accommodating to food allergies/needs. Service is quick and efficient. Give it a try!
(5)Shoshi K.
This place is so delicious! Everything i have tried is great. My kids love too. My favorite is the falafel salad plate. I spent 6 months in the Israel a long time ago and I am always looking for a "taste". This is very very close! Ingredients taste so fresh, always comes out hot and cooked to perfection. Very generous portions, reasonably priced. Perfect healthy and quick lunch/dinner spot. Very friendly staff. Lunch time is very busy and tight space so need to be a bit patient when ordering...or better yet call ahead for take out!
(5)Saurav S.
This is my third time at big fresh, I have to say I have not been let down. Everything is fresh and made to order.
(5)Dawn E.
This is my new favorite place. It is difficult living so far from Boston and finding a place that offers healthy alternatives. More difficult still to find local products being served at that place. Big Fresh is somewhere between fast food and "slow food." You order from a counter and they'll call your number when your order is ready. The place is warmly lit with cozy little booths and they serve a selection of wine and beer and sodas (many organic also). Unlike similar concepts, this place is warm and inviting and someplace that you can pop in and out or linger for a while while an old friend. I wouldn't bring large parties here, because it's just not big enough to accommodate them, but a friend or three is perfect. I went for the first time with my Mom, because she is in town and I was dragging her to Trader Joe's to buy beer and stuff. I remember expecting decent food because of the reviews, but I really didn't expect such a comfortable place to be. I ordered the Big Fresh Special, because what else would you start with? This was some baked and browned tofu slices in a delicate but delicious peanut sauce over a bed of brown rice with some teriyaki stir fried veggies and a side of collard greens. For me, tofu is either wonderful or horrid depending on how it's prepared, and this was wonderful (and not fried!). The rice was perfectly cooked and the greens were easily the best collard greens I've ever had (and I'm from the south, y'all). The vegetables were light in delicious, without too much oil or sugar. My mother ordered the teriyaki stir fry with chicken, which was a larger portion of the same veggies I has, more brown rice (although you could also have wheat pasta) and, of course, chicken. She seemed very satisfied with her meal as well. The food came out very quickly and we were in and out in a flash (we had stuff to do!) but, oh, how I wanted to linger there with a glass of organic wine. I will definitely return soon with one of my best mates. We each only ate half of our food and combined the rest into a takeout tin (yes, tin, not echy styrofoam but old school aluminum with a paper top that I will dutifully recycle when I am done with it). The leftovers provided me with lunch for today and there is still plenty for tomorrow as well. I want to try everything on the menu! I'm definitely going for something with hummus next... Big Fresh, I know we only just met, but I love you.
(5)Justin G.
This place isn't as good as it used to be. It seems like something happened or changed sometime late summer 2011. The meals aren't "WOW" level like they were before. I've tried most of the menu, and for my latest visits (say last 6 times), it just hasn't been right. This place set the bar high, and now I can't help but feel disappointed with the mediocre dishes lately.
(3)Jonah B.
Fantastic Falafel. Super fresh. Organic teas. Hidden gem.
(5)Helen M.
Went here with a couple of girlfriends yesterday for lunch before shopping at Natick Mall. We must have been the first people here because it was empty and our order numbers were 2-4. I ordered the teriyaki stirfry with salmon and brown rice. The vegetables were great - fresh and crisp - and the teriyaki sauce was great too - not too sweet or too thick. The salmon was a bit of a disappointment though. The texture was really rough (I think the salmon was frozen and not fresh) and did not feel like the usual buttery texture of this fish. The portions were very filling and I was satisfied without feeling stuffed. My girlfriends ordered a falafel wrap (which was good) and a chicken meatball wrap (which was also good but a bit salty). Overall, I'd give this 4 stars. I would definitely come back for fresh food if I'm in the area but I'd avoid the salmon.
(4)Colin M.
This place is well-hidden but a great place to get Mediterranean food as well as stir fry, salads, and a few other items. I've always had great-tasting food that is fresh and delicious. They try to use organic and local items whenever possible which is a bonus. Try the Thai Curry!
(5)Katherine D.
Such an excellent place - never disappointed and I've been here dozens of times. I hope they never change their menu, and I'd love to see them open another restaurant. Definitely worthy of their five stars!
(5)John K.
Falafel wrap...tasty and healthy.
(4)Joette S.
Absolutely amazing food. DELICIOUS. We will return when we are back in Boston. - no doubt about it.
(5)Keith R.
Perfect for a quick style tasty meal. If your trying to eat relatively healthy but don't want a traditional restaurant go here. The oriental wrap is a awesome.
(4)dan w.
The food is good, as is the quantity. They are not afraid of spices and the freshness (it is called Big Fresh after all) is apparent in all the dishes. The help, at least on weekends, can be somewhat disengaged, bored and indifferent,(or maybe they are just tired), especially the young lady at the cash register. One minor, but infuriating quirk- if you want another piece of pita bread- small to begin with, to go along with your chicken tagine and hummus plate- definitely a 3 pita dinner, they charge you 50 cents. You have to go to the cash register, wait for it to be rung up, etc. The cashier looked a little embarassed and said "It's not my fault, My boss makes us do it" . Of course the boss is nowhere to be found. I guess he can't get mad if a Mexican restaurant charges him for extra chips. We will be back- but will do a better job of rationing the one, lonely pathetic little piece of of pita that comes with the dinner. (ok, petty- but grrrrr!!!)
(3)Samantha G.
This is the best place I've found to eat in the Boston metro west area. Fresh, delicious, and cheap food ! The big fresh special is hands down my favorite!
(5)Jen Y.
Why oh why are you sooo far away and in an awkward strip between boston market , a chinese place and and mickey d's across the street? But you know what? neeeaaar, faaaarr, whereever you are (celine chest pump) I am finding you and devouring you. Everything I've had here is not only delicious, but also fresh- made to order ingredients, and organic. Their salmon wrap (dill mayo on the side) is one of my faves....and most recently I went with my brother and tried the cod wrap with marinara and asparagus and it was like heaven in my mouth. I've also had the veggie quesadillas, a few of the greek dishes (falafel. tabouli) and I love the sides they offer (beets with asparagus, collard greens, brown rice options, etc) ...Everything on their menu are such unique mixes of things you would never put together that I usually spend like 10 minutes just staring at the menu before I decide. It's also a great place to go for a lot of veggie options and all the seafood and meat is super fresh! They also have a bunch of home made brewed teas which is awesome since I am a big huge tea obsessed freak. I only wished the cups were bigger LOL. The decor is cute simple colorful and organic-y. You also get real plates and silverware which is nice! I only knocked off one star because they are pretty pricey for "lunch"...me and the bro both got wraps, an order of quesadillas and a side of collard greens and it was about $30- I mean it's not horribly expensive but for a quick bite to eat it adds up when you want everything on the menu HAHAHAH....but the food is well worth it and yummy and I'm glad there is a place like this around! Open more locations pleaseeeeee! :)
(4)S S.
I LOOOOOVVVEEEE this place!! The food makes me want to drool! I've eaten here thrice - my first dine-in experience wasn't the best (the hummus tasted a little burnt while the cashier wasn't the nicest person to talk to). But I'm glad I gave it a second go because..oh my god, the food is amazing! I've had the Mediterranean Chicken Plate (spicy and sweet), Lentil Veggie Balls salad, The Big Fresh salad (who knew tofu dressing is so yum?!), Thai Curry (such a unique flavor! I had it with the chicken but felt that the meat was too bland for my liking..will try the tofu next time), the Monterey Cod Wrap (wow, what a delicious mix of rice and fish in a wrap) but but but I'm saving the best for the last - Seared True Cod. This unique dish makes me crave more even though I cannot finish off their portion in one sitting! Lip-smacking goodness, I tell you! If you like fish, definitely try it out :)
(5)Bob M.
Been going here for a few years - absolutely love it. Great vegetarian options, as well as fish. Wonderful flavors, fast service, affordable, friendly. Just a great little family restaurant. Be sure to try the tempeh special - yum!
(5)Georgina C.
I had a wonderful visit at Big Fresh yesterday , I ordered the Moroccan Tangine Stirfry and a side of falafel balls. I also enjoyed two glasses of the iced black tea. Its great that they offer Stevita instead of sugar or Splenda. The hostess had somewhat of a glacial attitude, but my food arrived promptly, was delicious, the perfect temperature and flavorful. The bathrooms are clean and parking is ample. There is enough seating that allowed my friend and I to spend a few hours lingering over our meal and teas, catching up without feeling like we needed to vacate to make room for others. The holistic magazines offered in the seating area are a great touch. I will definitely be back, I love this place. So healthy, so delicious!!!
(4)Loz L.
As Californians in Metro West for business, we were craving what we think of as "regular" food but which folks in MA seem to call "hippie" food. Big Fresh did not disappoint. Every dish we had at Big Fresh had great flavors. I'm grateful that Yelp led us to this place!
(5)Eric M.
I can see that Big Fresh really doesn't seem to need yet another good review, but I've gone here so often, I feel bad that I haven't given them kudos here on Yelp for their great food. I'm partial to their falafel, but I and my friends have tried a number of their dishes, and all have been very fresh and tasty. The only problem, honestly, is that one can never predict the ebb and flow of crowds if you want to dine in. Very suitable for take-out, though, so go if you can.
(4)Michael H.
Delicious! Very friendly staff and the food has had great flavor each time I've visited.
(5)Ash N.
Horrible service especially during lunch hour. Place is run by rookies who don't know how to handle a restaurant. Like the food but service drowns out the taste.
(1)Natasha R.
I really like their falafels, but the last few times I've gotten for whatever reason they aren't giving me the spicy red falafel sauce and look at me like I'm on crack whenever I ask for it. I really dislike the brown/green hot sauce they have. Boo.
(3)Jessie C.
Yum. I've been dying to try this place since we moved to town and the reviews are right. It very tasty. I had the falafel and hummus pita with a side of the jasmine coconut rice. Delicious. I'm very picky about my falafel and this place was good. It was crispy on the outside and soft in the middle, but not undercooked. The flavor was good as well. I'm looking forward to trying a few of the other menu items. It's set in a mini strip mall full of food that my husband loves so to have a healthy option available is fantastic.
(4)Lisa D.
My sales rep for New England took us here for a light healthy meal. The lentil balls were amazing. Loved the hummus & the fresh salads. Will definitely be back if we are in the area.
(4)Stephanie G.
Desperately seeking refuge in delicious, organic, healthy food in Framingham, I was told about Big Fresh. The name and decor are certainly outdated, but the food is phenomenal. I've tried the tempeh, the cod cakes, the grilled salmon, and many of their amazing vegetables. After my first visit, I grabbed a menu so that I could ask my husband to stop for "fast food" on the way home from work some evenings. With McD's across the street, Boston Market and 5 Guys next door, this is a superior choice for a quick meal with ample nutrition and flavor. I'm a repeat customer and will be for a long time.
(4)Jen K.
I cannot say enough about their falafel pita. It is simply amazing and you need to go there and try one, as soon as possible.
(5)Mary B.
I come here all the time for a quick bite on the go. Things to get: Chicken Caesar Salad on Tomato Wrap, The Big Fresh Salad, Falafel Hummus Salad Plate, Black Bean Soup with Hummus, and Lentil Veggie Balls. The food here is always full of great flavors. Only one complaint: One time I called in an order and I asked for a "peanut chicken noodle dish with curry" (I didn't have the menu in front of me so I didn't know the official name... I assumed she would understand when I mentioned those key ingredients). When I went to go pick it up, I found out the official name on the menu board so I recited the name of the dish. The lady at the counter told me "it's not what I ordered and that the Thai Curry dish with rice was already done and it's too late". Too late? I told her there must have been a misunderstanding, because that's not what I ordered. Rice and Noodles are not the same so correct it. She then rolled her eyes and replaced the order. I didn't appreciate her attitude, being that I come here all the time. She made the mistake and tried to make me feel bad about it. I didn't want to knock down the rating because of this one incident. Other than that, I have always had pleasant experiences with all the other cashiers and the cooks here work hard to get orders done fast.
(4)Vulc K.
I didn't expect the restaurant to be deli-style, but I should've read the reviews. I was pleasantly surprised with the flavorful Thai coconut curry (w/ chicken). However, I don't necessarily get the "Healthy Eating" part. I didn't really get the sense of made fresh, organic fresh, and felt that it was more a marketing scheme. I'm not sure about the price either (I was expecting more chunks of chicken and broccoli for $10. Instead, my chicken were square shreds and broccoli grounded up). The service was awkward, as you are tending for yourself (plus the numerous signs of paying by cash preferred, taking napkins, etc.). And it didn't help that another customer was referred to as the "difficult one" by one of the cashiers. 3-stars for over-hypeness.
(3)James B.
I do like the food, but main reason for going is that they claim to be organic. I asked if the bread was organic for wraps, and the lady comes over say yes it is as she shows me regular bread, now I can get that crap anywhere, the man who speaks better English says about 60-70 % is organic but could not say what is or isn't, the meat or sauce or what? I just don't trust them now!
(5)Timothy G.
I'm Lebanese and I'm always looking for a good Mediterranean place to eat. I work down the street in Framingham and found this place on Yelp and decided to try it out. It was extremely good, coming from a Lebanese family that regularly makes homemade food I highly recommend it.
(5)Alex F.
Big Fresh is everything I look for in a dining experience. I wish all restaurants were as focused on serving delicious, healthy meals with quality ingredients. The staff is always helpful, friendly and engaging. I could eat the Lentil Veggie Ball salad everyday until I die.
(5)John L.
I work closeby and order from here just about every week. Consistently great food
(5)Pre S.
Wanted to try some Lebanese food last night after a good one we had in Dubai. Relied on yelp and been to Big fresh since we were out in Framingham. We ordered the meatball chicken wrap, peanut stir fried salmon noodle and the Mediterranean plate.. The salmon noodle was probably the best I have ever tasted in my life yet ! Each bite of the noodle spoke salmon.. The aroma the taste of the fish still lingers on my tongue. AWESOME. It definitely needed some salt and pepper for me but then the salmon masked the blandness too. Hubby had the Mediterranean plate and he kept saying the pita is too good ! He also raved about the portion size for the money.. Value for the money absolutely ! My 4 year old had the meat ball wrap and was the happiest birthday boy yesterday ! Will visit the place again when we are around..
(5)Ashley T.
I have been to this place several times as I work very close to it. It is a really good lunch place. I think the name says it best. The portions are BIG! and the food is FRESH! The prices are also reasonable. I have liked everything I have tried so far. The salmon wrap and falafel wrap are both delicious, but my absolute favorite is the spicy peanut noodle stir fry with chicken. I love the noodles with fresh vegetables in a coconut and peanut flavored sauce. Super good! They also have a lot of great vegetarian and vegan options for every chicken dish it seems like they have an equivalent where salmon or tofu can be substituted. If you are in the area it is a great place to check out!
(4)CJ N.
Moving from Cambridge to Framingham, we were concerned that we couldn't get a good Mediterranean wrap. Boy were we wrong. Thank goodness we found Big Fresh. The outside may be nondescript in strip mall fashion, but once you're inside, the menu speaks for itself. They are not kidding when they say Big Fresh! They also have a row of fresh iced teas in various flavors - and BONUS - stevia packets! Thank goodness for people who understand natural food AND natural sweeteners. No exaggeration, I think I had the best wrap of my life -- Chicken Tabouleh on wheat. The chicken tajine is also excellent. So is the hummus, which tastes like a wonderful middle eastern cool whip. :) Service is efficient and friendly, and the atmosphere is casual. The walls are bright and cheery. We are so happy that this will be out new go-to place! Thanks Big Fresh!
(5)Elizabeth M.
Yummy food that you don't have to feel guilty about. My personal favorite is the Thai Curry (with brown rice). Portion sizes are huge. Only downside to Big Fresh is their customer service, which could easily be improved with a smile or two from the employees at the cash register.
(4)Matthew O.
Buy Local. Eat Global. Great food at Big Fresh. They buy a lot of their stuff locally and tell you where your food comes from. While they have a regular menu, they also serve up fantastic dishes based on what's in-season locally. You can order most dishes with organic meats and fish, or with tofu or locally made tempeh. Everyone who works there is very nice and a few seats allow you to sit and watch your food be made; great for kids.
(5)Tom M.
I'm sitting in my car because I'm too spacey to remember the keys to my band's practice space. So while I wait for the drummer (who's never on time...amirite?) to unlock the door, I'm chowing on a killer falafel wrap. I didn't know metro west had this going for it. I have no idea about the other stuff available here, but!! I really liked the colors and cleanliness of the restaurant, the girl at the counter was super friendly, and their menu actually looks pretty good. Seriously though, this falafel is fantastic!! And the wrap is huge. Aww yeah. ALSO! High five for repping Worcester with George's bread.
(4)Jon T.
Big Fresh is easily my favorite area restaurant. Everything on the menu (and I've tried almost everything) is tasty, fresh, and HEALTHY. Many of the ingredients are locally grown, and there's a good variety of dishes. Several of the dishes are vegeterian/vegan too. My favorite meal is the Tempeh special - Tempeh with molasses sauce on a bed of brown rice, onions, and kale with a side of beets.
(5)Shannon D.
The title says it all, big servings and food is fresh (and delicious)! Big Fresh has a variety of healthy meals including wraps, stirfrys and salads. I wouldn't recommend bringing any picky eaters here. Great restaurant for vegetarians and people looking for something different. The food is reasonably priced for the amount you get and service is quick. I've also found them happy to customize the dishes to a certain extent if you would rather not have a certain veggie. There isn't a lot of seating but I also haven't seen it very packed before either. Not a lot of room for large parties. The decor is fun and artsy, they have local artists works on the walls. My favorite dish: coconut curry, yummm! Definitely try out Big Fresh, it is a lot better than the multitude of chain restaurants in the Framingham/Natick area!
(5)Rita V.
Tired of traditional "fast food"? Pipes need a cleaning? Its small and cramped, very "70's love and peace", food is cooked to order, fresh as the name suggests, portions are hefty, prices are small in comparison to the portions, and its flavorful. I had the moroccan tangine with chicken (chicken a bit dry), which is prepared with sweet potato based curry, veggies and served over whole wheat couscous. VERY good, and I had enough left over for dinner. I sampled a vegan chocolate cake - moist and you can tell made with whole wheat flour, without having that pasty feeling - also good. My lunch partner had a salad - HUGE enough to share. So as we enjoyed one of their iced teas, we pondered what our next lunch sampling will be. Different, delicious, won't bust your wallet or your waist-line (I can't believe, ME the queen of stuffing myself has said this!)
(4)Brittany T.
Fantastic food and service. Perfect place for lunch. Super healthy options and the falafel hummus salad pita was excellent!
(5)Christina L.
Not really sure what all the hype is about this place... I got the taboule chicken wrap. My other family members got the fafafel plate, the cod wrap, and the tabloue chicken plate. I think the taboule chicken wrap was the best. The falafel were pretty small so it was mainly a crunchy crust and not much of a chickpea center. The cod wrap was mostly rice. All the dishes were fresh, and the portions were pretty big... So in that sense, it does live up to its name, but I didn't find the food to be extremely flavorful.
(3)B M.
Great food, great staff. Very friendly people, very fast and accurate service and the food is delicious. They also have an amazing vegan chocolate cake which is hard to find.
(5)Jimmy H.
My advice, Leave your pita bread last when you order "Mediterranean Chicken Plate". You do not want to leave humus and/or sauce on your plate because they are sooo precious. Finish the chicken and humus. Then clean out the plate with the pita bread. Absolutely gorgeous!
(5)Matt K.
This place rules! The best falafel I have ever had. The taboule chicken wrap is also fantastic. It's small and can get crowded around lunch time but you can always get take-out instead. They use all organic ingredients and they have many vegetarian/vegan options. Not to be missed.
(5)Tiff D.
ok, so Ive lived in the area for 3 years. Driven by the sign many times. After reading the reviews I decided to go and took the reviewers advice. Falafel Wrap. AMAZING!!!!!! WHAT IS FALAFEL??? Who knows...but its DAMN GOOD! Fresh ingredients and flavors. Perfect for a hot day. Something light and healthy. We also had the Tahi Curry Salmon wrap. That too was good. I dont generally love curry so I wasnt in love with this wrap but it was good and Id eat it again. Wraps are HUGE. More like a burritto size. We had 2 wraps and couldnt finish them between 2 adults. (we made sure to eat ALL the falafel though! HAHA). We also had their organic iced tea. VERY GOOD. Light, refreshing. PERFECT. If you live in the area, you have got to try it!
(4)Suzy L.
I wanted to love this place, I really did. It was good, but didn't quite live up to my expectations. I was having a falafel jones (why I suggested this place to begin with), so I had the falafel salad plate, and it was good, but not great. The falafel balls themselves were tasty, but a tiny bit dry. The hummus was pretty nondescript, not bad, but not wow either. What really threw me off was the dressing on the salad. I didn't like it as much as similar dressings from other places. My black mango iced tea was DELISH, however. I would go back to try something else (my BFF loved her Moroccan tagine chicken), but when I return, won't bother with the falafel salad!
(3)Emily A.
Aboslutely wonderful vegetarian (and meat eater) food! Fantastic hummus and tabouli, wonderful salads, can't wait to try the stir fry. The food is fantastic, I want to try everything on the menu. Don't wait. Go. Now. Why are you still reading? You're going to pay $10 for a meal, but it's fresh and homemade, so what do you want?
(5)Kristen F.
A-maz-ing...worth the 40 minute drive. Organic and produce tasted like it was plucked from the field that morning. Salmon was wild and I am too for the Freshest of the Fresh. What I would do to have this closer to our work...Staff very friendly as well.
(5)Pravin D.
This is an outstanding little place to eat with a variety of things to choose from. I liked the taboulie chicken or the Thai peanut tofu dish. This place has Thai, Chinese, Mediterranean dishes and their hummus is top notch. It is a healthy joint with a lot of local organic farm produce used.
(5)Derick F.
Hands down best Falafel I've had, and their other dishes (cod cakes, homemade seaweed salad) are always made with the freshest ingredients. Delicious and inexpensive place to grab a quick bite - I don't frequent here enough.
(5)C C.
Cod, Salmon and Big Fresh Special are very good, although the cod portion is a bit smallish. The organic tea choices are excellent. It's a no frills restaurant.
(4)Rob F.
Let's get the bad part out of the way: you can't have everything on the menu in one meal. At the last minute, I needed to meet a friend somewhere near Framingham, for dinner. Yelped the area and opted for this place. Good call. Since I arrived 15 minutes before my pal, I figured I'd have time to make my choice, but the aromas wafting from the open kitchen, the steady stream of plates being taken away from the counter by people who are obviously regular customers, and the huge number of dishes from which to choose left me paralyzed. Finally, I put my faith in Yelp! and ordered the Hummus Falafel wrap, and a side of succotash. Sufferin' succotash! I can't remember the last time... no, there has never been a time when I was still talking about vegetables 4 hours after I ate them. This stuff was so freakin' good!â„¢ I know it had beans, I still remember the sweet sauteed peppers, and some kind of sauteed greens. Heck, it probably had corn, I don't know. I was hypnotized by a plate of organic greatness. The green sauce served on the side was surprisingly spicy hot and lent occasional punctuation to the dish when I dipped my fork in it before scooping up another mouthful. The Falafel wrap? Loaded with fresh, crisp veggies, tangy tahini, smooth fresh hummus, and light hot balls of fried chickpea. The pita pocket was a fresh, over-sized pouch like loaf. On another day I might be more effusive about the wrap. Don't get me wrong. It was very, very good. It pales next to the succotash. Not a reflection on the wrap, I swear. The "freshness" of all the vegetables was, quite honestly, notable, as was the "bigness" of the servings. Hence the name, I guess. My friend had the Moroccan Chicken Tagine. He was not bowled over. He had also had a hellacious weekend, a long day at the office, a miserable drive to the restaurant through Mass pike rush hour traffic, and wanted an alcoholic beverage immediately upon entering the place. Honestly, had nubile nymphs been pouring nectar and peeling grapes, I think Fred would still not have been all that happy without a stiff drink. It looked good to me. He did admit that he loved the philosophy of the place and that all the food looked good. So, thanks Yelp! for once again steering me towards greatness when I don't know where I am or know what I want. Today, I know I want more of that succotash! And to try the sweet potato pie. (Dear Readers: I think "so freakin' good!â„¢" will be my new personal catch phrase, indicating that a thing is unsurpassed. Hopefully to go down in media history more like "telling it like it is" than "boom goes the dynamite." Of course, only time will tell. :-) )
(5)Shane T.
