Pluto’s

Their salads are huge! A side salad filled me up (4’10″ Asian girl) for $ 8 and came with a nice soft piece of bread. Amazing variety of toppings and dressings to choose from and there are some preset salads if you aren’t feeling particularly inspired.

The Big Bang Lunar Dip (steak sandwich) with au jus and the Chicken Comet sandwich.
Both had good flavor and generous serving of meat. Only wish they offered hot peppers or similar.
It’s was a bit confusing to order as the worker behind the register says to order by the salad or carving station. Then the same worker walks 2 steps over to the carving station, takes the order, walks 2 steps back to the register and collects payment. What?!?

Definitely a great place to get fresh food. Terrific salad selections and a small number of hot meats and sandwiches. The tri-​tip beef is delicious. Love eating here when I don’t want something heavy. They really do have the best salad it’s build your own. Carved meats, sandwiches which are all excellently and freshly prepared. Large salads and sandwiches with great tasting micro brews. If you aren’t starving to death, a side salad is quite large and you can mix up to seven items with your greens.
Pluto’s continues to vary its menu and service formats to come up with fresh, healthful and fun foods. Have been here several times, and although crowded on many occasions, have never had a bad experience and always enjoyed the meal.
All in all, great for a quick meal, not the kind of place you want to go and hangout for a nice meal. Mostly like healthy fast food and always delicious.

I really truly want to give Pluto’s a higher rating because I’ve been here a bunch of times and think that the food is actually really tasty, but I can’t because I had such a bad experience the last time I went and I probably won’t come back again.
On literally any review service online it says that their hours on Friday are until 11pm. Even on the door of their store it says 11pm. I showed up at 10:20pm and I see people inside with food eating so everything seems normal. When I go up to order the guy rudely says we are closed. I asked why because the sign says you are open until 11pm. His response was that they stop the kitchen at «10 to-​«. His response was reasonable in theory but it was 10:20pm which still gives me a whole 30mins to 10:50pm. I tell him the time and he says oh well. I can respect that kitchens usually stop taking orders after a certain time but this wasn’t posted anywhere online or even at their door. At the very least the workers could have been nice and understanding.

I went in for lunch — a sandwich. First I was in the wrong line — the line was for salads. There’s no sign or an arrow to indicate where to line up for salad and where to for sandwich. So I was behind folks who were going for salad. It got to my turn and when I asked for sandwich — the woman behind the glass pointed towards where the cashier is saying «Sandwich There». Okay, so after wasting half my lunch hour waiting in the wrong line I shuffled over to where I should have been when I walked in. I placed my order to a guy who is most likely from Pluto the now Non-​Planet. Couldn’t understand what language he was speaking — perhaps he’s used to Telepathy. I asked «Do I wait for it here?» And he replied «Gojyo Gokun Gamaran». Alright, so I stood there till my sandwich came out.
It was okay. Not bad but not good enough to jump through hoops to get it.

Tip: legit steak sandwiches, garlic fries, fresh salads
quick healthy spot to get your grub on.

Oh, how I love you and miss you so much Pluto’s! I don’t know how to explain, but I think their BYO salad is the freakin best! 7 toppings on a bed of fresh greens with a piece of focaccia bread — nom nom nom. Never have I ever drooled so much over a salad. It just brings back old memories of fun times at this place. The hot food is also spectacular! The steak sandwich is delicious and when you pair it with their garlic potato rings, it’s heaven. I could literally eat at this place everyday if it was next to my workplace.
Can y’all please come to Texas? :)

