Came here today for the first time and it will be my last time. The prices were high for the LITTLE amount of food you get. I ordered a salad with no protein on it and it was $12 and all it had was lettuce and some garnish on it, nothing special and definitely was not worth the price. The size of the salad was tiny and I was still starving after. My friend ordered the turkey BLT and it was $9.5 and the sandwich was tiny and there were no side dish that was served with it, I mean for $9.5 you should serve a least a serve a small side salad to accompany the small size sandwich at least. The ordering part is super confusing too. Oh and then when I was waiting for my salad to be made... There was a small child riding his scooter inside the restaurant and the child ran over my foot. I told the manager about what happened and she didn't seem to care at all that there is a child riding around your brand new restaurant and running over your guests feet. Oh my oh my.
(1)
T G.
The place has a good vibe. Healthy food, which is a rarity in this town. I'd be willing to revise my rating and give them a chance as they work out the kinks, but my negatives are as follows. #1 negative by far is the portions. They are TINY. I had the Agra plate with Seared Tofu. It cost $14.xx, including two sides, and it was barely enough for me, especially the tofu itself was really small portion. This almost never happens, as I'm a light eater. Just doesn't cut it for a fast casual restaurant. I also tried a sandwich the next time (Salmon, I think) - same story - the sandwich was miniscule, definitely not a full meal. Secondly, the food itself - its decent, but could have been better. The tofu was very salty. The brown rice was dried or uncooked. There were large chunks in the rice that felt like I was eating raw rice. Thirdly, the menu. Its confusing and difficult to navigate. They've a lot of employees milling about asking to help the customers (not sure why - I'd rather have a restaurant with more people working on the food), but why not just have a clear menu. The online menu has no prices. Why would you do that? I'd like to like this place and am willing to give it another chance or two, given they're new in town.
(2)
Robert S.
Great organic foodand free range proteins. Outdoor patio is very inviting. Highly recommend!
(5)
Patrycia M.
I was happy when I found out a healthy, fast, casual place was opening up and couldn't wait to go try it! When we arrived we were greeted by a manager who explained the menu to us. There is a lot to chose from! We ended up ordering the scallop salad and the basil, turkey, bacon sandwich. The ordering process was kind of weird. We had to place our order at one end, then walk by the area where they made the food, and pay at the other end. I wasn't sure where to play my drink order, so they confusingly brought out too many. The food arrived and like someone previously said in a review, the portions are small! We payed around 38.00 for a salad, sandwich, and a glass or wine, so I expected a hefty portion for that price, but man I was still hungry after my meal! The food was good, but I think for the price you should get a lot more!
(3)
Cassidy L.
So, I come here a little too often. The food is great. It's more of "deli" in a sense. You can customize your meal as much as you want which is great if you're picky like me. I normally just walk over and get food to go quick. I've had the sirarcha chicken salad, the beet salad, and the bahn mi. The bahn mi was my favorite but they are all amazing. It's a great place to pick up food quick for dinner or lunch. Brunch looks amazing too. They have their calories posted which is nice for calorie conscious eaters. Despite the low calories, the food still has great taste.
(5)
Dharmesh D.
I am down rating from 5 to 3 because today's food sucked. I had tomato soup which could be anything but tomato soup. It does not even taste close to tomato soup. On top of it, there is so much black pepper in it that my thought is burning because of it. 1 star for soup. Soup comes with bread. Bread looks fresh but they didn't give any butter. When I asked for butter they gave me a cold butter which I cannot even spread. Porridge is not good and not bad, just ok. It's unfortunate that they can make some things from their menu so delicious and some so bad. My advice take things off which you can't cook.
(3)
Marilyn C.
This was my first Agra "experience" and went early afternoon, which means the place was pretty empty. The menu is display on large LED screens broken up by sections of the menu. This would work better if only the available foods for time of day were displayed so they could save ordering time on drink selection instead of the laminated drink cards I was shown, and they do have a large beverage selection. The agra plate menu should be defined more, when you are ordering a protein, you receive 4 oz of protein. When I asked the server how many oz were served, he had to ask the chef. This makes a difference on how much a person will order and perhaps that should be clearly spelled out on the menu. The hot sides and cold sides are clearly spelled out, the ambiguity comes with the protein and the sauces. I wasn't sure how this was going to be presented to me, and I should have asked, but I wanted to see what they would do. This is their show. Everything on a plate is segregated. For some people they really love this, perhaps for OCD reasons. Others, may want it all mixed together. Whatever way you want it, they leave it to you, the customer, to mix it all up. Bonus points: Healthy Choices. The quinoa is not over-priced. The produce is fresh and bright. The Service was fast, friendly and if the server didn't know, he asked. Too many people act like they know what they are talking about and will fake an answer. I was not unpleasantly surprised with anything. The set up is like formal fast food, you get real plates, silverware in a community holder on each table and you have the napkin dispenser. Seasoning was good, though I wasn't expecting the kick with the broccolini, but, I like the punch of flavor. Others might not, probably best to ask. Recommendation to the guest. If you are going to order an Agra Plate, be specific on how you want your plate. They will accommodate your tastes or you can be like me and they will probably go on the safe side, but remember, they are not microwaving your food and making it to order. I was lucky, it was slow so service was fast. I loved how they had the order displays for the cooks/chefs so they could use a large touch screen to get through service. The kitchen staff also had men and WOMEN on the line. A diverse workplace that represents the diversity of our city. And, they care about what they are doing. All wins. Clean, shiny and new.
(5)
Daisy L.
It seems unnecessary to have two counters/cashiers - one for some drinks (apparently not raw juices anymore?), and one for food (which apparently does do raw juices now?). So, one lunch, two transactions. Overly pricey too... Probably will not return.
(2)
G S.
Everything was great! Service was friendly. The food was fresh, hot, healthy, and delicious! Great concept! I will definitely be returning soon, and bringing friends! I'm thankful to have found this place
(5)
Lorraine N.
Split a few items with my buddy and we left there satisfied and full. We had the chicken cobb salad and some grilled salmon with Thai sauce and brown rice. It was nice portions and decent quality. I really loved how the salad greens were cut in a Chiffonade fashion. This made it easy to eat. They have very large booths to sit and relax in and they are private because there are large wooden walls surrounding. If you prefer light sit up close to the front and you will get a little view of people passing by. A solid choice!
(4)
Jonathan T.
With a huge wall covered in leafy vines, gorgeous dark woods present throughout, and a menu that's seemingly "back-to-basics," Agra is the restaurant the Garden of Eden never had. (Not really sure if restaurants existed back then. Probably not?) Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that this biz is hella sexy, like a woman that knows how to cook, regularly weight-lifts, and is crazy smart. (Like my girlfriend! Awww.) I stopped in for a late lunch the other day, and creaked my head back to peruse through their somewhat cumbersome menu (that is so long, it requires six large monitors) of tasty and healthy bites. I opted for The American, (an omelet filled with nitrate-free bacon, organic spinach, truffled mushrooms, onion, cheddar, and parsley) with a side of Truffled Mushroom Mix (shiitake, beech & oyster mushrooms, thyme, garlic, and truffle oil). If you want some eggy bliss, then consider stuffing your face with this omelet. It's decently sized, cooked gently and has a great fluff to it, and pretty damn delicious. I think the parsley is a nice touch. Not the best omelet you'll ever have, but pretty damn good considering the area. Regarding the Truffled Mushroom Mix side, it's delicious, but I am a truffle oil slut. Anyways, it could have used more shiitake, since it was just mostly oyster (which doesn't cost as much). A couple reasons why this place doesn't get the coveted fifth star: 1) Yes, I will always pay the premium to support local and eat great food, but I do think some things could come down a couple dollars. However, I don't think it's as expensive as others have reported. 2) There must be a better way to display the menu! Whether it's the height of them that are filled to the brim with items or the tiny text that's too small to read, I think there's room for improvements. Definitely will be back! I dig it.