My go to place for a veggie lunch in Framingham, easily worth the 15 minute drive. Everything is cooked to order with care, aka sauteed vegetables are still crisp, or the chicken/tofu has a nice golden crust.
(5)Gillian S.
Odd location but great food. The sauces are complex and yummy! The choices are great. Not the best atmosphere as it's more a take out place than a sit down. Food is excellent, fresh and makes you feel good knowing it was grown with care! If you like thai, middle eastern or that hybrid international vegetarian food it's a must try palce.
(4)Jef S.
I hate it when people call a restaurant a "hidden gem". Those goddamned Andelmans have taken over Boston as it is...don't encourage them any more! However, if "hidden gem" wasn't such a loaded term, it would fit nicely for Big Fresh. This small deli-ish, restaurant-ish, I'm not even sure what to call it is located off Route 9 in the shoppers' hell that is Shoppers World. There are 7 billion places to eat in the area, (including the super BBQ calorie bomb lure of Tennesee's right next door) so why choose Big Fresh? The food is good. That's why. Hummus is tasty (almost, but not quite as good as my wife's homemade) and falafel cannot be beat. They have great salad offerings and fresh vegetables on every plate or wrap that leaves the kitchen. Staff is very friendly, but they can be disorganized when the line gets busy...wait times are variable. The room itself is tastefully decorated, but small. I wouldn't recommend coming here with a group larger than four. Big Fresh, understandably, is also more expensive than, say, the local fast food joints, but the food is worth it, worth it, worth it, all the way. And they're cheaper, faster, and tastier than a lot of places in the vicinity. 4.4999999 stars with some extra hummus to go.
(4)Double J.
Sitting on the side of a second-rate shopping center, next to a Papa Gino's of all places, at first glance this place doesn't look like anything to write home about. But my wife and I are vegans, and when we're doing take-out this place is first on our list. I can't speak for the meat dishes, of course, but the Big Fresh meal, felafel salads, and the teriyaki dishes (both tofu and salmon) are great. The vegan chocolate cake is pretty good too - tastes a little like ginger bread. Great, cozy place to eat in or take out!
(4)Shaina P.
You might not expect to find something worthwhile in a strip mall of restaurants, but Big Fresh Cafe is a diamond in the rough. Like Esther L. wandered in here for lunch one day, I did exactly the same. ATMOSPHERE This cafe, though called "big" (you'll see why, just read on) is actually quite small. There is enough seating for about 25 people, but not in the most comfortable way. The decor is bold, bright, and fun, with bright walls, specials announced on large chalk boards, and some very cool glass panels hanging between the seating area and the tight kitchen. The lighting is a little dark, because it's a long, narrow, shape, despite it's big windows on the front. FOOD So, Big Fresh Cafe truly serves fresh food, in a BIG way. The menu consists of salads, wraps (more like huge burrito-sized thingers), stir fries, and sides in an Asian-MidEast-Veggish-Local way. I ordered the Big Fresh Special, which was a BIG plate of pan fried tofu, smothered with salty sweet and peanut-buttery satay sauce over a bed of rice. This all came with a side of fresh, crisp-tender stir fried vegetables lightly oiled and well seasoned AND nicely braised collard greens (spicy and sweet!). That's right folks. BIG FRESH. I will undoubtedly return to this fine establishment even though my HUGE meal and a Nantucket Nectar threw me back $11.50!! Also, a long wait for a fresh, cooked-to-order meal was longer than I was hoping for. Maybe next time I'll get a monstrous wrap. I was also very pleased to find that Big Fresh serves Wolaver's Organic Ale (yum yum!), local produce when available, AND they recycle.
(4)Douglas S.
My go-to healthy eats place. Big Fresh is a small locally owned restaurant serving organic, locally sourced food. You order at the back (don't be that guy standing at the service area waiting to be noticed, look for the register), they should probably have a sign at the open kitchen pointing to the back. Their home-made teas are really good. Water is available free (by the tea). Seating is limited, but turns quickly so a seat usually comes available prior to your order being served. Nice people, nice place.
(5)Charlotte H.
I was really, really pleased with this. Sometimes I am nervous about these new earthy-crunchy places because often the food is a little weird for me, and I absolutely hate the taste of whole wheat pasta! But here, I was really happy. We ordered take-out for an office lunch. It was ready, hot, on-time, and well-packed when we got there. Everything was delicious! A coworker and I split a Chicken Meatball Wrap and a Big Baby salad. Both were delicious! The chicken was tender and the wrap was just awesome. All of the flavors worked. Big Baby salad was also decent. Field greens, pears, gorgonzola, raspberry vinaigrette, how can you go wrong? The dressing was great. Everything was fresh and organic, but it was still really reasonably priced! Lunch for 10 people was $92. However, I hate their location. They're in this ugly strip mall with red overhangs. Right next to a Papa Gino's or something. I think with a better location, they'd be fabulous. Their location does not fit with their style and menu. But the restaurant looked nice on the inside! So I'm still happy.
(5)Diego S.
Where do you grab something to eat after watching Food Inc.?? Well this was the place I chose!! Last Saturday, after watching that depressing and disgusting documentary I decided to look up for a fresh, organic place to eat and, just because it was close to home, I ended up at Big Fresh. I had the Falafel Wrap and I was awesome. I'm not a vegetarian, and I usually HAVE TO have meat in my meals, but let me tell you, this all-veggie-wrap is one of the best I've ever had in my life. ENJOY!
(5)Catherine C.
My husband and I are pretty much regulars at this place. It's one of our favorite casual places to go for both lunch and dinner. We love the concept of the restaurant - organic food with emphasis on buying from local farms. I've tried almost every dish here. My favorite is the definitely the Big Fresh Special, which is tofu with brown rice. The Big Fresh special is an awesome deal. It comes with brown rice, sauteed veggies, tofu and a side of collard greens. All of wich are delicious. I especially love the peanuty sauce that they use for the tofu. The falafel is really good here - both in the salad plate and in the wrap. The portions are pretty generous too. If they have it, get their sweet potatoe pie. Super delicious! Other dishes I love from here is the Blackened Salmon and the Cod Wrap.
(4)Peter P.
With their amazing falafel wrap to blackened salmon all their ingredients are fresh, local, and/or organic. The menu is unique and vegitarian friendly. One of my favorite and healthier spots to eat.
(5)Wendy S.
i'm gonna say it was just so so. now it's not like this sucked or anything like that, but it just could have had more zing. i want my food to bite me back and this falafel wrap just kinda said, don't hurt me, i'll enter meekly. needless to say, i found myself resorting to the tabasco with a heavy hand. the vegan chocolate cake was also just so so. i'm a girl who wants her cake to scream, i'm a luscious treat! savor me! but this was clearly a "healthy" vegan chocolate cake, meaning not so decadent. more on the bland but sweet side. overall, considering the lack of vegan options in the area, i guess i would return, but i'm glad to live where more vegan opportunities prevail!
(3)Renzie J.
Such great food, and the best part is that it is extremely fresh, organic and healthy. My favorite is the falafel wrap, such deliciousness, and so fulfilling; and it's pretty humongous, I can't always eat the whole thing at ones. I've also tried the meatball wrap, also yummy. The only thing I didn't llke is the salmon wrap, the salmon was a bit too chewy for me, but I'm picky when it comes to fish so it might be just me. They also have a bunch of stir fry and salad options. Homemade iced tea is also really good, and includes free refills. Oh and their vegan pies are amazing as well. Overall, I absolutely love this place. Although it's tiny, it is such a relief to have great organic, delicious food here in Framingham (which is ironically surrounded by papa ginos, boston market, and mcdonalds...aka crap) and it's not that expensive.
(5)Maggie E.
I am new to falafel and boy am I glad I came here to try it for the first time. I have gotten both the hummus/falafel pita and the falafel wrap. Both amazing. Love the hummus. Only downside was that I tried the vegan chocolate cake and was underwhelmed. Overall great place though and I can't wait to go back.
(5)Evan K.
Get the falafel in pita
(5)Sneha S.
it is strictly OK- especially for non vegetarians .
(2)Cory M.
I went here because people keep telling me it's one of the only places in Framingham where you can get vegetarian food. It was super crowded when I was there and I felt really rushed while I was ordering, so I might be wrong about this, but I didn't think they had very many veggie options. All those fresh veggies and only one meatless wrap? That's just silly. I had the falafel wrap because it was the only non-meat thing that could be eaten without a fork. It was really big, which was good because it was also stupidly expensive (for falafel anyway). I guess it might be a good idea to use it to feed 2 people and then the price wouldn't seem so high. If you are in the area looking for vegetarian food, go next door to the Indian place, Gold Star. My actual review of Big Fresh is 2 stars, but they get one additional star for having a decent concept and being in Framingham.
(3)Munchie B.
This is the first decent (good, actually) falafel I've found in Boston. I've passed by this place for years (it's in a horrible location), but tried it out after reading reviews on Yelp. The falafel plate was plenty of food, with delicious falafel, genuine Middle Eastern hot sauce, and a big fresh salad with tahini dressing. I'll be headed back to try some of their seafood dishes.
(4)Jen M.
Vegan, gluten free, & omnivore friendly. I'm a fan. Love their hummus!
(4)kate m.
Yes, this place is very very great. My vegetarian friend loves it too. It's counter-order, but the seating is cute.
(4)Sneakers A.
A good place to grab a healthy meal, but I wonder if they're spreading themselves too thin with the number of cuisines that they present. The falafel is decent, and I also thought that the Moroccan chicken dish that I tried was ok. No soda because of the hippie/eastern-medicine/psychic healing crowd that they're trying to attract, but they do have a couple decent teas. Prices are reasonable.
(3)Liz O.
I really, really like the Salmon Thai Curry here, so they would get 5 stars for that, but there really isn't much else on the menu that I've been excited about, plus the people at the register can be a bit snippy sometimes (sometimes they're great), so it's not really a five-star place. Also, although I love the home-brewed ice tea, they always seem to be almost out of every flavor, so I end up mixing mint and berry and orange... not so great. Parking is easy, and the prices are good, but I'm not a huge fan of bussing my own table. I guess I'm a bit of a princess... It is worth it if it keeps costs down. I probably wouldn't mind so much if they emptied the bins more frequently. The food is freshly prepared and tasty, and they are willing to make changes like swapping in brown rice. The last time I went with my boyfriend and he ordered something that came with hummus and tahini and a pita and the amount of tahini was overwhelming. And I LOVE tahini. I would love to try the falafel, but I can't stop ordering the salmon Thai curry. It's just SO good.
(3)Ira H.
Excellent falafel. Nice atmosphere. The place is small. They have around 6-8 tables. It is counter service and you bus your food at the end. The Falafel was authentic and the hot sauce that came with it is as well. The pita bread was slightly thin so.. prepare to get messy. Will definitely return.
(5)David Y.
I tried their Monterey Cod Wrap ($8.75) and Tagine Salmon plate ($9.25). I really liked the cod wrap but felt he salmon plate wasn't as packed with flavor. Their ingredients are fresh and delicious. I also tried their sweet potato pie ($2.50) which was great. It was a more relaxed meal than Chipotle probably cuz the food took so long to prepare. Chipotle is definitely faster and their food is cheaper. Chipotle's burritos have a higher impact of taste whereas Big Fresh has a cleaner taste (one where you taste all the different ingredients instead of just one big mixture of tastes) and of course, has an overall feeling of healthier eating. Overall, a good meal and a nice little restaurant and I look forward to their other wraps.
(4)Ronda Y.
Big Fresh is my favorite lunch spot in Framingham. The food is healthy, delicious and prepared in creative, interesting ways. I have never had a meal there I didn't enjoy. How refreshing to find a restaurant where everything is good and good for you instead of desperately searching for the one item which might not give you a heart attack in the next 10 minutes. Plus they have made an effort to make it pretty inside with art work, stained glass, wooden furniture and attractive paint colors. It has a very homey, hand made, family feel. I would so much rather be there than one of the many chains nearby which seem entirely decorated in either metal or plastic and designed to make you not want to sit down and eat your meal.
(5)Kendra L.
I really really like their Falafel Hummus Salad Plate. Hummus with a pool of olive oil in the center, field greens and 7 or 8 small deep fried, well done falafel balls. Their selection of fresh brewed organic ice teas is a nice alternative to standard lunchtime beverage choices. Big Fresh could stand to improve their Feta and Beet salad. The beets are excellent however, the field greens are full of a lot of very long stems.
(4)Evilee E.
Awesome menu, everything is fresh and you will never find a more perfectly prepared falafel sandwich anywhere!! Can't wait to go back for my next one. I want to try their stir fry dishes too but it would be hard to pass on that falafel. I may need to go twice in one day :-)
(5)Steve R.
We have been at Big Fresh at least 10 times (actually used to go to Rami's, a falafel place that was there- they still use the falafel machine). The food is locally grown, fresh and delicious. The falafel are crispy, tasty and plentiful. My favorite non-falafel dish is the Spicy Peanut Stir Fry.
(4)Archie R.
Hey Big Fresh... Your hummus is just as good as mine. Your peanut sauce is light and delicious. Your whole wheat pasta is perfectly cooked. Your options are plentiful and healthy. I am not sure if I really really love you or really really hate you (for not being in my area). Regardless, I am down on bended knee asking your hippie vegan ass to marry me. As my friends in Boston say..."you ah wicked good kid." Tahini.
(5)Jennifer C.
So good especially if you're a vegetarian or vegan. Kinda expensive but still awesome
(4)Kristen R.
My husband and I went here last night for a quick dinner before going to the movies. We both ordered the hummus falafel in pita which is a pretty good deal at $6.50 each. If you have any intention of dining in and are at all concerned about other patrons seeing you completely covered in hummus, I would order something else. The pita they use is basically a cheap vehicle for the yummy stuff they put inside and they pack it so full that the flimsy pita has no chance. The good news is that this is GOOD falafel. Falafel is so hit or miss and it seems easier to find falafel that would be better suited for putting practice on the golf course than for human consumption. Not so with the falafel here. Here the falafel is full of flavor and not even a little dry. We both got it with the hot sauce and the result was a nice tang, but no real heat. Overall the sandwich was really good. If only I didn't need to take a bath after eating it.... I think next time I'll go with the falafel wrap which looked much more manageable. I sure wish I'd seen the Yelp review about the maple seltzer because I definitely would have gotten that (I didn't even look at the drink menu, but did did see that they have a nice variety of freshly brewed iced teas). The other dishes looked good and I really like the focus on healthy, locally sourced real food as well as their commitment to being ecologically responsible. In an age where fresh food has become trendy and everyone's throwing the word around willynilly (I'm looking at you Fresh City), it's refreshing to find healthy, appetizing food that has nothing to do with trying to keep up with the latest fads.
(4)Erika C.
what would i do without big fresh? I honestly do not know. It is incredible. You cannot make healthier, tastier food at home or anywhere (that i've been to for that matter!). It is very consistent and their stir-fries are amazing. One of the coolest parts about big fresh is that they try to get as much of their produce possible from local farms in the framingham/natick area. Not only do they support local businesses, but they are serving up the freshest products they can get their hands on. My favorite entrees include the teriyaki stir-fry with tofu or the thai curry stir-fry with chicken. They're falafel wraps are INCREDIBLE. The prices are surprisingly and sometimes I wonder if they are profiting enough. The people there are very friendly and hospitable. It's always busy too, which is a sure sign that it is delicious!
(5)Jo R.
amazing food only thing that would make it a 5 in my book was if the website or dine in menu had calorie count. :-)
(4)A B.
I love this place!!! I am a bit biased as I used to work there. When I worked there and ate their somewhat religiously, I can definitely say the food is fresh, from locals, made wonderfully and all the employees are awesome.
(5)Prince V.
I wouldnt call this place Meditterean, but more of a Asian fusion and middle eastern mix. Food is very tasty here. I had the Falafel plate. They give you good amount of food and fast. Everything tasted very fresh. I would definitely go back here.
(4)Roberta N.
Thanks fellow Yelpers. You never let me down. We were staying in the area and of course went to Yelp to find a place to eat. This was a really nice cafe a few miles from our hotel. The ambiance/environment is utilitarian but the food was good and fresh. They prepared it exactly as we requested. It was reasonably priced. We got lunch and dinner there. We got a salad and a wrap for lunch; both were excellent. Lunch was $20. For dinner we got the black bean soup, roasted asparagus and beet side, Mediterranean Chicken Plate and Chicken Tabouli Plate with pita bread. Total $32. Everything was fresh and tasty. The soup and the asparagus were great. The portions were generous. Hummus was really good. We didn't eat in but service was fast. I hope this place stays in business. Thanks again Yelpers!
(5)Jeannette L.
They use local harvest and it's good to support local businesses. But mainly I love this place because the food is so good!!! The fish is always fresh, both the cod and the salmon. The thai curry and tempeh are also really good. I like their vegetable side, which is the swiss chard and succotash. Never been there for lunch on the weekdays, but I can imagine it could be pretty crowded. The food doesn't take that long, but it might be hard to find a place to sit. I usually go for dinner or take it to go.
(5)apple w.
So ...in general- i wait till I have been somewhere more than once and /or have had time to reflect a while. HOWEVER, I had the best lunch that I have had in oh........................ since I moved to New England- and I think that is noteworthy in itself! I ate at the Big Fresh today. I got the Mediterranean chicken plate and I kid you not... it was the best food I have eaten in forever -that i did not make. Tabouli and grilled chicken salad and hummus and some hot sauce stuff i cannot remember the name of.... SOO good. (it also comes with some sort of piccalilli which i skipped as I hate the pickled stuff) My only complaint? my stomach wasn't big enough and i wasn't going directly home- so i couldn't save the left overs. I also had the mint iced tea.. very nice and refreshing! Reasonably priced. healthy. and soooooo yummy. Did I mention it was yummy? Everything on the menu looked good- salads, wraps etc... FYI- They have a sign up that says they prefer cash because they are trying to cut back on CC fees.. so plan for cash if you've got it. Oh. and the inside is really cute and kinda funky creative- (the outside not-so-much... its more what we call strip mall ugly.) I will be going back. In fact, when my company comes in town next week I will probably drive 1/2 hour away to take them to a strip mall to get the yummiest food they have had in ages!!
(5)Maria T.
Not too much to even say, no need for flowery language. I remember when they first moved into this location and I have supported them ever since! I'm no foodie but they manage to really get it right every time. Great food, even better variety, everything I have ever tried (regular menu or specials) has been EXCELLENT. Vegetarian friendly, vegan options, good prices, great organic selection, quick, easy, and great service from seriously nice people!!! My personal favorite, besides all the falafel dishes (really authentic and I have no idea how they make it) and stir-frys (also in great portions and good for take-out!) the sweet beets and feta salad is my favorite item on the menu. HIGHLY recommended.
(5)Cheuk S.
I've been here a few times with my co-workers for lunch and overall it's a pretty good place to go. The food is pretty healthy since it's mostly vegan but there are meat options. Last time I came here, I order Spicy Peanut Noodle Stir Fry and I also tried the Chicken Penne the other time. The location is pretty convenient on right on route 9 or route 30 in Natick area. There's plenty of parking. The inside is actually pretty small and can probably accommodate maybe at most 20-30 people, so don't expect to easily find seating if you plan to dine in. I would suggest go after the rush hour such as 1PM if you plan to dine in, otherwise takeout is pretty quick. The flavour the dishes is very good and the meat was cooked just about right, or at least not overcooked. If you do decide to dine in, there is free water and other drinks for sale. I guess my only complaint is that the prices aren't cheap. It's close to $10 bucks every time you come here and that is a bit high for lunch as usually $5-7 is fair for lunch. But guess you gotta pay a little extra for good and healthy food. The quantity is big enough to fill you up for lunch so the value is there. Overall, a good place to go for healthy and delicious lunch, take out or dine in.
(4)Jason R.
Wow. I can't believe food this good can be found in a what looks like a strip-mall, fast-food restaurant. Yes, that's Boston Market to the left and Papa Gino's to the right. One taste and you'll be amazed how little you paid. The beet salad was comparable to the best such salads we've had in restaurants---beets were tender and seasonsed, the greens were evenly dressed with a properly seasoned vinaigrette. The falafel wrap was also yummy---well seasoned with a nice dressing, various veggies and moist, tender falafel; most of the falafel I've had has been dry and under-seasoned. A step above all the wraps I've had in the Central and Kendall square areas of Cambridge. We got noodles and meatballs for our daughter. The noodles needed salt, but the meatballs were great---flavorful with great texture (tastes like they were made fresh by hand!).
(5)Dharia M.
i've been eating here for a few years, and i LOVE it. I like to call it "Hippie Fast Food", the kind of food that i grew up eating in california. The kind of place i miss from living in college towns, and definitely didn't expect to find in the shadow of the mall. I used to commute along rte 9 three evenings per week and when you're starving and cranky its so easy to get sucked into gross junk food. Big Fresh is awesome for vegetarians, but i've also hooked several of my carnivorous friends on the place! everyone else has already touted their organic, local ingredients. yay. i recommend ordering the Big Fresh Salad with sauteed tofu on top, that's my fave.
(5)Shanna L.
This place is so, so so good. Best falafel I've ever had. Tons of vegetarian options, all with extremely good flavor. I recommend the peanut noodle stirfry. This place has all organic ingredients and is family owned. They also serve a small selection of beer and wine. They're good for the environment, too - they have real dishes and silverware. I LOVE THIS PLACE. I really see no downside...every time I've come here both the service and food is incredible. Also VERY reasonably priced, beautiful local artwork and quick food. Can't beat it.
(5)Nicole S.
I took my fellow Yelpers advice and decided to go against my very strict "No Falafel outside of the San Jose Falafel Drive-In Ever Ever" rule (this was a VERY big step mind you), and check out Big Fresh. I don't think I'm as excited and wowed as other reviewers, but you put up a noble fight in the reign for Master Falafel. I had to bring it home and smother it in garlic chili sauce, but if I closed my eyes and pretended hard enough I could trick myself for a second or two and think I was eating a real SJ style lunch. It was fresh, it was good, and the other stuff I saw coming out of the kitchen looked fabulous. I *guess* I'd recommend it if you've never had the Jesus Falafel in CA because then you wouldn't know what you're missing.
(4)Megan T.
Consistently excellent, locally grown & in season foods when possible. Been there many times and never had a bad dish. I wish there were more places like this instead of all the fast food chains out there! Prices are reasonable for the quality and portion.
(4)Kelly G.
This is a great place to go for fresh, healthy food. Great salads, wraps and stir frys!
(5)Jeremy G.
Great healthier alternative for this area. Taste is top notch. Ingredients are fresh. Chicken meatball wrap is a favorite.
(4)Kevin W.
Since there are already alot of reviews here, I'd thought I'd try something different. My love for Big Fresh - in haiku form: Big Fresh - delicious Falafel hidden off 9, Lunch break, here I come.
