Big Mango Cafe

I had the «thai crunch» salad here, and my friends had sandwiches — all were good! Nice café kind of hidden away in an office park area of Playa Vista. I would definitely return.

Lucky me, these folks catered our holiday party! Not only were their staff super professional, organized and so friendly but the food was delicious! We had a really wide selection from breakfast burritos to blueberry French toast, poached salmon to mouthwatering pastries!
My absolute favorite was the side dish of cucumber salad which was both beautiful and delicious without overpowering any dish. The cucumbers were thinly criss-​cut and it had sesame oil, rice vinegar, thin red onions and a few other magical flavors. I would eat that as a salad on its own. Delicious! It was also the perfect thing to taste while traveling around my plate.
One unexpected win was the poached salmon. I am not usually a fan of poached things because I prefer the flavor of grilling or frying. But this salmon was the absolute best texture and flavor. The accompanying dill sauce made it such a savory bite that I wished I could chew in slow motion. I wanted to go back for more but it was hugely popular and it was gone.
Everything had special touches from the bacon and turkey bacon to the shredded coconut in the granola.
I look forward to checking out the café sometime soon!

Great lunch spot!
One thing you’ll notice about this place is the amazing outdoor seating. There’s so many plants and trees that it gives such a nice ambiance for you to walk into.
I’m a fan of salads, soups, or sandwiches for lunch, so it was hard choosing an item from the menu. I tried a seared ahi wrap, which tasted pretty fresh and healthy (no surprise). It was a little bland in flavor, so I wish I picked up some sauce before heading out.
Other than that, I got my order in no less than 2 – 3 minutes (a lot faster than my drink orders from Starbucks or other coffee shops). I would recommend this place to anyone working around the area! It’s the perfect place to pick up your lunch.

Perfect café across the street from the park. Sometimes my family joins me here for a bite to eat in the afternoon, or sometimes I stop in for a coffee & pastry on my way to work. Sandwiches and salads are always fresh and tasty.

LOVE this place! I’ve been here at least 10 times since I work down the street. The food is relatively healthy and they seem to use fresh ingredients. They are SUPER friendly! The place has a great vibe. Oh and I didn’t mention, the food is actually really good and well-​priced. Can’t go wrong with Big Mango.
Their weekly specials are normally really good too. Just had the beef picadillo and it was delicious!

I may be writing this review prematurely since I haven’t got a chance to go in and am basing it on the quality of the meal I got via UberEats but Big Mango seems to be quite overrated in my opinion.
I ordered the Thai Crunch salad with Chicken and was expecting real hearty crunch. What i got was something a little bit less so. Sure there were some crispy wontons on the top but there weren’t enough by any means to constitute a crunch salad.
The overall flavor was good but lacking from what I expected. The dressing amount required was significantly more than I like to use… requiring about half a cup (I think that is what they give with the to go orders). I tried to use a quarter… it tasted like raw veggies, half and it didn’t taste well and it got to an acceptable level of flavor only with the whole container of dressing. With most restaurants I can get by with a quarter or less than that amount. This means the overall salad contains more calories than it needs to since most dressings are usually highly caloric.
When I hear the word ‘Thai” after thinking of a free massage at the BKK Royal Orchid Spa the second thing I think about is spicy, and the Thai Peanut Salad definitely wasn’t that. I was thankful for that since i can’t handle too much spice but I was really hoping for at least a little kick.
Maybe the salad I got from UberEats was an anomaly but its definitely not something i’d order again. We’ll see if something else form them ends up on UberEats and i’ll consider ordering it based on the other reviews, but if not I won’t be disappointed.

When you sit in the office all day long, juggling many projects at a time, answering emails, work IM chats and anyone who comes by your desk, it’s so nice to be able to escape to an environment with outdoor seating, plans and look out at some nature.
The staff here is great, the remember you. And if you’re a creature of habit like myself, and order the same 2 or 3 things, they’ll remember and suggest that. Though, I get an afternoon ice coffee and they seem to never have cream or milk out, I always have to ask for it. Well, I suppose that’s the least of my problems.
Yes, this may not be the kabob place with complex flavors or the micro raw vegan salad place with vegetables I’ve never heard of. This is a place that makes healthy food for a good price point that consist of great salads great combinations (such as a watermelon feta cheese salad) and wraps. If you’re a vegetarian there are many options here, even regular salads with tofu. Once in a while they do have a healthy burger, which is actually pretty delicious.
There is free wifi and plenty of seating, though get there before noon or after 1:15pm if you want to have outdoor seating. As for parking, it’s become a little difficult as they made one side 30 minute zone or no parking b/​c there is a dedicate large bike lane.
Overall, it’s a wonderful place near the office that is healthy and not packed crazy busy like Whole Foods or Cabbage Patch.

