Sweetleaf
1359 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA, 22101
Sweetleaf Menu
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Visit below restaurant in McLean for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in McLean for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in McLean for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1359 Chain Bridge Rd
McLean, VA, 22101 - Phone (703) 893-2323
- Website https://www.eatsweetleaf.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
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M H Z.
Needed an an ice cream fix on a hot day after raiding the free mulch pile at a nearby garden center. Small cozy and homey . We had thick gorgeous milkshakes that gave us renewed strength. Relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff made us first timers feel welcome and wanting to return to try the salad bar or brunch specials. Will definitely return and recommend.
(4)Junella T.
I love the idea of the place more than the food. I mean where else can you get salads, sandwiches, foyo, and baked goods in one place?! For lunch we ordered the create your own salads. For the base price you get 4 toppings and dressing. If you want protein it's an additional $2. Making a salad with only 4 add ins is hard but do-able. Each additional topping is 50¢ The salad ingredients were fresh and there was quite a bit of selection. They portions were generous and I had plenty leftover for dinner. Only complaint is the salad wasn't anything special. It also wasn't mixed properly so some parts of the salad had way too much dressing. The salad was the same as something I could make at home. The ordering bar is also disorganized. You can't see all the ingredients at once while you are going down the line. So you max out your 4 picks and then you see that they have a lot more choices down the bar. And honestly for $12 a salad, i expected at least a wow.
(3)Gwen B.
Came here for lunch with a friend who lives in the area. She had been here various times and recommended it for a good, healthy lunch option. It is kid friendly and casual which was necessary for us. They had high chairs readily available. Per my friend's recommendation, I got the San Remo salad which had grilled chicken, avocado, cheese, and tomato. I really enjoyed it and the portion was definitely big enough for leftovers. My friend went with the Santa Fe Salad with chicken which looked tasty as well. They give you a piece of bread if you request it and I would say this is comparable to a Sweet Green. Overall, a satisfying lunch. Go San Remo, you won't regret it!
(4)ivonna s.
I had an amazing salad here and I love how fresh the food was. There were so many salads to choose from or you could make you own salad by selecting your toppings and dressings from the menu. They also offer sandwiches, soups and shakes. I was so very pleased with the quality of my food that after I finished my salad I ordered another one to go. I will definitely be returning.
(4)Amanda S.
Visited this place on a whim while driving through McLean for an appointment, and I was pleasantly surprised to find Sweet Leaf. I ordered the caprese sandwich on farmer's bread, and splurged and got a strawberry mango smoothie to wash it down. The sandwich was excellent-- how can you go wrong with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and spinach drizzled in balsamic vinegar and earthy pesto. Yum! The smoothie was also fantastic-- made with frozen yogurt, fresh strawberries and mangoes. The ambiance inside is nice and cozy-- sort of a rustic, country kitchen vibe. I would come back if I'm ever on that side of town.
(4)Sampad D.
Nice Ambiance !! Recommend - Asian Chicken Salad.
(4)Diane B.
We came to this place thinking it was just icecream, so we were quite surprised to discover that there was a whole cute cafe. The icecream itself wasn't especially wonderful, but the server gratiously added as much chocolate syrup as I wanted ("just tell me when") and an extra scoop of chocolate chips, and that made me happy. They have a nice little patio out back if you want to sit outside. I'll have to come back and try to food next time.
(4)Megan P.
I've seen this property change owners/stores several times over the years, but I'm happy with the newest 'tenant' - Sweetleaf. It reminds me of the chain in NYC I frequented only this one offers more food (fyi - not owned by the same people). They have a sandwich and salad bar, but I've only been for the ice cream and coffee. This past weekend was the perfect day to go -- fairly empty (I imagine because of spring break) and a cool, sunny day to sit on their patio. They offer both fro-yo and ice cream, and you get three free toppings when you order a cup. I had their butter pecan and the fiancee got his standard chocolate -- both were excellent, and the coffee was really good too. They have a jug of water and cups to the side which I appreciate since I drink so much, and also a water bowl on the patio for four-legged companions.
(4)Michelle L.
Food is still A-OK. I still dont think the money is all worth for bowl of salad and some dressing. But I do have to say, Sweetleaf needs to teach their staff some etiquette when learning how to answer the phone and talking to people in person. I had placed in a group phone order for lunch and repeating myself "no cilantro. no sprouts. no green pepper. Yes, the FIN. the FIN, no tuna.." Of course I get there to pick up my food, I found the things that I dont want and the cashier, Freddie was being rude telling me its my fault after I had numerously told him "NO" over the phone. Be a little thoughtful next time, Freddie!
(3)Elizabeth S.
Just had an amazing salad! The chicken is unbelievable. Very happy with my experience there.
(5)Justina Y.
I'm here visiting from California and this place is such a gem!! The food is delicious and relatively healthy, and the seating area is super cute! Definitely gives me hipster coffee shop vibes. The workers are friendly too!
(5)J B.
Gone here many times for breakfast and always been satisfied. Fresh food- good service.
(4)Rahmell D.
The have the best food and their red velvet cake is amazing! Met the owner and she is a sweet heart hence the name sweet leaf.
(5)Rob C.
Overall the food was real good. It was a bit cramped inside. Luckily there is seating outside as well. The parking is very limited. But it's a great place to get a healthy sandwich quick bite. There prices are very decent you definitely get what you pay for!
(4)Julia G.
I've been here countless number of times. I've done the "build your own" salad a million times, have gotten the Fresh Stack veggie sandwich a number of times and their signature salads are also good. The atmosphere is chill and relaxing for any time of the day. There is a couch in the back and free water station. The place in general is cute. There is outdoor seating with umbrellas. The only thing that could make that better is if it wasn't overlooking the street but what can you do, it's McLean. The staff is nice, never had a problem. The pastries are so-so, and coffee is so so, but I only go for the salads really. This is a good place to go to during the day and you feel like something healthy. It does get crowded during lunch hours and on weekends and it is a little difficult to park (secret parking in back in the church parking lot), but other than that, it's pretty solid. I also love that it's small and not a big company like so many others (Chop't, Greenleaf) They are expanding with location thought. There is one in Vienna as far as my knowledge goes. Worth it every time.