(4)
Katie M.
Agra Culture has an outstanding concept: healthy, thoughtfully sourced, and quick meals. The #1 thing that originally drew me to this restaurant was the fact that they label for Paleo meals, a first in Minneapolis (or so I assume). It's great going to a restaurant and not feeling like you have to ask for a million different substitutions. Nobody likes to be "that girl" (I usually am). I imagine that vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free folks can benefit from this labeling too. A common complaint when their restaurant first opened was that the prices were too high considering the small portions. Maybe it's my imagination, but I do think the portions have gotten larger over the last 3 months. Good job, Agra Culture. Some menu favorites of mine include: -Beef with chimichurri Agra Plate (choose your own protein/protein subsitute and accompanying side - great concept) -Broccolini -Nutty Espresso (espresso smoothie, essentially) -Gluten-free chocolate chip cookie -Agra Harvest salad Things I don't love: -No parking -The fact that my DRIP COFFEE was $4.30 - that is just fuggin' ridiculous. -Their scones (bland) Things I hope to see in the future: -WholeMe products! WholeMe is a local Paleo bars/cereal company and I wish they carried their products and/or had their granola on the menu as a breakfast option. -A punch card of some sort (Buy 9 Agra plates get your 10th free?!) -A location in North Loop because I'm moving out of Uptown soon and will def miss this place
(4)
Michael A.
Fresh, healthy, delicious food has arrived in Uptown! Agra Culture is a welcome addition to the growing restaurant scene in S. Mpls. This fast-casual concept believes that healthy food should be accessible to everyone. Salads, sandwiches, protein/veggie plates and juices/smoothies are freshly prepared after you order. Prices are a bit on the higher-end, but it's all in favor of supporting organic & GMO free farmers & artisans. Yes! The citrus beet salad was a tasty combination of butter lettuce, arugula, gold beets, red beets, chioggia beets, orange, mint, blue cheese, pistachios, orange mint yogurt dressing & a reduced balsamic drizzle. Paired with sunshine fresh juice (apple, carrot, lemon, ginger) it throughly satisfied my hunger after a day on the lake. I look forward to coming back to try the steak salad, an agra plate filled with seared tuna & the chicken chili soup. The farm scrambles also look amazing for a fun brunch option after a busy weekend morning workout. As with any new restaurants... ordering (where do I order, where do I pay?) and menu display boards (what, I can't see the entire menu at once? I have to wait for the menu to change every 10 seconds?) are a bit clunky feeling, but will most most likely get worked out over time.
(4)
Erin G.
Lunch break the other day brought me here. I try to stay healthy and they list their macros for their nutrition on their website so I had some ideas about what I wanted before I came in. I got the scallop salad and it was really good. I skipped the shoestring potatoes but everything else was delish. The girl at the counter was really nice too. I want to come back and try everything. All the salads looked amazing. I wish there was one closer to home. Any restaurant that lists their nutrition is a HUGE plus in my book.
(5)
Henok T.
This is a sleek, stylish place that should be doing much better. I'm surprised that it's not busier (because it has many of the latest health-conscious eating choices built into its business) but one glaring issue is the ridiculously cluttered menu. The food is actually good. I had the salmon salad sandwich which gave me the option of choosing either GF or paleo bread. I chose the latter but they said they didn't have it. So they offered to make the sandwich "bunless" to which I obliged. I just wish this place was more simple and converted to an actual sit-down restaurant instead of fast casual a la Panera. It's too fancy to be a fast casual kind of place IMO.
(3)
Tammy L.
I guess it's a trend, and Agra Culture picked the PERFECT location for this trend. The ambiance will definitely attract customers. The food is decent for what it is. I built my own Agra Plate with cage free chicken, sriracha sauce, quinoa, and seasonal hash. Again, it was decent, but I'll probably never eat here again.
(3)
Brian S.
Agra Culture deserves one star for its silly name, 4.5 stars for its great food and 2 stars for accessibility. How does that add up to an aggregate 4 stars? Because the food is the most important thing. My reviews of this and other restaurants in the Twin Cities are influenced by the fact that I'm on the paleo diet, which greatly narrows the scope of things I can eat. Interested in giving up rice, oats, breads and other grain-related things, as well as dairy, sugar, soy, potatoes, most oils and alcohol? No? Then stay far, far away from the paleo diet. I'm temporarily on it for health reasons, and I was thrilled to discover that Agra Culture serves a number of paleo-friendly dishes. I've liked everything I've eaten here, but more notably, the build-your-own salad prepared with vegan kale dressing and scallops might be the best salad I've ever had. It's actually not a build-your-own salad; it's a have-them-build-your-own salad. When ordering, you'll fill out a card and hand it to an employee, who will get busy with preparations. I'm a sucker for fresh-squeezed vegetable juice. Agra Culture has it, but it's a let-down because each cup is maybe 30 percent pulp. For a more intense and tasty fresh-juice experience, check out The Wedge. Parking near Agra Culture is never convenient. Even when there's an open space nearby off Lake Street, it's a bit of a hike to get to the nearest meter. That's not fun when the wind chill is below freezing -- nor is sitting near the door inside the restaurant. Seat yourself toward the rear on chilly days. An abnormally large parking lot right across the street from Agra Culture apparently is reserved for McDonald's patrons. It's always empty, which I suppose speaks well to Minnesotans' good taste in food. It's a shame that wasted space can't benefit Agra Culture and its neighbors. There's free Wi-Fi; you'll be prompted to click "OK" on a welcome screen in your browser.
(4)
Keona J.
Always fresh and delicious! I love the build your own salad and their natural ingredient fountain soda. Yum!
(5)
Jen W.
Beautiful space and great idea. But. Just ordering took forever b/c no one can figure out how the menu works (I don't even think the staff gets it b/c at one point there were 3 workers trying to figure out the register). There were 4 of us and our food was brought to our table individually so that the last person was served 20 after the first person got their food. Not what we had in mind when we decided to go out to eat together. I ordered the Asian salad which was delivered without any dressing at all. I tried to eat it only to discover that there were no forks in the little pot at my table. "You can grab a fork from a different table," a worker not helpfully suggested. Yeah, I can. I can also not deal with this again.
(2)
Paul G.
I ate here for the first time on my birthday. Ordered the Agra Plate with: seared wild salmon and kale pesto, broccolini, quinoa, and bulletproof coffee. The food and the coffee were great! Waiting time was minimal. About a third of the seats were full on Thursday afternoon. It would be nice if they had an additional board for beverages. I would definitely eat there again.
(5)
Suzanne P.
