Mustard Cafe

Such a perfect lunch/​brunch spot!
So many sandwiches and salads to choose from. The turkey melt and Bella brie are my favorite! I always get it with their soup! They have the best tomatoe basil!
Staff is always friendly. Food comes quickly and the resturaunt itself is always very clean. Xoxo

Food was quite good. I had a Greek omelet with wheat bread along with sliced tomatoes. You can order with potatoes I substituted tomatoes instead. While the food was good there were a few issues. First the server did not provide water. Also the butter supplied in the tad was already melted, pushing out of the foil pouch, meaning it had not been refrigerated. Also the tomatoes were not at their freshest as they were mushy. It is customary to serve an omelet with two pieces of bread and only one was supplied, it seems rather chintzy. Lastly please try serving the food on a plate with enough room to cut the food rather than it falling on the table. The server was inattentive and did not check on any three of the tables while I was there, was he too busy? No, I think not. I think IHOP is a better alternative.

Like the BLT here. Food is fresh, but not my favorite place to eat. Service is never great, and now that there are other restaurants in this strip mall I am sure Mustard Café will not be the people’s first choice, fastest choice or best choice to eat.

Food is so so. Service is poor. Sitting with my friend, my sandwich came out fifteen minutes before his. By the time his food got here mine was stone cold.
The server was rude when I asked where his food was and why they would serve it like that. I won’t be back.

Another «wish there were 0.5 increment stars», as in 3.5 versus the 3.0 I just handed out. I could not, in good conscience, go from a 3 to 4 star review. Nothing «terribly wrong» with this café, if you’re looking for a clean facility, varied sandwich and salad menu, and what I’m guessing is consistency. Service, specifically «speed of orders and table service, via other reviewers and my own limited one-​visit observation, appears to be an issue. We were also scoping it out for a catering order we’re preparing for a birthday.
There were three of us, on a Sunday early afternoon. We ordered two Panini sandwiches, (prosciutto & sundried tomatoes and roasted chicken), and their cream-​cheese omelet. All entrée items were OK. We shared a little to at least mark off 3 items on their menu. The most laudable comment I could share would be that their cheese, chicken, prosciutto and sundried tomatoes all tasted fresh. But my chicken Panini, like the prosciutto sandwich, tasted like a «blank palet.» We had to hit both sandwiches and the omelet with Tabasco; everything lacked flavor. I’d suggest a little garlic salt, minimum, would have helped the Panini sandwiches, and most certainly the omelet. The sandwiches were also both a bit dry inside and out. I’m wondering if a light pre-​press buttering on the bread might have helped? Some cafes use a light chipotle dressing on many of their Panini sandwiches. Both «adds» (plus salt & pepper) could have been added as an option, and I would not have had any problem at all with the sandwiches.
Just a note… Evidently, three reviewers said the kabobs were «…to die for.» With all due respect for fellow Unilocal reviewers, and based on all the kabob restaurants in the So. OC area, I’m wondering if that’s based on having tried a respectable number of kabob restaurants here in the So. OC? If Mustard’s kabobs are actually charcoal-​grilled, not gas-​fired, for me that would be one step in the right direction. I just couldn’t let that review comment pass without a questioning-​comment.
I’m going to put Mustard into the same class as «Neighborhood Grill» in RSM, next to El Fenix Market. Both are order at the counter, orders are brought to your table. They both have a varied menu. And both look organized and clean. But if you value high service levels, Mustard loses a star for honest, efficient service. With only one person working the counter and the front on a Sunday, Mustard’s tables were not promptly cleaned. Nor was there anyone available to check on tables. We never saw anyone at our table asking if «everything was all-​right?» We needed condiments, which I ended up getting from a table inside. And when I walked in, there was one customer waiting for someone at the counter, and myself… looking for the condiments. Ultimately, the counter person that helped me with my order finally appeared and pointed to the condiment tray at one of the inside tables.
I can only guess that Mustard’s catering service is decent, as I see local corporate reviewers sharing positive reviews. But from what I was told about Mustard, I was expecting something «special.» I just didn’t «feel the special-​osity-​ness!?» BTW, If you’ve never been to Panini Café for their chicken shish kabob special, and want to compare kabobs that… «…are to die for…», I highly recommend you try Panini first. I use Panini as my local «Gold Standard» for kabobs, and their catering menu for special events.
BTW… since when did the TIP process change? At Mustard, they point out your option to tip right after you place your order at the counter, and before you’ve even found a table and have been served. Sorry… but I must have missed the «memo» on reversing the logic of tipping. And yes, I know… a lot of stores are going to software that offers this «reverse option.» But I gave a cash tip just prior to leaving. I couldn’t blame and take it out on the guy at the counter. I blame ownership and management for the issues.