(5)Mackenzie D.
Stopped by for lunch one day (the parking really is as bad as described) and had one of the best salads of my life. I spent several minutes debating over the menu- everything looked amazing- and finally settled on the San Remo. I loved how generous the portions were. More chicken than I felt like I could handle, an entire half avocado, quality parm and sun dried tomatoes. I seriously thought about that salad for weeks afterwards. I went back another time and tried the Positano salad (omggg the fresh mozzarella was to die for) but I definitely recommend the San Remo. I want all the things.
(5)saira m.
I just got off a12 hour shift at the hospital and was starving. I drive by and see the open sign - score! As I'm parking and getting out of the car, the employee sees me through the window at 859 pm and turns the open sign off. I put my hands up in surprise that you would turn a customer away, but he shook his head and did the slit throat sign. My reaction is probably fueled by being hangry , but that was RUDE and u lost a customer for good.
(1)Sherrie H.
Everything I've eaten tastes fresh at this coffee house cafe. Their breakfast sandwiches cost $4.50 and today I devoured one with two slices of fresh bread, melted cheddar cheese, tomatoes and egg. They make your food to order. It's a business that undertands customers need to be happy to keep returning. Parking might require a curbside spot instead of in their front lot, but I don't mind. Their food outweighs any mealtime parking challenges. Pick up little muffins, cookies and bars here for a snack later in the day. It's always clean inside this cafe. No dirty tables here.
(5)Jen J.
I just started working in one of the offices near the Tysons Galleria Mall and there are so few good places to grab a quick bite for lunch. Happened to be at Langley Shopping Center and went here coz it popped up on Yelp. I am so glad I did. Lip Smacking good!! I had the Asian Chicken salad for 8 bucks! Generous portion. They didnt skimp on the chicken, oranges, nuts or anything. And the dressing was just perfect, not too tangy or sour. I only wish this was walking distance from the office!!. I hope to try more stuff in the near future. I saw them preparing sandwiches for the customers ahead and those looked delicious as well. All the ingredients looked fresh and fabulous. The cashier threw in a small portion of pasta salad along with a slice of bread. Other customers were right about the parking situation, their lot is really small, but you can park at the church or across the street at Langley shopping center.
(4)Angela K.
I've loved Sweetleaf from day one. The ingredients are fresh and the sandwiches at great too! They give generous portions and the environment is very welcoming. -- I definitely like it better than the SweetGreen that opened up. There are a lot more delicious options. Two thumbs up!!
(5)Devin P.
Bad parking makes me grumpy! Laughing children make me grumpy! This place unfortunately had both. The food was okay, but I chose to write home about something else. We parked at the abandoned bank across the street as they were particularly full of overpriced SUVs that day. The walk was fine and although there were a lot of children running around, their parents were pampering them to remain relatively quiet. Once we dealt with that, we found a table and sat down to what was a quick meal. It was not magical. It was a sandwich. The bread was good, and the location clean but I think I can find a better place to have lunch for $24. As for the freshness, I rarely notice the difference between these places and making food at home, so if you can trick yourself, go for it.
(3)Shayda T.
A friend told me to try the "Kookooroo" sandwich and boy was I happy that she did! This is, hands down, one of the best chicken sandwiches I have ever had. It was hard to decide what to put on it because they ha so many delicious options. This place is my new "go-to" spot!
(5)Bev B.
Excellent salads but the staff looks sad to be there. Not a very friendly place to eat.
(4)Sarah W.
Mehhhh. Too heavy handed on the dressing. I don't think they understand the diff between light and reg amounts of dressing. Not everybody wants to eat soggy salad Their sandwiches are pretty decent The bread offered with salad is cold and boring And I absolutely DESPISe the bowls they serve their salads in to go. It's like adult proof and if u do get it open you've prob cut yourself on the plastic
(2)Matt H.
I go here about once a week since I work close by. I like the breakfast sandwiches and lunch sandwiches over the salads. The Illy coffee is always brewed properly and served piping hot. It's maybe a bit overpriced for what you get, but it's McLean so expected.
(3)Christoph L.
I was looking for a new sandwich shop, decided to give this place a try, and it was superb. I got the San Remo sandwich and it was the best sandwich I've had in memory. The ingredients, particularly the bread, were super fresh and tasty.
(5)Alex K.
As far as coffee/tea shops go, this is a pretty nice one. It does seem to be in a weird location, but I like that they are in a little building off the road. They had some really great teas and a decently big lunch menu. I had a cup of tea and a salad, which was pretty hyped up on Yelp. The salad was pretty good, I think it was a little bland, but that's probably a good thing since it should be a little healthy. They used some fresh avocado and lettuce in there, so I was pretty happy with it. The free wifi and plenty of seating area make for a great place to stop and have a drink or do some work. The staff were very friendly too :)
(4)Keriann M.
The reason it gets 4 stars is because the food is good and they have tons of options. But most of the staff looks miserable all the time and aren't friendly. I know you don't have to enjoy making me a sandwich, but a tiiiiny smile wouldn't make me feel so uncomfortable...
(4)Kobeyashi M.
It's an ok place. The parking is tight. I had the commuter breakfast sandwich and the person behind the counter seemed upset that I wanted to add veggies. It was a normal sandwich nothing great. There were loads of young families and loud children. I would avoid the place in the future because of the noise level. The desserts all appeared a bit burnt.
(2)Jane R.
Based on one lunch, this will be my go-to place for salads in the future. My friend and I both had the San Remo salads and enjoyed them. Parking lot was full on a Saturday at 1:15, but I'll have to figure out how to park in the back. My only negative is that the staff could have been friendlier. When I asked where the water was, the cashier shifted his shoulder. Not the best approach for first time guests.
(4)Smith E.