Twice to two different Agra Culture*s in one week - OMG, I think I love this place... Came here for breakfast since seeing the Muesli on the menu at the Edina location. I saw it, got ridiculously excited because apparently I am 95 years old and hot cereal gets me all jazzed. Jazzy, it wasn't of course, but it was good! Hot cereal with Greek yogurt, a little milk, nuts, coconut shavings (mmm) and fresh fruit. If there's a dish that can get me excited about fruit, it's a miracle. You also have the option of adding a large Dogwood drip coffee for $1.50, but beware, I had to point out that it was priced this way on the menu and almost was charged the normal $4.00. Staff here was SO NICE! Everyone was chipper, but not overly chipper, and happy to help the customers who were all there to get their breakfast on. More expensive than I would normally pay for breakfast ($7.00 total) but dang, I like this place so much that it's worth it. This might be a dangerous habit for good food... *Why isn't it Agri Culture?
In. Love. The first restaurant in the Twin Cities (and state, probably) that lists paleo options on the menu! This is huge, folks. I mean, at least for me and a lot of my friends/family! Not only do they have awesome options that I don't have to cater to fit my dietary needs; the food is amazing! So fresh and innovative. Pretty too. And as a food blogger I love me some pretty food almost as much as I love tasty food. I've had a few of the salads and the paleo scone, which was awesome. Plus a few of the smoothies/juices. So far the only thing that I would not get again is the Greenie because it literally tastes like drinking parsley. That one would be much better if the parsley was removed (hint, hint). Anyways, I will likely be there from now on at least a couple times a week. So if you see me, say hello :)
(5)
Daisy N.
Organic, healthy and delicious right in the heart of Uptown. Plus, atmosphere and ambiance. LOVE!
(5)
Johnny J.
Great food! However LITERALLY the longest wait in the world. Like you show up order your food, and it arrives no sooner than 47 1/2 mins later. Going to your local 5 star restaurant, you're guaranteed to be half way through your entre before you receive your food at this place. They claim to be under staffed but utilize TWO stoves instead of one. Especially during your peak prime time during dinner. Honestly I don't think this place is worth my money.
(1)
Emily N.
I want to start by saying this concept is fantastic! It's food made fast, it's exceptionally healthy, and the fact that they label for paleo MIGHT be a first in Minneapolis! The press juices are all organic, and the meats are either all-natural or wild-caught. I was hoping for organic meat for the prices. The salads are fantastic though, the ingredients are wholesome, nutritious and fresh. The Agra plate concept is a nice touch - pick your protein, sauce & 2 sides - I believe this is around $17 depending on your protein. The website is great, love how simple it is and the food photos are a bright addition, but there are no prices! Really? I'm hoping they are still working on the website, prices really should be added. Bonus that nutritional info is included, this is wonderful. The menu inside the restaurant is 5 large boards perched above the made-to-order area, there are no handheld menus, which in my opinion could be useful. The prices appear for everything but the add-on protein, and mind you, the shrimp addition to a salad is $8! That is very steep. I ordered the Nicoise salad, a side of the cauliflower tabbouleh and a glass of white wine, with tax this came up to around $30, far too expensive for the quantity. The Nicoise with the seared cold tuna was great - loved the flavors and the dressing was not overwhelming, but it should really be about $10 - this is a lunch sized portion. The cauliflower was good but I would have liked more flavor in the way it was seasoned/prepared. I ordered the deconstructed sushi salad to go for my boyfriend, it was $13 (again, it should be about $10). And I ordered a side of the harissa yam wedges - mind you, all sides are $4.50 (and if you order 3 they are $13). He got 5 yam wedges for $4.50 - this is laughable, I would not have ordered this had I known. This portion and price is not at all matched, they are simple wedges with a simple sauce. In my opinion, the sides should not be over $2.50-3.00 for what you receive. I want to give this place more stars because what they are doing is new for Minneapolis, and this is the kind of food I seek out and enjoy - but the prices are far too high for the portion/s received. The space is nice, casual, and there is outdoor seating. The prices were surprising, and I think they should be lowered at least $2-3 for each salad.
(3)
Alli S.
Everything here is delicious. Some of my favorites are the arugula detox salad and nutty espresso blended drink. The kale/prosciutto egg sandwich is AMAZING. Nice place to get a healthier meal in a pretty, fast-casual style space. I would skip the juiced drinks though- too expensive and sugary. Highly recommend everything else.
(5)
Avneet S.
I had very high hopes for Agra Culture, and I am willing to stick it out with them while they work out the kinks. I do really love the feel of the space. It's full of dark wood but is still airy and bright with great high ceilings. However, ordering was a bit confusing. They had 5 or 6 staff walking around the front guiding everyone to how to order. Not sure how the line would work if there were more than a few people waiting, as the line starts as far away from the front entrance as humanly possible. Additionally, the food menus aren't immediately visible - you have to walk around to the start of the line to see them. I think some signs may help. I had the citrus beet salad, and the Thai Greens juice. The juice was REALLY tasty, and the exact mix of sweet and herbal that I was looking for. The salad was good, but it had a lot of strong, bitter flavors going on and could have benefitted from more than one giant garnish leaf of butter lettuce or maybe some avocado to soften the bite of the arugula, citrus, and blue cheese. It was also really on the small side for $13. I don't mind paying for quality, but it was super tiny. Next time I might go with one of the agra plates post-run instead of relying on a salad to refuel - but I sort of expect to be full after dropping $22 on a meal. I'm going to be back in the next few weeks, and really hope that I can bump my rating up a star.
(3)
Mary L.
I have eaten here 4 times now. Only once has my order been correct. The first time I ordered the Cobb salad, they forgot the bacon. The second time the salad was great. The third time they forgot the blue cheese and bacon. I went back (it was a to go order) and had them fix it. Then I got back to work and realized there were no almonds. The fourth time I ordered through bite squad (from their other location) and they didn't put on the bacon or almonds. I usually don't complain about little mistakes like this- but... how hard is it to put the proper ingredients on a salad? I've never asked for something 'without' and never added anything- so it should be pretty straight forward. I called after my 3rd experience and they said they would email me a free meal, which I have yet to receive 1 week later. For a $12 salad- I'd rather go elsewhere, because I don't trust that they'll ever get my order right.
(2)
Julie M.
We were there for the juices this time, but looked at the menu and want to go back for the food! It is on the pricey side, but it is also organic so we expect that. It is a quiet darker atmosphere (we were there on a Sunday around noon) and pleasant to relax at one of the big front tables and watch the cold outside (although it wasn't overly warm inside--which maybe is just by the windows). The Maca Tropicali and Nutty Espresso blended drinks were great. My only real complaint is I wish they had a good selection of "snacks" to have with your drinks. It's mostly a meal menu.
(4)
Laura S.
Craving a healthy salad in Minneapolis...checked Yelp for the "best salads"...Agra came up and we loved it. Sat outside at both locations (yes, we went to both on separate nights) and it really hit the healthy spot. And they were right next to or near a Yogurt Lab for the best FroYo in town. A twofer that made the meal great.
(5)
Madeleine H.
Major props to this restaurant for offering several great vegan options that aren't duplicated at other nearby restaurants. Agra has many well-marked items that are already vegan or easily veganizable. My favorite item is the Agra plate, a customizable dish I order with vegan chicken (it's Gardein, I'm told), romesco sauce, and a couple of side dishes. My favorite side dishes are the seasonal hash, roasted yam wedges, truffled mushroom mix, and grapefruit segments sprinkled with rosemary and pepper flakes. The salads are also very fresh and good. I often order the Greek or kale salad with no cheese, and sometimes add the vegan chicken to the salads. The portions are not large and the food is somewhat expensive for a concept described as fast casual. However, the food quality is several notches above what you'd find at most fast casual places. The location near 50th and France is also solid and has a nice, pergola-ed patio for summertime dining.