Big Mango Café is a cute lunchtime stop for a lot of working folk around the area. They usually have easy street parking nearby and also have several tables outside in a quiet pocket of Culver/​Marina. They’re also located right across from a park, where you can take your food to go and sit.
The food here is very healthy and fresh oriented, though they do also have some heavier sandwich options if you’re hella hella hungry. I love the Asian Wrap and most of their salads (even though I wish their salads came in a bowl that was easier to eat out of.). Depending on what you get, lunch will take you out about $ 8−12+, not including any sides or drinks.

The salads are a bit underwhelming, but the services is always great.
My one big problem is that I found a piece of hair in my salad. When I told them about the hair, they brought me a new salad and explained that it wasn’t hair that I found, but a piece of plastic — uh, I don’t know if that makes it better. I haven’t been back since.

I don’t understand the hype at all. My job has ordered from here so many times and every single time it falls so short. I’ve tried everything from a salad to a sandwich to a wrap.
Here’s a breakdown of all the things I tried:
PLAT: I was really excited about this one as I love pancetta but it was so dry. The aioli was good but there was barely any of it on my sandwich. Also the bread was a little stale.
Grilled Cheese: I never thought I wouldn’t like a grilled cheese but I was disappointed again because my sandwich was so soggy. I think it’s because we had orders from LA bite and it definitely was not as hot when it reached me. The cheeses were good but when I reheated it to salvage it, I only made it worse. The bread was also stale, again.
Strawberry and Feta Salad: I made the mistake of pouring the vinaigrette all over my salad. I felt like it was very overpowering in regards to the vinegar and should have ate it plainly because all the ingredients were fresh. The vinaigrette just wasn’t for me.
Power Wrap: I chose the grilled chicken and took a few bites then stopped. It was too dry even with the house dressing, which was good. For me, juicy chicken in a wrap is important. Also everything was just spilling out, so I just couldn’t continue at that point.
Still, I can’t seem to like one thing. Super basic to the point where I just opt out if we’re ordering from here. Waste of calories and just makes me sad. Granted, the ingredients are fresh; especially in their salads but MEH. Maybe going there and being in the environment might be better but really, what’s special? Nothing for me from what I’ve tasted. To the left and on to the next one!

I found this place while on my way to west la law. I had the most delicious Angus burger ever. I went back and notice that they didn’t have it but that the reason is because their menu changes. I was disappointed for not been able to have the burger but happy because I had to eat something else and notice that all dishes are good!

I’m so happy I discovered this place! Such a great place for lunch. Fresh food for a reasonable price and the location is adorable. ONLY opened in the mornings!
They have a little park right across the street from Big Mango Café, so I highly suggest you walk on over to take a stroll to help digest your food. Trust me, you will leave with a happy tummy after dining here.
FOOD:
Great selection of salads! I did not know what to get. I ended up choosing their specialty salad with ahi tuna seared to a medium rare. The salad came with a mango salsa which was tasty and added a sweet freshness to the dish. I liked how light it was and the dressing was just perfect. As for the tuna, it was just whatever. Texturally, it was a little tough and the fish was under seasoned. Their Thai chicken salad looked so good though. I have to get that next time!
My boyfriend got their brisket sandwich which was so good. Not too saucy and the meat was seasoned perfectly. It was juicy and really yummy. It was lying on top of a wonderful onion roll. Highly recommended.
Then, to end our meal we got a chocolate chip cookie. OMG. I love. Moist and filled with chocolate chips. Best of all, the chocolate chips were still melted. Even if you are too full to eat a dessert, take it to enjoy at home. It’s That good.
PARKING:
Only street.

Stumbled upon this place on my lunch break and had the Thai salad. The salad was really good and a large portion! They had some pastries that looked really good too.