Awesome, Awesome, Fresh, Fresh, Clean, Clean, Healthy--well sort of. Come here about once a week and it's a super, super alternative if you want to eat a fresh, healthy, semi-organic meal. I always get either the Nikos or Nicoise salads. I like this place even more than Sweetgreen as it's usually much cleaner and the salads are fresher and tastier. Not sure if they use organic ingredients though--at least some are though I'm not sure if all are. Their other food is super good too--the sweets, the shakes, the sandwiches but I eat mainly their super delicious salads.
(4)Jaymi P.
Dear Sweetleaf, I could eat here every day for the rest of my life! The first time I came here was in 2010. To be honest, I am not a sandwhich person and didnt really know what this place was so I didnt get anything. Although, my friend did speak very highly of the place. Recently, in the mood for a good salad I went back. I ordered a salad with romane, chick pea, soy beans, avocados, sunflower seeds, chicken and mozzarella (FRESH! It's so good) I asked the woman who was making my salad what dressing because there were too many to choose from. She suggested the chipotle chili which I wasnt sure about but I accepted... it was amazing. I was very happy with it and have come back many times since. Parking tends to suck a lot.
(4)Kman M.
First, it's not $, it should be at least $$. Overpriced sandwiches. little meat, charges extra for everything. Sadly, Subway is 10x better. On top of overpriced bad sandwiches, they also got some rude employees. $8.00 for 2 slices of bread, 1 slice of Ham, little bit of cheese and lettuce.. is it worth $8.00?? Hell No .. Subway, you got 6 in plus a soft drink for $4.00.. lots of meat and veggie.. that's a sandwich.
(1)Efe G.
don't waste your time coming here... i work in the mclean area and was craving a salad so i yelped it! story cut short, sweet leaf had good reviews do i stopped over. salad was just ok, nothing spectacular and i was ready to live with that, but i also ordered a butter pecan shake which arrived when i was half way through with my salad..and to top it off it tasted very weird! so i took it back to management and asked if i could get something rlse since the shake tasted weird..and they said no! this is america people! i just left the funky tasting shake at their counter (cost about 4/5bucks too so you can imagine..what a waste)! and i left their shop. went over to the 7/11 right beside sweet leaf and picked up some more tasty food. i was so disappointed! suffice to say i'm never returning.
(1)Jennifer H.
This place is a disappointment and knock-off of Sweetgreen. First, they make you think you're getting a deal with the salads all marked about $2 less than Sweetgreen, but none of them include protein like Sweetgreen's do, so once you add on chicken or shrimp, etc. the price is the same or more. The make your own salad option is also more expensive than Sweetgreen by the time you add a protein and cheese. Their combinations try to mimic Sweetgreen's salads, but the ingredients miss the mark and the salad dressing options are just ho-hum... nothing you can't buy in the grocery store. I was hard pressed to even find the feta cheese I paid an additional $1 for in my salad. They must have used a teaspoon sized scoop to add the minuscule crumbles. Their froyo is also higher priced for what you get compared to Pinkberry or the likes. I'll just go out of my way to go to Sweetgreen's if I'm paying $11 for a salad regardless.
(1)Lillian S.
Love this place! I've had their Asian chicken salad which is really yummy and 2 of their sandwiches- the san remo and the malibu melt- which were both amazing. The place is clean, fresh and have lot of healthy options. We went there for breakfast this morning and it's amazing to me that they were less crowded than the McLean Diner down the street. I hope this place expands into DC, particularly near my work so i can eat there more often!
(5)Deborah F.
This is my favorite place to go for lunch. The food is fresh and super healthy. Also, when I feel like splurging, their desserts are incredible. Try the Fresh Stack sandwich with pesto and avocado instead of guac. Super tasty. ^_^
(5)Meg H.
This is the epitome of McLean. A fancy-shmancy gourmet Subway with salads and fro-yo and people of all ages mulling around.It used to house Moorenko's,which my family held an inexplicable grudge against for many years,but I'm not gonna lie. I can get ice cream anywhere,but there's a special corner of my heart reserved for the Chicken Special. Oh,how I love the Chicken Special. It's the only sandwich there that I've eaten (no tomatoes please and thanks.) and it's absolutely delish. The pesto,cheese and chicken all toasted in some artisan bread is some good ish. On the other hand,their fro-yo is ehhh and hot damn I hate parking there.Then again,it's Mactown. What do you expect? The answer is generally: Overpriced and/or not much
(3)Anne C.
Woww.....I am honestly utterly shocked that this place received 4 stars average. I was soooo excited to go to this spot due to the great reviews AND my lovely obsession with fresh and organic greens. I am in love with shops like euro and urth cafe in L.A. and thought this would at least slighly resemble these shops. Fail!!! I walk in and there is a line. No problem, only 3 people in front of me right? wrong..it is moving sooooooooo slow AND the menu that is listed in front of me has the smallest font that when you're standing ever so slightly in the back of the line, you can barely see it. I get up to the front and see they have a "chicken special" which is chicken, avocado, pesto and sundried tomatoes..this can be made in salad form or sandwich form. I got the sandwich form (italian baguette) and an asian wonton salad for myself. I regret making this horrendous decision because both dishes had chicken and what was wrong with this? the chicken was soooooo ridiculously dry I could barely swallow any of the pieces of my chicken in my salad. On top of that, the chicken on the sandwich combined with the dry, crunch Italian baguette (not crunchy and chewy as it should be) I had to go buy a gold's peak iced tea to wash it down. On top of everything, the prices. There is Urth cafe in L.A. that is much more expensive than this shop but it was worth it because of the decent sizes of the sandwiches /salads/coffees and the quality/taste was fabulous. Here, our total for 3 items came out to be 20 bucks but the sandwich and salads are tiny (which is perfect for little eaters like me), but the quality of the BASICs that make the sandwich like the dry chicken and the bread) is horrific. Totally not worth it + the lack of parking = never going back!
(1)Mark G.
