They told me I had one choice left. One plate, one meal, one taste of freedom before the steel door slammed shut for good. When you're sittin' in that cold box, the air heavy with regret and silence, you start thinkin' about what matters. And food? Food is memory. Food is family. Food is the streets you walked and the people who had your back. That's when my bruddha Chenel came through. She looked me dead in the eye before they cuffed me and said, "If you only got one shot, one plate, you better hit up this spot. Trust me, fam." And I trusted her. Chenel never lied, never fronted. She knew the streets, knew the flavors, knew what could make a man forget the chains for a minute. Walking In (Memory of Freedom) I remember steppin' through that door like it was yesterday. The smell hit me first -- spices ridin' the air like music, sizzling pans singin' louder than the jukebox in the corner. The place wasn't fancy, but it had soul. Dim lights, chatter from tables, laughter that felt like home. The kind of joint where you don't need no suit, just respect. The walls were worn, but they carried stories. You could tell generations had sat here, breakin' bread, talkin' dreams, talkin' pain. And me? I was just another soul lookin' for redemption in a plate. The Food (Freedom on a Fork) When the dish landed in front of me, I swear the world stopped. Steam rose like smoke signals, callin' me back to better days. The edges were crispy, golden like sunlight I hadn't seen in months. The inside? Tender, soft, melt-in-your-mouth like it was made with care, not just skill. Every bite was a punch of flavor -- bold, unapologetic, like the streets themselves. Seasonin' tight, no weak sauce, no shortcuts. You could taste the grind, the hustle, the love. It wasn't just food; it was a message: "You mattered. You lived. You fought. And now you eat." I closed my eyes with each bite, lettin' the taste carry me away. For a moment, I wasn't locked up. I was sittin' at a table with my crew, laughin', talkin' about tomorrow like it was guaranteed. Service & Respect The staff? They didn't look at me like I was trouble. They didn't see the ink on my arms or the weight in my eyes. They saw a man who came hungry, who came lookin' for somethin' real. They moved quick, no attitude, no judgment. Respect was served alongside the food, and that hit harder than any flavor. Reflection in the Cell Now I sit here, concrete walls closin' in, thinkin' about that meal. The taste still lingers, like a ghost of freedom. It wasn't just the food -- it was the memory, the vibe, the way Chenel's word carried me to that table. If you ever find yourself facin' that "last meal" moment -- whether it's real or just in your head -- this spot is the one. It's the kind of food that makes you wanna live forever, even when forever ain't promised. Chenel ain't lie. She gave me a gift, and that plate was more than a meal. It was a reminder that even in the darkest corners, flavor, respect, and memory can light the way. Final Word This ain't just a restaurant. It's a sanctuary. It's a place where the streets meet the soul, where a man on his last ride can taste freedom one more time. So here's my review, long as the night and heavy as the bars: If you got one shot, one plate, one chance to feel alive -- take Chenel's word. Go here. Eat. Remember. And let that flavor carry you, even when the world tries to lock you down. read more