(5)Esther L.
Went here for lunch and was pleasantly surprised. Big Fresh looks kinda dingy from the outside, but that is only because its part of a strip mall and next to a Papa Gino's. But once you get inside, its cute with brightly painted walls. You order in the back. I had the hummus plate, which included tasty falafel (they were a bit on the small side though). Their hummus was tasty too, but a bit on the dry side. But I think that's because they didn't douse it with a ton of oil (which is a good thing). I liked how they had Stevia sweetener available for your iced tea, etc. I'd like to go back and try some other things on their menu. Would recommend this as a quick place to grab a bite of good food. Also, its kind of rare to find a non-chain restaurant out there around the route 9 shopping area, so I'm glad Big Fresh is around!
(4)Allyson C.
Hi! I am pretty certain the new restaurant is Norish in Lexington. It has great reviews but I have not been yet as I have just learned this in the last 24 hours. I will be sure to update as soon as I visit :)
(1)Anna F.
One word: YUM. Everything they make here is absolutely delicious. My personal favorite item is the chicken meatball wrap. If you eat in, they give you real plates and silverware to minimize waste. The service is really great. The artwork on the walls is all by local artists and is for sale. All in all, a great place to eat great food.
(5)Dorothy M.
Since I found out about Big Fresh (back in my teenage years when I converted to a vegetarian diet), it's been my favorite place to eat. That wasn't too long ago, but I feel like I've been coming here forever. I went by myself earlier this week. I got (I think the big fresh special) baked tofu w/ satay sauce, jas. rice, vegs = awesome. They have mini books on sale that are titled something like how to conserve water, riding your bike to work, how to change how you use utilities at home to help the environment. I read the water booklet while I ate in BF's calming, dimly lit mini restaurant. I don't like to call it a restaurant though because it does much more than food. On a black chalkboard posted to the wall I read about the locally bought foods that were on the menu. A busy corkboard displays a variety of cards and nearby earthy crunchy things (places, events, info) I find interesting. Big fresh supports local small businesses, buys from local farmers, and always makes the same foods delicious. AND, the people who work there are welcoming and friendly: they let me try tempeh for the first time. The manager has always been visible and working around the store and recognizes a familiar face ;-) Main point = You must go before you die! Big Fresh is pretty sweet.
(5)Sofia A.
Food is tasty and fresh. I had the tangine chicken, and my friend got the beet feta salad. Both were great! The place is small, but with enough tables and space to be comfy. The one item I was not crazy about was the vegan chocolate cake. It did not have any sort of fudge, or frosting... flavor wasnt there.... seemed more like a muffin.
(4)Sameer K.
Big Fresh has the best hummas ever made. No lie, in a Bobby F. like throw down, it would beat them all. Now when you go in the first time, it is a big confusing on what you need to order. I would suggest the Plates. They give you falafel and boat load of greens. Also for the spice lovers, as for some hot spicy sauce on the side. This stuff is not really sauce but it tastes great and packs a good kick. Also the staff is real nice and if you ask them nicely, they will also throw in a piece of bread for no charge. The decor is also great. Always interesting art hanging on the walls. For sale but not in my budget. The place is green friendly and the owner uses only locally grown produce. The true original healthly place to eat and no gimics to prove to you that they are healthy. I love this place and recommend it.
(5)Pete D.
Everything we tried rocked. We had a wrap w/ falafel, falafel + hummus in a pita, a spinach falafel plate and Succotash side.
(5)meg a.
The baked tofu with peanut sauce was ridiculous. So delicious it had me talking to it. I can't wait to work my way through the menu.
(5)Sasha A.
They have such delicious falafel here and a great deal of vegan options. They have tempeh too, which is tasty on a salad. The tea is really awesome. I had a mango black iced tea last time mmm. The service is great and the people are really nice. The inside is lovely and colorful.
(5)Jenna H.
Although they have amazing massam curry, I have to give this place three stars because I have gone there more than once and the food was so hot it was inedible. The flavors and spices of their curry are a great balance and the vegetables are cooked perfectly. I would not suggest getting the black bean soup. They left bay leaves in the soup which are crunchy and just not enjoyable. In addition, the soup was served so hot to me that after my friend and I finished eating our meals the soup was still steaming. This same heating issue has occurred in the past with the curry. However, when the curry is not too hot, it is delicious. In addition, their jammies, or jam cookies, are a tasty treat that are wrapped individually and easy to take on the go. As I already said, their dishes are great when served at the proper temperature. I recommend going there, just be careful not to burn your mouth!
(3)Wendy D.
I tried the falafel wrap and two of the stir frys. The smell alone was enough to make me nauseated. I tasted it. It was terrible. I make vegan food at home and can make super yummy stuff. I was looking for a break from cooking. Our bill was $60 for 3 wraps and 2 stir frys. That is outrageous. I would love my money back right about now.
(1)Sameer P.
I've been to this place several times and I every single time get the Mediterranean Chicken plate with a whole wheat wrap (instead of the normal white flour pita). It's really good. The sauce they cook the chicken is finger licking good and the hummus is nice too. I've had a few bites of the other dishes and they seem good except one of the fish dishes (I believe the Cod) but they only give you a 4oz fish and call that a real meal? Anyway, try it out. Only downside is that its expensive for a casual place. But its pretty healthy.
(5)AJ M.
Love this place! All organic and locally grown food! If you like to eat healthy you have to check out Big Fresh... by the way their Maple Seltzer water is ridiculously awesome.
(5)Clark E.
I love this place. Its always fresh, locally grown food for short money. I love the blackened salmon. Very unique meals and you can get in and out fast. Plant based diet friendly.
(4)R B.
Love the concept, but the delivery was just okay. Reminded me too much of what I churn out at home to get excited about it.
(2)Dawn G.
I liked the food I got here all 3 times, but I thought it tasted salty and later each time my hands swelled up from the sodium so I won't be going back :(
(2)Phil S.
6/5 stars. Food was organic, healthy, and tasty. Atmosphere was phenom.
(5)Pam J.
Thanks Yelp! Great recco. Excellent food. Everything super fresh and tasty. I had teriyaki stir fry. DH had oriental wrap. DD had ceasar wrap. Yum! Iced teas excellent as well.
(5)Scott G.
Not so big. Not so fresh. The tastes are clearly aimed at a "lowest common denominator" palatte, without much effort; in other words, fairly flavorless.
(2)Sara M.
This place is awesome. The falafel is the the best I have ever had! My second choice would have to be the Coconut curry with Tofu, yum! They are earth friendly which I like, and they have both vegetarian as well as meet options so everyone is happy. I must say the the outside does not really do the place Justice, took me years to actually go in, but now I'm hooked.
(4)Alan M.
I've eated at the Big Fresh many times. Not to be confused with Fresh City. My wife always suggests it as a good place to go for a healthy meal, and I dutifully go along. I say "dutifully" because it's not always the most comfortable place to eat, but the food is tasty, and perhaps good for you. I usually have a stir-fry of some sort, with chicken or salmon. I've had hummos and falafel plates on occasion, and have never been disappointed. The portion sizes are what I'd call "large." My trepidation is that between the large portions and the sauce they put on, you're probably consuming a lot of extra calories that you really don't need (I'm talking to YOU!). But they have brown rice, so it's gotta be healthy, right? The other thing I like about going to the Big Fresh is that you get to feel superior to the people going to the adjacent restaurants: Papa Gino's, Tennessee's BBQ, and Boston Market. And, coming soon, 5 Guys Burgers. My least favorite part of the experience is the interior. It's a very small place, and the seating is not ideal. Occasionally on cold days, I feel that the place is kept just a few degrees too low. In such a small location, it's easy for the gust of wind that accompanies an arriving or departing guest to have a significant impact on the temperature of the ambiant air.
(4)Gary B.
The best hummus I have ever had. I tried to get them to give me the recipe because there has got to be something special in it, but they would not give it up. Every time I am there I buy some hummus to bring home. I really enjoy the "plate" meals. The falafel plate is great and so are the other plates I have ordered. I have not been crazy about the wraps though, but I am not sure why. Maybe it is because they just seem to fall apart so quick and are so messy that you may as well just start with it on the plate anyway. It is a little more expensive than what I would expect, but not by much. Whatever you do, make sure you get something with hummus.
(4)Christopher R.
A restaurant with vegan options in the suburbs? Unthinkable Nope..it's true. The grilled vegetable quesadilla is great...even without the cheese holding everything in. Messy, but delicious. I find that the most delicious food is also the messiest. I had the tofu, veggies in the peanut curry sauce and it was out of this world. Everything was so FRESH! The boy had the falafel and it was seasoned so well. Service was fast and GREAT. I will defintely make this my suburb eating spot for fast, fresh and great tasting food.
(5)Vic H.
One of the best Mediterranean restaurants in the area! The food was prepared fast and was excellent. There is limited seating but the atmosphere is nice.
(5)Aron S.
It's a testament to the dearth of restaurants in the suburbs that prepare vegetarian / healthy alternatives that Big Fresh gets such high marks. Were there worthy competitors I have no doubt that people wouldn't be falling over themselves to praise this option. Don't get me wrong; it's passable and even has a few high points, but it pales in comparison to restaurants that really get this genre right. Having been raised on the grub from the original Moosewood Restaurant in Ithaca and others of its ilk that buy fresh ingredients, create original and adventurous vegetarian and healthy food at reasonable prices I feel qualified to opine on Big Fresh. As a local, I've visiting Big Fresh on 6+ occasions and can give them points for being consistent. Generally, you get the same version of the item that you did the last time except for minor inconsistencies like the time the side dish of succotash was nothing more than sauteed romaine lettuce. When I queried the kitchen, the response was, "well, that's our version of succotash." Service is non-existent as you order at a cash register and then wait for your food to be prepared and set-up deli style. They do offer real plates and silverware for those staying in, but you have to bus it yourself, scrape trash and uneaten food into a huge stainless steel bin a la college cafeteria style. The plates and silverware go into plastic bus bins. I didn't see any place to recycle which seemed to me an inconsistency in what they are trying to do. The sitting areas are plain wooden benches and tables set around the side and front of the restaurant, nothing inviting enough to actually make you want to stay there unless you didn't have a choice. Many of the items are freshly prepared and they do have some interesting homemade condiments, but garnishes tend to be pretty boring and not always very fresh or ripe. I suspect the fish is frozen and is inevitably overcooked and dry. The middle eastern alternatives are decent enough, but nothing to rock your world, you'll find much better fare at the Red Fez in Boston or Moody's Falafel in Central Sq, Cambridge. I appreciate carefully prepared food and nothing about Big Fresh suggests to me any more than indifference by those actually preparing the food. I think the original concept was a good one, but the execution falls short. As a yelper and chowhounder, I'm always on the look out for good food at good prices and this is a place where I have a real bone to pick with Big Fresh. The portions aren't huge for the plated food and the prices are pretty high. And $8 for a falafel sandwhich? Please. Not a bad choice for this oasis of healthy food in an area chock full of chain steak houses, fast food, bar food and bad BBQ (forget Tennessee's, go to Firefly's for BBQ), but not the over-the-top experience that other posters have gushed about. My 2.
(2)Brenda P.
This used to be my most favorite place to eat. Over the years it has become more and more not so good. I went there yesterday with my boyfriend. I got the lunch salmon not the greatest price for 1 inch of salmon and he got the Cod. What he got was the tail end of the cod so not worth the $10.50. I must say everytime I have come here I get disappointed every time. I'm not sure I will be going back here the menu hasn't been updated and the falafel you can get anywhere and tastes the same for the same price. I would try and once but I have had everything on the menu and no need to go back especially where they seem to be getting skimpy on the portions.
(1)John C.
I just moved to natick (will be here for the next 2 months for my first clinical rotation) and my friend and i were looking for a diner for some breakfast. after reading yelp reviews i decided to check this place out. upon entrance the place had a strong aroma of spices which was nice (but not so nice for my jacket). the place was dimly lit, but cozy. food: i had the morrocan tangine with wild alaskan salmon and my friend had the taboule chicken plate. we also had a side order of the coconut jasmine rice and roasted asparagus (locally grown) my place was subpar from what i had expected. the spices were good but the presentation was terrible. it looked like a lazy hungover college student made it. but ok, i got some sweet salmon, nope. the salmon was COLD. after reading the reviews i expected the salmon to be cooked to order, instead it was cold, clearly cooked the previous day. all in all my place though having flavorful sauce was subpar. 2/5 my friends plate was fantastic. the chicken was moist (i expected it was boiled or steamed) the hummus met the praise it received from other reviewers. the spicy harif was fantastic. the only gripe i have about this plate was the lack of pita. one pita for all that food is just not enough. hence why she ordered the jasmine rice. all in all i give her plate a 4/5 and the jasmine rice a 4/5 as well it was fluffy and had just enough coconut flavor in it. the asparagus on the other hand was fantastic. it was a bit pricey at 2.50 but seeing that a whole bunch will run you about 2 bucks at stop and shop it's not too out of control. 5/5 for asparagus i think the big fresh really needs to upgrade the plates. plastic plates are not the way to go, food doesn't stay as warm on it and it just looks crappy. price: you're paying restaurant prices you should have better presentation. i do feel that the other food on the menu will be and is superb. but from my one experience today it did not meet the expectations that i had set based off of the reviews i have read. i will be back at least twice (i always go 3 times before i make any final conclusions)
(3)Greg B.
Stopped here tonight and couldn't believe how great the falafel was. I can't recall the last time I tasted veggies this fresh. My only regret is I didn't have room to try the homemade carrot cake. Maybe tomorrow?
(5)Carrie M.
I love this place! The falafel is fantastic, as is the hot sauce that goes along with it. Their vision is great, it's good to see restaurants using local ingredients and not using overly processed restaurant service ingredients.
(5)Sarah B.
After reading all the positive reviews, I decided to have BF cater a dinner I was throwing for some Slovakians. I spoke with the owner when I called. She was so accommodating with my budget, as well as with helping me figure out what to order. I ended up getting the tofu curry, which came with rice, broccoli, salad, pita and hummus. Although I ordered food for 8 ($100), I could have fed 20 comfortably. And I did. And it was good. It came with plates, cutlery, easy easy. Maybe someday I'll eat at the actual restaurant.
(4)Dee H.
Great place for a fresh and nutriciouly delicious bite to eat. My favorite is the salmon moroccan tangine with couscous. The small place has a subtle granola crunchy kind of atmosphere. Just a perfect stop to catch your breath between shopping expeditions.
(4)Sergei B.
Agree with the falafels being great... You can also taste the freshness and flavor of the tomatoes and other veggies in the falafel wrap, I guess organic and local does make a difference. I like the selection of loose leaf iced teas that they have, as mentioned before you get a free refill. This place is decent for a date, although it doesn't look like much from the outside.
(5)Jude G.
I am rarely in Framingham, but after eating at Big Fresh once, I will travel there more often. I had the falafel plate. All of the food (salad, salad dressing, falafel, humus, a curried cauliflower pickle and hot sauce) was certainly big fresh, and amazingly big delicious. Would love to try many other items. The menu is a mouth-watering read.
(5)John W.
4.5 stars I will round up to 5. I've never had such tasty "local and/or organic and/or vegetarian" food. If you're a locavor, you'll love this good-value place with its healthy, great tasting food and funky/hippie decor. If you're a meat eater, order anything on the menu with one of their great beers and say "hey, this healthy stuff can be good!". Many people think of Framingham/Natick route 9 area as chain heaven, but there are many hidden gems in this area and Big Fresh is definitely one of them.
(5)J W.
I like the falafel (wrap, pita or salad), salmon wrap and chicken meatball wrap at this place. A bit more expensive than the usual lunch fare, but you get your money's worth because Big Fresh buys the food from local farms. I don't have to worry as much about the chemicals that the industrial farms use.
(4)Jenna J.
LOVE this place! The location is kind of weird, it's a hole in the wall, you have to know where it is. The food is amazing! Finally, a place that cares about the environment, organic, local food, and supporting local businesses and the community. Not your regular chain restaurant. Falafel wrap is my favorite and my boyfriend loves their tobouli chicken wrap. Very hearty, you can tell the food is made with love. Gotta try their sweet potato pie (omg!), next thing for me to try is their vegan chocolate cake. Can't wait! Iced tea is really good, and refills are free. Maybe a little bit pricier that your local sandwich shop (although not by much), but it is totally worth it. I like what they stand for and I'll support them any day of the week. I wish there were more food joints like this around MA.
(5)Anurag M.
Great food reasonable prices great quality
(4)Amar C.
I've only been to this place a couple of times... and admittedly haven't ordered anything to eat other than the Falafel sandwich. But Oh My GOD is it good! Now when I go I get a falafel with hot sauce "for here" and one to go for lunch the next day! Also, the Moroccan Mint green tea... dee-lish. Strangely, I think this health-oriented place is owned by the same people as Tennesee's, the BBQ joint in the same plaza... or at least they share a catering menu.
(5)Emily C.
Very yummy falafel and lentils. no atmosphere, but that's okay!
(4)Andrew M.
Hooray for Big Fresh! Fantastic sandwiches, wraps, and stir fry for people who like to eat right. It may be a shade on the expensive side for fast food, but $6-$10 for a satisfying, healthy meal is nothing less than a bargain.
(5)Rick C.
This place is a good as it gets for local, inexpensive organic food. Place is small, and sometimes you wait for a table, not much atmosphere but the food quality is excellent, falafel is good, medditeranean chicken is good, salds are good, you cannot go wrong
(5)Lindsey M.
A vegetarian's dream. Literally. Although you have every reason by the looks of his place to think they are just another greasy fast-food joint, DON'T BE DECIEVED. This hidden gem is cozy and charming offering an amazing selection of nutritious veg and non veg entrees. Their organics come from local farms and couldn't agree with the restaurants name more. Everything from tofu, falafel, hummus, and salads to whole grains poultry and meats. I am a huge fan of the Moroccan Tangine.
(5)Bella and Aleksey R.
This offers healthy, organic food choices that are also tasty. I like their falafel wrap - falafel is nicely fried and complemented with some veggies and hummus, the wraps are always soft and fresh, just how I like them. I feel rather cliche saying this now, having read that most reviewers seem to favor this dish also, I thought I was so unique! Haha. It's a little bit pricey, but it's worth it. They seem to prefer that you pay by cash, though they do accept cards (I never seem to have cash though and feel guilty). They also have a good hot tea selection. Their entrees taste a bit exotic to me (even though I usually like that), so I don't usually get them. Food is prepared relatively quickly, even during the lunch rush. Btw, if you are super hungry all you need is the chicken meatball wrap - even a small one will leave you extremely full.
(4)Ker T.
I go to this place about once a week when working in nearby Westborough - its cheap, good, healthy and they have organic wines that actually taste good. Plus I love supporting locally-owned businesses with a conscience. Try it - the food tastes much better than any fast food restaurant and doesn't leave you feeling like you should run 5 miles as penance.
(5)John F.
This place is fantastic. I would never have noticed it if not for Yelp, and I'm so glad I did. I went here for lunch a week or so ago, and had the Thai chicken curry, and a side of couscous, both of which were delicious. The curry was so epic I couldn't finish it, but damn if I didn't want to. The falafel looked very tasty, and the whole restaurant had a great vibe of good food and local business. Definitely recommended for your lunch break in Natick/Framingham.
(5)Matt C.
My wife and I started eating here just after they opened, and man has the place changed since. New look, new vibe, new everything - but the one thing that hasn't changed is the amazing food. I don't think i've ever been bummed out by any selection...but 9 times outta 10 I'm getting the chicken meatball wrap with wheat and no cheese. It's just nice to have a place within a mile of my work that you can eat at and not feel bad about after. It's good for you, it's good for the earth, and it's really not too bad on the wallet if you choose wisely.
(5)Jessica B.
So good! You have to try the falafel- best in the state!
(5)paige m.
officially my favorite restaurant in massachusetts. for two reasons: one..the food was amazing...we had the noodles and tofu with peanut curry sauce and the falafel plate. best falafel ever. ever. and it's in small, bite sized balls which makes it fun to eat, and not as thick and tiresome as the larger balls of falafel. other highlights on the menu were the moroccan veggies with a sweet potato marinara, and the coconut curry with your choice of meat or tofu. they also have a bunch of wraps. a lot of times, smaller restaurants like this have a lot of variety ,but they never specialize in anything, making for a dull and often greasy eating experience. this place, however, specializes in every single menu item. our meal tasted homemade and perfect. this is hands down the best vegetarian food that i've had in mass. (they also have ample chicken and fish dishes). the second reason this place is my favorite is because of the service. when we walked in , we couldn't decide what to order because there were so many awesome choices. not only did they give us a sample of the peanut curry sauce, they also fried up two falafel balls just for us to sample. not to mention, this place is family owned, and the owners; daughter, who took our orders, offered excellent customer service...and excellent samples. oh yeah, and a lot of their selections are organic and local! oh and also, there's so much character! by the door they have their new year's resolutions posted (things like expand catering delivery zone and world peace). there is also a bunch of information about environmental and locally-driven movements, causes and resources. i would do anything for one of these in jamaica plain. but in the meantime, i absolutely will drive out to natick just for this restaurant. their menu's on their website. check it out and go there.
(5)Elizabeth S.
LOVE. Have been going here for years and the quality has stayed the same! Best falafel I have ever had!!
(5)Blake M.
yum; reasonably priced
(5)Sweta B.
I really loved this place...I love anything falafel and Hummus...and I have tried them in all places you can get around Boston...and I can tell you the falafel at this place is really good...also loved the morocan cous cous dish....Its has a very casual yet fresh feel to it.....I am yet to try the wines and their teas but they look good as well....if you wanted try something different them forget the thousands of food options in around that area and try this place, you wont be disappointed...
(4)Jeff W.
This place is interesting. It's local and they've done a great job with the decor. Lots of cool art and character. It's small but space is used well.. booths for 2 are cozy. As the name implies, the ingredients are fresh and organic - including the beer and wine! I had the Stir Fry Special with tofu and peanut sauce over brown rice. My GF had Spicy Noodles and Peanut sauce over wheat noodles with chicken. Both were yummy. The price for both,and a brew, was $22, a good value. Try it for a healthy break from the usual corporate mall fare.
(5)Katie R.
The Falafel here is AMAZING! I drive all the way from the lower Cape just to eat it!
(5)Hillary W.
I love this place, this concept, everything. The food was good, real, fresh and fast. The joint is cute and comfortable. Please open one in Harvard Square. I know all of my co-workers and myself would go here all the time !
(5)Jody G.
I regularly crave the big fresh special with tofu, veggies, the best peanut sauce and the surprisingly addictive collard greens. Seems like a strange combination, but it works so well! Also love their hummus, hot picalilly sauce, homemade soups, and the chicken meatballs. Service is friendly and fast!
(4)Han K.
I'm skeptical of health food restaurants but with such high recommendations I had to give a try. I was not disappointed. The menu does span a lot of different areas between delicious falafels to very tasty thai curries and blackened salmon, but all the food is served quickly, served fresh, and the quality of the ingredients are left to shine on their own. Beats the pants off Fresh City or Know Fat any day because they're not touting just being healthy, but also being sustainable and local as well. Big plus to selling Wolaver's Organic beers as well.
(4)Kupkake K.
I had the chicken Morrocan Tangine and Salmon Wrap which were delicious. The fish was extremely fresh and cooked perfectly. I enjoyed the mid-eastern taste of the Morrocan Tangine which had the right spices. I'm a repeat customer...Nice cozy atmosphere...
(4)Ken P.
As a vegetarian, I absolutely love this place, although there are plenty of options for non-veges. I get the spicy peanut noodle stir-fry with tofu or the falafel every time I'm there. Everything is fresh and, as far as I know, organic. It doesn't get much better than this for quick vegetarian food in MetroWest.