(4)
Chris L.
Been here twice now and enjoyed what I've had from a quality/taste perspective. Nice aesthetics for a fast casual restaurant, earnest service and good menu choices make for a welcome addition to our neighborhood. Good kids choices at reasonable prices assist in the value proposition for us. Have tried the beef agra plate and a shrimp-added salad -- both were tasty. I suppose one drawback -- perhaps major for some -- is the small portion size for the price. I ordered a $17 beet agra plate and while it was enough for me on this new, grain-free diet, I'd have been sorrily disappointed back in my overeating days. Which I presume is in fact the point, but you'd better know this going in. You pay sit-down prices for fast casual food, albeit the quality is there. We've included AgraCulture in our regular Uptown with the kids rotation.
(4)
Sarah S.
The food is five stars. The wait time is one star. I waited over a half hour in line and then another half hour for my food. It's delicious for sure, but this is not somewhere to pop in for a quick meal.
(3)
Grace H.
I am a health food fan and will continue to come here based on that but the service is just terrible. All the food never comes out at the same time and it takes over a half hour to get the food. Also if you plan on running to Agra culture for a quick juice plan on it taking 30 minutes, I know they are fresh squeezed but never have I been to a place where it takes that long. There just doesn't seem like there is a sense of urgency to get the food to the guest.
(3)
Erik B.
Decent food, just a few dollars over priced. Drop the menu prices by a buck or two and I'll become a regular. Or if you keep your prices the same at least give me a coupon to yogurt lab!
(3)
Katie W.
This place is the jam. So much flavor and super healthy dishes. I get take out from here often and would recommend to anyone and everyone. So nom.
Came here with a group of 8 or so when family was in town. We had a wide range of dietary needs/preferences & from what I recall everyone was very pleased. Yes, it's on the pricey side but the food seemed to be very high quality. They also will make you a bulletproof coffee which is a nice perk in my book. I've only been there once but hopefully that changes soon.
(5)
Scott K.
Tasty, healthy spot. A little pricey but you're not getting food pumped up with hormones and GMO's. I'll pay more for food that doesn't make me feel funny.
(5)
Josh R.
Been here 3 times now. Great food. But the ordering process is clunky. Menus are difficult to read. Friendly group. Just will take a bit for them to work through the issues.
(4)
Jeremy C.
No, this mediocre rating is not based on price. Although, they did try to charge me $5 for a single shot Americano - a preposterous price considering coffee pros like Dogwood and Spyhouse charge much less. Alright, back to our regularly scheduled review. Minneapolis finally has a fast-casual seasonal, local, healthy (insert every food trend possible) place. But based on my multiple visits, I think they need to still work out the "fast" part of this concept. The service is the issue here. I've waited too long for someone to finally recognize my presence and actually take my order at the register. This has happened multiple times. And in one instance, it took nearly 15 minutes to construct a seemingly simple Kale pesto and Prosciutto egg sandwich. Now let's get to the food. Refreshing is the key word. Simple, pure food and nicely seasoned, Agra Culture does a good job at demystifying the "healthy is boring" concept. The portions are small to the relatively big Midwestern-sized plates, but nonetheless they're ideal. It's not about excess here - it's about quality. The salads are perfectly dressed without weighing down on the lettuce and even though the breakfast sandwich seemed painstakingly long to make, the pesto was fragrant while the fresh parmesan added a subtle saltiness. Agra culture is a promising and welcoming new addition to the Uptown neighborhood, considering all the surrounding joints serve more grease than the hair styles of its douchebag patrons (except for you Coup d'Etat). Just please, pretty please, make your service more desirable than the inconsistent wait times I've consistently encountered.
(3)
Keely N.
The paleo chocolate chip cookies are TOP NOTCH! The food is equally fantastic, adequately priced, and also primarily paleo friendly (a rare find in Minneapolis.) As someone who frequently cooks with good fats, clean meats, and organic, plant-based foods, Agra actually tastes like "home cooking," which is SO EXCITING to find in a restaurant! I've ordered the salmon with romesco sauce and brussel sprout salad, chicken with kale pesto and simple salad, kale chorizo soup with scallops and quinoa... all superbly delicious. But seriously, the paleo chocolate chip cookies... Ooh, and also the massive wall of REAL PLANTS! Yes, the plant wall.
(5)
Ashu C.
I was driving around town and decided to do some shopping around this area. This restaurant was by where I parked and I was starving. I decided to go in and it looked like it just opened. Turns out it opened only about 3 months ago. There was no line, so the service was great. The food was also surprisingly good and fresh. The best was the Hash because it was so flavorful in all the right ways!
(4)
Alycia M.
It is about time something like Agra Culture came to Uptown. I was super excited when I heard about Agra Culture, and I still am happy after my third trip there. I love that their menu has something for about everyone; they have paleo, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and it is all well labeled. You don't even have to ask. I have ordered the Agra Havest Salad, Chicken Cobb Salad, and Deconstructed Sushi Salad. For smoothies I have ordered the Greenie and the Antioxy. Everything that I have ordered has been phenomenal. Next, I want to try an Agra Plate and stop in for breakfast. The ambiance is casual, but classy. Props to the decorator. The staff is extremely nice and helpful. I have not talked to anyone that works there that wasn't smiling. This is bonus in my book, especially for Uptown. They also have outdoor seating, which is nice since it is summer. The longest I have waited to get my food has been about 10 minutes, and that was to get two meals. I don't mind waiting. It is nice to know that my food is not pre-made and that it is fresh. I would say that their delivery style and time is comparable to D'Amico and Sons. Like the rest of the reviews, the food is a little pricey. However, we need to remember that it is organic, which is always more expensive. It is niche market, that hasn't really blown up in Minnesota. Places like Agra are everywhere in California and Colorado, but I haven't seen anything like this in Minnesota. I love it and I am glad it is here!
(5)
Peter F.
Food was good, but it was extremely pricey considering the tiny portions.
(2)
Joey F.
They don't have a ton of options on the menu besides salads. Had a half sandwich and half soup though and both were great. Good to know it is a healthy choice as well. A little pricey for what you get though.
(4)
Sunny T.
I absolutely love the vibe of this place. Upon entering, I feel as if I have been cleansed by their organic-and-healthy like atmosphere (is that even a thing)? Okay. You may be thinking that I'm a very stuck up person who believes that organic equals justified high prices and the feeling of being "clean". I therefore apologize for getting off on the wrong foot. If you really knew me, I'm the kind of girl who looks for the buy-one-get-one-50% off deals at H&M or only buys her PB at Costco in bulk-you get it: the price-for-value-kind of girl. So why am I giving Agra Culture- the Whole Foods of fast casual dining, the pay $15 for a salad restaurant- 4 stars? Well, I must admit I was a little conflicted at first, but then I realized that at Agra Culture, just like at Whole Foods, you truly are paying for what you're getting. I got the Scallop Salad which was a hefty $15, however, it was well worth it. The scallops were 5-star restaurant quality (amazingly tender) and my salad came with 5! The whole dish was delicious, served with crispy shoestring potatoes on top of a bed of napa cabbage, red and yellow bell peppers, edamame, and carrots, all well dressed in a tangy caramelized pineapple vinaigrette. I understand the many complaints of the minuscule portion sizes, however, as a lunch entree, my salad was surprisingly very filling. Agra Culture does healthy food well, showing that you don't have to eat bland tofu in order to feel healthy. Although I can't say that I plan to eat at Agra Culture regularly, due to the large price tag, I do look forward to coming back again for lunch, and definitely want to try to make it for their breakfast menu (served from 7-10:30 daily).
