Fresh and delicious! The Tri-tip salad was the best I've ever had. Highly recommended!

I usually love this place, but was craving salmon today so I ordered the salmon plate with garlic mashed potatoes and spicy green beans for the first time... the plate looked beautiful but the quality of the food was surprisingly disappointing. The salmon was ok, mashed potatoes had a strange taste and the green beans were cold and covered in sauce that tasted like it came straight of a jar. The lemon slice served with the salmon looked like it was a few days old and very small. Not a meal I would spend $20 on again. read more

Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen - Salmon w garlic mashed potatoes and spicy green beans. - New American Near Me - Carlsbad, California

My friend chose Tinleaf for her Birthday Lunch because she had eaten there before and loved the food. The food is ordered at the window and brought to your table. The cashier was very nice. My friend got a Veggie Sandwich which she loved and I got an Avocado, Lettuce and Tomato sandwich. Ohmygoodness! My sandwich had this Basil Mayonnaise spread that was SO delicious and paired perfectly with the avocado, lettuce and tomato. I asked for salad on the side and it was HUGE! All for $9.95. Everything was extremely fresh. I hope to go back soon and introduce this great restaurant to another friend. read more

My kids and I love this place. Here weekly and the staff is friendly, specifically the cashier we see each week. The food is delicious and a fair price. read more

I got food poisoning from the salmon salad salad about 3 weeks ago. I called and spoke to the manager named Wendy. After telling her my salmon was almost raw and I was very sick within one hour of eating there, she replied that she had eaten the salmon on that day and felt fine. This was unacceptable to me. I wasn't going to beg her for comping the meal that cost me $16. And she wasn't offering to do so. I will not patronize this place again. read more

I just want to say that when you go to a place like this you basically order, pay and get your meal. Some of the workers are happy and others are like miserable to be there. There is a ray of sunshine and her name is Lelani ( I hope I spelled her name right). She's the blonde who is always smiling. She greets me every time with a huge smile and she remembered my name the second time she helped me. I just love that. She's personable and she is excellent at customer service. read more

Great sandwiches and great french fries. I had the Tri-Tip sandwich and it was bomb. My friend got a salad and wished she had gotten the same sandwich as me. read more

If you are craving a delicious salad, this is the place to come. I actually adore this are because it's walking distance from where I live. It's a fun little restaurant with friendly employees and fast service but not the quality of fast food.. If that makes any sense! Located next to Daphne's, it's somewhat hard to find if you're not looking for it. There isn't a huge sign out front, and it's parked in the corner. There is a lovely outdoor patio, but if you come at 12 during the week on a nice day, you're SOL. Inside isn't bad, the booths have pillows, and it's very clean. I ordered the Tin Leaf salad- a vegetarian option. Had arugula greens, quinoa, cranberries, toasted almonds, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and a wasabi vinegarette dressing. It was to die! The veggies were fresh, the cranberries were the perfect tangy- sweetness, and the quinoa added a nice touch. The dressing was delicious!!! It was a fine line between a little spice but also tangy and sweet. That's the best way I could describe it. It's a little expensive for lunch though. The salad is huge and I wasn't able to finish it. Either way, I've been here a couple times and I enjoy coming here for lunch. read more

Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen - Tin leaf salad - New American Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Really good food super fun spot for the family. Love coming here, solid food. Good week night dinner spot.

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

See all

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

Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen - Sesame Ahi Tuna with Green Beans and Couscous - New American Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Since moving across the street about a year ago, Tin Leaf has been a frequent spot for us to have dinner, especially on Friday for beef bourguignon night. They put it on some mashed potatoes with the gravy and some veggies. That stuff is the ish. Tin Leaf is one of those walk up to the counter, order, walk over a little more, pay, take your number and sit down type of places. The line can be long every now and then, but it goes pretty quick. They people are super friendly and helpful if you're not sure about what to order. They'll even cut you a small sample of something if you're not sure you want to order it. The only thing I find they don't know a ton about is the beers because some of the employees are underage. But, I'm a super beer snob and am pretty familiar with their selections most of the time, so that doesn't bother me much. The wine selection is pretty good as well. If I'm in the mood to get fat, I be sure to get some mac and cheese, although it is sometimes hit or miss. I've had it a few times where I'm disappointed in the level of creaminess but it's normally pretty good. Other highlights we've enjoyed are the tomato bisque, the tri tip, and the french fries with the homemade dipping sauces. The wife loves the salads too. They're fancy. read more

Bottom Line: Fresh salads and home cooked entrees in a cute atmosphere. I continue to be a fan of Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen and if the owners want to take over the restaurant scene in Carlsbad I will not complain as the sister restaurants, Beach Plum and CYO, are also awesome. If you are wondering what all the buzz is about at Tin Leaf, here are a few notes: - The logistics are that you order at the counter and can get your food to go or dine in. If you dine in, the staff will bring your meal to you. Sodas and tea are self-serve and feature Boylan's craft sodas. - The menu contains stuff like salads and sandwiches but they also have some delicious and hearty entrees. You can also get family style meals to go. - The food is fresh and always prepared to order. I am not a big French fry person but here the fries are very good. Favorite dishes here include the Tri Tip Salad, Sesame-Crusted Ahi Tuna and Thanksgiving on a Bun sandwich. - The décor inside is cute and they have outdoor and indoor seating. read more