(5)Callie G.
Do something good for yourself and eat here. Like everyone else said, the exterior will not beckon you in, but the food is great. Cuisine is a bit Mediterranean, a bit Middle Eastern. They have pasta dishes and salads. It's very healthy and fast. Average meal costs less than $10. Yes, it's more expensive than McDonalds, but healthy fresh food always is.
(5)Arik C.
One of the very few plces you can actually find a meal that isn't gresed up and has ingriedients that are fresh, hence the name. Great falafel, tofu dishes and the chicken meatball is awesome. I only with their were more options for food. They charge like $2 for a 12 oz can of natural soda, a bit ridiculous.
(4)Gregory W.
Great Mid East veggie food served here. Try the falafel plate but bring a friend, its much bigger than you think. They also have Wolaver's Pale Ale, an incredibly great tasting, hoppy pale ale from the Wolaver's/Otter Creek brewery in VT. Every time I'm in the area I try to go here for a plate and a pint.
(5)esther s.
Big Fresh is the place we turn to for a cheap but healthy night out! I always get the falafel wrap and my husband gets the chicken stir fry with noodle. The falafel wrap is soo good, along with the seaweed salad is wonderful.
(5)Stephanie B.
We love this place. This place reminds you what good food is about. The plus is that they try to get as much as possible locally. I have never had a bad meal here.
(5)Aly H.
I can't believe anyone would give this place less than 4 stars. This whole idea that fresh, local, vegetarian food is better on the west coast is crap and Big Fresh proves it. Yeah, there may be more places to get this kind of food out west but the quality of the food at Big Fresh is as good as any. The FALAFEL WRAP is a must try.
(5)acrid r.
I visited on a Saturday night. The place was pretty busy. I had the spicy peanut noodle stir-fry with tofu and my friend had the Thai curry with tofu. As tofu lovers and vegetarians, we were excited about the menu choices. Unfortunately, while the food tasted okay, it was really, really greasy. Greasy to the point where the oil pooled at the bottom of the bowl. While the vegetables seemed fresh enough, the tofu was tasteless and greasy. I was disappointed and would not order those two dishes again. The restaurant was nicely decorated with (local?) art on the wall and stained glass light fixtures, and the lighting was not too bright. The seating was comfortable, the place seemed clean, and the staff were fine. However, restaurants are all about the food, so I'm giving 2 stars based on the dishes we had.
(2)Reid F.
I'd like to offer an opposing viewpoint to all the people who like this place. I've tried it twice, and both times, it was slow, the cashiers made mistakes, and the food was not all that fresh. I usually love these kinds of places, but this one doesn't measure up.
(2)Ridge R.
uh yuh. it's really good food. and a very reasonable deal too. the fish is usually good. the noodle dishes too. the asian salad is great. but to be fair, even though it's a convenient location, you gotta admit the whole strip center thing kinda kills the whole vibe. and the general friendliness quotient is very low. still the deal of the week - just needs a nice, kinda funky, stand-alone sorta new home.
(4)John A.
I must have driven by the sign for Big Fresh fifty times before but never felt compelled to explore it. Thanks to my fellow Yelp'ers, I discovered that it had a wide range of vegetarian options and had a focus on local organic foods. Visited last night, a busy Friday, and was very pleasantly surprised. Unfortunately, it is in a shopping plaza whose best days are past, and the seating area is a bit small, but the restaurant itself is funky, warm, vibrant, and inviting. Food is made for all to see. The Moroccan Tangine with tofu was flavorful and exotic, the spicy noodle stir fry was equally good. Tasty hummus and pitas. The organic sauvignon blanc was a treat. Prices were very reasonable -- two of us each had an entree, glass of wine and shared a hummus/pita appetizer for $33. For real food!! Can you say bargain?? Would be nice it they would add a vegan dessert or two. This is a restaurant for people who respect the food they put in their bodies and I applaud Karen and Kevin, the owners (who I do not know but only read about), for their passion for supporting local growers. Definitely a place I will return to again and again, and heartily recommend.
(5)Eric B.
I was pretty bummed when this place replaced the Rami's Falafel. And it wasn't so good at first in terms of atmosphere or food. But it's really grown into itself and is absolutely the best place to get a fairly quick, healthy meal. Excellent stir fries and wraps using fresh, organic chicken, fish and vegetables. Everything is available with brown rice or whole grains. Even their beer (rare for a self-service/take-out place) is organic (Wolaver's). My favorites are the salmon stir fry and the Mediterranean chicken plate. Great quick and easy place with kids too -- my toddler loves their chicken meatballs. The place is tucked away between a Papa Gino's and a Boston Market in a dreary strip plaza on Route 30, making you think it's probably a disgusting sub place. But it's not. Check it out. My one criticism -- certain rotating specials should be available all the time, especially the Mediterranean chicken wrap!!!!
(5)Ashley I.
Love their falafel! Stir fry is also really good. Kind of on the pricier side for a cafe, but I don't mind paying more for healthier food made with quality ingredients.
(5)Aleks D.
This place is a great alternative to your typical fast food restaurant. The chicken thai curry rocks! Only wish the menu was a bit bigger.
(5)Rainbaby K.
This place is great. It's reasonably priced and you can get healthy "fast food". Everything is super fresh because they buy locally which is great for the consumer but also for the local farmers. In addition they have local artists' work hanging on the walls for purchase. It's just a great place all around. I've tried many items on the menu and haven't found one that I didn't like. A particular favorite of mine is the BIG BABY SALAD but whatever you order, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Debbie M.
I love this place for fast, fresh, yummy food and friendly service. This is my favorite place to go with my family when we are running late for deciding what to eat and I feel like eating something healthy. The decor is funky. The staff is cool. The food is very fresh and includes local organic produce. My favorite is the Thai Chicken with Broccoli on Coconut rice (YUM!) and my husband usually really enjoys a falafel plate. My 9 year old likes the meatball wrap and my 3 year old likes the teryaki noodles or a side of chopped tomatoes (not on the menu but they are happy to oblige this strange craving she always has). They have the cutest little teapots and I love the Moroccan Mint Green tea. The drinks are expensive but the reasonable prices for fresh, fast and unusual mix of dishes in a cool environment makes up for it. They have added a lot more choices for drinks since they originally opened. I also like the Oh Baby salad I think it has gorgonzola cheese, walnuts and apples. They have local art on the walls which I always like too.
(5)Susan E.
I have lived in the Framingham area for 15 years, and it took me 14 to discover little Big Fresh among all the neon on Route 9. I had seen it many times on my way into Papa Ginos or Boston Chicken, but never went in because I thought it was just an average salad bar and wrap place. But my sister finally nudged me in to try, and boy was I surprised. First of all, you feel like you have stepped out of the chain eatery capital of America right into Brattleboro, VT. The restaurant is small and cozy and a little dark--and SO unlike everything around it. I am a vegetarian wanabee, but I can't seem to give up chicken entirely. Here, I can eat veggies and tofu and hummos and falafel and Morrocan Tangine and feel GREAT and full at the same time. I have also tried the Thai Curry Salmon which is fantastic. If you are reading this review, you will love this place. I only wish I had known about it sooner...
(5)Amy M.
When it comes to veggies, Big Fresh lives up to its name. Hummus and salads have been fresh and tasty. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options on the menu, and there's a separate gluten free menu. While veggies are great, the meat options are lacking. The beef kofte and chicken are only decent, but not super. The falafel is far better. Atmosphere is super casual, with bench style seating in a less than glamorous interior. Good for a quick, non-chain-food meal.
(3)Marzena W.
Fantastic healthy and quick place to eat, great organic tea selection. Highly recommend this place.
(5)Rokitjogo G.
Delicious Mediterranean food. I had the morrocan tagine and it was super healthy and fresh tasting. Super quick and they have self-serve iced tea. Oh and they undersold the Jammie cookie. I thought it was amazing!
(5)Julie N.
Love this place for a fresh, creative lunch! The fishcakes are super, as is the Mediterranean plate. (I always get the same thing. I can't help it.). I like to come here in the winter during off hours for a delightful, hot healthy meal and enjoy quiet time alone in the midst of route 9 madness.
(5)R Y.
Cousin recommended this place to grab a veggie bite and it was delicious! Had the Falafel wrap on tomato tortilla. The portion was filling! The wrap is filled with 8 falafel a and a mix of chopped vegetables. Get the hot sauce on the side. It's medium hot and tastes great with the wrap.
(5)M A.
Super friendly and well made food. Tiny shop and the owner went to great lengths to see that our group of six was comfortably seated and quickly served. Excellent, satisfying dishes all around. Seemed like a local hot spot as many people came and went with take at while we ate.
(4)Nathan R.
Good, clean food that comes out quickly and hits the spot. Solid healthy alternative to most of the fast food type places in the area. I usually go with the Falafel wrap but the stir frys and Falafel/chicken plates are also good. They brew their own tea as well. Gotta respect their commitment to high quality seasonal ingredients at a fair price
(4)Nicole C.
Been here one time and it was sooo gooood! Tastes super clean. I got the chicken Caesar wrap. Definitely the best I've had. Only thing is is I asked for a tomato wrap and got wheat.
(5)L L.
We like to get the falafel from here as it is the only place near rt 9 to get a good one. We have also had them cater a few events, with the the falafel, feta/beet salad and Chinese chicken salad as favorites. Their hummus is yummy too! Kids like the teriyaki salmon and chicken with brown rice. It is a feel good place to eat since we feel they are responsible restaurant owners trying to provide healthy, quality food.
(4)Kate M.
This restaurant is amazing. So amazing. I ate the Moroccan Tagine and I will never forget how good that was. And so healthy. I must learn how to make this for myself. And my friend got a wrap which she says was "everything she ever hoped. What a great menu and place to eat :) I love it.
(5)Sophia J.
Love the falafel here. I called ahead to order takeout, a falafel wrap with spicy sauce on pita... even though they only offer it in wraps I specifically asked for pita. I came to pick it up and they gave my order to someone else........ What??!!?! So, don't bother calling ahead. I wish they gave me a sorry cookie or something. I didn't even have the energy to b****about it to them, which I usually would.
(1)Brian L.
As a meat-inclined type of guy, I tend to avoid vegetarian-friendly places. I was therefore quite pleasantly surprised with my experience with the food at Big Fresh. The falafel wrap was solid. Tons of big chunks, with a nice tahini sauce. My only issue was that I ordered it spicy and barely detected any heat. The Big Fresh special, which is a tofu/peanut sauce veggie plate, with collard greens and brown rice, was actually quite delicious. They really nailed the sauce. If I had to eat vegetarian (for some terrible reason), this would be a dish I would actually look forward to eating! The place did have an odd, soapy odor throughout. Perhaps they had just done the floors... Anyway, I had a solid meal here and would definitely be back the next time I'm in Framingham.
(4)Scott M.
Excellent. The food was great , the service very friendly. They had signs they are moving which is prob good bc ambience was the only thing lacking - eat there again soon ! I ate the Mediterranean chicken and it did not disappoint. Perfect spicy.
(5)A S.
This place is great! Came here twice! I had ordered the falafel wrap the other day and it was delicious! Their portions are huge. Their ingredients are fresh and they are made to order! They will be moving soon to Route 9 so be aware!
(4)Steve S.
Simple. Honest. Food. I am beginning to believe that the processed food we eat consistently may actually be the source of many of our problems So, when I was in Framingham and yelping a place to eat, I was happy to find Big Fresh amongst Thai, Papa Ginos and Five Guys in the same area. Big Fresh is a small place with multi colored booths in the front and a counter in the back The place is known for their falafel and other organic foods. I have a bowl of chili on my first visit, which was good but not extremely filling. The Chicken Tangine, however, was excellent with good flavor and a high quality meat. The humus is excellent as well This is a great place for lunch. You do not feel sluggish after eating good food. Definitely worth a try
(5)Roger M.
In a land surrounded by malls and chain restaurants, Big Fresh is an oasis of freshly prepared food made fast. Not fast food. No. It is really good food made quickly and custom, Big Fresh is located in one of those strip malls that is next to a Boston Market and across from McD's. You walk in and there are a few tables and a counter. No waiters and nobody greets you at the door. And, at that moment, your dreams of a good meal go out the door. Don't be discouraged. Walk up to the counter. You can place an order, or customize it. For example, I wanted salmon instead of chicken -- no problem. I like the Israeli style chopped salad. Of course, no problem. Anything you want adjusted. And, they take care of you. The food comes out quickly. Perhaps not as fast as the chicken in the warming tray at the chicken restaurant next door. But, this meal is tasty and fresh. The ingredients are top notch. And, don't miss the Moroccan Mint Iced Tea. Yummy.
(4)Michelle B.
My first and last time going there was today - very cold and rainy and asked for a cup of soup , it was very good ... But my throat began to itch very bad after just a couple of bites . I asked the man who had taken my order if he could just simply switch the coup for something of the same cost , he turned around and said "no, we don't do that . Drink some water." ... Well okay then , thanks for nothing guy ! As I pop Benadryl and go to the hospital .
(1)Juliana L.
Everything is consistently delicious at Big Fresh. It's so good to have an amazing meal with real food that is filling and nutritious! I've had a few different dishes, but my go-to order is the tempeh special (with molasses!!) - absolute heaven. Natural teas are yummy. Prices are reasonable, the staff is nice and attentive. Love, love, love!
(5)Joel D.
It wasn't that good! The hummus was pretty awful tasting and the pita was kinda hard. The meal itself "Toboule Chicken Plate" lacked flavor and I had to added seasoning to help with that. The best part of the meal was a little sauce they had in a small plastic container. I just dumped that on my food (I dunno if I was supposed to) which made it better. They also have a sign that they prefer cash instead of credit card. I get that there are fees with credit card but I travel for work and using my AMEX for food is a major must for me. Don't try and make me feel guilty for using it! If you don't want to accept cards mark your yelp account that you don't accept cards and I'll move on to a different restaurant.
(2)Eamon M.
What food they have is good but help me understand something. You have falafel, you have pita. But for some reason you can no longer put the falafel in the pita? Really? I guess I could live with that except that when I asked why the answer was "we can't do that". What? Can't? Why? The answer to that was "we don't do that". Okay, thanks, that really cleared that up for me. I'll be back when you figure out how to get the falafel into pita.
(2)Stevie O.
One of the few local places you can get a real deal falafel wrap and Moroccan mint iced tea. Fresh, organic ingredients. Get the spicy Harif in your sandwich; you won't be disappointed.
(4)Alexandra U.
We came here for late lunch. We ordered Moroccan Tagine with chicken and Taboule chicken plate. The portions were enormous and the food was absolutely fresh and beyond delicious! I felt full half way through my plate but made sure I finish the plate bc it was amazingly delicious! My fiancé ate entire Tagine plate and loved it as well! This place is a charm among all the shopping malls. We will definitely make sure to come back every time we are in this neighbourhood! A++++++
(5)Kyle W.
I hate giving a review like this. Yelpers love this place and I really can't see why. This was a solid 3 star spot, yet yelp has 200+ reviews that think this is amazing. I had the falafel (the most popular item on the menu). Everyone in my group thought it was 3 stars at best for all the dishes we had. My GF wife didn't like her dish. We the carrot cake is way better than the chocolate cake. It's not bad, it just was not 4 or 5 stars for anyone in our group.
(3)Kendra N.
Holy moly, is their Falafel Wrap amazing! It's a definite must try.
(5)Diana Z.
Love the food and the ambiance. The service is quick and the Mediterranean plate is super yummy.
(5)Claude C.
Love this place! Food is always fresh and there are so many fun combinations to try! It's my go to for a healthy and satisfying meal in the Framingham area. Just wish they served wine :) My goto meals here for dinner are the Big Fresh Special, the tempeh special, and Moroccan Tangine.
(5)Andrew S.
Came here on a Saturday afternoon after shopping at the Natick Mall. Overall, it was a pretty bad experience for me and my girlfriend. First, the woman taking our order didn't notice we were there and kept us waiting for just a little too long. Then not all the tables seemed to be cleaned, despite the small crowd in the restaurant. They are clearly short on staff. The menu looked great, and I was excited for my falafel wrap. However, it came out salty and soggy. The portion size was good, but nowhere near the quality I look for in a $9 wrap. My girlfriend got garlic lentil pasta. The veggies were just warmed up frozen veggies and the whole wheat pasta tasted cheap. $19 later we were less hungry, but no more satisfied. I will not be back and I urge other visitors to look for the difference between fresh food this place advertises and the actual items served. TL;DR - Not fresh, a lack of service, unsatisfied.
(2)Angels s.
Good food. I had a salad and my hubby had a falafel plate. Both were good. I felt the price is little expensive for a salad....
(3)Laura W.
Delicious options, huge portions, and cooked to order. Great take out option. Small dining area. Bring cash as they prefer it.
(4)Kim D.
I don't understand the hype. I ordered the falafel salad. Yes portion was large with 5 mini sized falafels. However they didn't taste very good. Maybe it's just me and the fact that I don't like fried food. I did not like the salad dressing either. Not sure what it was exactly, tahini maybe??? And as for the "fresh" hummus, there was so reminiscence of garlic or lemon in it. Fail in my bookmark. Sorry yelpers.
(2)Cliff U.
Amazing food. We went for a casual dinner and had the Moroccan Tagine plate which was amazing and vegan, the falafel plate - also amazing and vegan, the chicken caesar wrap was great as was the Med Chicken Plate (but could have benefited from some salad). Can't wait to go back!
(5)Brianna M.
I was really skeptical about this place when I pulled up. Have never been a fan of places that look like a strip mall. They served me a delicious salad though with beets and goat cheese. My boyfriends dish was super fresh and he was very pleased as well.. We will be back when we are in the area. Thanks!
(4)Lucio F.
Great amazing place to eat! I've been working in Framingham for the past year and a half and order lunch almost four days a week from this place. The food is amazing, healthy reasonably priced with lot of options....
(5)Andrew M.
I love to come here for their hummus falafel in pita. The falafel has this great browned, slightly crispy but not dry texture, and the vegetables are always really fresh. The spicy side sauce they make for it is a great compliment. The atmosphere of the place is comfortable and simple, and not pretentious. They have a good range of healthy stir fries and other foods.
(4)Doro R.
Truely- one of the best Mediterranean meals I've ever had. Oddly, also dealt with one of the most miserable restaurant workers of all time too. She single-handedly removed the fifth star from my experience. Honestly she took 2 stars but the food was so good that I just can't bring myself to rate this place 3 stars due to one teenage brat. I'll begin with the bad. I walked in to see several employees sitting in the dining room- possible on their lunch break. That seems reasonable. They were all facing the door in order to see customers coming in. This also seems reasonable. I walked up to the counter, reviewed the menu, looked for a sign to direct me where to go for my order to be taken. I went to the register and waited. I waited. I looked up and around thinking maybe I misread a sign. It was my first time, after all. A cook person yelled out something to the effect of 'customer waiting'. Less than a minute later one of the people who had been sitting in the dinning room watching me since I walked in, stomped over to the register. The look she gave me made it clear that I'd better be quick and not ask any questions or cause any problems. I was so taken aback that I forgot to order something. Unfortunately for me, as soon as she had change in my hand she was on her way back to her co-workers at the table up front. Oh well. I got my drink and sat down waiting for my number to be called. A number was called and I walked up. It looked like what I thought my order would look like but I happened to get a look at the ticket that was under my plate and it had an add on that I didn't ask for. I pulled my hand back and looked up at the menu to see if I'd missed something or if that was someone else's order. The order-taker happened to walk by while this was happening. When she saw me pull my hand back she barked 'that's what you ordered. the .......'. I said 'oh. ok. it just looked like there was an extra side and I wasn't sure this was mine' as I was picking up the plate and heading back to my seat. She almost did an eye roll at me! She made the face that translates into 'what an idiot'. She then began spraying bleach based cleaner about 2 feet in front of me. A minute later she was walking around the rest of the dining room wiping things down with cleaner and sneezing. She wasn't sneezing into her shoulder or arm bend- the way you are supposed to. Nope. She was just letting them go. Once she finished and got the hell out of the dinning room I was able to really get into my lunch and allow her poor people skills to melt away. The food was amazing. Like A-M-A-Z-I-N-G amazing. I got the falafel salad plate. I ate every little bit and had to seriously consider licking my plate clean. I may have run a finger over it a few times... It was a lot of food too- but so good that I don't know that I would be willing to share with anyone. I am very very sad that I don't live close enough to go here for lunch everyday. My biggest tip... Call ahead to get your food to-go so that you aren't angering any teens who might have to get up and take your order. They have a lot of tacky signs up about how much things cost them... like 'please use cash because we're trying to reduce cc fees' and 'please only take the napkins you need'. No wifi offered, however the free wifi from a neighboring business is strong and can by used.
(4)Brian M.
It was anything but Fresh. The chicken tabouli tasted as if it were prepared in cleaning solution. The hummus had a strange pool of liquid on top and tasted stranger than it appeared. The Beef Kofte was over priced. It was 9.50 for shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, with 3 tiny hard beef discs. I had to wash it down with the spicy side. Couldn't finish the plate. Terrible.
(1)Fred T.
If they have something you are looking for, they are great, even if you don't know what you want they have a good variety and you can try something new and see if you like it. It's not a big place but found a place to sit and our meals were delicious, like the name, fresh and plentiful. I'd go back again just to try something different than what you get at most food places.
(4)Xuan Z.
Seriously, I have been sitting in front my laptop for 10 mins not knowing what to write for the review. I thought about every single item on the plate and I really don't have any comments, good or bad. I guess except for the unique and cozy environment, I don't like anything in particular. But at the same time, there isn't anything unforgivably bad.
(3)Yasa E.
Love!!! Tabbouleh chicken wrap....enormous, filled with delicious veggies, wrapped an a yummy tomato tortilla. Healthy and absolutely delicious. Also tried the Mediterranean plate and it was sweet/spicy and huuuuge. The staff inside is nice. The food is fresh and cheap. 5 stars for sure!!!
(5)David S.
The big fresh lives up to its name. Situated between burger shops this little family owned restaurant is your best bet for a extremely tasty, healthy, Mediterranean-inspired meal.
(4)Skye G.
I always find comfort in the Tofu Curry Rice dish. It is a simple dish of firm tofu, soft broc, and rice in a curry sauce that is made up fresh one pan at a time. There are booths for two and larger ones along side the counter. You can have some freshly made teas or something from the bottle cooler (just behind the cashier). We tend to go here when we want something fast but also something healthy and tasty. Thanks Big Fresh!
(4)Sara D.
Delicious, flavorful, and interesting. We had the Mediterranean chicken plate and the beer and feta salad. Both were delicious. I had the vegan chocolate cake which was decent but a tad dry. I don't really care it was dry because i am on a dairy free diet and desperate for dairy free sweets. The meal was so good we ordered another dish (spicy peanut noodle stir fry) to eat tomorrow. We will definitely be back!
(5)Amanda C.
I've been going to Big Fresh for probably the better part of 10 years now. Everything I've ever ordered I've enjoyed. I've been working my way through the menu when I can tear myself away from my favorites (falafel wrap, chicken tabouleh plate, cod cakes...) and have always been delighted with what they make. I've started ordering dishes I'm not usually even all that into - like the thai curry with salmon (I typically don't really like salmon, and I'm not a huge curry fan), and I still love it. This place is consistently awesome. And the spicy harif is wonderful. More spciy harif please!
(5)Becca S.
One of my favorite, go to, quick and healthy spots around! Love the salmon wrap. Keep doing what you're doing! :-)
(5)Ashok V.
woman at the cashier told me I was holding the dish wrong when I came back and told the lady that it was spilling. well excuse me lady I was not instructed on how to hold it and my entire suit was soaked in some oil . These woman (cashier and another lady at the counter )pack really really bad , I would strongly suggest not to ever take a to go from this place
(1)Caitlin C.