(4)
Adil A.
Trendy fresh very 2020 .. Ahead of its time ... Fresh healthy food .., Decor ambiance suave and smart .., Loved the experience .. Value for money for the upmarket exec ..
(4)
Nicole M.
The food here is good, but definitely not worth the wait. They always seem to be 'under staffed' - expect at LEAST a 45 min wait for food. We, along with 4 separate people, were refunded and left without food tonight because the service was so slow. Will probably never go back...not worth the time or money.
(2)
Laura B.
I like Agra Culture, and I visit the Edina location often - I'd give that location 4 stars, decent food, friendly service and a nice variety of healthy options on the menu. The uptown location, however, has not provided the same positive experience. I know everyone comes off awful and petty when writing negative reviews, so my experience has to be over the top bad for me to not shrug things off.The staff at the Uptown location are consistently impolite and totally disinterested in serving food. The kitchen staff seem great, and the food tastes good, but I've had several negative experiences with the serving staff. Most recently, I waited over 25 minutes for a takeout order (just a turkey sandwich) - I asked the woman at the counter if there was an ETA, and she clearly rolled her eyes, shuffled around some plates and said "oh, I guess it's right here". There wasn't a rush at all, the place was maybe half full, but still, I understand that things get missed, my issue was with her attitude after the mistake had been made. On the same visit I watched more than one server physically unwrap and smell other takeout sandwiches / orders to identify them, directly touch customers food after having rung something on the register without having washed their hands in between etc. The food and the menu are great and if they can get the staff operating with the efficiency / positive attitude of their other locations I would be a regular!
(1)
Clint S.
We were disappointed our first time through, but that must have just been an off day in the kitchen, because today was a different story. Our order came out fast, even though we were one of several parties in the place. Redemption for sure!
(4)
Joan B.
Regarding the express restaurant at the lower level.....My tomato soup was too hot to eat but that's better than my companion's chicken chili that was not even warm! I thought my soup was good, a bit zesty and nice texture. My companion said her chicken tasted like it was reheated too many times...dry and as I said not even warm. Service was poor; we felt as if we were interrupting the staff from other activities he wanted to do. And where was the menu? We didn't know what they offered or the prices, and the counter staff person was less than polite that he needed to answer questions. We are not high maintenance customers but I do expect a certain amount of eye contact and assistance. This establishment could use some customer service training. I'm not impressed but it's a place to eat on a cold day while you visit the museum. Next time we try the upstairs cafeteria style venue. More on that when I visit MIA next time.
(2)
Erin P.
I was bumming around Uptown with a friend who is a vegetarian and also really only eats super healthy stuff -- basically the total opposite of me. In order to appease her veggie tastes, we decided to lunch it up at Agra Culture. She was excited as soon as she saw the name and declared "They must have a TON of green options!!" Not something I was remotely excited about, but I was trying to be easy going. We walked in, and it took me a minute to realize that you go up to the counter and place your order, then they bring the food out to you. The space is actually really cool, nice and open with dark wood and a "plant wall" thing that makes it feel almost tropical? I dug it. The menu is posted above the kitchen so there was a group of people all kind of standing around squinting up trying to figure out what they wanted. We made our decisions pretty quickly and went to order. I got the Asian salad and my friend got the Agra Detox salad -- she was unnaturally excited about all of the veggies/grains/things I have never heard of that were in it. She also got a side of yam wedges and I also got a glass of house white. Ordering process was easy enough, we got a number and sat ourselves out on one of the street side tables. Although it's street level, it's on a little side street, so it's actually relatively quiet. Salads came out quickly, as they should because hey, you just have to toss a bunch of stuff around with sauce and plate it. My salad was fine. It tasted really fresh and the flavors were good. My friend really liked her detox salad but was meh on the yam wedges. I'm not sure what she expected from a yam wedge, but she thought they were just OK. My house white was also meh, but it's house wine, so I wasn't expecting it to tickle my palate or anything. Overall, the space was really cool, the food was fine, and this is a great option if you or a dining companion are vegetarian/vegan/paleo/gluten free as they have clearly labeled options for all of those folks and lots of them. I would eat here again if dining with a non meat eater, but probably wouldn't come back otherwise.
(3)
Bob J.
Dirty, loud, confusing. Food was served cold and flavorless. I ordered filet of beef, med. rare with choice of one free sauce, chimichurri. Beef was diced into small pieces, stir fried and over cooked. As the food server was trying to walk through the long line of customers, several people stopped her to ask what it was. With two sides, lunch was almost 20.00 and not very good.
(1)
Carmen S.
I ordered a BLT that took over 15 minutes to make, and then to my surprise, the sandwich was smaller than the size of my hand! For 10 dollars I felt I was ripped off. The fresh citrus wake up juice was the only thing keeping me from asking for my money back. I'll save some cash and take my business and appetite elsewhere.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Rachel A.
Came here today for the first time and it will be my last time. The prices were high for the LITTLE amount of food you get. I ordered a salad with no protein on it and it was $12 and all it had was lettuce and some garnish on it, nothing special and definitely was not worth the price. The size of the salad was tiny and I was still starving after. My friend ordered the turkey BLT and it was $9.5 and the sandwich was tiny and there were no side dish that was served with it, I mean for $9.5 you should serve a least a serve a small side salad to accompany the small size sandwich at least. The ordering part is super confusing too. Oh and then when I was waiting for my salad to be made... There was a small child riding his scooter inside the restaurant and the child ran over my foot. I told the manager about what happened and she didn't seem to care at all that there is a child riding around your brand new restaurant and running over your guests feet. Oh my oh my.
(1)T G.
The place has a good vibe. Healthy food, which is a rarity in this town. I'd be willing to revise my rating and give them a chance as they work out the kinks, but my negatives are as follows. #1 negative by far is the portions. They are TINY. I had the Agra plate with Seared Tofu. It cost $14.xx, including two sides, and it was barely enough for me, especially the tofu itself was really small portion. This almost never happens, as I'm a light eater. Just doesn't cut it for a fast casual restaurant. I also tried a sandwich the next time (Salmon, I think) - same story - the sandwich was miniscule, definitely not a full meal. Secondly, the food itself - its decent, but could have been better. The tofu was very salty. The brown rice was dried or uncooked. There were large chunks in the rice that felt like I was eating raw rice. Thirdly, the menu. Its confusing and difficult to navigate. They've a lot of employees milling about asking to help the customers (not sure why - I'd rather have a restaurant with more people working on the food), but why not just have a clear menu. The online menu has no prices. Why would you do that? I'd like to like this place and am willing to give it another chance or two, given they're new in town.
(2)Robert S.
Great organic foodand free range proteins. Outdoor patio is very inviting. Highly recommend!
(5)Patrycia M.