I was debating between this or sushirrito next door. I love sushirrito but I had never been to plutos before so I decided to give plutos a try. Also I picked plutos because sushirrito had a long line and the salad looked big and yummy here.
It was really confusing trying to figure out how to order. I was squinting at this sign that they had up on how to order, but the line was moving too fast to read it properly. There’s two lines, one for salads and the other is for sandwiches/​sides. That part was really confusing! Especially cuz at the tail end of the «line» it was a big huddle. ???
I decided to get a salad cuz that’s what I was craving. There’s a lot of selection but only some of it was labeled. I got a mixed green salad with edamame, quinoa, carrots, corn, cucumber, and steak. The guy making the salad said «that’s it??» Uhhhh yea I guess. I guess other people get greedy and stuff their salad. I’m a firm believer of not adding TOO many flavors. Just the right amount. Then he gave me an extra scoop of quinoa.
He then asked me what dressing I wanted, so I asked him what options were available. He spoke SO FAST. I couldn’t understand what options were available. What I heard was «ranch, Caesars, balsamic, *quick mumbling*, cilantro lime, *more quick mumbling*. I went with the cilantro lime.
I got the receipt and I saw it had an option to specify the doneness of the steak. Booooo I didn’t know that, or else I would have asked for medium rare. I got into another line to pay. Lots of lines here.
Quite pricey for my salad. Was about $ 11, but there was a lot. I would have preferred it to be smaller & cheaper. I asked for some water at check out and the cashier said ok. I waited at the counter, had no idea I was to self serve myself water. I seriously stood there for a good 2 minutes before realizing something was wrong.
My salad was good though. I loved the steak. It was the best part! Glad I didn’t get chicken/​tofu like I was thinking of.
All in all, good food but dang this place is REALLY CONFUSING. from start to end. I feel like I worked for my food.

Decided to come here for lunch and had their Big Lunar Dip Sandwich. It was basically a tri-​tip with melted Jack cheese in between of your choice of bread. I opted for their herb focaccia bread. The serving was quite big given its only $ 9.50, but the meat was hella tough, I think I almost choke halfway trying to chew the meat down. The bread, although was very soft, it definitely doesn’t hold the sandwich well. I wouldn’t recommend getting this. The curly fries that I ordered on the side however was quite yummy.
Overall, the food was nothing to write about and on top of that, the staff here has a snobby and have I-​could-​care-​less attitude. Not my favorite spot to eat at Downtown Palo Alto.

As a first timer, I would say that the layout was kind of confusing. There’s one separate section to get a salad, and there’s one where you can get meat. I, unfortunately, went to the section where they only sold salad because I thought it went around.
I made sure the employee knew that it was my first time, and she was friendly, but I could barely hear her talk especially since with the restaurant environment being loud and her being soft-​spoken.
Eventually, I just got The Martian. It was a salad which consisted of tofu, lettuce, onions, croutons, and vinaigrette.
Never again will I order a salad here. Not because I didn’t like it, but it didn’t fill me up. And I didn’t like it. I was never really a salad person and was more of a meat person.
I would like to come back here and try their sandwich which some reviews raved about it.

I was pleasantly surprised that there was a Pluto’s in downtown Palo Alto. I am always down for a salad! I think the choices of toppings at this location are better than the one in Davis, which was where I always went when I was in college. As always, the salad was fresh and delicious! I added steak on top of my side salad to keep myself fuller a little longer. (My body burn carbs super quick.)

Okay is it just me or am I the only person that orders a sandwich during lunch?
Stopped by on Monday for lunch with some friends and they trusted me to pick a place to eat. Seeing that this place is only a single dollar sign with this many reviews, why the heck not? Apparently I was the only person that never tried it before, but they were still very positive on the idea.
I was a little confused at first because the layout reminded me of a cafeteria and I had no idea what to order until I saw the little menus displayed in front of the glass barriers. Ya, the salads looked fresh with many toppings, but I couldn’t say no to the Lunar Dip (first thing on the sandwich menu).
As I waited for my order, I went back to the salad bar to see how my friend’s salad was coming along. Despite ordering a «side salad», the mountain of greens seemed never-​ending. Now I’m here thinking «sh*t, did I make a mistake? I should probably eat healthier». That was actually pretty short lived because my sandwich came out a few minutes later and that first bite totally dispelled any regrets that may have lingered.
Oh my god, the meat was soooo flavorful — I think it’s safe that I’ve never had a french dip like this before. Just FYI, the order basically consists of the sandwich and the dipping sauce; nothing else, so if you’re a heavy eater, you should definitely check out the sides as well (no idea what they are).
Now the thing is, I don’t understand why I was the only person in the restaurant that didn’t have a salad in front of him. I must come back to try their salads!