My girlfriend and I love Big Fresh! We always get the falafel wraps because they are so tasty and filling. Always come out hot and delicious! I love the spicy tahini.. So good with the fried falafel. Service is very fast and for a "fast food" place everything is prepared well. We love this place, really a diamond in the rough.
(5)Luke F.
Finally tried Big Fresh and I'm glad I did. Food is really good, lots of fresh vegetables, you can taste the freshness. I have only done take-out there and it seems that is what it is best suited for - the dining area is pretty small. Food comes out fast. It is nice that they have an open kitchen. I like to see how my food is being prepared. Have tried several dishes and have to say the peanut noodles are my favorite, but there are many more items on the menu I plan on trying. Servings are generous, I can get two or three meals out of one of their dishes.
(4)Jeff S.
Will always go here when in the area from now on, loved today's lunch of Mediterranean Chicken!!! I don't eat this type of food often so I'm no expert but the mix of flavors from the sauces was out of this world...
(5)Brendan R.
Found this place when searching for falafel in the Framingham area. Service is average, nothing spectacular. Food is delicious, a great tasting falafel. Not too much flavor outside the falafel itself, but the salad piece of the pita I usually order is nice. I'm used to falafel a being able to have every ingredient in every bite, but this place can be inconsistent. Also, I always get falafel warm and there have been occasions where they've simply given me a cold/room temp salad/pita. Best Falafel in the area!
(4)L. S.
I have liked EVERYTHING I've tried here so far! I really enjoy the cod cakes, hummus, falafel salad or wrap, and the Thai curry (not spicy, wish it had a bit more of a kick). The only downside is it's always packed during lunch hours.
(4)Allison B.
I stopped here on the way through town (I'm not from the area) based on the positive Yelp reviews and now know that if I lived here, I would be a Big Fresh regular. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but the inside is pretty charming with the way they have the wooden bench booths painted different bright colors. You walk up and place your order (that girl needed to pop on a smile, but otherwise, the process went okay). They have an extensive menu but I ultimately decided on the cod cakes that were served with a green salad and carrot slaw. My husband had the hummus/falafel salad. Both were awesome and fresh in a big way (see what I did there? "big and fresh" -- Big Fresh). As far as those cod cakes go, with the salads and all -- I could eat that everyday. That's going to go down as a top dish of all time. Delicious! Also, for the amount of food you receive and how it is presented on your plate, it's really fast. I was impressed overall and would definitely think about stopping back if we're around in the future!
(5)James C.
Really unique place with interesting culture-fusion dishes. It's a hole in the wall that's also a diamond in the rough. Whatever you do, don't sit in the booth by the trash. It's... kind of gross, and also really busy. Awkward quirk: They have a sign on the register that says they don't like to take credit cards because of the processing fees... which always makes me feel a little guilty. I'd rather they just add 10 cents to their menu items instead of operating on such low margins they have to discourage credit cards. #CashFreeLife
(4)madalyne c.
Incredibly tasty and fresh, a great fast food option that will leave you satisfied. Get the hot sauce for the falafel.
(5)Bruce F.
Why can't I order falafel in a pita? They only serve in "wraps" which I find have unpleasant texture. They said I could get a pita on the side?!
(3)J D.
excellent and healthy, plus an amazing value. Get the grilled salmon on couscous with the side of roasted beats and asparagus. AMAZING.
(5)Lydia B.
So good! We had different versions of their falafel and was super impressed. The falafel was flavorful and the accompanying ingredients were fresh and presented well. Don't forget to get the their version of the "hot sauce"- a kind of mint, cilantro, garlic, pepper dressing that goes so well on the wrap. I could have scooped that out with a spoon! The staff was very friendly too! Can't wait to try some of their other offerings.
(5)Tara C.
This place is great! I had a bad day cuz I went somewhere else to eat and it was cured by coming here. Everything's good afterwards... Everything is always good afterwards, especially when this one lady works there behind the bar. Someone tell me what her name is or find out soon. I always order the falafel wrap with extra spicy sauce and hummus on whole wheat. YUM.
(5)Michael C.
Small hole in the wall place that could use a new exterior. Probably would have never stopped by here if it weren't for the reviews and the fact that I was traveling with a recent "born again" vegan friend. I ordered the Falafel, Hummus, Salad Plate which was OK. The salad was just a salad. The hummus was good but I've had much better when traveling to the Mediterranean. The falafel were excellent. Not too hard after deep frying. Other than that, there was minimal wait and plenty of parking at 8pm on a Saturday night.
(4)Mona B.
I love this place. I work down the street from this place and I go in at least once per week. Everything on their menu is delicious. Specially their felafel; since I'm middle eastern and I know what "real" felafel's taste like and theirs is legit. I recommend EVERYTHING on their menu. Also the service is wonderful.
(5)Jen C.
The most amazing place ever. I get take-out from here at least once a week, but I also enjoy eating in - the space is small, adorable, and colorful. Favorites are the Spicy Peanut Noodle, Thai Curry, and Morrocan Tagine, all with Tofu. Carrot cake and vegan chocolate cake are incredible. Some of the freshest, most delicious food I have ever eaten. Quality is consistently stellar. Friendly staff. Eat here!!!!
(5)Kirk G.
Eat here each time I am in Framingham. LOVE Big Fresh more each time I have something new! Big Fresh Special tonight. Great sauce, awesome tofu, perfect veggies on Brown rice. YUMMMMMM!!
(5)Brendan G.
Good food, inexpensive... this was a great find. I pity anyone in the area who has not eaten in this restaurant.
(5)Will R.
For "fast food", this place is quite a surprise. Healthy, interesting combinations, made to order, and reasonably priced. A great selection of iced teas also - it's a cheap night out that you can feel good about - highly recommended!
(5)Chris M.
The food is fresh and tasty! I love the salmon they serve here. Both the Salmon Wrap, and Salmon teriyaki stir fry are delicious! They brew and serve their own fresh ice teas. My Favorite Side: The Asparagus & Beets are marinated in a very tasty asian dressing. The portions are of good size with a reasonable price to match. The decor inside is colorful and artful.
(5)Jason Z.
inexpensive and a hidden gem. Foods are tasty, without the heavy uses of butter and deep fryer. My favor is the salmon wrap
(4)Suzanne L.
My favorite salad is the lentil veggie ball salad. I have also had the Big Baby which is also wonderful. There are so many wonderful dinners it is hard to pick. I also love the carrot cake. This is a place for healthy eating. Parking is great and the prices are good. The only downside is that my favorite little spot seems to have been discovered by many others so sometimes it can get a bit crowded. Enjoy.
(5)Melissa H.
My favorite lunch spot during the work week. Everything is fresh, delicious and good for you too. Highly recommended :) love the salmon wrap and the peanut noodle stirfry.
(5)Chris C.
I wish this place was closer to where I work as I would eat here everyday if it was. Falafel!
(5)Tony B.
This place is a diamond in the rough. Food was amazing and served quickly. Just an excellent place, no frills, but a nice place to grab a bite. Looks like a small family run operation. Flavors are abundant. Food is fresh. Veggies galore. Kudos to these guys for being fresh, awesome and affordable
(5)Jen Y.
Why oh why are you sooo far away and in an awkward strip between boston market , a chinese place and and mickey d's across the street? But you know what? neeeaaar, faaaarr, whereever you are (celine chest pump) I am finding you and devouring you. Everything I've had here is not only delicious, but also fresh- made to order ingredients, and organic. Their salmon wrap (dill mayo on the side) is one of my faves....and most recently I went with my brother and tried the cod wrap with marinara and asparagus and it was like heaven in my mouth. I've also had the veggie quesadillas, a few of the greek dishes (falafel. tabouli) and I love the sides they offer (beets with asparagus, collard greens, brown rice options, etc) ...Everything on their menu are such unique mixes of things you would never put together that I usually spend like 10 minutes just staring at the menu before I decide. It's also a great place to go for a lot of veggie options and all the seafood and meat is super fresh! They also have a bunch of home made brewed teas which is awesome since I am a big huge tea obsessed freak. I only wished the cups were bigger LOL. The decor is cute simple colorful and organic-y. You also get real plates and silverware which is nice! I only knocked off one star because they are pretty pricey for "lunch"...me and the bro both got wraps, an order of quesadillas and a side of collard greens and it was about $30- I mean it's not horribly expensive but for a quick bite to eat it adds up when you want everything on the menu HAHAHAH....but the food is well worth it and yummy and I'm glad there is a place like this around! Open more locations pleaseeeeee! :)
(4)S S.
I LOOOOOVVVEEEE this place!! The food makes me want to drool! I've eaten here thrice - my first dine-in experience wasn't the best (the hummus tasted a little burnt while the cashier wasn't the nicest person to talk to). But I'm glad I gave it a second go because..oh my god, the food is amazing! I've had the Mediterranean Chicken Plate (spicy and sweet), Lentil Veggie Balls salad, The Big Fresh salad (who knew tofu dressing is so yum?!), Thai Curry (such a unique flavor! I had it with the chicken but felt that the meat was too bland for my liking..will try the tofu next time), the Monterey Cod Wrap (wow, what a delicious mix of rice and fish in a wrap) but but but I'm saving the best for the last - Seared True Cod. This unique dish makes me crave more even though I cannot finish off their portion in one sitting! Lip-smacking goodness, I tell you! If you like fish, definitely try it out :)
(5)Bob M.
Been going here for a few years - absolutely love it. Great vegetarian options, as well as fish. Wonderful flavors, fast service, affordable, friendly. Just a great little family restaurant. Be sure to try the tempeh special - yum!
(5)Georgina C.
I had a wonderful visit at Big Fresh yesterday , I ordered the Moroccan Tangine Stirfry and a side of falafel balls. I also enjoyed two glasses of the iced black tea. Its great that they offer Stevita instead of sugar or Splenda. The hostess had somewhat of a glacial attitude, but my food arrived promptly, was delicious, the perfect temperature and flavorful. The bathrooms are clean and parking is ample. There is enough seating that allowed my friend and I to spend a few hours lingering over our meal and teas, catching up without feeling like we needed to vacate to make room for others. The holistic magazines offered in the seating area are a great touch. I will definitely be back, I love this place. So healthy, so delicious!!!
(4)Loz L.
As Californians in Metro West for business, we were craving what we think of as "regular" food but which folks in MA seem to call "hippie" food. Big Fresh did not disappoint. Every dish we had at Big Fresh had great flavors. I'm grateful that Yelp led us to this place!
(5)Eric M.
I can see that Big Fresh really doesn't seem to need yet another good review, but I've gone here so often, I feel bad that I haven't given them kudos here on Yelp for their great food. I'm partial to their falafel, but I and my friends have tried a number of their dishes, and all have been very fresh and tasty. The only problem, honestly, is that one can never predict the ebb and flow of crowds if you want to dine in. Very suitable for take-out, though, so go if you can.
(4)Michael H.
Delicious! Very friendly staff and the food has had great flavor each time I've visited.
(5)Ash N.
Horrible service especially during lunch hour. Place is run by rookies who don't know how to handle a restaurant. Like the food but service drowns out the taste.
(1)Natasha R.
I really like their falafels, but the last few times I've gotten for whatever reason they aren't giving me the spicy red falafel sauce and look at me like I'm on crack whenever I ask for it. I really dislike the brown/green hot sauce they have. Boo.
(3)Jessie C.
Yum. I've been dying to try this place since we moved to town and the reviews are right. It very tasty. I had the falafel and hummus pita with a side of the jasmine coconut rice. Delicious. I'm very picky about my falafel and this place was good. It was crispy on the outside and soft in the middle, but not undercooked. The flavor was good as well. I'm looking forward to trying a few of the other menu items. It's set in a mini strip mall full of food that my husband loves so to have a healthy option available is fantastic.
(4)Lisa D.
My sales rep for New England took us here for a light healthy meal. The lentil balls were amazing. Loved the hummus & the fresh salads. Will definitely be back if we are in the area.
(4)Mary B.
I come here all the time for a quick bite on the go. Things to get: Chicken Caesar Salad on Tomato Wrap, The Big Fresh Salad, Falafel Hummus Salad Plate, Black Bean Soup with Hummus, and Lentil Veggie Balls. The food here is always full of great flavors. Only one complaint: One time I called in an order and I asked for a "peanut chicken noodle dish with curry" (I didn't have the menu in front of me so I didn't know the official name... I assumed she would understand when I mentioned those key ingredients). When I went to go pick it up, I found out the official name on the menu board so I recited the name of the dish. The lady at the counter told me "it's not what I ordered and that the Thai Curry dish with rice was already done and it's too late". Too late? I told her there must have been a misunderstanding, because that's not what I ordered. Rice and Noodles are not the same so correct it. She then rolled her eyes and replaced the order. I didn't appreciate her attitude, being that I come here all the time. She made the mistake and tried to make me feel bad about it. I didn't want to knock down the rating because of this one incident. Other than that, I have always had pleasant experiences with all the other cashiers and the cooks here work hard to get orders done fast.
(4)Vulc K.
I didn't expect the restaurant to be deli-style, but I should've read the reviews. I was pleasantly surprised with the flavorful Thai coconut curry (w/ chicken). However, I don't necessarily get the "Healthy Eating" part. I didn't really get the sense of made fresh, organic fresh, and felt that it was more a marketing scheme. I'm not sure about the price either (I was expecting more chunks of chicken and broccoli for $10. Instead, my chicken were square shreds and broccoli grounded up). The service was awkward, as you are tending for yourself (plus the numerous signs of paying by cash preferred, taking napkins, etc.). And it didn't help that another customer was referred to as the "difficult one" by one of the cashiers. 3-stars for over-hypeness.
(3)James B.
I do like the food, but main reason for going is that they claim to be organic. I asked if the bread was organic for wraps, and the lady comes over say yes it is as she shows me regular bread, now I can get that crap anywhere, the man who speaks better English says about 60-70 % is organic but could not say what is or isn't, the meat or sauce or what? I just don't trust them now!
(5)Timothy G.
I'm Lebanese and I'm always looking for a good Mediterranean place to eat. I work down the street in Framingham and found this place on Yelp and decided to try it out. It was extremely good, coming from a Lebanese family that regularly makes homemade food I highly recommend it.
(5)Alex F.
Big Fresh is everything I look for in a dining experience. I wish all restaurants were as focused on serving delicious, healthy meals with quality ingredients. The staff is always helpful, friendly and engaging. I could eat the Lentil Veggie Ball salad everyday until I die.
(5)John L.
I work closeby and order from here just about every week. Consistently great food
(5)Pre S.
Wanted to try some Lebanese food last night after a good one we had in Dubai. Relied on yelp and been to Big fresh since we were out in Framingham. We ordered the meatball chicken wrap, peanut stir fried salmon noodle and the Mediterranean plate.. The salmon noodle was probably the best I have ever tasted in my life yet ! Each bite of the noodle spoke salmon.. The aroma the taste of the fish still lingers on my tongue. AWESOME. It definitely needed some salt and pepper for me but then the salmon masked the blandness too. Hubby had the Mediterranean plate and he kept saying the pita is too good ! He also raved about the portion size for the money.. Value for the money absolutely ! My 4 year old had the meat ball wrap and was the happiest birthday boy yesterday ! Will visit the place again when we are around..
(5)Ashley T.
I have been to this place several times as I work very close to it. It is a really good lunch place. I think the name says it best. The portions are BIG! and the food is FRESH! The prices are also reasonable. I have liked everything I have tried so far. The salmon wrap and falafel wrap are both delicious, but my absolute favorite is the spicy peanut noodle stir fry with chicken. I love the noodles with fresh vegetables in a coconut and peanut flavored sauce. Super good! They also have a lot of great vegetarian and vegan options for every chicken dish it seems like they have an equivalent where salmon or tofu can be substituted. If you are in the area it is a great place to check out!
(4)K. L.
While on a business trip, we needed a quick healthy lunch. Found Big Fresh while searching on Yelp. They have 5 stars for a reason! You can't go wrong with the falafel plate. Tasty falafels with creamy hummus over a fresh salad. I recommend it spicy! I hope I find my way out in Framingham again... Big Fresh is a must try!
(5)Dosia S.
I have only been to Big Fresh once, though I know it has been around for years. I enjoyed my meal, it being the Teriyaki Stir-Fry with rice (also comes with the choice of noodles). The place itself is very small and only has a handful of small booths and tables, but I imagine it is a place that is popular with people who just want to get take-out rather than sit down for a whole meal. The food tastes very good for food that is technically "fast food", made in just a few minutes' time. The menu includes a lot of stir-fry choices, as well as a few different kinds of salads, and some felafel and hummus appetizers. A nice change from what we can usually get quickly and affordably elsewhere, where most menus are the same. The only negative aspect of the experience was feeling like we were customers somewhat "on our own" in the whole facility: the kitchen staff member we interacted with was polite and the most we exchanged was a greeting, followed by our order, and "Thank you"/"You're welcome" when our food was ready. That is all fine, and nothing to complain about, but the hostess was not very friendly and did not appear to care about our service much. Would it be too much to ask for a smile? We are customers, after all, and deeper than that-we are friendly people who greet everyone pleasantly and our only expectation would be to at least get a smile in return. It is always awkward to smile at someone who shoots you down with a glare or disinterest (little to no eye contact, neutral tone of voice). I could understand if someone is having a bad day, or who is at the end of their very long shift and simply does not care for being there anymore, but I that is of little importance when I am judging my experience from a basic customer perspective. If I pay for my food, receive a bare minimum of acknowledgement, and return one minute later to order a drink I forgot I wanted to order the first time around, I should not have to interrupt a hostess' conversation she is having on her cell phone, typing away to someone before she realizes that a customer is standing in front of her. The fact that the green color of her cell phone case is one of the three things I remember about Big Fresh is not one I should be having. That is a minor detail I choose to overlook as I give my final words about the diner, as I do not imagine it is a regular occurrence. Big Fresh is a good place to go to for a quick bite of something that falls under the "healthier choice" category. The food is tasty, the menu is reasonably-priced, and as long as you are in good company, you will walk out of there completely satisfied.
(3)Paulina R.
I love, love, love this place! The only reason it did not get 5 stars from me is because it is not a white linen, blow-my-socks off place, but don't let that deter you this place is GOOD! Not JUST good, but good for you! I have tried several of their dishes and my favorite is their falafel wrap. But their fish specials with those yummy vegetables slathered over the rice is absolutely delicious and satisfying....and good for you! How happy am I to find a place that has healthy food in Metrowest?!?! One of the things I love, love, love about this place is that they offer stevia for your home-brewed herbal teas....and they have orange roobois, one of my favorites! They also have gluten-free options and a desert cookie that resembles a lindsor torte...one of my favorites! In the summer time you can't beat their salads! Big, full of color, flavor, and texture (and nutrition!), these salads are enough to send you off satisfied until dinner. The people are courteous, efficient, receptive, responsive and serious about their place. And the customers are great, too! As a single gal I notice good-looking men and I've seen several in Big Fresh at lunchtime. (They all look quite married, but are fun to look at anyway). The place is always full, but never so much so that you are uncomfortable. Though I end up spending more than I want to on food, I enjoy this place so much I will come back often. I guess my health and taste buds are worth it!
(4)Merry L.
This place is small and can get pretty crowded, but that definitely is an indicator that the food is absolutely amazing! It tastes fresh, spices and flavors compliment each other very well, and the portions are quite generous. Absolutely worth the drive to Framingham.
(5)Jeremy D.
Love this flavorful restaurant! The hummus and falafel are amazing and also had a very tasty salad on the side. It made for a great healthy lunch..
(4)Ruby M.
I really love the quality of their meals! taste great! - the staff is beyond pleasant and friendly! -the "spicy" sauce is gross. Idk if it was just my tast buds but it had no taste. I just ate my meal with out and it was fine!
(4)Keavy L.
After raving to a coworker about the falafel at the Turkish place, she told me that I HAD to try the falafel at Big Fresh. Tonight I stopped by and had a fafafel and hummus pita, a cup of black bean soup, and mango black iced tea. The falafel pita was pretty big for the price and was and well-seasoned. I still prefer the fafafel plate at the Turkish place for the texture, but I'll DEFINITELY go back to Big Fresh. I really liked the variety of self-serve iced teas, and I wish I'd gotten the lentil veggie balls, they looked really good!
(4)Carol K.
Had not been in awhile, so glad we went back! Pretty crowded on a Saturday at 7pm. 5 of us had a great meal. I had the Lentil veggie ball salad and asked them to put feta cheese on it. It was SO good. Huge too. My daughter had the oriental chicken salad and had brown rice instead of noodles. Also huge, she could not finish it. Others had chicken caesar wrap, which was very good, Big Fresh salad, a bit boring, but tasty (and big) and the seared Cod plate, which was really good. The prices are decent for fresh, mostly organic food and the service is quick. We also shared 3 desserts; a brownie, carrot cake and a cookie. They are vegan, I think, and really good! Highly recommend Big Fresh and must remember to come more often The food is so much better than most other places. Not loaded with sodium, and really delicious.
(5)Lindsey H.
We got take out from here for the first time today. The inside is pretty small, clean,average decor wise. We ordered a small Asian chicken wrap and a falafel pita, and a diet coke for $16. Prices are ok, maybe a bit high. Our order was ready in about five minutes. The Asian chicken wrap had veggies chicken, corn, and an Asian teryaki type sauce. I thought the sauce was ok, but tasted like it came out of a bottle and a bit sugary. The wrap was kind of small. The falafel pita was really good - best falafel I have had in a while, but I had a problem with the sandwich construction. The pita was nice and thin and chewy, but it held up as I ate my sandwich. The bottom of the pita was filled with maybe 4-5 good sized falafel balls, which were nice and garlicky with a good crunch. The hummus was good, but there could have been a little more for my taste. On top of the falafel was a ton of diced tomatoes and seasoned greens, all topped with tahini. I wish they had maybe put some of the salad in the bottom, then falafel, then salad. My one problem was that the first half of the bites I had were just veggies since the falafel is at the bottom (and if I ate it the other way it would have fallen apart). They do have a falafel wrap (on a wheat or tomato wrap) but for me you need to have falafel on a pita. Ive been elsewhere where they make a wrap with a pita, which is my ideal. Will definitely go again.
(4)Rachel W.
Such a great place! Delicious, fresh food for anyone and everyone. If you're not a fan of mediterranean food- try it again here! Or, don't- and get something you're more comfortable with (chicken caesar salad/wrap, chicken stir fry over rice or noodles). Well-priced and unique. Would have five stars if the cashier was a little friendlier and attentive- she missed part of my order and I had to go back (bummer!) I can get over it for the falafel wrap though :)
(4)David B.
great food. great vibe. Great Iced Tea selection. I'm a huge fan of the Spicy Peanut Noodle Stir Fry (salmon). I think they used to serve wine but I don't think they do anymore.
(4)Aarti C.
Absolutely love this place! It's small, cozy, perfect place for a quick low key, healthy Mediterranean food. Well, it's not just Mediterranean food, they serve Thai stir fry as well. The first time I was there I ordered their falafel wrap which was too messy to eat for me...so since then I have always ordered the falafel plate which comes with a fresh and warm pita bread...yumm! The location is bit odd - between Boston Market and Papa Gino's. The only reason I went there the first time was because of the glowing yelp reviews. The service is decent, but for a small place it's not too bad. The only reason I'm giving this place four stars is because it's a bit pricey for me...you order the food at the counter, pick it up yourself and clean up afterwards.
(4)tron j.
Excellent meal. Nice people. A great find...and they had sweet potato pie !