I was happy when I found out a healthy, fast, casual place was opening up and couldn't wait to go try it! When we arrived we were greeted by a manager who explained the menu to us. There is a lot to chose from! We ended up ordering the scallop salad and the basil, turkey, bacon sandwich. The ordering process was kind of weird. We had to place our order at one end, then walk by the area where they made the food, and pay at the other end. I wasn't sure where to play my drink order, so they confusingly brought out too many. The food arrived and like someone previously said in a review, the portions are small! We payed around 38.00 for a salad, sandwich, and a glass or wine, so I expected a hefty portion for that price, but man I was still hungry after my meal! The food was good, but I think for the price you should get a lot more!
(3)Cassidy L.
So, I come here a little too often. The food is great. It's more of "deli" in a sense. You can customize your meal as much as you want which is great if you're picky like me. I normally just walk over and get food to go quick. I've had the sirarcha chicken salad, the beet salad, and the bahn mi. The bahn mi was my favorite but they are all amazing. It's a great place to pick up food quick for dinner or lunch. Brunch looks amazing too. They have their calories posted which is nice for calorie conscious eaters. Despite the low calories, the food still has great taste.
(5)Dharmesh D.
I am down rating from 5 to 3 because today's food sucked. I had tomato soup which could be anything but tomato soup. It does not even taste close to tomato soup. On top of it, there is so much black pepper in it that my thought is burning because of it. 1 star for soup. Soup comes with bread. Bread looks fresh but they didn't give any butter. When I asked for butter they gave me a cold butter which I cannot even spread. Porridge is not good and not bad, just ok. It's unfortunate that they can make some things from their menu so delicious and some so bad. My advice take things off which you can't cook.
(3)Marilyn C.
This was my first Agra "experience" and went early afternoon, which means the place was pretty empty. The menu is display on large LED screens broken up by sections of the menu. This would work better if only the available foods for time of day were displayed so they could save ordering time on drink selection instead of the laminated drink cards I was shown, and they do have a large beverage selection. The agra plate menu should be defined more, when you are ordering a protein, you receive 4 oz of protein. When I asked the server how many oz were served, he had to ask the chef. This makes a difference on how much a person will order and perhaps that should be clearly spelled out on the menu. The hot sides and cold sides are clearly spelled out, the ambiguity comes with the protein and the sauces. I wasn't sure how this was going to be presented to me, and I should have asked, but I wanted to see what they would do. This is their show. Everything on a plate is segregated. For some people they really love this, perhaps for OCD reasons. Others, may want it all mixed together. Whatever way you want it, they leave it to you, the customer, to mix it all up. Bonus points: Healthy Choices. The quinoa is not over-priced. The produce is fresh and bright. The Service was fast, friendly and if the server didn't know, he asked. Too many people act like they know what they are talking about and will fake an answer. I was not unpleasantly surprised with anything. The set up is like formal fast food, you get real plates, silverware in a community holder on each table and you have the napkin dispenser. Seasoning was good, though I wasn't expecting the kick with the broccolini, but, I like the punch of flavor. Others might not, probably best to ask. Recommendation to the guest. If you are going to order an Agra Plate, be specific on how you want your plate. They will accommodate your tastes or you can be like me and they will probably go on the safe side, but remember, they are not microwaving your food and making it to order. I was lucky, it was slow so service was fast. I loved how they had the order displays for the cooks/chefs so they could use a large touch screen to get through service. The kitchen staff also had men and WOMEN on the line. A diverse workplace that represents the diversity of our city. And, they care about what they are doing. All wins. Clean, shiny and new.
(5)Daisy L.
It seems unnecessary to have two counters/cashiers - one for some drinks (apparently not raw juices anymore?), and one for food (which apparently does do raw juices now?). So, one lunch, two transactions. Overly pricey too... Probably will not return.
(2)G S.
Everything was great! Service was friendly. The food was fresh, hot, healthy, and delicious! Great concept! I will definitely be returning soon, and bringing friends! I'm thankful to have found this place
(5)Lorraine N.
Split a few items with my buddy and we left there satisfied and full. We had the chicken cobb salad and some grilled salmon with Thai sauce and brown rice. It was nice portions and decent quality. I really loved how the salad greens were cut in a Chiffonade fashion. This made it easy to eat. They have very large booths to sit and relax in and they are private because there are large wooden walls surrounding. If you prefer light sit up close to the front and you will get a little view of people passing by. A solid choice!
(4)Jonathan T.
With a huge wall covered in leafy vines, gorgeous dark woods present throughout, and a menu that's seemingly "back-to-basics," Agra is the restaurant the Garden of Eden never had. (Not really sure if restaurants existed back then. Probably not?) Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that this biz is hella sexy, like a woman that knows how to cook, regularly weight-lifts, and is crazy smart. (Like my girlfriend! Awww.) I stopped in for a late lunch the other day, and creaked my head back to peruse through their somewhat cumbersome menu (that is so long, it requires six large monitors) of tasty and healthy bites. I opted for The American, (an omelet filled with nitrate-free bacon, organic spinach, truffled mushrooms, onion, cheddar, and parsley) with a side of Truffled Mushroom Mix (shiitake, beech & oyster mushrooms, thyme, garlic, and truffle oil). If you want some eggy bliss, then consider stuffing your face with this omelet. It's decently sized, cooked gently and has a great fluff to it, and pretty damn delicious. I think the parsley is a nice touch. Not the best omelet you'll ever have, but pretty damn good considering the area. Regarding the Truffled Mushroom Mix side, it's delicious, but I am a truffle oil slut. Anyways, it could have used more shiitake, since it was just mostly oyster (which doesn't cost as much). A couple reasons why this place doesn't get the coveted fifth star: 1) Yes, I will always pay the premium to support local and eat great food, but I do think some things could come down a couple dollars. However, I don't think it's as expensive as others have reported. 2) There must be a better way to display the menu! Whether it's the height of them that are filled to the brim with items or the tiny text that's too small to read, I think there's room for improvements. Definitely will be back! I dig it.
(4)Katie M.
Agra Culture has an outstanding concept: healthy, thoughtfully sourced, and quick meals. The #1 thing that originally drew me to this restaurant was the fact that they label for Paleo meals, a first in Minneapolis (or so I assume). It's great going to a restaurant and not feeling like you have to ask for a million different substitutions. Nobody likes to be "that girl" (I usually am). I imagine that vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free folks can benefit from this labeling too. A common complaint when their restaurant first opened was that the prices were too high considering the small portions. Maybe it's my imagination, but I do think the portions have gotten larger over the last 3 months. Good job, Agra Culture. Some menu favorites of mine include: -Beef with chimichurri Agra Plate (choose your own protein/protein subsitute and accompanying side - great concept) -Broccolini -Nutty Espresso (espresso smoothie, essentially) -Gluten-free chocolate chip cookie -Agra Harvest salad Things I don't love: -No parking -The fact that my DRIP COFFEE was $4.30 - that is just fuggin' ridiculous. -Their scones (bland) Things I hope to see in the future: -WholeMe products! WholeMe is a local Paleo bars/cereal company and I wish they carried their products and/or had their granola on the menu as a breakfast option. -A punch card of some sort (Buy 9 Agra plates get your 10th free?!) -A location in North Loop because I'm moving out of Uptown soon and will def miss this place
(4)Michael A.
