I really hate to start off by giving Talo Organic a low rating because I support their mission of…read moreproviding consumers with high-quality food without seed oils or preservatives. That approach matters to me, and I want businesses like this to succeed. At the same time, I believe in being reasonable and staying in touch with what everyday people can actually afford. Even with the inflation we're all dealing with, this place feels extremely overpriced for the overall experience.
My order came to $100.67 for two customized bowls and a side of tallow fries. The Santorini was $41.24, The Cabo was $37.55, and the fries were $7. Both bowls included extra protein and additional toppings, so those prices reflect my customized order. The receipt then added $8.36 in taxes and $6.52 in "Other Fees." Even accounting for the extras and the quality of the ingredients, crossing the $100 mark for two bowls and fries is a tough pill to swallow.
What made the price even more frustrating was that the meat portions in both bowls were very small, despite paying extra for additional chicken and beef. I expected those extras to make a noticeable difference in the amount of protein I received. Instead, both bowls still felt light on meat. At these prices, especially after paying for extra protein, I expected more generous portions. The amount I received made the additional charges feel even harder to justify.
Now, I have to give them serious credit for the food because the honey chipotle chicken bowl was absolutely phenomenal. It blew me away. It was incredibly delicious, indulgent, and the kind of meal that makes you excited to take another bite. The steak bowl was outstanding, too. I thoroughly enjoyed the taste of both, and the food itself gave me every reason to want to return. They deserve real praise for making meals that align with their stated ingredient standards while still delivering such an enjoyable eating experience.
I especially appreciate the effort to offer this kind of food without relying on ingredients I personally prefer to avoid. Having those options matters, and I'm willing to pay a premium for them. The taste and quality are a huge part of Talo's appeal, and I understand that sourcing better ingredients costs money. I just wish the pricing and portions made it easier to enjoy their food regularly. I would love to comfortably come back because I enjoyed the food that much.
What really rubbed me the wrong way was ordering through a touchscreen kiosk and having it ask for an additional tip after my order already included $6.52 in added fees. The receipt labels those charges as "Other Fees." Seeing a tip prompt on top of that felt excessive, especially when I placed the order myself and had to collect the food from the counter. At that point, the kiosk had some audacity.
The wait made the price even harder to justify. My order took over 35 minutes to be ready, and I still had to go up and pick it up myself. When I'm spending over $100 on an order like this, the waiting time and convenience become a much bigger part of how I judge the experience. That is a long wait for two bowls and a side of fries.
And parking is a major headache. The location is in a plaza with other businesses, and I felt uneasy about where I could safely leave my car without potentially getting towed. Street parking was frustrating, too. Between figuring out parking, placing the order, and waiting more than 35 minutes, getting this meal took more effort than I wanted.
For me, the overall experience felt like a rip-off at this price, especially considering the small meat portions after paying for extra protein. I hope Talo takes feedback like this seriously because there is so much here worth supporting. More approachable pricing, more generous protein portions, clearer fees, and a shorter wait would make a huge difference.
I would also love to see more locations, preferably in the Valley. Their food is delicious enough that I still want to give them my business again. The chicken and steak bowls deserve plenty of praise for their taste, and their commitment to quality is something I respect. Please make it a little easier--and more affordable--for people to keep coming back and enjoying what you're doing.