(4)Nick D.
Don't judge the book by its cover here. While it sits somewhat nondescript in a stripmall, the food here is outstanding. Between four people we had the Big Fresh Special (tofu in satay suace), tagine chicken, lentil veggie balls, and spicy peanut noodle stir fry with salmon. All were excellent and cooked just right. Sauces were highlights of each dish, and meats/tofu were cooked well. Generous potions, and top-notch ingredients. Great teas (unsweetened, too, so you can make it how you like!), and accommodating to food allergies/needs. Service is quick and efficient. Give it a try!
(5)Shoshi K.
This place is so delicious! Everything i have tried is great. My kids love too. My favorite is the falafel salad plate. I spent 6 months in the Israel a long time ago and I am always looking for a "taste". This is very very close! Ingredients taste so fresh, always comes out hot and cooked to perfection. Very generous portions, reasonably priced. Perfect healthy and quick lunch/dinner spot. Very friendly staff. Lunch time is very busy and tight space so need to be a bit patient when ordering...or better yet call ahead for take out!
(5)Saurav S.
This is my third time at big fresh, I have to say I have not been let down. Everything is fresh and made to order.
(5)Stephanie G.
Desperately seeking refuge in delicious, organic, healthy food in Framingham, I was told about Big Fresh. The name and decor are certainly outdated, but the food is phenomenal. I've tried the tempeh, the cod cakes, the grilled salmon, and many of their amazing vegetables. After my first visit, I grabbed a menu so that I could ask my husband to stop for "fast food" on the way home from work some evenings. With McD's across the street, Boston Market and 5 Guys next door, this is a superior choice for a quick meal with ample nutrition and flavor. I'm a repeat customer and will be for a long time.
(4)Jen K.
I cannot say enough about their falafel pita. It is simply amazing and you need to go there and try one, as soon as possible.
(5)Kyle S.
Been there at least 5 times. Always good, always quick and fresh. Doesn't get much better than this for lunch.
(5)Dawn E.
This is my new favorite place. It is difficult living so far from Boston and finding a place that offers healthy alternatives. More difficult still to find local products being served at that place. Big Fresh is somewhere between fast food and "slow food." You order from a counter and they'll call your number when your order is ready. The place is warmly lit with cozy little booths and they serve a selection of wine and beer and sodas (many organic also). Unlike similar concepts, this place is warm and inviting and someplace that you can pop in and out or linger for a while while an old friend. I wouldn't bring large parties here, because it's just not big enough to accommodate them, but a friend or three is perfect. I went for the first time with my Mom, because she is in town and I was dragging her to Trader Joe's to buy beer and stuff. I remember expecting decent food because of the reviews, but I really didn't expect such a comfortable place to be. I ordered the Big Fresh Special, because what else would you start with? This was some baked and browned tofu slices in a delicate but delicious peanut sauce over a bed of brown rice with some teriyaki stir fried veggies and a side of collard greens. For me, tofu is either wonderful or horrid depending on how it's prepared, and this was wonderful (and not fried!). The rice was perfectly cooked and the greens were easily the best collard greens I've ever had (and I'm from the south, y'all). The vegetables were light in delicious, without too much oil or sugar. My mother ordered the teriyaki stir fry with chicken, which was a larger portion of the same veggies I has, more brown rice (although you could also have wheat pasta) and, of course, chicken. She seemed very satisfied with her meal as well. The food came out very quickly and we were in and out in a flash (we had stuff to do!) but, oh, how I wanted to linger there with a glass of organic wine. I will definitely return soon with one of my best mates. We each only ate half of our food and combined the rest into a takeout tin (yes, tin, not echy styrofoam but old school aluminum with a paper top that I will dutifully recycle when I am done with it). The leftovers provided me with lunch for today and there is still plenty for tomorrow as well. I want to try everything on the menu! I'm definitely going for something with hummus next... Big Fresh, I know we only just met, but I love you.
(5)Justin G.
This place isn't as good as it used to be. It seems like something happened or changed sometime late summer 2011. The meals aren't "WOW" level like they were before. I've tried most of the menu, and for my latest visits (say last 6 times), it just hasn't been right. This place set the bar high, and now I can't help but feel disappointed with the mediocre dishes lately.
(3)Jonah B.
Fantastic Falafel. Super fresh. Organic teas. Hidden gem.
(5)Helen M.
Went here with a couple of girlfriends yesterday for lunch before shopping at Natick Mall. We must have been the first people here because it was empty and our order numbers were 2-4. I ordered the teriyaki stirfry with salmon and brown rice. The vegetables were great - fresh and crisp - and the teriyaki sauce was great too - not too sweet or too thick. The salmon was a bit of a disappointment though. The texture was really rough (I think the salmon was frozen and not fresh) and did not feel like the usual buttery texture of this fish. The portions were very filling and I was satisfied without feeling stuffed. My girlfriends ordered a falafel wrap (which was good) and a chicken meatball wrap (which was also good but a bit salty). Overall, I'd give this 4 stars. I would definitely come back for fresh food if I'm in the area but I'd avoid the salmon.
(4)Colin M.
This place is well-hidden but a great place to get Mediterranean food as well as stir fry, salads, and a few other items. I've always had great-tasting food that is fresh and delicious. They try to use organic and local items whenever possible which is a bonus. Try the Thai Curry!
(5)Katherine D.
Such an excellent place - never disappointed and I've been here dozens of times. I hope they never change their menu, and I'd love to see them open another restaurant. Definitely worthy of their five stars!
(5)John K.
Falafel wrap...tasty and healthy.
(4)Joette S.
Absolutely amazing food. DELICIOUS. We will return when we are back in Boston. - no doubt about it.
(5)Keith R.
Perfect for a quick style tasty meal. If your trying to eat relatively healthy but don't want a traditional restaurant go here. The oriental wrap is a awesome.
(4)dan w.
The food is good, as is the quantity. They are not afraid of spices and the freshness (it is called Big Fresh after all) is apparent in all the dishes. The help, at least on weekends, can be somewhat disengaged, bored and indifferent,(or maybe they are just tired), especially the young lady at the cash register. One minor, but infuriating quirk- if you want another piece of pita bread- small to begin with, to go along with your chicken tagine and hummus plate- definitely a 3 pita dinner, they charge you 50 cents. You have to go to the cash register, wait for it to be rung up, etc. The cashier looked a little embarassed and said "It's not my fault, My boss makes us do it" . Of course the boss is nowhere to be found. I guess he can't get mad if a Mexican restaurant charges him for extra chips. We will be back- but will do a better job of rationing the one, lonely pathetic little piece of of pita that comes with the dinner. (ok, petty- but grrrrr!!!)
(3)Samantha G.
This is the best place I've found to eat in the Boston metro west area. Fresh, delicious, and cheap food ! The big fresh special is hands down my favorite!
(5)Sara L.
The lack of a star is due to there being very little chicken in my spicy peanut stir fry. Came to this place for lunch today at around 12:45. When we walked in it packed to the max, but by the time we were at the front of the line, most of the tables had cleared. Good call coming towards the end of the lunch rush. Guy @ the cash register was really friendly and actually answered me when I said, "hi, how are you?" There were 4 in my party, but one went next door for Tennessee's BBQ and brought it in to join us. Coworker 1 got a tabouli chicken wrap that looked good and was HUGE. Coworker 2 got the Big Fresh Special with tofu. She wrapped the rest up, so I am going to assume it was good enough to take home. And like previously mentioned, I got the spicy peanut stir fry with chicken. The vegetables were super fresh, which solely based on the name BIG FRESH, I had high hopes that my stuff would indeed, be fresh. Way to live up to your name, Big Fresh. My dish wasn't spicy at all, but it was okay considering it tasted awesome. I'll definitely be returning.
(4)Vlad W.
On my repeat visit - the place is good but missing a certain spark, an identity of its own. So four stars, not five.
(4)Douglas S.
My go-to healthy eats place. Big Fresh is a small locally owned restaurant serving organic, locally sourced food. You order at the back (don't be that guy standing at the service area waiting to be noticed, look for the register), they should probably have a sign at the open kitchen pointing to the back. Their home-made teas are really good. Water is available free (by the tea). Seating is limited, but turns quickly so a seat usually comes available prior to your order being served. Nice people, nice place.
(5)CJ N.
Moving from Cambridge to Framingham, we were concerned that we couldn't get a good Mediterranean wrap. Boy were we wrong. Thank goodness we found Big Fresh. The outside may be nondescript in strip mall fashion, but once you're inside, the menu speaks for itself. They are not kidding when they say Big Fresh! They also have a row of fresh iced teas in various flavors - and BONUS - stevia packets! Thank goodness for people who understand natural food AND natural sweeteners. No exaggeration, I think I had the best wrap of my life -- Chicken Tabouleh on wheat. The chicken tajine is also excellent. So is the hummus, which tastes like a wonderful middle eastern cool whip. :) Service is efficient and friendly, and the atmosphere is casual. The walls are bright and cheery. We are so happy that this will be out new go-to place! Thanks Big Fresh!
(5)Elizabeth M.
Yummy food that you don't have to feel guilty about. My personal favorite is the Thai Curry (with brown rice). Portion sizes are huge. Only downside to Big Fresh is their customer service, which could easily be improved with a smile or two from the employees at the cash register.
(4)Matthew O.
Buy Local. Eat Global. Great food at Big Fresh. They buy a lot of their stuff locally and tell you where your food comes from. While they have a regular menu, they also serve up fantastic dishes based on what's in-season locally. You can order most dishes with organic meats and fish, or with tofu or locally made tempeh. Everyone who works there is very nice and a few seats allow you to sit and watch your food be made; great for kids.
(5)Tom M.
I'm sitting in my car because I'm too spacey to remember the keys to my band's practice space. So while I wait for the drummer (who's never on time...amirite?) to unlock the door, I'm chowing on a killer falafel wrap. I didn't know metro west had this going for it. I have no idea about the other stuff available here, but!! I really liked the colors and cleanliness of the restaurant, the girl at the counter was super friendly, and their menu actually looks pretty good. Seriously though, this falafel is fantastic!! And the wrap is huge. Aww yeah. ALSO! High five for repping Worcester with George's bread.
(4)Jon T.
Big Fresh is easily my favorite area restaurant. Everything on the menu (and I've tried almost everything) is tasty, fresh, and HEALTHY. Many of the ingredients are locally grown, and there's a good variety of dishes. Several of the dishes are vegeterian/vegan too. My favorite meal is the Tempeh special - Tempeh with molasses sauce on a bed of brown rice, onions, and kale with a side of beets.
(5)Shannon D.
The title says it all, big servings and food is fresh (and delicious)! Big Fresh has a variety of healthy meals including wraps, stirfrys and salads. I wouldn't recommend bringing any picky eaters here. Great restaurant for vegetarians and people looking for something different. The food is reasonably priced for the amount you get and service is quick. I've also found them happy to customize the dishes to a certain extent if you would rather not have a certain veggie. There isn't a lot of seating but I also haven't seen it very packed before either. Not a lot of room for large parties. The decor is fun and artsy, they have local artists works on the walls. My favorite dish: coconut curry, yummm! Definitely try out Big Fresh, it is a lot better than the multitude of chain restaurants in the Framingham/Natick area!
(5)Rita V.
Tired of traditional "fast food"? Pipes need a cleaning? Its small and cramped, very "70's love and peace", food is cooked to order, fresh as the name suggests, portions are hefty, prices are small in comparison to the portions, and its flavorful. I had the moroccan tangine with chicken (chicken a bit dry), which is prepared with sweet potato based curry, veggies and served over whole wheat couscous. VERY good, and I had enough left over for dinner. I sampled a vegan chocolate cake - moist and you can tell made with whole wheat flour, without having that pasty feeling - also good. My lunch partner had a salad - HUGE enough to share. So as we enjoyed one of their iced teas, we pondered what our next lunch sampling will be. Different, delicious, won't bust your wallet or your waist-line (I can't believe, ME the queen of stuffing myself has said this!)
(4)Brittany T.
Fantastic food and service. Perfect place for lunch. Super healthy options and the falafel hummus salad pita was excellent!
(5)Christina L.
Not really sure what all the hype is about this place... I got the taboule chicken wrap. My other family members got the fafafel plate, the cod wrap, and the tabloue chicken plate. I think the taboule chicken wrap was the best. The falafel were pretty small so it was mainly a crunchy crust and not much of a chickpea center. The cod wrap was mostly rice. All the dishes were fresh, and the portions were pretty big... So in that sense, it does live up to its name, but I didn't find the food to be extremely flavorful.
(3)B M.
Great food, great staff. Very friendly people, very fast and accurate service and the food is delicious. They also have an amazing vegan chocolate cake which is hard to find.
(5)Jimmy H.
My advice, Leave your pita bread last when you order "Mediterranean Chicken Plate". You do not want to leave humus and/or sauce on your plate because they are sooo precious. Finish the chicken and humus. Then clean out the plate with the pita bread. Absolutely gorgeous!
(5)Matt K.
This place rules! The best falafel I have ever had. The taboule chicken wrap is also fantastic. It's small and can get crowded around lunch time but you can always get take-out instead. They use all organic ingredients and they have many vegetarian/vegan options. Not to be missed.
(5)Tiff D.
ok, so Ive lived in the area for 3 years. Driven by the sign many times. After reading the reviews I decided to go and took the reviewers advice. Falafel Wrap. AMAZING!!!!!! WHAT IS FALAFEL??? Who knows...but its DAMN GOOD! Fresh ingredients and flavors. Perfect for a hot day. Something light and healthy. We also had the Tahi Curry Salmon wrap. That too was good. I dont generally love curry so I wasnt in love with this wrap but it was good and Id eat it again. Wraps are HUGE. More like a burritto size. We had 2 wraps and couldnt finish them between 2 adults. (we made sure to eat ALL the falafel though! HAHA). We also had their organic iced tea. VERY GOOD. Light, refreshing. PERFECT. If you live in the area, you have got to try it!
(4)Suzy L.
I wanted to love this place, I really did. It was good, but didn't quite live up to my expectations. I was having a falafel jones (why I suggested this place to begin with), so I had the falafel salad plate, and it was good, but not great. The falafel balls themselves were tasty, but a tiny bit dry. The hummus was pretty nondescript, not bad, but not wow either. What really threw me off was the dressing on the salad. I didn't like it as much as similar dressings from other places. My black mango iced tea was DELISH, however. I would go back to try something else (my BFF loved her Moroccan tagine chicken), but when I return, won't bother with the falafel salad!
(3)Emily A.
Aboslutely wonderful vegetarian (and meat eater) food! Fantastic hummus and tabouli, wonderful salads, can't wait to try the stir fry. The food is fantastic, I want to try everything on the menu. Don't wait. Go. Now. Why are you still reading? You're going to pay $10 for a meal, but it's fresh and homemade, so what do you want?
(5)Kristen F.
A-maz-ing...worth the 40 minute drive. Organic and produce tasted like it was plucked from the field that morning. Salmon was wild and I am too for the Freshest of the Fresh. What I would do to have this closer to our work...Staff very friendly as well.
(5)Pravin D.
This is an outstanding little place to eat with a variety of things to choose from. I liked the taboulie chicken or the Thai peanut tofu dish. This place has Thai, Chinese, Mediterranean dishes and their hummus is top notch. It is a healthy joint with a lot of local organic farm produce used.
(5)Derick F.
Hands down best Falafel I've had, and their other dishes (cod cakes, homemade seaweed salad) are always made with the freshest ingredients. Delicious and inexpensive place to grab a quick bite - I don't frequent here enough.
(5)C C.
Cod, Salmon and Big Fresh Special are very good, although the cod portion is a bit smallish. The organic tea choices are excellent. It's a no frills restaurant.
(4)Rob F.
Let's get the bad part out of the way: you can't have everything on the menu in one meal. At the last minute, I needed to meet a friend somewhere near Framingham, for dinner. Yelped the area and opted for this place. Good call. Since I arrived 15 minutes before my pal, I figured I'd have time to make my choice, but the aromas wafting from the open kitchen, the steady stream of plates being taken away from the counter by people who are obviously regular customers, and the huge number of dishes from which to choose left me paralyzed. Finally, I put my faith in Yelp! and ordered the Hummus Falafel wrap, and a side of succotash. Sufferin' succotash! I can't remember the last time... no, there has never been a time when I was still talking about vegetables 4 hours after I ate them. This stuff was so freakin' good!â„¢ I know it had beans, I still remember the sweet sauteed peppers, and some kind of sauteed greens. Heck, it probably had corn, I don't know. I was hypnotized by a plate of organic greatness. The green sauce served on the side was surprisingly spicy hot and lent occasional punctuation to the dish when I dipped my fork in it before scooping up another mouthful. The Falafel wrap? Loaded with fresh, crisp veggies, tangy tahini, smooth fresh hummus, and light hot balls of fried chickpea. The pita pocket was a fresh, over-sized pouch like loaf. On another day I might be more effusive about the wrap. Don't get me wrong. It was very, very good. It pales next to the succotash. Not a reflection on the wrap, I swear. The "freshness" of all the vegetables was, quite honestly, notable, as was the "bigness" of the servings. Hence the name, I guess. My friend had the Moroccan Chicken Tagine. He was not bowled over. He had also had a hellacious weekend, a long day at the office, a miserable drive to the restaurant through Mass pike rush hour traffic, and wanted an alcoholic beverage immediately upon entering the place. Honestly, had nubile nymphs been pouring nectar and peeling grapes, I think Fred would still not have been all that happy without a stiff drink. It looked good to me. He did admit that he loved the philosophy of the place and that all the food looked good. So, thanks Yelp! for once again steering me towards greatness when I don't know where I am or know what I want. Today, I know I want more of that succotash! And to try the sweet potato pie. (Dear Readers: I think "so freakin' good!â„¢" will be my new personal catch phrase, indicating that a thing is unsurpassed. Hopefully to go down in media history more like "telling it like it is" than "boom goes the dynamite." Of course, only time will tell. :-) )
(5)Shane T.
My go to place for a veggie lunch in Framingham, easily worth the 15 minute drive. Everything is cooked to order with care, aka sauteed vegetables are still crisp, or the chicken/tofu has a nice golden crust.
(5)Gillian S.
Odd location but great food. The sauces are complex and yummy! The choices are great. Not the best atmosphere as it's more a take out place than a sit down. Food is excellent, fresh and makes you feel good knowing it was grown with care! If you like thai, middle eastern or that hybrid international vegetarian food it's a must try palce.
(4)Jef S.
I hate it when people call a restaurant a "hidden gem". Those goddamned Andelmans have taken over Boston as it is...don't encourage them any more! However, if "hidden gem" wasn't such a loaded term, it would fit nicely for Big Fresh. This small deli-ish, restaurant-ish, I'm not even sure what to call it is located off Route 9 in the shoppers' hell that is Shoppers World. There are 7 billion places to eat in the area, (including the super BBQ calorie bomb lure of Tennesee's right next door) so why choose Big Fresh? The food is good. That's why. Hummus is tasty (almost, but not quite as good as my wife's homemade) and falafel cannot be beat. They have great salad offerings and fresh vegetables on every plate or wrap that leaves the kitchen. Staff is very friendly, but they can be disorganized when the line gets busy...wait times are variable. The room itself is tastefully decorated, but small. I wouldn't recommend coming here with a group larger than four. Big Fresh, understandably, is also more expensive than, say, the local fast food joints, but the food is worth it, worth it, worth it, all the way. And they're cheaper, faster, and tastier than a lot of places in the vicinity. 4.4999999 stars with some extra hummus to go.
(4)Double J.
Sitting on the side of a second-rate shopping center, next to a Papa Gino's of all places, at first glance this place doesn't look like anything to write home about. But my wife and I are vegans, and when we're doing take-out this place is first on our list. I can't speak for the meat dishes, of course, but the Big Fresh meal, felafel salads, and the teriyaki dishes (both tofu and salmon) are great. The vegan chocolate cake is pretty good too - tastes a little like ginger bread. Great, cozy place to eat in or take out!
(4)Shaina P.
You might not expect to find something worthwhile in a strip mall of restaurants, but Big Fresh Cafe is a diamond in the rough. Like Esther L. wandered in here for lunch one day, I did exactly the same. ATMOSPHERE This cafe, though called "big" (you'll see why, just read on) is actually quite small. There is enough seating for about 25 people, but not in the most comfortable way. The decor is bold, bright, and fun, with bright walls, specials announced on large chalk boards, and some very cool glass panels hanging between the seating area and the tight kitchen. The lighting is a little dark, because it's a long, narrow, shape, despite it's big windows on the front. FOOD So, Big Fresh Cafe truly serves fresh food, in a BIG way. The menu consists of salads, wraps (more like huge burrito-sized thingers), stir fries, and sides in an Asian-MidEast-Veggish-Local way. I ordered the Big Fresh Special, which was a BIG plate of pan fried tofu, smothered with salty sweet and peanut-buttery satay sauce over a bed of rice. This all came with a side of fresh, crisp-tender stir fried vegetables lightly oiled and well seasoned AND nicely braised collard greens (spicy and sweet!). That's right folks. BIG FRESH. I will undoubtedly return to this fine establishment even though my HUGE meal and a Nantucket Nectar threw me back $11.50!! Also, a long wait for a fresh, cooked-to-order meal was longer than I was hoping for. Maybe next time I'll get a monstrous wrap. I was also very pleased to find that Big Fresh serves Wolaver's Organic Ale (yum yum!), local produce when available, AND they recycle.
(4)Charlotte H.
I was really, really pleased with this. Sometimes I am nervous about these new earthy-crunchy places because often the food is a little weird for me, and I absolutely hate the taste of whole wheat pasta! But here, I was really happy. We ordered take-out for an office lunch. It was ready, hot, on-time, and well-packed when we got there. Everything was delicious! A coworker and I split a Chicken Meatball Wrap and a Big Baby salad. Both were delicious! The chicken was tender and the wrap was just awesome. All of the flavors worked. Big Baby salad was also decent. Field greens, pears, gorgonzola, raspberry vinaigrette, how can you go wrong? The dressing was great. Everything was fresh and organic, but it was still really reasonably priced! Lunch for 10 people was $92. However, I hate their location. They're in this ugly strip mall with red overhangs. Right next to a Papa Gino's or something. I think with a better location, they'd be fabulous. Their location does not fit with their style and menu. But the restaurant looked nice on the inside! So I'm still happy.
(5)Diego S.
Where do you grab something to eat after watching Food Inc.?? Well this was the place I chose!! Last Saturday, after watching that depressing and disgusting documentary I decided to look up for a fresh, organic place to eat and, just because it was close to home, I ended up at Big Fresh. I had the Falafel Wrap and I was awesome. I'm not a vegetarian, and I usually HAVE TO have meat in my meals, but let me tell you, this all-veggie-wrap is one of the best I've ever had in my life. ENJOY!
(5)Catherine C.
My husband and I are pretty much regulars at this place. It's one of our favorite casual places to go for both lunch and dinner. We love the concept of the restaurant - organic food with emphasis on buying from local farms. I've tried almost every dish here. My favorite is the definitely the Big Fresh Special, which is tofu with brown rice. The Big Fresh special is an awesome deal. It comes with brown rice, sauteed veggies, tofu and a side of collard greens. All of wich are delicious. I especially love the peanuty sauce that they use for the tofu. The falafel is really good here - both in the salad plate and in the wrap. The portions are pretty generous too. If they have it, get their sweet potatoe pie. Super delicious! Other dishes I love from here is the Blackened Salmon and the Cod Wrap.
(4)Peter P.
With their amazing falafel wrap to blackened salmon all their ingredients are fresh, local, and/or organic. The menu is unique and vegitarian friendly. One of my favorite and healthier spots to eat.
