SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Looking to re-define the meaning of fast casual dining is Eatsa, a new restaurant that says it’s “time to change fast food for the better, forever.”
It sounds ambitious, but when you consider that the restaurant is fully automated, you might do a double-take. It’s no McDonald’s. You won’t find a single burger or French fries on the menu here. Instead, guests will find healthy salad bowls featuring Quinoa and an entire meal’s worth of protein.
Eatsa is one of the first restaurants of its kind to experiment with fully automated ordering software. That means no cashier and no lines. For many busy office workers in the San Francisco area, Eatsa could be seen as a long-awaited blessing.
Tim Young, Eatsa's Co-Founder, said that the company is reinventing fast food by combining the speed and affordability of fast food with the delicious flavors and nutritious ingredients of premium fast casual.
“By developing new technology to automate every aspect of the food experience, we are able to deliver a product with the best qualities of premium fast casual at a price point that is accessible to everyone,” he said in a press release.
Guests order their meal on an in-store iPad or on their phone. After an order is made, a salad bowl shows up in a customer’s personalized cubby. The virtual cashier remembers every customer and allows for personalized and tailored suggestions.
“It’s essentially lunch on demand,” said Scott Drummond, Co-Founder. “Eatsa’s Order Anywhere concept translates to zero wait time for customers. No more waiting in line. No more $12 lunch salads. Just delicious food that is nutritious, affordable, and quick.”
Every bowl is $6.95, with quinoa as the basis for each bowl. Some of the more popular menu items include:
- Smokehouse Salad - Toasted Red Quinoa and Mixed Greens topped with BBQ Portabella, Tomato, Cucumber, Corn, Caramelized Onions, Roasted Red Pepper, Sharp Cheddar with BBQ Ranch and Crispy Onion Strings
- The Mediterranean - Quinoa Herb Salad and Arugula topped with Tomato, Cucumber, Artichoke Hearts, Kalamata Olives, Feta Cheese and Dill Yogurt Sauce
- Harvest Bowl - Quinoa Stuffing topped with Green Beans, Roasted Root Vegetables, Cranberry Relish, Mushroom Gravy, Almonds and Crispy Onion Strings
- No Worry Curry - Stir Fry Style Quinoa with Arugula, Curried Parsnip Strips, Pickled Onions, Roasted Potatoes, Apple-Cabbage Slaw,Red Thai Curry and Spaghetti Squash.
While it’s still up in the air how successful this business will be, it’s enough to make me want to visit at least once.
