Garden Gourmet & California Squeeze

I got the turkey avacado sandwich and it came with one small slice of black, nearly rotten avacado, 2 slices of thin ham, and when I asked if I could get a different slice of avacado, the asian dude wasn’t proficient enough in english to understand. Trying to find out what kind of fruit or salad came with the meal was impossible too. I would have given this 2 stars for the quick service, but then I realized anyone could make a sandwich in one minute if they only have to throw together crap ingredients like a subway. Btw, subway has fresher ingredients.

I’ve been getting the oriental chicken salad here for over 15 years and this is the first time I’ve done a review.lol. The wontons, chicken, and salad dressing is so tasty. Plus they put green onions and jicama (I think) in the salad. I would love it if they opened up a location in Chino Hills. We’re in need of more salad places here.

Love their BBQ salad! Ladies there are always so nice and portions are great!

I have visited this place a number of times throughout the years while at the mall. The workers have always been friendly and willing to help their guests.
Each time I visit, I order the Southwestern Chicken salad, no onions, and with ranch dressing. I would recommend this to others as it very delicious. Not to mention, I think it is the only item that I have ever ordered. We are creatures of habit, aren’t we? Perhaps on my next visit I’ll have to change it up a bit.

My 18 month year old son loves their Curry Bowl. Only way to get him to eat his carrots and potato.
Prices and right and the wait isn’t too long.
Last time we ordered the Curry bowl it didn’t have potato, but delicious nonetheless. When order salads make sure to tell them easy on the dressing. I didn’t and it was over dressed.

I wanted my money back, because they told me it was a garden burger patty. It turned out it was a boca patty, which makes me sick. Well, they said their manager apparently wasn’t there and couldn’t do a refund. The ladies working there could barely speak English and I could hardly understand them, which was a bummer. My mom got the chicken salad, since we couldn’t get the money back. She got diarrhea, so it’s really disgusting. It looked like the salad had been sitting for a few days and it was ok.

One of the best places in the Brea Mall to get healthy options for lunch. I highly recommend their salads (many choices for toppings & dressings), and wraps. Their boba drinks are also way better than the corporate chain competitor Volcano Tea next to them. They are a family run small business so I love supporting them when I can!

Pasta is flavorless and thai tea taste like water while the Boba is disgraceful. I will never eat here again. A little more care for quality is definitely needed.

Since I work near the mall, I frequently go to the food court to eat. Salad from Garden Gourmet is usually my first choice but I sometimes find myself going elsewhere. I always regret it. This place is a must try! Good food for a food court selection.

I’m not sure why this place doesn’t have better reviews, it’s the best food in the food court! Every Sunday I get the chopped BBQ Chicken Salad, portions are large and the food is really good! I guess people are opposed to eating healthy.

I was highly disappointed with their service & food yesterday.
I have been coming here for 10 years & have never had an issue, until yesterday.
I always order their salads cause they are filled with fresh veggies & ok poultry.
Yesterday after ordering my salad (with dressing on the side) i noticed their $.50 bread was HARD as a rock and stale. Maybe from the day before & re-​heated?
I put it aside & started pouring the RED WINE VINEGAR on my salad when I noticed 4 fruit flies floating around. Immediately disgusted I checked the other dressing praying it was there too. Oh it was. 2 swimming around in there.
I walked back and explained to him the issue and he just shook his head. Like as if he didn’t see it. I pointed it out and he refused to acknowledge it.
After him telling me «I make you salad, you try salad and you don’t like that’s why»
No sir, I’m sorry. I don’t like flies in my food.
Thank God I got my $ 9 back nut unfortunately I will NEVER go there again.
Customer service is everything. & that means acknowledging mistakes and flaws.
Needless to say… Check your dressing & always order it on the side

I like this place, they have boca patties, and since I eat here often they already know what I’m going to order. I don’t eat dairy, and am conscious of what dressing I choose to keep it healthy. Everything is made quick, and since they make it in front of you, you have plenty of time to address any discrepancy with your order. In response to a previous review complaining that they did not meet their child’s formula needs: unbelievable. It’s not their responsibility to be prepared for your child, that’s the role of a good parent to do so. Hmph!

When you’re in a mall food court sometimes its hard to find some healthy options. I love the salads here. They’re made right in front of you. I always get the BBQ chicken salad which is always a winner. I’ve also tried it in wrap form which is also good.
Also I love that they have boba! Yum! Try the Taro milk tea with boba. Very refreshing after a long afternoon of shopping :)

The tuna avocado salad only had 1 slice of avocado… It was really just a tuna salad. The server wasn’t very friendly, either. Hardly worth $ 8. Never again!