The fresh salads here are large (make sure you take the half you don't eat home in a container) and delicious. I really like the Asian Chicken salad. Unique and extremely well done. No, the food is not cheap here -- but the salads beat the fancier and just as expensive salads downtown in DC. Sweetleaf would get ten times more business from my family if they expanded parking. Why don't they cut a deal with the church behind them??? Or a neighboring lot??? There are like 9 parking spaces -- and given the odd location -- that adds stress to a visit. Parking is the biggest drawback to Sweetleaf. Staff is efficient, pleasant and competent. The experience at Sweetleaf is reliably positive. My family loves the frozen yogurt cones and ice cream sandwiches with frozen yogut. I think Sweetleaf has three locations in VA. I wish they would open in downtown DC.
(5)Christina O.
Good place to catch up with friends over froyo/coffee. You can also build your own salad/sandwich
(4)Alison S.
So, a good friend has been raving about this place to me for some time but since I don't often go by that side of Mclean very often I never got to try it. For whatever reason one day recently I decided to check it out. It was just my little 3 yr old and myself. Immediately upon entering the place -- Love the decor!! Totally up my alley! Love the giant coffee mugs turned plant pot with cactus on each table. It's a self service kinda place. You make your order at the counter, pay, and take your orders to your table. The main offerings are salads, sandwiches, ice cream / yogurt smoothies, coffees, and some other little goodies (cookies, cupcakes, muffins etc.). WARNING: their salad portion is Giagantic!! They're served in a medium size stainless steel mixing/prep bowl you'd normally find in your kitchen. (Are they feeding humans or horses?) Sandwiches are also really good. And the creme de la creme: the yogurt smoothie!! So good! Cappuccino also good. My only complaint is that on my second visit I ordered a tuna salad sandwich and picked the French baguette .... only this was terrible French baguette! So disappointed! I was so excited to see a place offering baguettes as a bread option for sandwiches coz I LOVE baguette sandwiches. Alas, this was not to be ..... What a magnet place for healthy eating nuts & chicks (A-hem! Yours Truly!)! Will be back for sure!
(4)David H.
It was our first and shall be our last visit to Sweetleaf in McLean. Counter service people are rude and untrained. A high level of disorganized confusion reigns among the staff. One person seemed obsessively focused on cleaning the tables but the floor was littered and filthy. The smell of cleaning solvent was in the air. The place is billed as an ice cream shop but it serves just 8 flavors of Haagen Dazs ice cream - certainly nothing special - and one very bitter flavor of YoCream, a commercially made frozen yogurt. We ordered the frozen yogurt and found the taste to be sour, and it left a bad after-taste. Rock music is turned up so loud that it intrudes on any ability to have a conversation. Sweetleaf also sells cookies, salads and sandwiches. It is too pricey for the poor quality.
(1)Grace M.
The food here is great to get lunch. They have everything you could want for basic salads, soups, pastries, frozen yogurt, and sandwiches. It's a great lunch place to go with your friends because of the relaxed atmosphere. It's set up like a chipotle where you pick what you want or custom create your own. Everything is fresh and you can see it all in front of you. Their chicken special is to die for, I think it's called the San Remo now though. Try it and leave in the sun dried tomatoes, even if you aren't a fan like me. Also try the smoothies, they have a lot of low fat frozen yogurt in them but they're great and you get to pick out the fresh fruit right in front of you. If you have your tonsils out or a sore throat you can live on these. They have pretty much all you can ask for to top on your salad which is great. Also there is parking in the back which is really easy since the front is usually taken. The outdoor seating is great and perfect to bring your dog since they have a water bowl outside!
(5)Kathleen O.
Their food is fresh & delicious. But their staff is terrible. They forget what you ordered, mix up your food with people behind you, bump into each other, charge you for the wrong thing, and take forever. Every time I go there it's as if the entire staff is on their first day. During the lunch rush, its not worth it.
(3)Chris M.
Decided at the urging of my children that a 1.5 year boycott of this place was enough and so took my kids there yesterday and today. Today, the owner prepared my son's Quesadilla. He asked for corn and a hardboiled egg with it on the side. Strange combo but he's only 5 so... Anyhow, the owner said, "Nothing comes with it but salsa." and so I pointed to the menu on the wall and said that's not what your sign says. "Kids Menu: Quesadilla - A perfect wrap with melted cheddar cheese inside. With a side of salsa. Add meat or anything else that looks good." I know that, 'With a side of salsa." is not a great sentence but that's really how it's written on the sign. Moving on, my son thought that corn and a hardboiled egg looked good. The owner turned, read her own menu, threw her arm up in the air with a back hand wave (and plenty of 'F-U' attitude) and said to her employee using her nastiest tone, "Get him whatever he wants...turned and walked away" WOW! Unbelievable! All I wanted was what it said we could have on the menu, not to mention that there was a crock brimming with eggs and corn right in front of her! Another patron saw this and commented that it was remarkably bad form for a business owner. If I could give negative stars I would. Mark my words I will NEVER go back here again unless the owner gives me a written and thoughtful apology (unlikely).
(1)Allison H.
Sweet leaf has been our home away from home and a place to run to while realtors show our house. The food is consistently good and the staff is always friendly and efficient. I credit what others have said but I see they've stepped up their game and deserve recognition for that.
(5)Courtney S.
I went here on a whim since I had forgotten where the Subway in McLean was and I was trying to get something quick and healthy for lunch. There was a pretty long line, and not much room for people to stand. Bread wasn't an option for me, but it looked like their sandwich selection was a lot better than their salad choices. They only had a few salad options on the menu and I found all the choices to be underwhelming. They did have a "make your own salad" option where you could pick your veggies and dressing, but if I wanted to do that I would have gone to the salad bar at Giant. I got the Positano salad and was not impressed. I would still try Sweet Leaf again because I probably didn't make the best choice with my salad, and their menu does have a lot of appealing things on it. If I went back I don't think I'd get another salad. Their prices are really high for a to-go salad that doesn't even have meat on it. Their sandwiches seemed good and they had a lot of frozen yogurt toppings too. If you go during lunch time, prepare for there to be a line, and the restaurant to be crowded.
(3)Alicia W.
The sandwiches we ordered were very yummy. the atmosphere was kinda weird though
(4)Brent W.
Folks, this place is great - it is so hard to find a really good place that serves good HEALTHY food. You will typically end up at a location that has a lot of unhealthy food on the menu - this place is different: like a very healthy and very high end Subway - pick what you want. You can even eat sweet treats if you decide to indulge, but well after the healthy food.