Chapter One: The Journey Me hungry. Belly roar like mammoth. Friend Chenel come. Chenel wise, Chenel strong. Chenel say, "Food place good. You go. You eat. You happy." Me trust Chenel. Chenel never lie about food. Chenel never lie about fire. Chenel never lie about tribe. So me walk. Feet stomp ground. Wind blow hair. Nose smell air. Caveman heart beat fast. Caveman think, "Soon belly full. Soon feast." Path long. Caveman pass tree, pass stone, pass river. Caveman grunt. Caveman keep going. Caveman strong. Chapter Two: The Arrival Big hut appear. Not cave, but warm like cave. Door wide. Fire glow inside. Caveman eyes big. Caveman drool. Me push door. Door open easy. Caveman heart glad. Inside smell hit nose. Meat smell. Spice smell. Soup smell. Caveman grunt, "Ughhh, food soon." Chair strong. Table flat. Fire light flicker. Shadow dance on wall. Caveman feel cozy. Caveman feel safe. Caveman feel like tribe welcome. Chapter Three: The Feast People come. People smile. People bring water. Caveman drink. Caveman grunt happy. Then food come. Big plate. Meat hot, juice drip. Caveman bite. Teeth sink in. Flavor explode. Caveman roar, "MMM!" Tribe in head cheer. Veggie crunchy. Not mush. Soup warm, belly hug from inside. Bread soft, good for soak soup. Caveman eat slow, then fast, then slow again. Caveman not want food to end. Noise in place good. People laugh. People talk. Caveman feel part of tribe. Caveman not alone. Caveman happy. Chapter Four: The Gratitude Chenel wise. Chenel know place. Caveman thank Chenel. Caveman think, "Chenel hero. Chenel save caveman belly." Caveman raise hand. Caveman say, "Chenel, you bring light. You bring feast. You bring joy." Chapter Five: The Aftermath After feast, belly full. Caveman lean back. Caveman pat belly. Belly sound quiet now. Caveman smile. Caveman grunt, "Food good. Place strong. Tribe welcome." Caveman dream. Caveman see fire. Caveman see tribe. Caveman see feast again. Caveman dream of meat, soup, bread. Caveman dream of laughter. Chapter Six: The Promise Caveman think of next time. Caveman bring family. Caveman bring friends. Caveman bring whole tribe. Place big enough. Place strong enough. Place warm enough. Caveman give stars. Not sky stars. Rock stars. Caveman throw five rock. All rock shiny. All rock strong. Chenel right. Caveman trust Chenel. Caveman come back. Caveman tell story forever. Caveman pass story to children. Children pass story to children's children. Food place become legend. Food place become song. Food place become memory carved in stone. read more

I don't usually write long reviews, but my experience at Urban Plates was so outstanding that it absolutely deserves one. From the moment I walked through the doors, I could tell this wasn't just your average casual dining spot -- it's a place where quality, care, and genuine hospitality come together seamlessly. Let's start with the food: everything looked fresh, colorful, and made with love. The variety is incredible -- whether you're craving grilled meats, vibrant salads, or wholesome sides, Urban Plates nails it. I ordered the grilled steak plate with Brussels sprouts and mac & cheese, and it was honestly one of the best meals I've had in a long time. The steak was cooked perfectly -- tender, flavorful, and juicy. You can tell the ingredients are top-notch and that freshness is a real priority here. But as amazing as the food was, the highlight of my entire visit was Chenel. She completely elevated the experience with her warmth, professionalism, and kindness. You can instantly tell she takes pride in what she does. She greeted everyone with such genuine enthusiasm and made sure every guest felt welcomed and cared for. In a world where customer service can often feel rushed or robotic, Chenel's energy stood out -- it was authentic, heartfelt, and honestly contagious. She patiently gave great recommendations and even checked in later to make sure everything was perfect (spoiler alert: it was). It's rare to see someone balance efficiency and friendliness so effortlessly. Chenel wasn't just doing her job -- she was creating a memorable dining experience. It's employees like her that make customers want to come back again and again. read more

I just visited the restaurant today! I was excited to try it because the online menu looked pretty good. We ordered two drinks, and that was the beginning of the downfall. The strawberry lemonade wasn't too bad, but it definitely tasted mostly like a "hint" of basil, with not much of a lemonade flavor at all. The pineapple coconut drink was atrocious. It had an almost sour, acid-like taste. That being said, maybe that's just our preference, and other people might enjoy those drinks. Let's move on to the food...we ordered two plates. The crispy jumbo chicken tenders plate had so many things wrong with it. We ordered it with bread, which was pretty burnt, along with two sides. The breading on the chicken was somehow burnt on the outside and still raw on the inside. The texture of the breading was both dry and doughy, which made it very unappetizing. One of the sides ordered with this plate was mac and cheese, which was alright but very watery. The other side was tomato soup, which was the best thing out of our entire experience. The other plate we ordered was the sustainable salmon. It was okay, a little on the burnt side, and the burnt parts had a charred taste that some people may like, but I wasn't a fan, especially since it didn't look that burnt in the menu photo. We also got bread with this plate, and that was burnt as well. The sides we chose for this plate were tomato soup and fries. The fries were already cold, not even warm, when they were brought to the table. It could've been a great meal because the place is very nice, but only if the food had been prepared differently. read more

