"This is a great concept," I told Tim as we sat down at STACKED restaurant in Fashion Valley Mall, surrounded by modern artwork and young families. The copper-toned restaurant features wooden seats, graffiti-style decor, and a menu that is fully customizable to your palette.
This is how it works. You are seated and greeted by a table concierge, who shows you how to place your order on an iPad. With the swipe of your finger, you can "add" and "delete" ingredients for burgers, salads, pizza, and macaroni & cheese. Want feta cheese or mandarin oranges on your salad? How about pepper jack cheese or sautéed mushrooms on your burger? No problem.
When your order is complete, push "send to kitchen." Easier for the waiter. Easier for the cooks. Easier for the guest. This ordering method ensures happier eaters and fewer order mistakes.
My salad was delicious and Tim's burger hit the spot - served with applewood smoked bacon, caramelized onions, and BBQ sauce. My one critique would be that the Kids Menu needs greater inspiration. Current offerings are limited to: burgers, grilled cheese, mac & cheese (Kraft, to make things even worse), and pizza - no customization available. I'd prefer to see salads, veggie trays, fresh fruit plates, and pizzas in fun shapes.
Most meals come to around $12, but that price can vary depending on the number of ingredients you select.
There are currently 3 restaurant locations (with a fourth planned) in Southern California: Cerritos, San Diego, and Torrance.
All in all, STACKEDÂ really "stacks up" when it comes to innovation. I look forward to following the future of this 2011 company.
TIP: Be sure to try the milkshakes. They're thick, creamy, and served in fun cylindrical glasses. Choose from 5 shake bases and 18 mix-ins.
Woo Hoo!!!
I'm over the top excited Stephanie!!
Thanks so much!!!
Love this place.... the cranberry mayo is soooo yummy!
That sounds awesome! We will be in SD in March and would LOVE to treat our girls' god-parents to a meal there! As far as kids' meals are concerned, I really like Pita Jungle.
Sounds like a place we would love to visit! We will be there this Christmas and we will have to try it out!
I am planning on going here for our next date. So excited!
I'm happy to hear that. Be sure to try one of the milkshakes...and come back here to let me know what you think of it. :)
Headed to San Diego for the holidays and this looks like a cool new restaurant. Thanks for always sharing such great places!
They are opening a stacked in the mall by our house soon. I loved your review and I agree, I am disappointed by the kids menu. We don't eat out often with our kids because most places have horrible choices on the kids menu.
I like that woodranch gives kids cheerios and fruit while they wait for their food to arrive
I appreciate when restaurants do that - such a help when dining with small children. Claim Jumper is super about that too. If you ask for a complimentary baby plate, they'll bring out a plate with turkey, cheese, applesauce, and mandarin orange slices.
St Francis in PHX - grown up restaurant with always free kids meals
Good to know. Since Phoenix is less than three hours from us, we tend to head up that way at least a few times per year.
THAT PLACE LOOKS GREAT!
Sounds yummy!
I am sold on the concept, too! Picky toddlers & food allergies means our orders can be complex. I love that we could do all the detail work on an iPad & avoid any of *those* looks from our server.
Not really sure Chick-fil-A is the healthiest restaurant but given the choice our grand daughter will choose it over anywhere else. But I think it's because of all the new friends she meets in the play area. It's always jam packed with families and kids. We enjoy it. This is the perfect birthday gift for my sister. She and her husband have strict diets as they are both in cancer remission. They live the vegetarian/macrobiotic lifestyle. I'm going to have to ask if they know about Stacks. It's just down the canyon from them. ;) How did you find it?
A PR company introduced me. :)
I love So Cal. And food even more!
I never go to Fashion Valley, this would be a great excuse! Those milkshakes look wonderful :)
This looks delicious - I wish we had one out our way! :)
Sounds awesome! I'd love to try it!
As far as our favorite restaurant, my family and I are big fans of Jason's Deli for it's family friendly food, price, and environment.
I've been meaning to try Stacked. I was thinking about kid's menus just the other day. My daughter doesn't eat that much, so a small portion in a child friendly presentation serves us well. But the choices on a kids menu are quite limited, usually chicken nuggets, burgers, and macaroni and cheese. My kid actually prefers healthier choices, like grilled chicken and veggies, so sometimes we just order her a combination of side dishes.
We've always to wanted to eat at Stacked! We have walked past it a few times and think the concept is so innovative. I'm glad you had a good experience :)