My wife and i really enjoy tin leaf. It's very similar to urban plates a great in a pinch if you want a good protein, veggie, carb plate. Food is typically above average and comes out pretty quick. Tip: on sundays kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree. That's a great way to save. read more

Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen - Turkey Dinner with mashed potatoes and Mac n cheese - New American Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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

Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen - BLT sandwich with a side salad - New American Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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

See all

This place was my favorite place to splurge.. I say splurge because it's a bit pricey but it's worth it. You can most defiantly tell you're getting what you pay for.. I have moved away recently and I honestly miss going to this place, thus this random review is happening.. My go too was always one of their sandwiches, they have such a variety I was never able to get the same one twice...because the goal was to try all of them.. Their teas and sodas are the best and honestly hard to choose from. It's one of the best places to go in the area! And it's great service read more

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

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

Great breakfast spot. The food and service keep me coming back again and again. These days it's hard to find both in the same spot but Tin Leaf manages to consistently deliver. read more

I keep wanting to call this place Tin Roof. As in, "Tin...roof! Rusted." Anyway, this place is called Tin Leaf, not Roof, and it's like a Tender Greens/Panera type of place. Fresher than Panera, but with a more extensive menu like them. I had a tri tip sandwich on gluten free bread with some excellent fries. I got garlic aoili dipping sauce for an extra 50 cents, which was worth it considering I ate it all gone. The beef was kind of gristly in parts which made for some exciting chewing times. They also serve beer and wine. Don't sit facing the window at night or you will constantly have headlights in your eyes, as the people sitting next to us noted. read more

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

Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen - Meh - New American Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Tinleaf's food is healthy and delicious, the patio is gorgeous, and the staff are the best. The surrounding patio area was recently closed to dogs, but Tinleaf welcomes pets in their patio area. And when I say welcome, I mean truly welcome, as in a staff member brought our pup a bowl of water. Talk about above and beyond! Love this place! read more

My favorite lunch spot. The salads are fresh and they have a great selection of ingredients. Don't miss the fries though. Yum!

I love this place. You cannot go wrong with anything on the menu Their create your own salad is great. Has many great choices and generous portions. The green goddess dressing is amazing!! Also the French fries are the best in the county. Just perfection... don't forget the dipping sauces. Enjoy! read more

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

Great food always fresh and delicious. We love the beef plates and Salmon. Both delivery meals and in person yummy!

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

See all

This is a fantastic lunch spot for amazing sandwiches, salads, and soups. I usually come here on Sundays because it's super close to my church, and it's not too busy. My go-to sandwich is the Thanksgiving on a Bun. If you like thanksgiving at all, it's a must try! And yes, it is exactly what it sounds like; EVERYTHING good about Thanksgiving you could ever want on a bun. Thick cut turkey breast, stuffing, and cranberry spread. Now I don't even like cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving, but it is what makes this sandwich amazing. We also tried the BBQ tri tip sandwich. Generous amount of meat, flavorful BBQ sauce, and sautéed onions. Also amazing. We also tried the turkey melt sandwich; pretty standard with lettuce and tomato and thick cut turkey breast. Also amazing. The salads are all crafted well. But I believe the best one on the menu is the Tri Tip salad; comes with 4 thick big slices of tri tip on top of salad with a light dressing. AMAZING. If you like onions, I highly recommend getting a side order of crispy onion shoestrings. You can pick from a long list of house-made dipping sauces. My favorite -- the garlic aioli. The only downside to the menu, to me, is that there is no "meal" type option. You can get a full sandwich, or full salad, or soup, which is enough for one person. But I do wish they had the option to do a half sandwich + half soup or + half salad, especially as a lunch place. It is a little expensive for just sandwiches or salads, but it's the quality and craft of their menu items that make the difference. read more

See all

Nice place good food. I have been going there since it opened. Always fast and homemade.

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

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

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

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

Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen - Delicious Boylan Beverages-Love the cream soda - New American Near Me - Carlsbad, California

See all

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

See all

Sandwiches are the best. The garlic aioli is a must try. Nice staff and a great lunch on the go option.

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

I wish there was a 3.5 Star as I want to be fair. The food was good. I had a lovely salad that I built myself to suit my dietary needs. However, the front cashier was unfriendly and lacked even basic knowledge about the menu. We asked numerous questions and none were answered. So we ordered the best we could and we're pleasantly surprised at the quality of food. I had a chicken salad and I loved how you could have different types of greens. I wish you had a low carb friendly salad already built for us paleo people. My husband had the Cuban sandwich and he said it was good but that the horseradish overpowered it. The fries were the highlight of the meal as they are delectable. I think you could train your staff on protocols and menu knowledge better so that customers can make more informed choices as I saw someone eating tri tip with veggies and I wish I had known about that dish. I think it may have been an entree? I would love to try this place again. read more

Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen - New American Near Me - Carlsbad, California

See all

Loved it! We did pickup and they had our order ready on a table at the entrance. Easy to order and the person that took our order was so nice. The Turkey dinner is AMAZING! We plan to be back for Thanksgiving and probably a couple times before that. Sage stuffing is the bomb! Thanks Tinleaf! Awesome regular portions too for that price! read more

Most consistent place I eat. Food is fresh and good quality. Staff is super nice and overall just a go to spot for healthy good quality food. read more