Amazing lunch spot on university ave, I have been there a couple of times now and the sandwiches have been amazing. Compared to the rest of the restaurants in the area, you can get a good lunch for under $ 10 — unheard of in Palo Alto. Will be going there a lot more.

Always an impressive salad that feels as filling as it does healthy.
Realized that the grilled chicken is precooked unlike the steak so that was a let down, but next time I’ll be wary.

I can always count on Pluto’s for a solid meal. I first had Pluto’s in Davis and the food was always delicious. When I moved back to the bay, I tried it at this location, and I have to say the food is extremely consistent.
I always get the sausage sandwich with ciabatta bread, and my cousin swears by the chicken comet. We always get the same thing for ourselves: P The sausage is always grilled fresh and tastes absolutely amazing with the veggies and sauces in the sandwich. Overall, just a delicious and filling sandwich.
On to the sides– I usually love mac & cheese, and when I see it as a sides option, I always have to order it. However, the mac & cheese here is pretty mediocre. The noodles are pretty stiff and the dish isn’t too tasty. Mashed potatoes here are good though! Would order those again if I was ever super hungry.
Pluto’s offers consistent, delicious sandwiches, and I’d turn to them without hesitation to satisfy a sandwich craving.

This is probably my favorite salad place! They have a variety of toppings from which you can choose 7 to create a salad. I’ve also tried their sandwiches before, and they’re delicious. You pay at the counter, and in my opinion, the salads are not too overpriced like some other places.
The way the salad bar works is you first choose your base green leafy veggie, then your 7 toppings, meat, and dressing. Salads come with a side of bread. The portion size is very generous!
I also think the space theme is super cute. They’ve got a list of fictional and real space-​related names in the dining area. I’d highly recommend if you’re looking for a quick and healthy meal. =]

We frequent either the Palo Alto or Santana Row location. If you’re hankerin’ for either a sandwich or salad, you can’t go wrong by coming here. On the sandwich side, they typically have 3 – 5 sandwiches to choose from. On the salad side, the same amount plus the ability to custom make a salad. Their sides are plentiful and tasty all around!
Placing your order is a snap. Head over to either the sandwich or salad «stalls» and place your order. You will then receive an order sheet with your selected food. After collecting all your sheets, head over to the cashier, pay, then wait for your order to be completed.

Side salad with tri-​tip please and balsamic please!
Their side salads are so huge and packed with 7 toppings that I can’t help but go here when I want a fancy custom salad. Definitely recommend for a fresh salad any day.

I love Plutos!!! I like the variety of toppings you can add to your salad. I also really like that they have great tasting dressings! I’ve never had one that I did not like. I haven’t tried any of the carved meats, but I plan on trying them in the near future. Oh, the brussels sprouts are to die for! They cook them with bacon and some other sauce but omggggg its delicious. Definitely my favorite place to order them. Another tip for the salad, you can request different kinds. I usually order the baby spinach with romaine!

I’ve never expected supreme consistency from Pluto’s, but they are unmatched in price and comfort food.
They have a good thing going with the self-​made salads, and they’re generous with portions.
Toppings for salads change from night to night, and they always have slight variations with their sides, but the mainstays are usually available, and even it they’re not, they’re very accommodating with special requests.
The atmosphere is loosely tied together with a space theme, but it’s easy to gloss over, and doesn’t add much to the experience.
Bottom line: The price is a steal for Palo Alto, the food is good to excellent (depending on the day), and I can’t think of a place that has managed to steal my heart away one saved dollar at a time over the years like Pluto’s.