I am heading to the café as usual, to meet clients, to write, etc. This particular one, cute as EVER EVER. Playa Vista’s Big Mango Café.
With three sets of horizontal couches, an oversized big screen, a tall communal table, a handcrafted soda machine and two of the nicest workers I’ve ever experienced… Yes, this situation was looking good upon arrival. They walked me through my selection process, some yum stuff: mango salad mix, some pasta (I probably should not order) and a hazelnut latte.
I get to the register. I reach in my laptop bag, and my wallet is GONE.
When I say gone, I mean like nothing in there but laptop pens notepad — nothing I need to pay for this meal I just ordered! OMFG!
So my heart is beating so quickly yet… I tell the barista who is giving me the uh oh face that I’m going to run to my car, grab my wallet and if he could just hold my order. It went like this:
«Wait, hold up, my wallet, my car. Wait ima be right back, I left my…»
It wasn’t English. By this time, I am panicking because I can’t remember the last time I’d seen my wallet. I am sifting through my bag like a fanatic. I am throwing things from the front of my car to the back – losing my natural sh*t. I am rummaging through my bag like a maniac.
I speed off in my car. It MUST be at home.
Barely stopping at lights, I have broken into a full sweat now. I get to my house. By this time my entire back is sweating profusely. No, it isn’t on my nightstand. No, not under the bed, behind the ballast. The makeup mirror, my vanity desk, no, no, nope.
Ok ok, in the dirty clothes. The sheets I changed last night – perfect, it got mixed in there, I run down my hallway to the laundry room. I grab at the floor like a helpless. No. Not there.
Please, please. I think about my client on Sunday, sh*t! What if I left it at the restaurant? My heart is racing now.
I thought I was going to die. I stopped breathing. I was in shock. You know that feeling when your body goes into second– nature reactionary whatever? Yea, that’s the feeling I had.
I am fluffing up the covers, I get sprawled out on the floor in panic and then tears start rolling down my face because I start thinking about having to go to the DMV, the banks to cancel cards, my business meetings I have today, so much to do. Face hot and red now, tears are streaming.
I am now a 31 year old woman, crying in the hallway over a lost wallet.
Clearly, there are other issues.
I run back down to the car to unpack my stuff to prepare to crawl back into my bed in my slump of fuckeduppedness. I can’t go anywhere; I can’t do anything, no wallet. Before I slump down in reservation… I call the restaurant I last remember my wallet. A girl answers.
«Hey, hi, I was there, uhm Sunday and I lost. I left my wallet, it didn’t have any money in it so nobody would have wanted it! No what I’m trying to say is there was no cash, I know it’s two days later but maybe somebody!!! Somebody would have?»
«Ok, you were here Sunday?»
«I was there on Sunday we sat on the side booth and a girl with purple hair waited on us – AHHHHHHHHHHHH! AHHHHHHHH! I’m sorry»
«You found it?»
«I found it.»
«Thank you!!! Thank you for answering and listening to my nervous breakdown.»
As I sifted the side pocket of my bag in the back of my car, the wallet was there. Who put my wallet in the side pocket though? I hang up the phone.
Anyway, I race back to the café with the cute barista who smiled and who then threw his hands up like wha’ happened. I shake my head.
«My wallet wasn’t in my car, and then it was.»
Confused look, he gives me.
«I went all the way home and it really was in the back of my car like I thought.»
«Ah» he says.
Then he tells me he saw me walk to my car and then he saw my car speed off and he said ah well. That was actually funny to me.
I order the most delicious Strawberry and Feta salad (holding the cheese no bubble guts – I’m lactose) and the pasta, because now, I really deserve it.
I tip him biggle (a little big) because after all I really did just have a nervous breakdown in his café and he was there to bare witness the lighter half of the event. I will say though, the salad, latte, and pasta was most exquisite – two hours later. Do you see the little pieces of kiwi up there? LAwwwwd ha’ mercy.
That being said…
Tadaaa! The dressing wasn’t great, so get it on the side, perhaps a sweeter vinegary one would suffice. I got mine on the side, but I dumped it all in before tasting. Like I said. Issues.
Strawberry Feta Salad (no feta, lol) — see pics.
Big Mango Café (not during rush hour, at lunch time good luck) — see pics.
The little plates aesthetically stacked like-​so. It really does it for me. — see pics.
Big Mango Café (not during rush hour, at lunch time good luck) — see pics.
This is actually a story/​review published at lalanii dot com. :-)

The food here is so fresh and all the dishes I’ve tried have just the right blend of flavors. I never am able to leave any food on my plate because it’s just so good! My favorite is the strawberry feta salad: yummmmm-​y!
Parking is easy (ample street parking in front of the park across the street).
Service is really good too, the people are just really friendly, helpful and genuinely seem to appreciate your business. I love this place, I only wish I worked closer to it!

