Mahana Fresh - Idaho Falls

I was really grateful to find a restaurant with so many vegetarian and gluten free options when I visited Idaho Falls on my way to the Craters of the Moon National Monument! It was awesome that everything was labeled incredibly clearly, and the staff was both knowledgeable about the ingredients in their food but also incredibly patient, kind, and accommodating of my dietary restrictions. Their app and website are also incredibly informative and have full lists of the ingredients and nutritional information for each menu item. Although Mahana Fresh was undeniably accessible and accommodating, the food itself was...alright. It was certainly refreshing to have some fresh vegetables and a vegetarian option that actually contained protein in it after a long road trip filled with...none of those things, but I don 't think I could see myself wanting to frequent this spot if I actually lived in town. The honey sriracha brussels sprouts were tasty and delightfully spicy, but a bit too sweet for my taste (which, of course, I should have guessed from the word honey in the name). The sesame ginger broccoli was solid, and the bites of garlicky cilantro green beans that I stole from my dad 's plate were also quite delicious. My mom 's roasted sweet potatoes were, unfortunately, overcooked and way too salty, yet simultaneously lacking in flavor. Also, while I understand that Mahana Fresh is a fast casual restaurant, many of the vegetables and proteins were all kept over the hot plate of death for what seemed like many hours, so nothing really felt fresh. I did really enjoy the sesame garlic tofu, though, although I would have preferred to have the protein warmed (it was served cold, which was odd, considering that all of the other proteins, aside from the poke, were kept warm...although, in hindsight, considering how the vegetables fared over the hot plate, perhaps having cold tofu was a blessing in disguise). The citrus ginger was solid it was basically like the carrot ging

I love this place!! I came here for a quick lunch and it was really affordable (the kid?s portion was more than enough for my lunch serving), and DELICIOUS! The service was awesome too. The kid?s serving usually comes with 1 veggie, but they let me do half-and-half with 2 veggies, which I really appreciated. There was also a generous helping of meat. I?m so happy I found this place! (I will say that the brownie was pricey and not very good?it was pretty oily)

While the staff member who assisted us was friendly, it was evident that the rest of the team didn't support him, treating him poorly in front of customers, which was uncomfortable to witness. Now, onto the food. This place is often recommended as a healthy option in Idaho Falls, especially for those passing through the upper western U.S. They can still claim to be healthy, but the quality and flavor of the food left much to be desired. I opted to build my own bowl with cold noodles, green beans, potatoes, and teriyaki chicken, avoiding the raw ahi tuna after seeing it. Overall, the bowl was disappointing. The chicken was decent but lacked flavor, the potatoes were my favorite part, and the green beans were uninspiring. The wasabi creamy sauce needed more kick, and the cilantro vinaigrette tasted overly sweet. I definitely suggest ordering sauces on the side if you go. In conclusion, I wouldn’t recommend this place unless you’re truly desperate for a non-fried meal. If that's the case, you might as well opt for Chili's or Olive Garden in town instead.

I had a great experience at Mahana Fresh! The food was delicious, made with high-quality ingredients, and they offer vegan options, which I really appreciated. Their menu clearly indicates which items are vegan and/or gluten-free, eliminating any confusion. Plus, the app allows you to specify any food allergies you may have. I went for the Mahana bowl with garlic tofu, roasted mushrooms, and Buffalo cauliflower, topped with a coconut sweet potato sauce. The bowl was light yet perfectly balanced between being healthy and flavorful. The prices were also quite reasonable. As a traveler in Idaho, I found the vegan food options limited, but I was thrilled to enjoy a bowl at Mahana Fresh!

Quick dining with healthy choices! The citrus ginger sauce is absolutely delicious; it's tangy and my husband says its texture is similar to hot sauce. The key lime chicken starts with a vibrant burst of flavor that gradually diminishes, and it's quite filling. I really enjoy the sweetness of the coconut rice! The atmosphere is charming, and the staff is incredibly friendly!