Holy SMOKES. People, this restaurant is next level. 1. the ambiance was great. It felt so lovely to come in and feel like you're in a cozy space, but know that there's plenty of seating. I loved that they had a long table in the middle for either large parties, or for several small groups. 2. Loved the food. They had a menu specifically to highlight allergens. It made it so easy to order. Also, you can order on your phone and have it delivered right to your table. No waiting in line or anything. 3. I cannot stress this enough, the service was UNBELIEVABLE. It happened to be my birthday and I was wearing a birthday hat. One of the employees, Nikki saw my hat, and came over and wished me a happy birthday. She also gave me a treat on the house and because I couldn't have any of the desserts (allergens) she let me have a fancy blueberry lemonade as my "treat". She really made the whole experience very special. I love Urban Plates and will sing it's praises to anyone and everyone. The food - delish. The consideration - superb. The staff - unparalleled. Just really awesome. Don't miss out on this place. read more

My roommates and I sat in for a wonderful late lunch during their complimentary training program experience prior to opening day. Even on the patio, the ambiance was sublime, complete with a tiny succulent on our table. The food was delicious and the employees were very accommodating and sociable. We specifically want to thank Jade for being very welcoming and understanding when taking our order by taking time to explain each of the menu items. We were also greeted by Francesca with some delectable replenisher samples. Alize and Manuel stopped by our table once we had finished eating to check in, and went above and beyond to ensure our satisfaction, by forming personal connections. Finally, Nikki helped conclude our experience by making sure we had all the to go containers we needed. We will definitely be coming back very soon, not only because of the yummy food, but thanks to the efforts of the staff as well! read more

Lucky enough to score a spot during their friends and family pre-opening. Comfortable urban-inspired design serving a mix of sandwiches and wraps, salads and choose your own adventure plates (protein and sides). Husband had seared ahi, with a tangy pickled beet and goat cheese salad along with perfectly seasoned sautéed mushrooms. I opted for a veggie plate: extra creamy mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and sesame broccoli, served with some grilled Italian bread. Son opted for a chicken Caesar wrap with chips and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our server was Tara, who was friendly and engaging and never let any drinks go unfilled. There were a ton of staff around, and everyone was friendly and helpful. The place was very busy but no one seemed rushed or overwhelmed. We were gifted slices of hummingbird and chocolate layer cake to try, both of which were fabulous! We will definitely be back. read more

Went to their pre-dining event....absolutely amazing food but quite honestly what sold it for me was the service. They got this dude that works there named Manuel. Top 5 humans of all time if i'm being completely honest. If i needed water, Manuel would know before I even knew I was thirsty and would already be behind me pouring me a glass. His energy was just astounding truly. Another all star of the roster gotta be Benji. BENJI. If there was a mount rushmore of people on the planet, he'd be on there FOR SURE. Killer personality, such a friendly individual, and made me and my mates laugh so hard I almost threw up my food which would've been a crime considering how yummy the food was. Overall have not had a better experience in Davis with restaurant service in my three years of being here. True urban legends in the making...check em out. read more

I had such a great experience at Urban Plates! The food was fresh, flavorful, and honestly just really satisfying. You can tell they use quality ingredients -- everything tasted clean and well-seasoned without feeling heavy. I love that there are healthy options that still feel like comfort food. What really made the visit stand out though was the service. Chenel was absolutely amazing. She was warm, attentive, and genuinely kind from the moment we walked in. She made sure everything came out right, checked in on us at the perfect times (not too much, not too little), and had such a positive attitude. It's rare to get service that feels that authentic these days, and she definitely deserves recognition for it. Overall, great food, great atmosphere, and exceptional service thanks to Chenel. I'll definitely be back! read more