Fresh, healthy, delicious food has arrived in Uptown! Agra Culture is a welcome addition to the growing restaurant scene in S. Mpls. This fast-casual concept believes that healthy food should be accessible to everyone. Salads, sandwiches, protein/veggie plates and juices/smoothies are freshly prepared after you order. Prices are a bit on the higher-end, but it's all in favor of supporting organic & GMO free farmers & artisans. Yes! The citrus beet salad was a tasty combination of butter lettuce, arugula, gold beets, red beets, chioggia beets, orange, mint, blue cheese, pistachios, orange mint yogurt dressing & a reduced balsamic drizzle. Paired with sunshine fresh juice (apple, carrot, lemon, ginger) it throughly satisfied my hunger after a day on the lake. I look forward to coming back to try the steak salad, an agra plate filled with seared tuna & the chicken chili soup. The farm scrambles also look amazing for a fun brunch option after a busy weekend morning workout. As with any new restaurants... ordering (where do I order, where do I pay?) and menu display boards (what, I can't see the entire menu at once? I have to wait for the menu to change every 10 seconds?) are a bit clunky feeling, but will most most likely get worked out over time.
(4)Erin G.
Lunch break the other day brought me here. I try to stay healthy and they list their macros for their nutrition on their website so I had some ideas about what I wanted before I came in. I got the scallop salad and it was really good. I skipped the shoestring potatoes but everything else was delish. The girl at the counter was really nice too. I want to come back and try everything. All the salads looked amazing. I wish there was one closer to home. Any restaurant that lists their nutrition is a HUGE plus in my book.
(5)Henok T.
This is a sleek, stylish place that should be doing much better. I'm surprised that it's not busier (because it has many of the latest health-conscious eating choices built into its business) but one glaring issue is the ridiculously cluttered menu. The food is actually good. I had the salmon salad sandwich which gave me the option of choosing either GF or paleo bread. I chose the latter but they said they didn't have it. So they offered to make the sandwich "bunless" to which I obliged. I just wish this place was more simple and converted to an actual sit-down restaurant instead of fast casual a la Panera. It's too fancy to be a fast casual kind of place IMO.
(3)Tammy L.
I guess it's a trend, and Agra Culture picked the PERFECT location for this trend. The ambiance will definitely attract customers. The food is decent for what it is. I built my own Agra Plate with cage free chicken, sriracha sauce, quinoa, and seasonal hash. Again, it was decent, but I'll probably never eat here again.
(3)Brian S.
Agra Culture deserves one star for its silly name, 4.5 stars for its great food and 2 stars for accessibility. How does that add up to an aggregate 4 stars? Because the food is the most important thing. My reviews of this and other restaurants in the Twin Cities are influenced by the fact that I'm on the paleo diet, which greatly narrows the scope of things I can eat. Interested in giving up rice, oats, breads and other grain-related things, as well as dairy, sugar, soy, potatoes, most oils and alcohol? No? Then stay far, far away from the paleo diet. I'm temporarily on it for health reasons, and I was thrilled to discover that Agra Culture serves a number of paleo-friendly dishes. I've liked everything I've eaten here, but more notably, the build-your-own salad prepared with vegan kale dressing and scallops might be the best salad I've ever had. It's actually not a build-your-own salad; it's a have-them-build-your-own salad. When ordering, you'll fill out a card and hand it to an employee, who will get busy with preparations. I'm a sucker for fresh-squeezed vegetable juice. Agra Culture has it, but it's a let-down because each cup is maybe 30 percent pulp. For a more intense and tasty fresh-juice experience, check out The Wedge. Parking near Agra Culture is never convenient. Even when there's an open space nearby off Lake Street, it's a bit of a hike to get to the nearest meter. That's not fun when the wind chill is below freezing -- nor is sitting near the door inside the restaurant. Seat yourself toward the rear on chilly days. An abnormally large parking lot right across the street from Agra Culture apparently is reserved for McDonald's patrons. It's always empty, which I suppose speaks well to Minnesotans' good taste in food. It's a shame that wasted space can't benefit Agra Culture and its neighbors. There's free Wi-Fi; you'll be prompted to click "OK" on a welcome screen in your browser.
(4)Keona J.
Always fresh and delicious! I love the build your own salad and their natural ingredient fountain soda. Yum!
(5)Jen W.
Beautiful space and great idea. But. Just ordering took forever b/c no one can figure out how the menu works (I don't even think the staff gets it b/c at one point there were 3 workers trying to figure out the register). There were 4 of us and our food was brought to our table individually so that the last person was served 20 after the first person got their food. Not what we had in mind when we decided to go out to eat together. I ordered the Asian salad which was delivered without any dressing at all. I tried to eat it only to discover that there were no forks in the little pot at my table. "You can grab a fork from a different table," a worker not helpfully suggested. Yeah, I can. I can also not deal with this again.
(2)Paul G.
I ate here for the first time on my birthday. Ordered the Agra Plate with: seared wild salmon and kale pesto, broccolini, quinoa, and bulletproof coffee. The food and the coffee were great! Waiting time was minimal. About a third of the seats were full on Thursday afternoon. It would be nice if they had an additional board for beverages. I would definitely eat there again.
(5)Suzanne P.
Twice to two different Agra Culture*s in one week - OMG, I think I love this place... Came here for breakfast since seeing the Muesli on the menu at the Edina location. I saw it, got ridiculously excited because apparently I am 95 years old and hot cereal gets me all jazzed. Jazzy, it wasn't of course, but it was good! Hot cereal with Greek yogurt, a little milk, nuts, coconut shavings (mmm) and fresh fruit. If there's a dish that can get me excited about fruit, it's a miracle. You also have the option of adding a large Dogwood drip coffee for $1.50, but beware, I had to point out that it was priced this way on the menu and almost was charged the normal $4.00. Staff here was SO NICE! Everyone was chipper, but not overly chipper, and happy to help the customers who were all there to get their breakfast on. More expensive than I would normally pay for breakfast ($7.00 total) but dang, I like this place so much that it's worth it. This might be a dangerous habit for good food... *Why isn't it Agri Culture?
(4)Jennifer K.
I went there this weekend with my family for lunch. They had great outdoor seating that had heaters! Perfect for a MN fall day. The décor and ambiance inside was a very causal, you can easily bring your family along. Things to note: 1) their pop is not Pepsi / Coke, it is a home grown soda, so be prepared that it is quite different than a normal place 2) Their juice press for me had too much ginger so had a bitter taste to the end 3) They do not yet have gift cards available (they said they would in the future) 4) the curry chicken sandwich was great!!!
(4)Rachael A.
In. Love. The first restaurant in the Twin Cities (and state, probably) that lists paleo options on the menu! This is huge, folks. I mean, at least for me and a lot of my friends/family! Not only do they have awesome options that I don't have to cater to fit my dietary needs; the food is amazing! So fresh and innovative. Pretty too. And as a food blogger I love me some pretty food almost as much as I love tasty food. I've had a few of the salads and the paleo scone, which was awesome. Plus a few of the smoothies/juices. So far the only thing that I would not get again is the Greenie because it literally tastes like drinking parsley. That one would be much better if the parsley was removed (hint, hint). Anyways, I will likely be there from now on at least a couple times a week. So if you see me, say hello :)
(5)Daisy N.
Organic, healthy and delicious right in the heart of Uptown. Plus, atmosphere and ambiance. LOVE!
(5)Johnny J.
Great food! However LITERALLY the longest wait in the world. Like you show up order your food, and it arrives no sooner than 47 1/2 mins later. Going to your local 5 star restaurant, you're guaranteed to be half way through your entre before you receive your food at this place. They claim to be under staffed but utilize TWO stoves instead of one. Especially during your peak prime time during dinner. Honestly I don't think this place is worth my money.