Pluto’s is an interesting — if not confusing — concept for a restaurant. There are three or four «stations» from which you order your meal (s). You can stand in the salad line, the meats (with sandwiches) line, the side orders line, the drinks line or the cashier line.
The salads are fresh and the sandwiches are very good. More importantly, the food is VERY affordable — something of a surprise on University Avenue. It is located a few doors down from Yogurtland and down the block from Cream — so you can enjoy a nice dessert following your meal.
The salads have plenty of options to choose from. They will make the salad in front of you and add any meats that you would like on top.
The sandwiches are really good. I get the Chicken Comet almost every time — and it is fantastic!
Tip 1: The place can be very busy during lunch and dinner. This is true even on the weekends. However, if you don’t mind eating a later lunch or an early dinner, the restaurant will have plenty of seating available between 2:30 and 4:30pm.
Tip 2: It is a great place for takeout too! There is a lot behind the old Varsity Theater that usually have a space or two available. Otherwise, you are better served parking on Hamilton and just walking to the restaurant.
Tip 3: If you are planning on buying a sandwich and just go straight to your next station with your ticket. You’ve already been served, so there is no need to stand in line again.

This is one of my go-​to lunch spots! I love that I can choose my own toppings for my salads. Recently, they’ve added a lot of premium and quality toppings such as the crispy onions, quinoa, and sweet potatoes to name a few. Their ingredients are always very fresh and the portions are generous. I always order a side salad it’s plenty for lunch. It does get busy but the lines move fairly quickly. In addition to salads, they also have a hot foods section with a variety of items such as mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, mushrooms, turkey, stuffing, and soups. They also have kids meals with mac and cheese, fries, and juice. There is also a huge variety of pastries to choose from near the cashier. The prices are very reasonable for this area too. There is plenty of seating indoors and a few stools that are partially outdoors. Overall, this is a great spot for lunch or a quickly bite!

Steak and chicken was dry and rubber. Hope next time will be better.
But for this price not bad ($ 10 per person).

I like the concept however other salad places seen to have an all you can order policy while Pluto limits ur imagination which annoys me a lot because I always want to have a variety of things on ma plate.
Hefty yet cheap (and rather healthy depending on what u order tho) lunch/​dinner in downtown PA

I’m lovin it! And I’m usually not into salad or sandwiches but this place is my favorite! I love that you can choose the toppings, type of salad, and dressing! I always order with steak for only +1.50! And they give you a good amount too! I love love Plutos! And I will always come back.

The sandwich was hearty and flavorful. I asked for light sauce because it has a lot going on. I liked that it is made of white meat (chicken breast) and the smoky BBQ flavor with caramelized onions was a great combination. I really liked the bread also– nice and crispy on the outside, soft on the inside.
Garlic fries were VERY VERY garlicky. You’ve been warned. You should plan to go straight home and brush your teeth and drown your mouth in mouthwash for an hour before meeting or speaking with anyone after eating these I wanted to try the sweet potato fries but I guess I can do that next time.
Sandwich was only $ 7! Great deal for lunch. Total with fries was less than $ 11.
Service was okay. Staff wasn’t very helpful when I clearly had no idea how to order or what to get and was asking questions. They just ignored me for a while and I eventually just ordered whatever seemed okay. In the end it worked out well. I think next time I’ll try a salad. I saw other people’s salads and they were massive and looked fresh and tasty.

A little confusing at first, and once we figured it out we realized there weren’t that many options.
I ended up customizing a sandwich, with chicken, pesto, provolone cheese, and mixed greens on sourdough with a side of sweet potato fries. The sandwich was good, but nothing special. Same for the fries.
My boyfriend ordered the turkey in flight sandwich and said he enjoyed it, but their Mac and cheese is the kind that is made at buffets… the not-​so-​good kind, with a variation of what seems to be nacho cheese.
The windows and door were completely opened, as they probably usually are, but the dinning area was so windy that my boyfriend and I had to move.
Overall, good food, but this is really only a place to come to if you want decently priced salads and sandwiches.