Had a great experience at Urban Plates in Davis. The food was fresh, flavorful, and exactly what you want when you're looking for a quality, healthy meal. What really stood out though was the service. Nikki did an exceptional job welcoming us in and made the entire ordering process feel easy and comfortable. She went above and beyond by even bringing a small gift for our little one, which meant a lot to us as a family. After we finished our meals, she came back to check in and make sure everything was perfect. It's rare to see that level of care and attention you can tell when someone truly takes pride in their job, and Nikki definitely does. Great food, great atmosphere, and even better service. We'll definitely be coming back. read more

It was my first time coming here since I heard it just opened up and right off the bat when we sat down our server Chenel came up to us asking what we ordered and was really easy to make conversation with she was so nice. Another server Alize also came up to us making conversation on our order and she even changed our sides without trouble. I ordered the surf and turf and it didn't take long to come but when it did it was so good really nice food and even better service. If you live in Davis or are passing by def recommend:) read more

We had such a great dinner at Urban Plates tonight! The food was fresh, flavorful, and came out quickly, but what really made the experience stand out was the staff. Everyone was incredibly friendly and welcoming. A special shoutout to Vinny, who went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed. He was attentive, kind, and had such a positive attitude. It's always nice when someone genuinely seems to enjoy helping customers. Great food, great service, and a great atmosphere. We'll definitely be back! read more

I love coming to eat here at Urban plates, I'm always treated well with great service. Food is amazing, I can tell they use high quality ingredients and it tastes so delicious! Staff is always so friendly and Areeba was super nice to my table and always checked on our table to make sure everything was good and if we needed something. I got the chimichurri steak with Brussels sprouts and the potatoes and I definitely recommend! They have great desserts as well and have gluten free options, I love this place. read more

So I don't really leave reviews, nor do I use yelp but after coming here I don't mind opening an account and leave a review about me and my daughter's first experience here. At the front end Nikki was very patient with me and my daughter on looking at the menu and offered my daughter samples of the refreshers they have. Nikki was also helpful with helping what sides come with my daughters plate. I felt welcomed here and people here are very friendly. Will definitely be coming back here on the regular. read more

i an a huge meat critic, i lovee having meat in my mouth. to be honest it is rare to see a place at this price serve steak that is cooked that well. The first bite had juices exploding in my mouth and it made every bite taste so great i was screaming FAHHHHH!!! also to mention the customer service was as good as the food, chenel was great and she was actually the one who told me about how good the steaks are. the whole atmosphere was great and very well organized. read more

Me and my family went to Urban Plates in Davis for the charity event days and to the Grand Opening! Wow!! Everyone was GREAT, professional, and efficient! The Owners, the General Manager, and everyone working there was AMAZING! Shout out to excellent service from Nikki (we love her hair color!), Areeba, Alize, Francesca, David, Manuel, Aqeel, and Sophia! Woohoo....New favorite place! Great job everyone, and the food is delicious!!!!!!! Run, don't walk! read more

I went to the pre opening event with my friends and everything was so wonderful!! Jade took our order and Chenel checked on us while we ate. Both were so friendly and enthusiastic and welcoming. The food was absolutely delish and good sized portions. I got the half club sandwich with tomato basil soup and truffle fries. All were amazing but the thing that stands out to me is the hefty amount of avocado. I love avocado. Very neat, very pretty, very yummy. 10/10 read more

My friend showed me this place today and it was such a lovely place to visit! the food is delicious and reasonably priced, they have a photo menu out front so you can see right away what you might wanna try. The staff is very friendly and quick. We were helped by Nikki and Areeba - very sweet young ladies. great energy for students, families, and friends to stop for a bite to eat. They have options for gluten free, organic, dairy free, etc. Give it a try! read more

10/10 experience super easy to order and they bring the food right to your table. I got the surf and turf and it was amazing 100% would recommend. The steak was cooked to perfection and the shrimp was full of flavor. I also got the pineapple coconut drink and it was very refreshing. Chenel provided amazing costumer service and was very helpful answering any of our questions and making sure we had everything we needed. Will be coming back very soon. read more