This is a great spot for lunch if you’re in the area.
I will suggest you might want to call and order ahead because the lunch rush does have a line that goes out the door on occasion. I usually order the specials (salads or sandwiches) and both are really yummy 95% of the time. There have been a few times where I felt like the portions were smaller than I expected and I was left hungry and scouring for a bag of chips at 3pm.
Definitely recommend the brussel sprout slaw — it’s my personal favorite here!

Usually I’m a repeat offender at a lunch spot because of the belly pleasing healthy stuff I find myself pondering before that time each day I can break out of the office and make a mad dash for grub.
But this place has me coming back for the high fives and warm words I exchange with staff each time I’m there. The counter crew are jolly and genuinely warm folks who offer the best sustenance there is.
Not to mention their power salad, tofu wrap and eponymous mango mash…
I just wish they were open for dinner!

This place is a gem in a field of corporate buildings… literally. Plus it’s right across the street from a fantastic outdoor area with a body of water and geese (if you’re into geese).
I’ve had a variety of sandwiches and salads here and haven’t been disappointed. Chinese chicken salad, seared tuna salad, beef brisket sandwich, seared tuna burger and bay city sandwich are all really tasty in different ways. It is a bit expensive (~$ 10/​meal), but is okay for the quality of food you get and the amazing service of the staff.
Just be warned that during peak lunch hours, there are a lot of customers from the surrounding buildings and seating can be scarce.

Boy am I glad to have found Big Mango Café, as the roulette of worthy restaurants accessible from my office had become so focused on dietarily detrimental (yet delicious!) spots that I could almost hear my cholesterol crying for respite. This is largely a healthy restaurant; and though «healthy» usually equates to sacrificing either satiety, taste, or both, Big Mango amazingly retains each of these qualities, and still manages to keep the meal at under $ 10.
The menu consists mainly of salads and sandwiches, but they also have a menu of specials that changes weekly and includes a new salad, sandwich, taco, wrap, and meal to choose from. I’ve been wanting to try something off their main menu, but I’ve been so enticed by their specials that I’m usually decided before I even get there.
Their salads are fresh, creative combinations that still manage to be healthy. My first time here, I ordered the Great Greek Salad (the salad of the week). In addition to including the standard Greek salad ingredients (bell peppers, Kalamata olives, cucumbers, feta cheese), instead of the more common romaine lettuce, the base greens were kale and spinach – a testament to both their creativity and commitment to nutrition. It was also topped with a generous helping of hummus, stuffed grape leaf wraps, and feta chips, which went on to make it a filling meal without breaking the calorie bank.
Subsequent visits have been equally interesting, with the specials often focusing on seasonal ingredients. Delicious example: toward the end of the fall season, they had a wonderful winter persimmon-​themed salad that included candied walnuts and goat cheese.
There are a few other nice touches that elevate them above the mean. For one, they go easy on the dressing. There are countless salad places that mask sub-​par ingredients with dressing, only to end up with that sad pool off dressing glop on the bottom of your dish. Big Mango keeps the dressing to a guilt-​free minimum, and instead relies on the natural tastes of its ingredients for flavor, which are as fresh as can be.
Also of note is the EXCELLENT service. Owners/​Chefs Jonathan and Adam are so considerate and friendly that you will undoubtedly walk out with a smile on your face. Also, the staff is lightning fast: I often get my food before I’ve even fully sat down. Amazingly, the food comes out just as fast even when ordering my salad without tomatoes (my kryptonite) – proving that they are making each one fresh instead of pulling them out pre-​mixed from a fridge.
And if you feel tempted to give in to your vices, they also have a nice selection of coffees and desserts. I’ve had their chocolate chip cookie (which was the owner’s first recommendation), and it was quite stellar: moist and full of semi-​sweet chips, with more of a deep chocolate flavor than a sugary one. Proof that Big Mango isn’t only here when you feel like being healthy.
Open on weekdays for breakfast or lunch. Located on the inner side (Waterfront Drive) of the corporate building off Centinela. Street parking is abound.

Really neat, friendly open space in shiny new Playa Vista, just a few blocks away from the YouTube Space LA. Portions are huge and the variety and your ability to customize your salad or sandwich is everything.
I had the ahi tuna sandwich today on buttery brioche with a side of mango kiwi salsa which I wasn’t sure I’d finish until the moment I realized I had the last bite in hand. What a neat find. The food came in like 2 minutes, too.
They also offer takeaway salads and pasta that are in the $ 9 range. And they have a Maine Root soda machine on hand — all the Mexican Coke and Mandarin Orange soda you can drink. Just wished there would’ve been ginger ale.
What a fun lunch place to take a friend.