(5)Wendy S.
i'm gonna say it was just so so. now it's not like this sucked or anything like that, but it just could have had more zing. i want my food to bite me back and this falafel wrap just kinda said, don't hurt me, i'll enter meekly. needless to say, i found myself resorting to the tabasco with a heavy hand. the vegan chocolate cake was also just so so. i'm a girl who wants her cake to scream, i'm a luscious treat! savor me! but this was clearly a "healthy" vegan chocolate cake, meaning not so decadent. more on the bland but sweet side. overall, considering the lack of vegan options in the area, i guess i would return, but i'm glad to live where more vegan opportunities prevail!
(3)Renzie J.
Such great food, and the best part is that it is extremely fresh, organic and healthy. My favorite is the falafel wrap, such deliciousness, and so fulfilling; and it's pretty humongous, I can't always eat the whole thing at ones. I've also tried the meatball wrap, also yummy. The only thing I didn't llke is the salmon wrap, the salmon was a bit too chewy for me, but I'm picky when it comes to fish so it might be just me. They also have a bunch of stir fry and salad options. Homemade iced tea is also really good, and includes free refills. Oh and their vegan pies are amazing as well. Overall, I absolutely love this place. Although it's tiny, it is such a relief to have great organic, delicious food here in Framingham (which is ironically surrounded by papa ginos, boston market, and mcdonalds...aka crap) and it's not that expensive.
(5)Maggie E.
I am new to falafel and boy am I glad I came here to try it for the first time. I have gotten both the hummus/falafel pita and the falafel wrap. Both amazing. Love the hummus. Only downside was that I tried the vegan chocolate cake and was underwhelmed. Overall great place though and I can't wait to go back.
(5)Evan K.
Get the falafel in pita
(5)Sneha S.
it is strictly OK- especially for non vegetarians .
(2)Cory M.
I went here because people keep telling me it's one of the only places in Framingham where you can get vegetarian food. It was super crowded when I was there and I felt really rushed while I was ordering, so I might be wrong about this, but I didn't think they had very many veggie options. All those fresh veggies and only one meatless wrap? That's just silly. I had the falafel wrap because it was the only non-meat thing that could be eaten without a fork. It was really big, which was good because it was also stupidly expensive (for falafel anyway). I guess it might be a good idea to use it to feed 2 people and then the price wouldn't seem so high. If you are in the area looking for vegetarian food, go next door to the Indian place, Gold Star. My actual review of Big Fresh is 2 stars, but they get one additional star for having a decent concept and being in Framingham.
(3)Munchie B.
This is the first decent (good, actually) falafel I've found in Boston. I've passed by this place for years (it's in a horrible location), but tried it out after reading reviews on Yelp. The falafel plate was plenty of food, with delicious falafel, genuine Middle Eastern hot sauce, and a big fresh salad with tahini dressing. I'll be headed back to try some of their seafood dishes.
(4)Jen M.
Vegan, gluten free, & omnivore friendly. I'm a fan. Love their hummus!
(4)kate m.
Yes, this place is very very great. My vegetarian friend loves it too. It's counter-order, but the seating is cute.
(4)Sneakers A.
A good place to grab a healthy meal, but I wonder if they're spreading themselves too thin with the number of cuisines that they present. The falafel is decent, and I also thought that the Moroccan chicken dish that I tried was ok. No soda because of the hippie/eastern-medicine/psychic healing crowd that they're trying to attract, but they do have a couple decent teas. Prices are reasonable.
(3)Sergei B.
Agree with the falafels being great... You can also taste the freshness and flavor of the tomatoes and other veggies in the falafel wrap, I guess organic and local does make a difference. I like the selection of loose leaf iced teas that they have, as mentioned before you get a free refill. This place is decent for a date, although it doesn't look like much from the outside.
(5)Jude G.
I am rarely in Framingham, but after eating at Big Fresh once, I will travel there more often. I had the falafel plate. All of the food (salad, salad dressing, falafel, humus, a curried cauliflower pickle and hot sauce) was certainly big fresh, and amazingly big delicious. Would love to try many other items. The menu is a mouth-watering read.
(5)Aron S.
It's a testament to the dearth of restaurants in the suburbs that prepare vegetarian / healthy alternatives that Big Fresh gets such high marks. Were there worthy competitors I have no doubt that people wouldn't be falling over themselves to praise this option. Don't get me wrong; it's passable and even has a few high points, but it pales in comparison to restaurants that really get this genre right. Having been raised on the grub from the original Moosewood Restaurant in Ithaca and others of its ilk that buy fresh ingredients, create original and adventurous vegetarian and healthy food at reasonable prices I feel qualified to opine on Big Fresh. As a local, I've visiting Big Fresh on 6+ occasions and can give them points for being consistent. Generally, you get the same version of the item that you did the last time except for minor inconsistencies like the time the side dish of succotash was nothing more than sauteed romaine lettuce. When I queried the kitchen, the response was, "well, that's our version of succotash." Service is non-existent as you order at a cash register and then wait for your food to be prepared and set-up deli style. They do offer real plates and silverware for those staying in, but you have to bus it yourself, scrape trash and uneaten food into a huge stainless steel bin a la college cafeteria style. The plates and silverware go into plastic bus bins. I didn't see any place to recycle which seemed to me an inconsistency in what they are trying to do. The sitting areas are plain wooden benches and tables set around the side and front of the restaurant, nothing inviting enough to actually make you want to stay there unless you didn't have a choice. Many of the items are freshly prepared and they do have some interesting homemade condiments, but garnishes tend to be pretty boring and not always very fresh or ripe. I suspect the fish is frozen and is inevitably overcooked and dry. The middle eastern alternatives are decent enough, but nothing to rock your world, you'll find much better fare at the Red Fez in Boston or Moody's Falafel in Central Sq, Cambridge. I appreciate carefully prepared food and nothing about Big Fresh suggests to me any more than indifference by those actually preparing the food. I think the original concept was a good one, but the execution falls short. As a yelper and chowhounder, I'm always on the look out for good food at good prices and this is a place where I have a real bone to pick with Big Fresh. The portions aren't huge for the plated food and the prices are pretty high. And $8 for a falafel sandwhich? Please. Not a bad choice for this oasis of healthy food in an area chock full of chain steak houses, fast food, bar food and bad BBQ (forget Tennessee's, go to Firefly's for BBQ), but not the over-the-top experience that other posters have gushed about. My 2.
(2)Brenda P.
This used to be my most favorite place to eat. Over the years it has become more and more not so good. I went there yesterday with my boyfriend. I got the lunch salmon not the greatest price for 1 inch of salmon and he got the Cod. What he got was the tail end of the cod so not worth the $10.50. I must say everytime I have come here I get disappointed every time. I'm not sure I will be going back here the menu hasn't been updated and the falafel you can get anywhere and tastes the same for the same price. I would try and once but I have had everything on the menu and no need to go back especially where they seem to be getting skimpy on the portions.
(1)John C.
I just moved to natick (will be here for the next 2 months for my first clinical rotation) and my friend and i were looking for a diner for some breakfast. after reading yelp reviews i decided to check this place out. upon entrance the place had a strong aroma of spices which was nice (but not so nice for my jacket). the place was dimly lit, but cozy. food: i had the morrocan tangine with wild alaskan salmon and my friend had the taboule chicken plate. we also had a side order of the coconut jasmine rice and roasted asparagus (locally grown) my place was subpar from what i had expected. the spices were good but the presentation was terrible. it looked like a lazy hungover college student made it. but ok, i got some sweet salmon, nope. the salmon was COLD. after reading the reviews i expected the salmon to be cooked to order, instead it was cold, clearly cooked the previous day. all in all my place though having flavorful sauce was subpar. 2/5 my friends plate was fantastic. the chicken was moist (i expected it was boiled or steamed) the hummus met the praise it received from other reviewers. the spicy harif was fantastic. the only gripe i have about this plate was the lack of pita. one pita for all that food is just not enough. hence why she ordered the jasmine rice. all in all i give her plate a 4/5 and the jasmine rice a 4/5 as well it was fluffy and had just enough coconut flavor in it. the asparagus on the other hand was fantastic. it was a bit pricey at 2.50 but seeing that a whole bunch will run you about 2 bucks at stop and shop it's not too out of control. 5/5 for asparagus i think the big fresh really needs to upgrade the plates. plastic plates are not the way to go, food doesn't stay as warm on it and it just looks crappy. price: you're paying restaurant prices you should have better presentation. i do feel that the other food on the menu will be and is superb. but from my one experience today it did not meet the expectations that i had set based off of the reviews i have read. i will be back at least twice (i always go 3 times before i make any final conclusions)
(3)Greg B.
Stopped here tonight and couldn't believe how great the falafel was. I can't recall the last time I tasted veggies this fresh. My only regret is I didn't have room to try the homemade carrot cake. Maybe tomorrow?
(5)Carrie M.
I love this place! The falafel is fantastic, as is the hot sauce that goes along with it. Their vision is great, it's good to see restaurants using local ingredients and not using overly processed restaurant service ingredients.
(5)Sarah B.
After reading all the positive reviews, I decided to have BF cater a dinner I was throwing for some Slovakians. I spoke with the owner when I called. She was so accommodating with my budget, as well as with helping me figure out what to order. I ended up getting the tofu curry, which came with rice, broccoli, salad, pita and hummus. Although I ordered food for 8 ($100), I could have fed 20 comfortably. And I did. And it was good. It came with plates, cutlery, easy easy. Maybe someday I'll eat at the actual restaurant.
(4)John W.
4.5 stars I will round up to 5. I've never had such tasty "local and/or organic and/or vegetarian" food. If you're a locavor, you'll love this good-value place with its healthy, great tasting food and funky/hippie decor. If you're a meat eater, order anything on the menu with one of their great beers and say "hey, this healthy stuff can be good!". Many people think of Framingham/Natick route 9 area as chain heaven, but there are many hidden gems in this area and Big Fresh is definitely one of them.
(5)J W.
I like the falafel (wrap, pita or salad), salmon wrap and chicken meatball wrap at this place. A bit more expensive than the usual lunch fare, but you get your money's worth because Big Fresh buys the food from local farms. I don't have to worry as much about the chemicals that the industrial farms use.
(4)Jenna J.
LOVE this place! The location is kind of weird, it's a hole in the wall, you have to know where it is. The food is amazing! Finally, a place that cares about the environment, organic, local food, and supporting local businesses and the community. Not your regular chain restaurant. Falafel wrap is my favorite and my boyfriend loves their tobouli chicken wrap. Very hearty, you can tell the food is made with love. Gotta try their sweet potato pie (omg!), next thing for me to try is their vegan chocolate cake. Can't wait! Iced tea is really good, and refills are free. Maybe a little bit pricier that your local sandwich shop (although not by much), but it is totally worth it. I like what they stand for and I'll support them any day of the week. I wish there were more food joints like this around MA.
(5)Anurag M.
Great food reasonable prices great quality
(4)Amar C.
I've only been to this place a couple of times... and admittedly haven't ordered anything to eat other than the Falafel sandwich. But Oh My GOD is it good! Now when I go I get a falafel with hot sauce "for here" and one to go for lunch the next day! Also, the Moroccan Mint green tea... dee-lish. Strangely, I think this health-oriented place is owned by the same people as Tennesee's, the BBQ joint in the same plaza... or at least they share a catering menu.
(5)Emily C.
Very yummy falafel and lentils. no atmosphere, but that's okay!
(4)Andrew M.
Hooray for Big Fresh! Fantastic sandwiches, wraps, and stir fry for people who like to eat right. It may be a shade on the expensive side for fast food, but $6-$10 for a satisfying, healthy meal is nothing less than a bargain.
(5)Rick C.
This place is a good as it gets for local, inexpensive organic food. Place is small, and sometimes you wait for a table, not much atmosphere but the food quality is excellent, falafel is good, medditeranean chicken is good, salds are good, you cannot go wrong
(5)Lindsey M.
A vegetarian's dream. Literally. Although you have every reason by the looks of his place to think they are just another greasy fast-food joint, DON'T BE DECIEVED. This hidden gem is cozy and charming offering an amazing selection of nutritious veg and non veg entrees. Their organics come from local farms and couldn't agree with the restaurants name more. Everything from tofu, falafel, hummus, and salads to whole grains poultry and meats. I am a huge fan of the Moroccan Tangine.
(5)Bella and Aleksey R.
This offers healthy, organic food choices that are also tasty. I like their falafel wrap - falafel is nicely fried and complemented with some veggies and hummus, the wraps are always soft and fresh, just how I like them. I feel rather cliche saying this now, having read that most reviewers seem to favor this dish also, I thought I was so unique! Haha. It's a little bit pricey, but it's worth it. They seem to prefer that you pay by cash, though they do accept cards (I never seem to have cash though and feel guilty). They also have a good hot tea selection. Their entrees taste a bit exotic to me (even though I usually like that), so I don't usually get them. Food is prepared relatively quickly, even during the lunch rush. Btw, if you are super hungry all you need is the chicken meatball wrap - even a small one will leave you extremely full.
(4)Ker T.
I go to this place about once a week when working in nearby Westborough - its cheap, good, healthy and they have organic wines that actually taste good. Plus I love supporting locally-owned businesses with a conscience. Try it - the food tastes much better than any fast food restaurant and doesn't leave you feeling like you should run 5 miles as penance.
(5)John F.
This place is fantastic. I would never have noticed it if not for Yelp, and I'm so glad I did. I went here for lunch a week or so ago, and had the Thai chicken curry, and a side of couscous, both of which were delicious. The curry was so epic I couldn't finish it, but damn if I didn't want to. The falafel looked very tasty, and the whole restaurant had a great vibe of good food and local business. Definitely recommended for your lunch break in Natick/Framingham.
(5)Matt C.
My wife and I started eating here just after they opened, and man has the place changed since. New look, new vibe, new everything - but the one thing that hasn't changed is the amazing food. I don't think i've ever been bummed out by any selection...but 9 times outta 10 I'm getting the chicken meatball wrap with wheat and no cheese. It's just nice to have a place within a mile of my work that you can eat at and not feel bad about after. It's good for you, it's good for the earth, and it's really not too bad on the wallet if you choose wisely.
(5)Jessica B.
So good! You have to try the falafel- best in the state!
(5)paige m.
officially my favorite restaurant in massachusetts. for two reasons: one..the food was amazing...we had the noodles and tofu with peanut curry sauce and the falafel plate. best falafel ever. ever. and it's in small, bite sized balls which makes it fun to eat, and not as thick and tiresome as the larger balls of falafel. other highlights on the menu were the moroccan veggies with a sweet potato marinara, and the coconut curry with your choice of meat or tofu. they also have a bunch of wraps. a lot of times, smaller restaurants like this have a lot of variety ,but they never specialize in anything, making for a dull and often greasy eating experience. this place, however, specializes in every single menu item. our meal tasted homemade and perfect. this is hands down the best vegetarian food that i've had in mass. (they also have ample chicken and fish dishes). the second reason this place is my favorite is because of the service. when we walked in , we couldn't decide what to order because there were so many awesome choices. not only did they give us a sample of the peanut curry sauce, they also fried up two falafel balls just for us to sample. not to mention, this place is family owned, and the owners; daughter, who took our orders, offered excellent customer service...and excellent samples. oh yeah, and a lot of their selections are organic and local! oh and also, there's so much character! by the door they have their new year's resolutions posted (things like expand catering delivery zone and world peace). there is also a bunch of information about environmental and locally-driven movements, causes and resources. i would do anything for one of these in jamaica plain. but in the meantime, i absolutely will drive out to natick just for this restaurant. their menu's on their website. check it out and go there.
(5)Elizabeth S.
LOVE. Have been going here for years and the quality has stayed the same! Best falafel I have ever had!!
(5)Blake M.
yum; reasonably priced
(5)Sweta B.
I really loved this place...I love anything falafel and Hummus...and I have tried them in all places you can get around Boston...and I can tell you the falafel at this place is really good...also loved the morocan cous cous dish....Its has a very casual yet fresh feel to it.....I am yet to try the wines and their teas but they look good as well....if you wanted try something different them forget the thousands of food options in around that area and try this place, you wont be disappointed...
(4)Jeff W.
This place is interesting. It's local and they've done a great job with the decor. Lots of cool art and character. It's small but space is used well.. booths for 2 are cozy. As the name implies, the ingredients are fresh and organic - including the beer and wine! I had the Stir Fry Special with tofu and peanut sauce over brown rice. My GF had Spicy Noodles and Peanut sauce over wheat noodles with chicken. Both were yummy. The price for both,and a brew, was $22, a good value. Try it for a healthy break from the usual corporate mall fare.
(5)Katie R.
The Falafel here is AMAZING! I drive all the way from the lower Cape just to eat it!
(5)Liz O.
I really, really like the Salmon Thai Curry here, so they would get 5 stars for that, but there really isn't much else on the menu that I've been excited about, plus the people at the register can be a bit snippy sometimes (sometimes they're great), so it's not really a five-star place. Also, although I love the home-brewed ice tea, they always seem to be almost out of every flavor, so I end up mixing mint and berry and orange... not so great. Parking is easy, and the prices are good, but I'm not a huge fan of bussing my own table. I guess I'm a bit of a princess... It is worth it if it keeps costs down. I probably wouldn't mind so much if they emptied the bins more frequently. The food is freshly prepared and tasty, and they are willing to make changes like swapping in brown rice. The last time I went with my boyfriend and he ordered something that came with hummus and tahini and a pita and the amount of tahini was overwhelming. And I LOVE tahini. I would love to try the falafel, but I can't stop ordering the salmon Thai curry. It's just SO good.
(3)Ira H.
Excellent falafel. Nice atmosphere. The place is small. They have around 6-8 tables. It is counter service and you bus your food at the end. The Falafel was authentic and the hot sauce that came with it is as well. The pita bread was slightly thin so.. prepare to get messy. Will definitely return.
(5)David Y.
I tried their Monterey Cod Wrap ($8.75) and Tagine Salmon plate ($9.25). I really liked the cod wrap but felt he salmon plate wasn't as packed with flavor. Their ingredients are fresh and delicious. I also tried their sweet potato pie ($2.50) which was great. It was a more relaxed meal than Chipotle probably cuz the food took so long to prepare. Chipotle is definitely faster and their food is cheaper. Chipotle's burritos have a higher impact of taste whereas Big Fresh has a cleaner taste (one where you taste all the different ingredients instead of just one big mixture of tastes) and of course, has an overall feeling of healthier eating. Overall, a good meal and a nice little restaurant and I look forward to their other wraps.
(4)Ronda Y.
Big Fresh is my favorite lunch spot in Framingham. The food is healthy, delicious and prepared in creative, interesting ways. I have never had a meal there I didn't enjoy. How refreshing to find a restaurant where everything is good and good for you instead of desperately searching for the one item which might not give you a heart attack in the next 10 minutes. Plus they have made an effort to make it pretty inside with art work, stained glass, wooden furniture and attractive paint colors. It has a very homey, hand made, family feel. I would so much rather be there than one of the many chains nearby which seem entirely decorated in either metal or plastic and designed to make you not want to sit down and eat your meal.
(5)Kendra L.
I really really like their Falafel Hummus Salad Plate. Hummus with a pool of olive oil in the center, field greens and 7 or 8 small deep fried, well done falafel balls. Their selection of fresh brewed organic ice teas is a nice alternative to standard lunchtime beverage choices. Big Fresh could stand to improve their Feta and Beet salad. The beets are excellent however, the field greens are full of a lot of very long stems.
(4)Evilee E.
Awesome menu, everything is fresh and you will never find a more perfectly prepared falafel sandwich anywhere!! Can't wait to go back for my next one. I want to try their stir fry dishes too but it would be hard to pass on that falafel. I may need to go twice in one day :-)
(5)Steve R.
We have been at Big Fresh at least 10 times (actually used to go to Rami's, a falafel place that was there- they still use the falafel machine). The food is locally grown, fresh and delicious. The falafel are crispy, tasty and plentiful. My favorite non-falafel dish is the Spicy Peanut Stir Fry.
(4)Archie R.
Hey Big Fresh... Your hummus is just as good as mine. Your peanut sauce is light and delicious. Your whole wheat pasta is perfectly cooked. Your options are plentiful and healthy. I am not sure if I really really love you or really really hate you (for not being in my area). Regardless, I am down on bended knee asking your hippie vegan ass to marry me. As my friends in Boston say..."you ah wicked good kid." Tahini.
(5)Jennifer C.
So good especially if you're a vegetarian or vegan. Kinda expensive but still awesome
(4)Kristen R.
My husband and I went here last night for a quick dinner before going to the movies. We both ordered the hummus falafel in pita which is a pretty good deal at $6.50 each. If you have any intention of dining in and are at all concerned about other patrons seeing you completely covered in hummus, I would order something else. The pita they use is basically a cheap vehicle for the yummy stuff they put inside and they pack it so full that the flimsy pita has no chance. The good news is that this is GOOD falafel. Falafel is so hit or miss and it seems easier to find falafel that would be better suited for putting practice on the golf course than for human consumption. Not so with the falafel here. Here the falafel is full of flavor and not even a little dry. We both got it with the hot sauce and the result was a nice tang, but no real heat. Overall the sandwich was really good. If only I didn't need to take a bath after eating it.... I think next time I'll go with the falafel wrap which looked much more manageable. I sure wish I'd seen the Yelp review about the maple seltzer because I definitely would have gotten that (I didn't even look at the drink menu, but did did see that they have a nice variety of freshly brewed iced teas). The other dishes looked good and I really like the focus on healthy, locally sourced real food as well as their commitment to being ecologically responsible. In an age where fresh food has become trendy and everyone's throwing the word around willynilly (I'm looking at you Fresh City), it's refreshing to find healthy, appetizing food that has nothing to do with trying to keep up with the latest fads.
(4)Erika C.
what would i do without big fresh? I honestly do not know. It is incredible. You cannot make healthier, tastier food at home or anywhere (that i've been to for that matter!). It is very consistent and their stir-fries are amazing. One of the coolest parts about big fresh is that they try to get as much of their produce possible from local farms in the framingham/natick area. Not only do they support local businesses, but they are serving up the freshest products they can get their hands on. My favorite entrees include the teriyaki stir-fry with tofu or the thai curry stir-fry with chicken. They're falafel wraps are INCREDIBLE. The prices are surprisingly and sometimes I wonder if they are profiting enough. The people there are very friendly and hospitable. It's always busy too, which is a sure sign that it is delicious!
(5)Jo R.
amazing food only thing that would make it a 5 in my book was if the website or dine in menu had calorie count. :-)
(4)A B.
I love this place!!! I am a bit biased as I used to work there. When I worked there and ate their somewhat religiously, I can definitely say the food is fresh, from locals, made wonderfully and all the employees are awesome.
(5)Prince V.
I wouldnt call this place Meditterean, but more of a Asian fusion and middle eastern mix. Food is very tasty here. I had the Falafel plate. They give you good amount of food and fast. Everything tasted very fresh. I would definitely go back here.
(4)Roberta N.
Thanks fellow Yelpers. You never let me down. We were staying in the area and of course went to Yelp to find a place to eat. This was a really nice cafe a few miles from our hotel. The ambiance/environment is utilitarian but the food was good and fresh. They prepared it exactly as we requested. It was reasonably priced. We got lunch and dinner there. We got a salad and a wrap for lunch; both were excellent. Lunch was $20. For dinner we got the black bean soup, roasted asparagus and beet side, Mediterranean Chicken Plate and Chicken Tabouli Plate with pita bread. Total $32. Everything was fresh and tasty. The soup and the asparagus were great. The portions were generous. Hummus was really good. We didn't eat in but service was fast. I hope this place stays in business. Thanks again Yelpers!
(5)Jeannette L.