If i could give this place zero stars I would. Their customer service is horrible. I needed to warm my babies bottle and was in need of hot water and the lady said I had to buy tea if I wanted hot water. So I bought it! I was desperate! It was for my baby!
Definitely will never be going back!!!

This place surprisingly exceeded my expectations… or perhaps it was because I had no expectations whatsoever since it is in a food court with all other foods I had no interest in eating.
I ordered the turkey avocado that was one of the things on display. The lady let me choose a dressing. I went with olive oil since it’s one of the healthier oils. The lady prepared the wrap in front of me.
When the wrap came out, there were also fruits included which consisted of watermelon, honey dew, and cantaloupe. The salad and ingredients were surprisingly fresh. The only thing that was sub-​par was the turkey. The turkey was in small cubes and at times I questioned whether it was turkey (–1 point). When I bit into the avocado, the seed was left in there (–1 point for almost choking). Other than that, for fresh ingredients, this place is okay so final conclusion…3 stars.

I’ve only had the ceaser salad here and both times I’ve become sick from it. The first time I had one I had a piercing stomach ache a few hours later, and I assumed it was a coincidence. And then the same thing happened a week later, and the same thing happened to a coworker of mine who also had the ceaser salad. Avoid the salad!

SERIOUSLY CRAVE FOR THEIR LOADED BAKED POTATO!!!
This is the only place that still serve baked potato’s on its own now a days.
Back in my Hometown (Nor Cal) is where I first had a loaded baked p. at a salad joint like this.
but since they weren’t popular, they stopped making them! i was reallllyy sad!
accidental stumbled across this place, since i usually never eat at malls…
was surprised to learn that this place had them and i was extremely satisfied once again! i had my potato fix!
they aren’t the same as the one up north (size is smaller) but it was good overall.
just tell them to go easy on the cheese or else they will layer it till its one thick layer! gross
a good thing is that they use shredded cheese! Mmm

It is good to know there is something «GREEN» inside a mall. I’m sure this place isn’t that popular but thank goodness this place exists.
Their salads are BIG and the lady that works there is so nice!
Honestly the salads are not that cheap but for that price I think it’s a very good portion.
I usually get their caesar salad with chicken. They use chicken that has been completely drained of fat, like completely! which I think makes it healthier, and trust me I am not the most HEALTHIEST person but it’s good.
I tried their chef salad which comes with egg and tomatoes, but I’d honestly take out the eggs, makes it smell funny… hahah
They toss their salad right in front of you and you can ask them to put more stuff if you’d like as long as it’s not like meat or avocados they don’t charge you.
They also have milk tea, which I thought was kind of funny because milk teas usually have a lot of calories but ehh I still got one with my salad!
I’m just giving this place a good rating because it’s hard to keep a «salad» place inside a mall where everyone wants to eat something cheap and filling, but how they keep their store is just great!

I have never heard the term «gourmet» to be so loosely and uncharacteristically until I had come here to eat.
Upon arrival, Garden Gourmet seemed like a fit choice for the lifestyle I’ve been seeking as of late: healthy and flavorful. However, this place was far from it.
As we approached the counter we were greeted with apathetic scowls and a fake «how may I help you» from the cashier. I, myself, am in the food industry and know how frustrating it may be to endure a busy Saturday afternoon being bombarded with self explanetory questions that with a little bit of effort could be easily answered. However, this is your job. I don’t care if you’re being paid minimum wage to do it but at least approach your job and attempt to be the best at it even when faced with everyday restaurant problems.
After looking over the menu we had finally decided on sharing the turkey sandwich with a pasta side. When we attempted to order from the gentleman at the counter I was faced with confused looks and a lack of understanding of the english language.
I asked for the avocado to be put on the side as I was sharing the dish and am allergic to it but was willing to have it on the side so my partner could enjoy it on his half of the sandwich. Lord knows I had to try to explain myself at least ten times over before he finally grasped what it was that I was trying to say.
Then … then came the all too difficult «pasta» question that then left me confused and irritated. He asked if I wanted pasta or salad for a side. I replied pasta and asked what type it was and what sauce was it in. He didn’t have the know how to answer me with the information that it was a pasta salad and not a hot pasta dish with the standard marinara or alfredo. After arguing for another 10 minutes over pasta I decided to shut my mouth and let whatever what was coming to me, come to me.
When our food had finally arrived at the counter I was staring at a sandwich that a 5 year old could have made. It was grossly over-​dressed, the avocado that came on the side was a HALF INCH sliver and was nearly BLACK from having sat in the prep area for so long, and my pasta salad was oily and disgusting.
Note to self, if you have to argue for 10 minutes over pasta with your server, just turn and run.