Caleb W.
Yelp
Native Foods is greenwashing. Window ad deceptively shows ceramic plates, but some dine-in customers are served food in disposable plastic containers with single-use utensils (packet containing plastic fork, spoon, and knife).
Customers prefer dine-in food to be served on ceramic plates with metal utensils because it is aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly.
Reusable dishware uses far less energy and resources over its lifetime, often thousands of uses in a restaurant, than its disposable counterparts.
Photos on Yelp from customers at the four Chicago Native Foods locations show that these Native Foods restaurants have ceramic plates and metal utensils in their possession, but some dine-in customers are not given use of them.
There are no recycle bins in dining rooms of Native Foods restaurants.
Chicago Blue Cart Recycling Program accepts plastic bottles and containers (#1-5, 7 accepted), but unfortunately unnumbered plastic utensils are not recyclable. If you have a carry-out order, then let restaurants know that you do not need plastic utensils.
Artwork on the Native Foods dining room wall states, "Every day is Earth Day," but they disregard this message by producing unnecessary trash.
It is good that dine-in customers are given reusable drinking glasses and not paper or plastic cups.
I had the cauliflower chickpea shawarma for $12.75. This entrée is satisfactory, though should be priced around $10.00 to $11.00. I would have given 4/5 stars had they not served my food in a trash container.
I will edit this review if Native Foods changes their wasteful ways.
If you decide to dine here and care about the environment and wildlife, then express concern and ask for reusable dishware.
