California-Based Tender Greens Arrives in the Boston Area Today

A growing fast-casual restaurant chain from California lands in New England today, opening its doors in Chestnut Hill. Tender Greens (49 Boylston St.) introduces the first of two planned regional restaurants on Monday, April 9, debuting at the Street, and another location is slated to open at Copley Place in Back Bay (100 Huntington Ave.) in August.

While its name may suggest salads, Tender Greens serves other items as well, with a menu including sandwiches and more. Likened to a “blend between Sweetgreen and Dig Inn,” per Eater NY, Tender Greens has lunch and dinner menus featuring a variety of proteins, including herbed tuna, chipotle barbecue chicken, and marinated steak. Sides include seasonal vegetables and mashed potatoes, and other options range from a fried chicken sandwich to roasted tomato soup. (Eater NY critic Ryan Sutton recommends the fried chicken, calling it “one of [New York City’s] best spicy fried chicken sandwiches.”)

Daily specials depend on what’s available seasonally, and Tender Greens has partnered with a range of regional producers and farmers to source its ingredients.

Sarah Storrer/Tender Greens

Liz Clayman/Tender Greens

Tender Greens got its start in Los Angeles, and with help from a 2015 investment from Danny Meyer of the Union Square Hospitality Group (which counts Shake Shack among its holdings), the brand has been able to expand, opening its first location outside of California, in New York City, in February. The Chestnut Hill restaurant is number 28 for the chain.

Chestnut Hill’s Tender Greens accommodates 60 people inside and during seasonal months will have 25 patio seats available. It’s open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For a look at the full menu, see below.

• Restaurant That’s a ‘Blend Between Sweetgreen & Dig Inn’ Is Coming to Back Bay [EBOS]
• Tender Greens Coverage on Eater [EBOS]