Fresh food fast! This first time I had their food was when they catered our company lunch. Today was my first time visiting their location and I’m happy to say they did not disappoint. Right now they have a combo lunch special so I ordered the half turkey sandwich and the lentil soup.
Bread was fresh (I hate stale bread) and veggies were crisp. Soup was piping hot! Yummy!
Service was great and quick.
Parking could be challenging especially during lunch time so get here earlier or take a later lunch.
I’ll be a regular here. Can’t wait for my next visit!

The service here is T E R R I B L E.
I used to work down the street and come in for a latte at lunch. Without fail, every single time, the woman at the register would take MY ENTIRE LUNCH BREAK just to ring me up and make my latte. Any time I went, I knew I would end up without any time to eat. This went on for the first half of 2015.
Since then, I’ve gone in a few times, and I’ve seen the service decline even further. One day there were two people at the registers counting their till, and I stood there for almost 10 minutes watching change get tallied before the same woman as usual took my order and turned on the espresso machine. I was using a card, which was clearly in my hand when I walked up, and I wasn’t carrying anything else. My purchase would not have thrown off the count, and if anyone had bothered to pay attention they would have seen that and not made me wait forever. Even if they weren’t sure what method of payment I was using, they could have at least asked what my order was and started the parts of the process that weren’t affected by the registers.
The last time I went in, the machine was «acting up» and I couldn’t get a latte. What I did get was the same long wait as usual and two long, strange apologies meshed with complaints that I didn’t need to hear.
I have had a couple of their dessert bars, white wine, the Mahi Mahi salad, and a sandwich I can’t recall, and they were all fine, with the salad being the most worthy of its inflated price. After a few desserts I just stopped trying them because they were more disappointing than not and I got tired of giving/​throwing them away after the first bite when I would decide they weren’t worth the calories or the price. I obviously really like their latte, but that’s pretty much because of the machine doing the work and the brand of coffee bringing the flavor.
This establishment just isn’t cutting it in terms of service, management, or training. They’ve inspired me to stop buying coffee and buy an espresso machine instead.

I like this place it isn’t a disgusting chain like every other restaurant in this god forsaken suburban town. Food is good and healthy and a great price and perfect portions. I don’t know why it’s always empty I honestly really like this place, it’s perfect for lunch time.

Come here every week to pick up lunches for our sales meetings, and also a little something for me too. They have a great menu with lots of interesting items to choose from, plus some more specials on the board inside. Everything I have had has been great, my only caveat is that they are a bit slow on having pickups ready on time, even when it’s before «lunch rush»
time. Other that that highly recommended for great tasting food! Check it out.

Lunchtime today, I decided to check out the new place. Outside was a sign for Chicken Kabob salad, but I wanted a wrap to go. It was quiet and I ordered my wrap. They have a payment system so that you sign the screen for the charge card and you can authorize a tip. For a to go order, I still left a tip. Then I waited. A few minutes after I sat down, there were 2 parties of 6 people who ordered and sat down. Their meals came and I still waited.
I asked the waitress if there was a problem with my order and she said no. I pointed out that these other people already had their food and I’m still waiting for my wrap. Oh, she said, they have just salads and your chicken has to be grilled. Really, especially when it is advertised outside as one of the specials? As I see salads and hot sandwiches being handed out, I fumed.
My two star rating is primarily to get their attention about service. Yes, I understand stuff happens. But it is up to the servers to let the customer know what is happening and to offer at least some empathy or apology or something, rather than just ignoring my situation. Poor service, but the wrap tasted fresh and healthy. I may wait awhile before I’m go from a boil to a simmer to go back to this place again.
Lesson learned. Do not tip until AFTER the service is provided. Then leave cash. The way they did it, I was stuck because I already tipped and the resulting service was poor.

I ordered the asian chicken salad through the phone. The kid tells me its shredded chicken. Because there other chicken gets me sick. I get there he had forgotten to place my order. Before sliding my card i made sure shredded chicken right? The girl said yes. They tell me sorry we ran out n will no longer be using it. They issue me a refund. What a waste of my time! I’m on my lunch break! Get your sh*t together.

I have never eaten here. I tried once, a few weeks ago, but as soon as I walked in the door, the guy behind the counter told me they were closed. When I went outside, I compared the time with their closing hours: they close at 8; it was 7:45. What is the point of having hours if you are not going to serve people who come in after 7:30?

I have always been to this plaza but for some reason overlooked Mustard Café until I recently started working nearby.
Since my first visit, I have always looked forward to my lunch break so that I can head over to Mustard Café.
I am literally obsessed with there wraps! I have so far tried the greek chicken wrap and my personal favorite is the chicken kabob wrap.
The chicken kabob wrap takes a little longer to prepare so I usually call it in by phone so that when I arrive, I’m not waiting too long.
The portions of the wraps are great and they are very generous with the ingredients and meat. I usually can eat just one and save the other half for later.
The place is well kept and the service and staff are very friendly. They have a great selection of items and lunch specials. Other items include kabob plates, salads and sandwiches. They also serve bottled tazo teas/​juices as well as gourmet chips.
I will definitely try the other items on the menu and would highly recommend this place.