(4)Karen P.
Great sandwiches! And the cupcakes are to die for!
(4)Amanda M.
ALERT! JUST SAY NO! I went there yesterday for the first time just to check it out and I will not ever go back. Service was rude and slow. Guy at the counter had an attitude, like he was having a bad day and taking it out on everyone. I ordered the ice cream which you get 3 scoops for $4 with up to 3 toppings. It is a little weird that the ice cream isn't on display but rather they go back in the back to get the ice cream and then tada appear with your cup. So I'm not really sure what I'm getting from back there, it was a little off if you ask me. So on my way out, I went to check out the rest of the menu and what else they have to offer and as I looked at the salad bar and I could help but notice FLIES EVERYWHERE ALL OVER THE FOOD, IT WAS DISGUSTING!!!!! I'm not talking a few flies I'm talking DOZENS OF FLIES ALL OVER THE SALAD FIXINGS. Not sanitary at all!
(1)Foodie C.
Just reviewing FroYo Tasted watered down really no flavor to it Fruit was not the best not quite ripe yet Service was Great!
(2)Laura S.
If I'm not crafting my own salad, I get the berry leaf salad. Today I decided to make my own salad. Most any request is accommodated easily. The line moves a little slow, but I wasn't in a rush today. Your best bet is to come during non lunch rush hours if you can, or park in Langley Shopping Center and walk a block(ish). $10.50 for a salad of mixed greens, beets, egg whites, carrots and chickpeas, plus a 12 oz soy milk is appropriate enough for me. And the salad greens and ingredients are always fresh. I do wish they offered cooked tofu as an option, and cooked mushrooms. It would also be helpful if they had nutritional info somewhere, and a better mobile website. If you come for dinner, you've got to be an early dinner person. No 7:30 or 8:00 dinners here.
(4)Shannon A.
Pass this place unless you want rude service and stale food. There are so many other choices in mclean.
(1)James R.
First off: Parking is very limited. That being said, SweetLeaf is a delightful light lunch. I did not get a salad, but rather the Chicken Special. It had pesto, avocado, sliced chicken breast, and a choice of some toasted artisan breads. It hit the spot for sure. The inside gets loud, but it's aesthetically pleasing. Outside (weather dependent) was perfect for my lunch. Little metal tables and fairly comfortable chairs. It's won't be a go to option, but I wouldn't hesitate to go with friends again.
(3)Jeannine B.
I ate at Sweet Leaf for lunch today for the first time and was very impressed! I ordered the tuna on wheat and as they prepared it, I looked at the variety of toppings I could add - everything from lettuce and spinach to corn and avacado to onions, cucumbers and more! All screamed fresh at me. The tuna was not mayonnaisy but light and delicious. The atmosphere was homey and comfortable and the servers, while not overly friendly, were working diligently and answered all my questions. The ice cream and other homemade desserts looked delicious. I can't wait to go back and try them!
(4)Karen V.
As the reviews show this place can be good or bad depending on your luck. I have stopped going there because their prices are very high and it costs extra for everything you want to put on it... meat and cheese will set you back at least $5 combined. I always leave and they forget my dressing or bread or utensils, etc. So consistency is not their best trait.
(2)Mo A.
Reasonable food with great big windows and welcomed open seating. soups, Salads, Sandwiches and frozen yogurt. BUT of the 4 times I have been there, I had the person preparing my food put so little of the supporting ingredients in that I could barely distinguish what salad it was I ordered. I'll try it again, but unless they fix their quantities, I will likely go elsewhere.
(3)David L.
This is one of those trendy build-your-own salad/sandwich places that caters to the slightly crunchy yuppie. The atmosphere is light with green accents, and a reduce, reuse, and recycle sign hangs over the kitchen door. Basically, this means you're going to pay $10+ for a sandwich/salad with chips and a drink, and you won't be all that full. But the food is decent. I like that they have suggested combinations for those of us that struggle with indecision. I decided to kick things off with the chicken salad sandwich. The chicken is pulled (no cubes), and there isn't an excess of mayo. I think I remember some celery, but it's relatively standard. Also, this place fills up at lunch, and parking is extremely limited.
(3)Erikka C.
I've been to Sweet Leaf for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and I've never been disappointed in the quality of the food. It's a great, healthy alternative to fast food. I recommend the Malibu breakfast sandwich and the Asian Chicken salad. It is pricey but the ingredients are high quality.
(4)Nicole R.
McLean really needed this place. It opened in the space formerly occupied by Moorenkos (who was supposed to move, but closed and still hasn't reopened). Sweetleaf is a really cute soup/sandwich/salad place that uses all sustainable/organic ingredients. They have a decent selection of sandwiches and salads, and soup is seasonal. I got the Koo-Koo-Roo sandwich and added avocado (I ended up with turkey breast, lite mayo, spicy mustard, mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, pepper jack cheese and avocado I believe) and it was delicious. Whichever salad is Asian-ish (mandarin oranges, almonds) is fantastic too. Service is decent, mostly high school kids. Prices are a bit steep, but it's McLean, and it's really the only place like it and well, I suppose you get what you pay for. I've been back twice and will definitely continue to visit Sweetleaf when I'm in McLean. Beware of small parking lot!
(4)Emily H.
A great place to have a nice brunch. I ordered the malibu melt and my mom ordered the healthy start. Delicious breakfast sandwiches - by far the best breakfast sandwiches in McLean! The coffee was great and my mom enjoyed the iced tea. The menu had a great variety! We got there before the late breakfast/early lunch crowd. Once we sat down there was a line immediately and remained that way until we left around 11:30.
(4)Mary P.
This place is a million times better than any Subway -- not really even in the same category. The sandwiches and salads are delicious and prepared fresh. I have used their catering services several times for school events with great results. I love the atmosphere and now that my husband showed me how convenient it is to park behind the store in the church parking lot, parking is not an issue. There are stairs from the parking lot directly into the back door of the restaurant. Great, great locally owned restaurant.