Salad! Pluto’s is my weird (shouldn’t be) guilty pleasure. I know it’s just salad but I get really excited about Pluto’s. I’ve done the comparison of Pluto’s vs Sprouts on University Ave and Pluto’s wins. I like the toppings selection and I like that they are laid out so you can just point at what you want. I get confused and have a decision making breakdown when I read a list of ingredients.
It’s also overall cheaper than Sprouts (at least for the type of toppings I get) I also like the dressings better. One thing I do prefer Sprouts over Pluto’s is the meat. The chicken is a little weird but then I discovered the turkey and I like that option better.
I’ve tried one of their soups too and it was pretty dang good.
The cashier never seems to like me but maybe he just doesn’t like salad loving freaks. That could be it. Who gets excited about salad? (oh yea, me.)

I would defiantly eat salads all day if I lived closer to Pluto’s. I’m so glad my friend introduced me to this place. All the ingredients in Pluto’s salads are super fresh and you can custom it to whatever you like. The only fault I would see is that their staff isn’t exactly the friendliest. The person who was making my salad gave me attitude. Granted, it was the lunch rush but I am still a paying customer.
Food wise though, it’s excellent.
Seating is limited! Go next door to blue bottle if its full!
Oh, and the side salad is more than enough! Trust me!

Love eating here! Sometimes there can be a long line and a bit of a wait to get your food but once you have the chance to order and get your food, I have always been satisfied. The ingredients are fresh and great tasting!
I will always stop by plutos! Love it!

Just your average Plutos, always hits the spot.
The ordering process is a bit confusing. If you want salad, you walk straight in to the ‘toppings’ area and tell the workers what you’d like. Side salad or main salad. Meat or no meat, steak, crispy chicken, grilled chicken. You have a choice of spinach, romaine lettuce, farmers greens? You choose 7 toppings, some at an additional charge. Theres a variety of dressings ranging from different vinaigrettes and balsamics. I normally choose the side salad (its huge and a dollar less) with crispy chicken. Romaine lettuces and honey mustard balsamic. The salad prep person would give you a sheet of paper with what you ordered and you make your way to the cash register in an orderly fashion.
If you choose a sandwich or just sides, go straight to the carving station. Theres no point of waiting in the line if you’re not getting a salad. You may get some dirty glares as people may think you are trying to cut in line. Be a soldier, glare back and make your way up.
Get their garlic curly fries. Its fresh and has the perfect amount of fresh garlic! Skip their mac n cheese, it’s mediocre. Stuffing is Ok. Haven’t gotten a chance to try their Brussels sprouts yet, but it looks damn tasty. I just thought the salad was already enough greens for the week.
Side salad:7.60
Main salad: 8.60
Sides: I believe is around 3 dollars each.
They’re not the friendliest, but they get the job done and for a good price! Parking is never pleasant on university but there are 2 parking lots around. I’d tell you where but you might steal my parking.

Stopped in at Pluto’s for a quick meal. That is what I got! And, it was delicious!
I ordered the beef brisket sandwich. The actual sandwich was about 7−8″ long cut in half. The sandwich was simple — sliced smoked brisket doused in BBQ sauce and served with a side of au jus. The brisket was tender and savory. The bbq sauce added a sweetness to blend everything together. Forget the au jus sauce, as it was another flavor profile that doesn’t match the sandwich. I enjoyed this! Grade: B+/A–
Service: It is what it is. They take your order, you pay. No frills or bells or whistles.
Food Grade: B+/A–
Service Grade: B+
Worth the Money Grade: B+
Overall Impression Grade: B+