Came for Lunch.
Ordered the Pastrami «OC» which is a special pastrami sandwich but couldn’t really tell what was different about it.
Sandwich was mediocre at best. Pastrami flavor was good, but they REALLY skimped on the amount of pastrami! The ciabatta bread they put it on was gigantic. The ratio should be reversed. I’m used to New York style pastrami sandwiches with an inch thick stack of pastrami and this was not it.
For the $ 9, I should have just gone over to Jersey Mikes next door and gotten a much better meal.
Interior décor is nice but not nice enough to make up for the weak sandwich.
Parking can be hard to find in this shopping center.

Came on Mother’s Day to the bakery next door. Won’t say the name but they were packed and the line was so long. We didn’t want to wait, so I told my husband to go next door and check out mustard café and see if they were also serving breakfast.
He said they weren’t crowded so we came over here. Orders in 5 min and sat down and our breakfast came in 5 min. Then the places got packed and more and more people came over.
To be honest their breakfast was much better then their competitor.
Now I am here having lunch and they have a salad and half sandwich combo that is amazing. And such fresh food! You have to try this place.
You also get a free drink with a Unilocal check in!

Have been wanting to try this for a while! excellent choices for sandwiches and salads.
I ordered the half size Greek salad with chicken. portion size was huge! can’t imagine what a full order looks like… clearly dressing was homemade, the salad was fresh, perfect greens, perfect salad. I knocked off one star only because my son ordered the three cheese hot panini and they put pesto sauce all over it which was not indicated on the menu and was not shared when ordering. my 9 year old son ate it anyway but he wasn’t thrilled it was on there.

Unfortunate experience. Sign states free mimosa and free kids breakfast with purchase of entrée. When we ordered or free kids entrée and then our free mimosas the individual working said it is now one or the other not both since they aren’t making any profit. My recommendation is to either add a star to their sign saying conditions apply or to say or so it’s not false advertising.

I went here last week with all of my coworkers, which was cool. The food was decent but nothing noteworthy. I got a beef kabob wrap and the beef just tasted like a hamburger… it was supposed to be seasoned but I didn’t taste anything mediterranean about it, with the exception of the tzatziki sauce that came with it. It was very boring. I also hated that the mixed greens had arugula in it but that’s a preference thing.
My friends got salads which looked good, except for the caeser which looked blah. I think the problem with this place is that there menu (which is also kinda hard to read) is too far reaching. They should focus on what they’re good at.

Mustard café has a variety of sandwiches, salads, and Mediterranean plates. Lunch time is pretty empty compared to most restaurants. Not a fan :(
I ordered tomato bisque soup ($ 4.50) and their side mixed berry salad ($ 5.80). The tomato soup was nasty! The texture was literally like baby food/​apple sauce. Yuck. didn’t even finish half of it. The mixed berry salad was not bad, but it’s pretty hard to mess up a salad.
My friend got the chicken kabob plate ($ 10.95). He said it was alright and would much rather prefer Bravo Avo across the street for anything Mediterranean or Greek. Bravo Avo is much cheaper for a plate and much more delicious!

For my 1^st visit I was set on getting the sandwich & soup combo which was to be less than $ 9 b4 taxes. But when I ordered the Bella Brie the cashier said it is not offered with the combo. I was flabbergasted. I had checked out the menu online as well as I was physically at the café that I was SO SURE it did not have an asterisk next to it — which marks item is not offered with combos or half orders. I didn’t want to argue with the gal there nor look like I couldn’t afford to pay for an $ 8 sandwich & $ 4 soup so I went with it — — I end up paying more than I anticipated. Was it worth it you ask? Not really.
: ESTABLISHMENT :
The interior was modern & comfy but a little dark Tables were nicely spaced out. Once you step in you place your order with the cashier, fill up your drink at their self-​serve machine & find a spot to grub (inside or outside). The server brings out your food. I take lunches after 1:30pm to avoid the crowds & this was perfect.
: FOOD :
Bella Brie (2.5÷5)
— I had gotten this on toasted whole grain bread rather than the ciabatta bread.
Slices of roast beef were thin and minimal (IMO). The roasted peppers
overpower the taste of anything else in the sandwich especially the horseradish
sauce. The brie cheese was good but would have been better if it was warmly
melting off the roast beef.
Cream of Tomato Soup (⁴⁄₅)
— Not bad but a bit tangy tho. I do love soups — so not much to complain here.
I will give this spot another shot since there are other stuff on their menu I would like to try. But for now it’s on a low priority of lunch choices on my list.

Mediocre.