(5)Hosun L.
This is a chic sandwich shop. Decent food. Good price. Crummy parking. Nice Fro-Yo. I went looking for Moorenko's one night, with a hankering for sorbet. Or sherbet. I get them confused. GPS said I was at Moorenko's. Sign said no, this is Sweetleaf. I decided to wait until the next day to clear up my confusion. Sweetleaf is one of those trendy, healthy eats restaurants that are all about macrobiotic diets and hugging the planet. As such, I felt comforted by the fact that whatever I ordered must be healthy and good for the environment. The new owners may have spruced up Sweetleaf and attracted a more upscale clientele, but they still couldn't do anything about the fact that the lot only has around 10 parking spots. Don't bother hoping you'll get lucky. Just park at the church a block away and save your self esteem. You won't get lucky. Once you get past that, you find that the inside is redesigned to look more like a rustic version of Starbucks than anything. The customers, too. The menu are mostly sandwiches, salads, and whatever you can make from ingredients left over from sandwich and salads, such as a sandwich with a salad on the side. I ordered a Tuna Sandwich (double meat, a la Subways) on toasted Italian Baguette (not a good bread choice for tuna) which tasted like a tuna sandwich on italian baguette. They also have random soup of the day (Lobster Bisque, when I went). Tthey have an assortment of cookies, muffins and other sweets which probably can't be too healthy. And the Fro-Yo. Good stuff. Slightly tart vanilla flavor. Tons of fruit and candy toppings. And you don't have to go to Reston or Annandale for it. Entire bill came to $17. I don't think I could eat here 5 days a week. The body can't take so many cold cuts. But it's worth at least a weekly trip, at least for the Frozen Yogurt. I'll miss Moorenko's, but apparently it closed down over 8 months ago, and I never noticed. This means I probably wasn't that attached or fascinated by it.
(4)Melanie C.
Yummmmmm! Everything here is organic, fresh and tasty. Although they're extremely busy at lunch time, the line moves quickly and there's always a place to sit. The prices are fairly comparable to any other place that offers organic food. Friendly staff, great service and even better food - plus it's within walking distance of my office!
(5)Jacquelyn K.
Sweet Leaf is like an NYC Prada knock-off (Prado, anyone?). Just as good to 99% of the population and SO much cheaper. Yes, everyone talks about Sweetgreen like it's the Second Coming of salads in the DC area - but, you would be remiss if you didn't give Sweet Leaf a whirl. To start with, the portion sizes are HUGE and the prices run about $2 less than what you will find at Sweetgreen. My go-to is the California Cobb salad and it seriously will last me about two meals - it's THAT BIG (that's what she said - LITERALLY!) The spot is very cute, lots of windows, high beamed ceilings, and farmhouse benches - and is definitely one of my favorite lunch spots around!
(4)Helen V.
Make your own salad $7 I may be spoiled because of Berkeley's Intermezzo....but Sweetleaf just did not show me any TLC. When I'm 'making my own salad,' please don't deny me toppings! The lady who was making my salad was so irritated with me because I had lost my voice...she gave me sprinkles of additions to my salad. I was so disheartened. The salad was small and had I known that it was going to cost $7, I would have taken myself to Giant instead. Will not come back...when co-workers go, I will just have to learn to say 'no to food with no love.'
(2)Kelly K.
Ok but on the pricey side for salads. A Cobb salad to go with no meat other than bacon pieces and hard boiled egg set me back 7.80...and 50 cents extra to a spoon full of sunflower seeds. Taste was fine..but I thought it was strange the put balsamic vinegar on top without asking. I am used to blue cheese dressing on Cobb salad. Parking is tight in front of the place.
(3)Stacy J.
This isn't really a one dollar sign type of place. If you want a drink and salad, it could be easily over $10. A salad or sandwich for $7 with now drinks or sides? Unless it's huge or served on china... I'll pass thanks. Aside from the cost, I'm a fan. Great variety and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.
(4)Kim S.
Asian chicken salad very fresh and tasty. Frozen yogurt as good as Pinkeberry's and cheaper. Parking is limited though.
(4)lindonesia s.
To quote the great Black Sabbath "i love you sweat leaf". True it not all things to all people. Reading some of the reviews below i agree with some of the 2 stars but some of the one star stuff are bitter-go-back-to-yer-conntry-club types or competitors. Ya really have to know what to get. first their salads are yummy and a great value. The sandwiches are not all equal though i found that roast beef UK thing to be pretty good. The breakfast's are good but the yogurt breakfast parfet is a joke..way too small for the price. Other than that its pretty good ya just gotta know whats good and be willing to try some new things. One reviewer went off on how great their cupcake are..mmmm they don't let you out much do they sweety. those things are day old fluffy thoughts at best... soooo know your limits at sweat leaf.
(4)Danilo B.
My buddy invited me out to lunch here the other day. It was my first time here and wasn't sure what to expect. Pros: Fresh ingredients, variety of ingredients and offerings (sandwiches, salads, wraps, desserts, etc). Cons: I stuck with the Italian - it was good. But not any better than Potbelly's. The salads look a lot better than my Italian so I hope to try that out next time. And good luck with parking in the parking lot..there are a total of 10 spaces. I gave it three stars based on my sandwich, but I'll go back to check out the salads and other stuff they have and write a follow up review.
(3)Maggie H.
I had heard good things but I'm disappointed. I've only had their salads. The food is fine but I wasn't particularly impressed with the freshness or variety of ingredients. Their balsamic vinaigrette is nothing special. I would go back except that the lunch rush is handled in a completely inefficient way. I waited for 20 minutes before I could order and there were only about five people in front of me. And this while I watched several employees meandering about behind the counter not doing anything. It wasn't their fault--it's just the system of ordering in place. So when I finally got my food, it seemed overpriced for something that was just meh.
(2)Newton N.