They use local harvest and it's good to support local businesses. But mainly I love this place because the food is so good!!! The fish is always fresh, both the cod and the salmon. The thai curry and tempeh are also really good. I like their vegetable side, which is the swiss chard and succotash. Never been there for lunch on the weekdays, but I can imagine it could be pretty crowded. The food doesn't take that long, but it might be hard to find a place to sit. I usually go for dinner or take it to go.
(5)apple w.
So ...in general- i wait till I have been somewhere more than once and /or have had time to reflect a while. HOWEVER, I had the best lunch that I have had in oh........................ since I moved to New England- and I think that is noteworthy in itself! I ate at the Big Fresh today. I got the Mediterranean chicken plate and I kid you not... it was the best food I have eaten in forever -that i did not make. Tabouli and grilled chicken salad and hummus and some hot sauce stuff i cannot remember the name of.... SOO good. (it also comes with some sort of piccalilli which i skipped as I hate the pickled stuff) My only complaint? my stomach wasn't big enough and i wasn't going directly home- so i couldn't save the left overs. I also had the mint iced tea.. very nice and refreshing! Reasonably priced. healthy. and soooooo yummy. Did I mention it was yummy? Everything on the menu looked good- salads, wraps etc... FYI- They have a sign up that says they prefer cash because they are trying to cut back on CC fees.. so plan for cash if you've got it. Oh. and the inside is really cute and kinda funky creative- (the outside not-so-much... its more what we call strip mall ugly.) I will be going back. In fact, when my company comes in town next week I will probably drive 1/2 hour away to take them to a strip mall to get the yummiest food they have had in ages!!
(5)Maria T.
Not too much to even say, no need for flowery language. I remember when they first moved into this location and I have supported them ever since! I'm no foodie but they manage to really get it right every time. Great food, even better variety, everything I have ever tried (regular menu or specials) has been EXCELLENT. Vegetarian friendly, vegan options, good prices, great organic selection, quick, easy, and great service from seriously nice people!!! My personal favorite, besides all the falafel dishes (really authentic and I have no idea how they make it) and stir-frys (also in great portions and good for take-out!) the sweet beets and feta salad is my favorite item on the menu. HIGHLY recommended.
(5)Cheuk S.
I've been here a few times with my co-workers for lunch and overall it's a pretty good place to go. The food is pretty healthy since it's mostly vegan but there are meat options. Last time I came here, I order Spicy Peanut Noodle Stir Fry and I also tried the Chicken Penne the other time. The location is pretty convenient on right on route 9 or route 30 in Natick area. There's plenty of parking. The inside is actually pretty small and can probably accommodate maybe at most 20-30 people, so don't expect to easily find seating if you plan to dine in. I would suggest go after the rush hour such as 1PM if you plan to dine in, otherwise takeout is pretty quick. The flavour the dishes is very good and the meat was cooked just about right, or at least not overcooked. If you do decide to dine in, there is free water and other drinks for sale. I guess my only complaint is that the prices aren't cheap. It's close to $10 bucks every time you come here and that is a bit high for lunch as usually $5-7 is fair for lunch. But guess you gotta pay a little extra for good and healthy food. The quantity is big enough to fill you up for lunch so the value is there. Overall, a good place to go for healthy and delicious lunch, take out or dine in.
(4)Jason R.
Wow. I can't believe food this good can be found in a what looks like a strip-mall, fast-food restaurant. Yes, that's Boston Market to the left and Papa Gino's to the right. One taste and you'll be amazed how little you paid. The beet salad was comparable to the best such salads we've had in restaurants---beets were tender and seasonsed, the greens were evenly dressed with a properly seasoned vinaigrette. The falafel wrap was also yummy---well seasoned with a nice dressing, various veggies and moist, tender falafel; most of the falafel I've had has been dry and under-seasoned. A step above all the wraps I've had in the Central and Kendall square areas of Cambridge. We got noodles and meatballs for our daughter. The noodles needed salt, but the meatballs were great---flavorful with great texture (tastes like they were made fresh by hand!).
(5)Dharia M.
i've been eating here for a few years, and i LOVE it. I like to call it "Hippie Fast Food", the kind of food that i grew up eating in california. The kind of place i miss from living in college towns, and definitely didn't expect to find in the shadow of the mall. I used to commute along rte 9 three evenings per week and when you're starving and cranky its so easy to get sucked into gross junk food. Big Fresh is awesome for vegetarians, but i've also hooked several of my carnivorous friends on the place! everyone else has already touted their organic, local ingredients. yay. i recommend ordering the Big Fresh Salad with sauteed tofu on top, that's my fave.
(5)Shanna L.
This place is so, so so good. Best falafel I've ever had. Tons of vegetarian options, all with extremely good flavor. I recommend the peanut noodle stirfry. This place has all organic ingredients and is family owned. They also serve a small selection of beer and wine. They're good for the environment, too - they have real dishes and silverware. I LOVE THIS PLACE. I really see no downside...every time I've come here both the service and food is incredible. Also VERY reasonably priced, beautiful local artwork and quick food. Can't beat it.
(5)Nicole S.
I took my fellow Yelpers advice and decided to go against my very strict "No Falafel outside of the San Jose Falafel Drive-In Ever Ever" rule (this was a VERY big step mind you), and check out Big Fresh. I don't think I'm as excited and wowed as other reviewers, but you put up a noble fight in the reign for Master Falafel. I had to bring it home and smother it in garlic chili sauce, but if I closed my eyes and pretended hard enough I could trick myself for a second or two and think I was eating a real SJ style lunch. It was fresh, it was good, and the other stuff I saw coming out of the kitchen looked fabulous. I *guess* I'd recommend it if you've never had the Jesus Falafel in CA because then you wouldn't know what you're missing.
(4)Megan T.
Consistently excellent, locally grown & in season foods when possible. Been there many times and never had a bad dish. I wish there were more places like this instead of all the fast food chains out there! Prices are reasonable for the quality and portion.
(4)Kelly G.
This is a great place to go for fresh, healthy food. Great salads, wraps and stir frys!
(5)Jeremy G.
Great healthier alternative for this area. Taste is top notch. Ingredients are fresh. Chicken meatball wrap is a favorite.
(4)Kevin W.
Since there are already alot of reviews here, I'd thought I'd try something different. My love for Big Fresh - in haiku form: Big Fresh - delicious Falafel hidden off 9, Lunch break, here I come.
(5)Esther L.
Went here for lunch and was pleasantly surprised. Big Fresh looks kinda dingy from the outside, but that is only because its part of a strip mall and next to a Papa Gino's. But once you get inside, its cute with brightly painted walls. You order in the back. I had the hummus plate, which included tasty falafel (they were a bit on the small side though). Their hummus was tasty too, but a bit on the dry side. But I think that's because they didn't douse it with a ton of oil (which is a good thing). I liked how they had Stevia sweetener available for your iced tea, etc. I'd like to go back and try some other things on their menu. Would recommend this as a quick place to grab a bite of good food. Also, its kind of rare to find a non-chain restaurant out there around the route 9 shopping area, so I'm glad Big Fresh is around!
(4)Han K.
I'm skeptical of health food restaurants but with such high recommendations I had to give a try. I was not disappointed. The menu does span a lot of different areas between delicious falafels to very tasty thai curries and blackened salmon, but all the food is served quickly, served fresh, and the quality of the ingredients are left to shine on their own. Beats the pants off Fresh City or Know Fat any day because they're not touting just being healthy, but also being sustainable and local as well. Big plus to selling Wolaver's Organic beers as well.
(4)Dorothy M.
Since I found out about Big Fresh (back in my teenage years when I converted to a vegetarian diet), it's been my favorite place to eat. That wasn't too long ago, but I feel like I've been coming here forever. I went by myself earlier this week. I got (I think the big fresh special) baked tofu w/ satay sauce, jas. rice, vegs = awesome. They have mini books on sale that are titled something like how to conserve water, riding your bike to work, how to change how you use utilities at home to help the environment. I read the water booklet while I ate in BF's calming, dimly lit mini restaurant. I don't like to call it a restaurant though because it does much more than food. On a black chalkboard posted to the wall I read about the locally bought foods that were on the menu. A busy corkboard displays a variety of cards and nearby earthy crunchy things (places, events, info) I find interesting. Big fresh supports local small businesses, buys from local farmers, and always makes the same foods delicious. AND, the people who work there are welcoming and friendly: they let me try tempeh for the first time. The manager has always been visible and working around the store and recognizes a familiar face ;-) Main point = You must go before you die! Big Fresh is pretty sweet.
(5)Sofia A.
Food is tasty and fresh. I had the tangine chicken, and my friend got the beet feta salad. Both were great! The place is small, but with enough tables and space to be comfy. The one item I was not crazy about was the vegan chocolate cake. It did not have any sort of fudge, or frosting... flavor wasnt there.... seemed more like a muffin.
(4)Sameer K.
Big Fresh has the best hummas ever made. No lie, in a Bobby F. like throw down, it would beat them all. Now when you go in the first time, it is a big confusing on what you need to order. I would suggest the Plates. They give you falafel and boat load of greens. Also for the spice lovers, as for some hot spicy sauce on the side. This stuff is not really sauce but it tastes great and packs a good kick. Also the staff is real nice and if you ask them nicely, they will also throw in a piece of bread for no charge. The decor is also great. Always interesting art hanging on the walls. For sale but not in my budget. The place is green friendly and the owner uses only locally grown produce. The true original healthly place to eat and no gimics to prove to you that they are healthy. I love this place and recommend it.
(5)Pete D.
Everything we tried rocked. We had a wrap w/ falafel, falafel + hummus in a pita, a spinach falafel plate and Succotash side.
(5)meg a.
The baked tofu with peanut sauce was ridiculous. So delicious it had me talking to it. I can't wait to work my way through the menu.
(5)Sasha A.
They have such delicious falafel here and a great deal of vegan options. They have tempeh too, which is tasty on a salad. The tea is really awesome. I had a mango black iced tea last time mmm. The service is great and the people are really nice. The inside is lovely and colorful.
(5)Jenna H.
Although they have amazing massam curry, I have to give this place three stars because I have gone there more than once and the food was so hot it was inedible. The flavors and spices of their curry are a great balance and the vegetables are cooked perfectly. I would not suggest getting the black bean soup. They left bay leaves in the soup which are crunchy and just not enjoyable. In addition, the soup was served so hot to me that after my friend and I finished eating our meals the soup was still steaming. This same heating issue has occurred in the past with the curry. However, when the curry is not too hot, it is delicious. In addition, their jammies, or jam cookies, are a tasty treat that are wrapped individually and easy to take on the go. As I already said, their dishes are great when served at the proper temperature. I recommend going there, just be careful not to burn your mouth!
(3)Wendy D.
I tried the falafel wrap and two of the stir frys. The smell alone was enough to make me nauseated. I tasted it. It was terrible. I make vegan food at home and can make super yummy stuff. I was looking for a break from cooking. Our bill was $60 for 3 wraps and 2 stir frys. That is outrageous. I would love my money back right about now.
(1)Sameer P.
I've been to this place several times and I every single time get the Mediterranean Chicken plate with a whole wheat wrap (instead of the normal white flour pita). It's really good. The sauce they cook the chicken is finger licking good and the hummus is nice too. I've had a few bites of the other dishes and they seem good except one of the fish dishes (I believe the Cod) but they only give you a 4oz fish and call that a real meal? Anyway, try it out. Only downside is that its expensive for a casual place. But its pretty healthy.
(5)AJ M.
Love this place! All organic and locally grown food! If you like to eat healthy you have to check out Big Fresh... by the way their Maple Seltzer water is ridiculously awesome.
(5)Clark E.
I love this place. Its always fresh, locally grown food for short money. I love the blackened salmon. Very unique meals and you can get in and out fast. Plant based diet friendly.
(4)R B.
Love the concept, but the delivery was just okay. Reminded me too much of what I churn out at home to get excited about it.
(2)Hillary W.
I love this place, this concept, everything. The food was good, real, fresh and fast. The joint is cute and comfortable. Please open one in Harvard Square. I know all of my co-workers and myself would go here all the time !
(5)Jody G.
I regularly crave the big fresh special with tofu, veggies, the best peanut sauce and the surprisingly addictive collard greens. Seems like a strange combination, but it works so well! Also love their hummus, hot picalilly sauce, homemade soups, and the chicken meatballs. Service is friendly and fast!
(4)Kupkake K.
I had the chicken Morrocan Tangine and Salmon Wrap which were delicious. The fish was extremely fresh and cooked perfectly. I enjoyed the mid-eastern taste of the Morrocan Tangine which had the right spices. I'm a repeat customer...Nice cozy atmosphere...
(4)Ken P.
As a vegetarian, I absolutely love this place, although there are plenty of options for non-veges. I get the spicy peanut noodle stir-fry with tofu or the falafel every time I'm there. Everything is fresh and, as far as I know, organic. It doesn't get much better than this for quick vegetarian food in MetroWest.
(5)Callie G.
Do something good for yourself and eat here. Like everyone else said, the exterior will not beckon you in, but the food is great. Cuisine is a bit Mediterranean, a bit Middle Eastern. They have pasta dishes and salads. It's very healthy and fast. Average meal costs less than $10. Yes, it's more expensive than McDonalds, but healthy fresh food always is.
(5)Arik C.
One of the very few plces you can actually find a meal that isn't gresed up and has ingriedients that are fresh, hence the name. Great falafel, tofu dishes and the chicken meatball is awesome. I only with their were more options for food. They charge like $2 for a 12 oz can of natural soda, a bit ridiculous.
(4)Gregory W.
Great Mid East veggie food served here. Try the falafel plate but bring a friend, its much bigger than you think. They also have Wolaver's Pale Ale, an incredibly great tasting, hoppy pale ale from the Wolaver's/Otter Creek brewery in VT. Every time I'm in the area I try to go here for a plate and a pint.
(5)esther s.
Big Fresh is the place we turn to for a cheap but healthy night out! I always get the falafel wrap and my husband gets the chicken stir fry with noodle. The falafel wrap is soo good, along with the seaweed salad is wonderful.
(5)Stephanie B.
We love this place. This place reminds you what good food is about. The plus is that they try to get as much as possible locally. I have never had a bad meal here.
(5)Aly H.
I can't believe anyone would give this place less than 4 stars. This whole idea that fresh, local, vegetarian food is better on the west coast is crap and Big Fresh proves it. Yeah, there may be more places to get this kind of food out west but the quality of the food at Big Fresh is as good as any. The FALAFEL WRAP is a must try.
(5)acrid r.
I visited on a Saturday night. The place was pretty busy. I had the spicy peanut noodle stir-fry with tofu and my friend had the Thai curry with tofu. As tofu lovers and vegetarians, we were excited about the menu choices. Unfortunately, while the food tasted okay, it was really, really greasy. Greasy to the point where the oil pooled at the bottom of the bowl. While the vegetables seemed fresh enough, the tofu was tasteless and greasy. I was disappointed and would not order those two dishes again. The restaurant was nicely decorated with (local?) art on the wall and stained glass light fixtures, and the lighting was not too bright. The seating was comfortable, the place seemed clean, and the staff were fine. However, restaurants are all about the food, so I'm giving 2 stars based on the dishes we had.
(2)Reid F.
I'd like to offer an opposing viewpoint to all the people who like this place. I've tried it twice, and both times, it was slow, the cashiers made mistakes, and the food was not all that fresh. I usually love these kinds of places, but this one doesn't measure up.
(2)Ridge R.
uh yuh. it's really good food. and a very reasonable deal too. the fish is usually good. the noodle dishes too. the asian salad is great. but to be fair, even though it's a convenient location, you gotta admit the whole strip center thing kinda kills the whole vibe. and the general friendliness quotient is very low. still the deal of the week - just needs a nice, kinda funky, stand-alone sorta new home.
(4)John A.
I must have driven by the sign for Big Fresh fifty times before but never felt compelled to explore it. Thanks to my fellow Yelp'ers, I discovered that it had a wide range of vegetarian options and had a focus on local organic foods. Visited last night, a busy Friday, and was very pleasantly surprised. Unfortunately, it is in a shopping plaza whose best days are past, and the seating area is a bit small, but the restaurant itself is funky, warm, vibrant, and inviting. Food is made for all to see. The Moroccan Tangine with tofu was flavorful and exotic, the spicy noodle stir fry was equally good. Tasty hummus and pitas. The organic sauvignon blanc was a treat. Prices were very reasonable -- two of us each had an entree, glass of wine and shared a hummus/pita appetizer for $33. For real food!! Can you say bargain?? Would be nice it they would add a vegan dessert or two. This is a restaurant for people who respect the food they put in their bodies and I applaud Karen and Kevin, the owners (who I do not know but only read about), for their passion for supporting local growers. Definitely a place I will return to again and again, and heartily recommend.
(5)Gary B.
The best hummus I have ever had. I tried to get them to give me the recipe because there has got to be something special in it, but they would not give it up. Every time I am there I buy some hummus to bring home. I really enjoy the "plate" meals. The falafel plate is great and so are the other plates I have ordered. I have not been crazy about the wraps though, but I am not sure why. Maybe it is because they just seem to fall apart so quick and are so messy that you may as well just start with it on the plate anyway. It is a little more expensive than what I would expect, but not by much. Whatever you do, make sure you get something with hummus.
(4)Eric B.
I was pretty bummed when this place replaced the Rami's Falafel. And it wasn't so good at first in terms of atmosphere or food. But it's really grown into itself and is absolutely the best place to get a fairly quick, healthy meal. Excellent stir fries and wraps using fresh, organic chicken, fish and vegetables. Everything is available with brown rice or whole grains. Even their beer (rare for a self-service/take-out place) is organic (Wolaver's). My favorites are the salmon stir fry and the Mediterranean chicken plate. Great quick and easy place with kids too -- my toddler loves their chicken meatballs. The place is tucked away between a Papa Gino's and a Boston Market in a dreary strip plaza on Route 30, making you think it's probably a disgusting sub place. But it's not. Check it out. My one criticism -- certain rotating specials should be available all the time, especially the Mediterranean chicken wrap!!!!
(5)Ashley I.
Love their falafel! Stir fry is also really good. Kind of on the pricier side for a cafe, but I don't mind paying more for healthier food made with quality ingredients.
(5)Aleks D.
This place is a great alternative to your typical fast food restaurant. The chicken thai curry rocks! Only wish the menu was a bit bigger.
(5)Rainbaby K.
This place is great. It's reasonably priced and you can get healthy "fast food". Everything is super fresh because they buy locally which is great for the consumer but also for the local farmers. In addition they have local artists' work hanging on the walls for purchase. It's just a great place all around. I've tried many items on the menu and haven't found one that I didn't like. A particular favorite of mine is the BIG BABY SALAD but whatever you order, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Debbie M.
I love this place for fast, fresh, yummy food and friendly service. This is my favorite place to go with my family when we are running late for deciding what to eat and I feel like eating something healthy. The decor is funky. The staff is cool. The food is very fresh and includes local organic produce. My favorite is the Thai Chicken with Broccoli on Coconut rice (YUM!) and my husband usually really enjoys a falafel plate. My 9 year old likes the meatball wrap and my 3 year old likes the teryaki noodles or a side of chopped tomatoes (not on the menu but they are happy to oblige this strange craving she always has). They have the cutest little teapots and I love the Moroccan Mint Green tea. The drinks are expensive but the reasonable prices for fresh, fast and unusual mix of dishes in a cool environment makes up for it. They have added a lot more choices for drinks since they originally opened. I also like the Oh Baby salad I think it has gorgonzola cheese, walnuts and apples. They have local art on the walls which I always like too.
(5)Susan E.
I have lived in the Framingham area for 15 years, and it took me 14 to discover little Big Fresh among all the neon on Route 9. I had seen it many times on my way into Papa Ginos or Boston Chicken, but never went in because I thought it was just an average salad bar and wrap place. But my sister finally nudged me in to try, and boy was I surprised. First of all, you feel like you have stepped out of the chain eatery capital of America right into Brattleboro, VT. The restaurant is small and cozy and a little dark--and SO unlike everything around it. I am a vegetarian wanabee, but I can't seem to give up chicken entirely. Here, I can eat veggies and tofu and hummos and falafel and Morrocan Tangine and feel GREAT and full at the same time. I have also tried the Thai Curry Salmon which is fantastic. If you are reading this review, you will love this place. I only wish I had known about it sooner...
(5)Dawn G.
I liked the food I got here all 3 times, but I thought it tasted salty and later each time my hands swelled up from the sodium so I won't be going back :(
(2)Phil S.
6/5 stars. Food was organic, healthy, and tasty. Atmosphere was phenom.
(5)Pam J.
Thanks Yelp! Great recco. Excellent food. Everything super fresh and tasty. I had teriyaki stir fry. DH had oriental wrap. DD had ceasar wrap. Yum! Iced teas excellent as well.
(5)Allyson C.
Hi! I am pretty certain the new restaurant is Norish in Lexington. It has great reviews but I have not been yet as I have just learned this in the last 24 hours. I will be sure to update as soon as I visit :)
(1)Anna F.
One word: YUM. Everything they make here is absolutely delicious. My personal favorite item is the chicken meatball wrap. If you eat in, they give you real plates and silverware to minimize waste. The service is really great. The artwork on the walls is all by local artists and is for sale. All in all, a great place to eat great food.
(5)Scott G.
Not so big. Not so fresh. The tastes are clearly aimed at a "lowest common denominator" palatte, without much effort; in other words, fairly flavorless.
(2)Sara M.
This place is awesome. The falafel is the the best I have ever had! My second choice would have to be the Coconut curry with Tofu, yum! They are earth friendly which I like, and they have both vegetarian as well as meet options so everyone is happy. I must say the the outside does not really do the place Justice, took me years to actually go in, but now I'm hooked.
(4)Alan M.
I've eated at the Big Fresh many times. Not to be confused with Fresh City. My wife always suggests it as a good place to go for a healthy meal, and I dutifully go along. I say "dutifully" because it's not always the most comfortable place to eat, but the food is tasty, and perhaps good for you. I usually have a stir-fry of some sort, with chicken or salmon. I've had hummos and falafel plates on occasion, and have never been disappointed. The portion sizes are what I'd call "large." My trepidation is that between the large portions and the sauce they put on, you're probably consuming a lot of extra calories that you really don't need (I'm talking to YOU!). But they have brown rice, so it's gotta be healthy, right? The other thing I like about going to the Big Fresh is that you get to feel superior to the people going to the adjacent restaurants: Papa Gino's, Tennessee's BBQ, and Boston Market. And, coming soon, 5 Guys Burgers. My least favorite part of the experience is the interior. It's a very small place, and the seating is not ideal. Occasionally on cold days, I feel that the place is kept just a few degrees too low. In such a small location, it's easy for the gust of wind that accompanies an arriving or departing guest to have a significant impact on the temperature of the ambiant air.
(4)Christopher R.
A restaurant with vegan options in the suburbs? Unthinkable Nope..it's true. The grilled vegetable quesadilla is great...even without the cheese holding everything in. Messy, but delicious. I find that the most delicious food is also the messiest. I had the tofu, veggies in the peanut curry sauce and it was out of this world. Everything was so FRESH! The boy had the falafel and it was seasoned so well. Service was fast and GREAT. I will defintely make this my suburb eating spot for fast, fresh and great tasting food.
(5)Vic H.
One of the best Mediterranean restaurants in the area! The food was prepared fast and was excellent. There is limited seating but the atmosphere is nice.
(5)Dee H.
Great place for a fresh and nutriciouly delicious bite to eat. My favorite is the salmon moroccan tangine with couscous. The small place has a subtle granola crunchy kind of atmosphere. Just a perfect stop to catch your breath between shopping expeditions.
(4)