You know, I don't think I will ever give this place another try. My family was raving about this place saying that it was the posh spot for healthy eats so I obliged and finally went along one day to see what this place was about. My issue with this place is not the price or costs of the menu items - I don't mind paying for quality. You are what you eat and I take pride in putting quality into my body. What had me freaked out was the treatment of the two gentlemen that made our sandwiches and my salad. We ordered two Fresh Stack sandwiches, one Sante Fe salad, one cup of frozen yogurt, and 6 cupcakes. I swear, the moment we walked in, the two gentlemen (Mediterranean looking) working the salad/sandwich section looked at us like we were aliens from who knows where. If I had been the only one to notice, I would understand. But my other two family members who recommended this place to begin with also agreed that the two guys were really acting weird. Supposedly, the other few times they've been here they have dealt with the female owner/manager and she's supposedly nice but my first impression of this place was just insulting. The food was alright. It was literally más o menos. Nothing more, nothing less. We spent $50+ there for three people - no prob, quality is more important than costs. But to be looked at in a weird and almost pervasive manner is insulting, offensive, and totally not posh. The cupcakes were alright. Everything else was bleh. blah. bleush! To those who dare to venture here - have a open mind and don't expect to be impressed. Bon Appétit!
(2)Paul M.
Great service and food. Was recommended the KooKooRoo and was very tasty. Also had the yogurt and yum yum. Very friendly staff and great atmosphere. Check it out!
(5)Eric K.
I was so sad to see the Moorenko's ice cream shop close down, and for months and months I was wondering what this new place was going to be that opened in its place. The only sign out front said "Sweetleaf coming soon" with no explanation as to what the heck it was. Turns out that it's a cozy little sandwich shop, which is nice as McLean is rather lacking in decent food establishments in this general area. (Food that doesn't involve waiters/waitresses, and long waits for food anyway) The place has been renovated quite nicely, and seems to be a world away from what it used to look like. The sandwiches are pretty dang good too. :) They might not have the ice cream selection that was once here, but it's still worth an occasional trip.
(4)Elizabeth W.
Big fan of Sweetleaf! First of all, their sandwiches are delicious and I LOVE their organic sandwich and salad toppings! The concept the cafe is also really cool. From what I understand, its is owned by a brother/sister who are both in their early twenties. I believe their parents gave them the start-up capital after they came up with a business plan to open a restaurant that works similarly to Subway- you build your own sandwiches and salads but what differentiates them is the fact that everything is freshly and organically grown. I also believe that they work with local environmental and recycling projects. I love their "green" concept. All of the materials they use are recyclable and they even have a vegetable garden along the side of the restaurant where they grow their own produce to use on the sandwiches. Everything else is purchased from local farmers markets and is of the very best quality! All the employees are generally high school kids from McLean and Langley, but they are all sweet and good natured, and the place its self is SO cute. It's the perfect atmosphere to enjoy a light meal with friends or coworkers on your lunch break, or if you feel like huddling up with a book in the corner while you enjoy a gourmet cupcake and a good latte. In the summer their patio area is a great place for a ladies' lunch! Sweetleaf also provides catering for private and corporate events and they have catered for a number of events where I work. Nonetheless, Sweetleaf has never disappointed me. In fact, every time I visit I feel like I get a great experience. Definitely go check it out- this place is so worth it!
(5)Laura B.
If you like to eat healthy and delicious food, you MUST try this place! I assure you that this is the BEST place in town for soups, salads, and sandwiches. They do everything right: extremely fresh vegetables, homemade soup, delicious cookies and cupcakes, big salads for only $7! They even have great lattes and mochas. As an avid salad eater, I am picky about what I like, and this place is my fave.
(5)Chad P.
We just got back from eating at Sweetleaf and can not rave enough about what wonderful food it was and what a great experience too!!! Rarely do you find such fresh food now a days that is quick and a good price. The staff was so delightful that I had to thank them before I left and I even received a hug from the manager! This is just what McLean needed...I friendly sandwich shop where anyone is welcome. I recommend it to all and will frequent it often.
(5)James I.
I ordered the "Le Club" sandwich, and I thought it was pretty good. The service was speedy and the prices were reasonable too. That being said, I would definitely choose Panera over Sweetleaf if given the option. However, other members of my group said their salads were very good, and salads do seem to be their most popular items. So, next time, I will have to try one of their salads.
(3)meek k.
This is the best place in Mclean for an affordable healthy lunch. The prices here are hard to beat in Mclean compared to say Le Grand Cafe or Marvelous Market. The quality of what you get is probably better than either of those places. The vegetables are fresh and delicious. The soup is made from scratch. I haven't had the sandwiches, but you can't go wrong on the food section of the menu. The seating is a bit unique. The interior is classy but might get uncomfortable depending on how popular this place becomes with families. There is outdoor seating so it might work out fine in the summer months. My only complaints are that the staff is inexperienced which is expected given Sweetleaf just opened in June 2009. So they might not get your order right everytime. They are friendly and accommodating so I expect the rating of this place to only go up in the near future. I'm also unsure of the coffee selection and brewing compared to more established Mclean locations such as Greenberry's or Le Grand Cafe. I'll be having more of their coffee in the future to see how things change.
(4)Amanda A.
Sweetleaf is to Sweetgreen what Alejandro by Lady Gaga is to Don't Turn Around by Ace of Base. A bad knockoff. And I'd say cheap knock off but Leaf is more expensive than Green! Give me the OG (or OSG) and leaf the impostor behind.
(2)Carolyn S.
Sweetleaf is a breath of sweet air in McLean! I can only vouch for the italian sandwich, asian chicken salad, and the santa fe salad, but all were delicious, healthy and fresh fresh fresh! The atmosphere inside is light, airy and a comfortable place to hang out with a coffee and a friend- there are a few plush couches in addition to the tables and chairs. My one criticism is that the chicken used in the salads is white, rubbery, and homogenized- the sort of stuff with the fake grill marks that comes from a bag. It is amazing that a place like this is JUST opening up in McLean- a casual cafe with a fresh atmosphere, decent prices, a focused menu and a fine coffee/espresso bar menu, and desserts ranging from frozen to baked. It's the icing on the red velvet cake that Sweetleaf is locally owned.
(4)A M.
Love Sweet Leaf Salads!
(4)T. Michelle S.
Yum! It is so nice to have a great new lunch option in McLean. The staff is super-friendly and the owner is nearly always front and center. The salads are super fresh and there are lots of options. I love the chinese chicken salad. The sandwiches are delish - although I wish that the chicken salad was all white meat and the egg salad has too much dill, a bit weird. This is a great all around option that we really needed in the area. The ice cream is yummy and all of the toppings are right in front of you so there is no question how good they will be. Love it!
(5)Mike T.
This place was pretty much Cosi with a sprinkling of overly well-dressed soccer moms, the snobbiest of the breed. The salads are okay at best and the sandwiches less so. The parking was also a bit of a pain. I can't t really recommend it.
(2)Melissa G.
this is a difficult review to write, but it's important to point out inconsistencies so they might morph into consistencies. "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" above the cash register and Jack Johnson singing over the speaker. me: do you have cups "for here?" cashier: huh? me: you know, like a mug that isn't paper? cashier: (sheepishly) um, no. sweetleaf (cool name) hails compostable paper cups, but that skips over the first two Rs, doesn't it? they also handed me a non-compostable paper plate with my freakishly delicious cinnamon elephant ear muffin. please understand that the tea was delicious (jasmine green), but it's not loose-leaf (a much "greener" way to serve tea), but they're a far cry from a green restaurant. if they change their policies and reduce some of that waste they're generating, then i'll gladly change my review!
(1)Reeping W.
Minimal parking but would be worth it if I could have understood the menu. I asked a few questions but received only nods and smiles and apparently no one behind the counter that day understood English. After a few more question, I just gave up. A tiny salad plate was held up to me and I thought the price for a Dixie cup of greens was outrageous. Maybe I should follow the advice of other reviewers and get yogurt or just breakfast and forget trying to get a salad or sandwich.
(2)Candace C.
I like the yogurt--tart and on the creamy side--but it only come in one size--a large one, which is a bit much in this winter weather. Regardless, I think I'll be stopping in every now and then after Safeway/Blockbuster runs. I didn't get a chance to try a salad, but the ingredients looked fresh, so that's next on the to-try list.
(4)yj j.
so i love sweet green in georgetown way more than sweet leaf in mclean, but it's still pretty good. i'd probably give this place 3.5 stars, but b/c i really enjoy going their for breakfast, i'll bump it up to 4. the parking is a NIGHTMARE. it's on the end of this weird 3 way intersection thing going on where you can only park into the place if there's even a spot at all and then you have to back up to get out. which would be fine, unless there are 4 or 5 cars trying to get in and out at the same time - super annoying. but! their ice cream is really good and there aren't really that many healthy alternative lunch places around here anyway. i love the tables they have on the inside, but the service sometimes is off. i feel like they get kind of overwhelmed sometimes when there are too many people, though. try to get there earlier or a little bit later to miss that rush.
(4)Tom H.
Good sandwiches although a bit pricey ($7.50/sandwich). I had the turkey club and it was quit good.
(3)Yair M.
This place tries to do too much. Nothing special here. Like one reviewer said, the prices for a soda seem obscene. There are better sandwich/salad shops around.
(1)Irene E.
My family really likes Sweet Leaf! They have great breakfast sandwiches, really tasty sandwiches and salads for lunch and yummy desserts. I catered my son's birthday party with Sweet Leaf and many of my guests raved about the food. I would highly recommend!
(5)Peggy M.
I am a regular at Sweetleaf and am perplexed by some of the comments concerning the prices here. If you compare this place to any of its neighbors, you will find their prices to be completely competitive and their breakfast undercuts even McDonald's. The salads come in bowls that are as big as a football helmet--yes, for $7 in high rent McLean. My favorites being the berry leaf which I add feta and sometimes shrimp to, not that it isn't a gorgeous salad all by itself. I also favor the chinese chicken one--not sure that's exactly what it's called on the menu, but it tastes as good as it looks and smells. . I frequently stop at Sweetleaf on my way to work. There are a variety of breakfast sandwiches that come with a free cup of coffee for the whopping price of $4.73 with the tax. My personal favorite is the malibu melt on multigrain toast. It comes with avocado, bacon, cheese (provolone, I think) and a fresh egg that tastes fried, but they actually steamed. They also have granola which you can even get with soy milk which a dairy and egg allergic friend was delighted to find. I recently noticed there was a new banner outside promising the advent of organic oatmeal. I gave the thumbs up to the owner Sherry who is frequently right out front greeting her customers on that and she told me it would be slow-cooked steel cut oats and that all those lovely fresh fruit toppings you can get on the froyo would be available to top it off along with some brown sugar. This is also the same price as the sandwiches and comes with the free coffee, too. There is never a line at breakfast which amazes me because I think this is the best breakfast deal in town. Yes, much of the staff are not native speakers, but I dare say if you are kind and have a moment of patience you will get what you ordered. These folks are nice people and when you go there as much as I do they do get to know you as a regular. Even the shy young man who buses the tables and refills pitchers etc smiles the warmest smile and makes you feel right at home. Oh, one word about parking, they have solved the problem very nicely. The church behind them allows the customers to park there and they have built a nice staircase that leads to the patio and rear entrance of the restaurant.
(5)WL R.
Ended up here today for lunch, and was pretty impressed (to my own surprise). I had avoided going, even though it is within walking distance of where I live, as part of my silent protest against Moorenko's closing. That said, went at the height of rush hour, and very promptly had a really nice salad with fresh ingredients (they are literally cutting the avocado in front of you). I liked that I could modify one of the salads that they offer on the board (I got the Santa Fe salad *$7* and added chicken *+$2*), but then modify it slightly to something more to my liking. They even offered a nice slice of fresh bread with the salad; not for this girl, but hey, it was a good size and only slightly zip code priced. It really is quite the quaint space. I like what they have done with it. I'll definitely try it for breakfast too, and probably take out on the days I'm too lazy to cook. Parking is a bear, with a sum total of something like 8 spots in front, but, I'll share the secret; if you go behind the restaurant there is a church parking lot that you can use and walk through the fence on the back side of the building. Enjoy!
(3)