(1)Emily N.
I want to start by saying this concept is fantastic! It's food made fast, it's exceptionally healthy, and the fact that they label for paleo MIGHT be a first in Minneapolis! The press juices are all organic, and the meats are either all-natural or wild-caught. I was hoping for organic meat for the prices. The salads are fantastic though, the ingredients are wholesome, nutritious and fresh. The Agra plate concept is a nice touch - pick your protein, sauce & 2 sides - I believe this is around $17 depending on your protein. The website is great, love how simple it is and the food photos are a bright addition, but there are no prices! Really? I'm hoping they are still working on the website, prices really should be added. Bonus that nutritional info is included, this is wonderful. The menu inside the restaurant is 5 large boards perched above the made-to-order area, there are no handheld menus, which in my opinion could be useful. The prices appear for everything but the add-on protein, and mind you, the shrimp addition to a salad is $8! That is very steep. I ordered the Nicoise salad, a side of the cauliflower tabbouleh and a glass of white wine, with tax this came up to around $30, far too expensive for the quantity. The Nicoise with the seared cold tuna was great - loved the flavors and the dressing was not overwhelming, but it should really be about $10 - this is a lunch sized portion. The cauliflower was good but I would have liked more flavor in the way it was seasoned/prepared. I ordered the deconstructed sushi salad to go for my boyfriend, it was $13 (again, it should be about $10). And I ordered a side of the harissa yam wedges - mind you, all sides are $4.50 (and if you order 3 they are $13). He got 5 yam wedges for $4.50 - this is laughable, I would not have ordered this had I known. This portion and price is not at all matched, they are simple wedges with a simple sauce. In my opinion, the sides should not be over $2.50-3.00 for what you receive. I want to give this place more stars because what they are doing is new for Minneapolis, and this is the kind of food I seek out and enjoy - but the prices are far too high for the portion/s received. The space is nice, casual, and there is outdoor seating. The prices were surprising, and I think they should be lowered at least $2-3 for each salad.
(3)Alli S.
Everything here is delicious. Some of my favorites are the arugula detox salad and nutty espresso blended drink. The kale/prosciutto egg sandwich is AMAZING. Nice place to get a healthier meal in a pretty, fast-casual style space. I would skip the juiced drinks though- too expensive and sugary. Highly recommend everything else.
(5)Avneet S.
I had very high hopes for Agra Culture, and I am willing to stick it out with them while they work out the kinks. I do really love the feel of the space. It's full of dark wood but is still airy and bright with great high ceilings. However, ordering was a bit confusing. They had 5 or 6 staff walking around the front guiding everyone to how to order. Not sure how the line would work if there were more than a few people waiting, as the line starts as far away from the front entrance as humanly possible. Additionally, the food menus aren't immediately visible - you have to walk around to the start of the line to see them. I think some signs may help. I had the citrus beet salad, and the Thai Greens juice. The juice was REALLY tasty, and the exact mix of sweet and herbal that I was looking for. The salad was good, but it had a lot of strong, bitter flavors going on and could have benefitted from more than one giant garnish leaf of butter lettuce or maybe some avocado to soften the bite of the arugula, citrus, and blue cheese. It was also really on the small side for $13. I don't mind paying for quality, but it was super tiny. Next time I might go with one of the agra plates post-run instead of relying on a salad to refuel - but I sort of expect to be full after dropping $22 on a meal. I'm going to be back in the next few weeks, and really hope that I can bump my rating up a star.
(3)Mary L.
I have eaten here 4 times now. Only once has my order been correct. The first time I ordered the Cobb salad, they forgot the bacon. The second time the salad was great. The third time they forgot the blue cheese and bacon. I went back (it was a to go order) and had them fix it. Then I got back to work and realized there were no almonds. The fourth time I ordered through bite squad (from their other location) and they didn't put on the bacon or almonds. I usually don't complain about little mistakes like this- but... how hard is it to put the proper ingredients on a salad? I've never asked for something 'without' and never added anything- so it should be pretty straight forward. I called after my 3rd experience and they said they would email me a free meal, which I have yet to receive 1 week later. For a $12 salad- I'd rather go elsewhere, because I don't trust that they'll ever get my order right.
(2)Julie M.
We were there for the juices this time, but looked at the menu and want to go back for the food! It is on the pricey side, but it is also organic so we expect that. It is a quiet darker atmosphere (we were there on a Sunday around noon) and pleasant to relax at one of the big front tables and watch the cold outside (although it wasn't overly warm inside--which maybe is just by the windows). The Maca Tropicali and Nutty Espresso blended drinks were great. My only real complaint is I wish they had a good selection of "snacks" to have with your drinks. It's mostly a meal menu.
(4)Laura S.
Craving a healthy salad in Minneapolis...checked Yelp for the "best salads"...Agra came up and we loved it. Sat outside at both locations (yes, we went to both on separate nights) and it really hit the healthy spot. And they were right next to or near a Yogurt Lab for the best FroYo in town. A twofer that made the meal great.
(5)Madeleine H.
Major props to this restaurant for offering several great vegan options that aren't duplicated at other nearby restaurants. Agra has many well-marked items that are already vegan or easily veganizable. My favorite item is the Agra plate, a customizable dish I order with vegan chicken (it's Gardein, I'm told), romesco sauce, and a couple of side dishes. My favorite side dishes are the seasonal hash, roasted yam wedges, truffled mushroom mix, and grapefruit segments sprinkled with rosemary and pepper flakes. The salads are also very fresh and good. I often order the Greek or kale salad with no cheese, and sometimes add the vegan chicken to the salads. The portions are not large and the food is somewhat expensive for a concept described as fast casual. However, the food quality is several notches above what you'd find at most fast casual places. The location near 50th and France is also solid and has a nice, pergola-ed patio for summertime dining.
(4)Chris L.
Been here twice now and enjoyed what I've had from a quality/taste perspective. Nice aesthetics for a fast casual restaurant, earnest service and good menu choices make for a welcome addition to our neighborhood. Good kids choices at reasonable prices assist in the value proposition for us. Have tried the beef agra plate and a shrimp-added salad -- both were tasty. I suppose one drawback -- perhaps major for some -- is the small portion size for the price. I ordered a $17 beet agra plate and while it was enough for me on this new, grain-free diet, I'd have been sorrily disappointed back in my overeating days. Which I presume is in fact the point, but you'd better know this going in. You pay sit-down prices for fast casual food, albeit the quality is there. We've included AgraCulture in our regular Uptown with the kids rotation.
(4)Sarah S.
The food is five stars. The wait time is one star. I waited over a half hour in line and then another half hour for my food. It's delicious for sure, but this is not somewhere to pop in for a quick meal.
(3)Grace H.
I am a health food fan and will continue to come here based on that but the service is just terrible. All the food never comes out at the same time and it takes over a half hour to get the food. Also if you plan on running to Agra culture for a quick juice plan on it taking 30 minutes, I know they are fresh squeezed but never have I been to a place where it takes that long. There just doesn't seem like there is a sense of urgency to get the food to the guest.
(3)Erik B.
Decent food, just a few dollars over priced. Drop the menu prices by a buck or two and I'll become a regular. Or if you keep your prices the same at least give me a coupon to yogurt lab!
(3)Katie W.
This place is the jam. So much flavor and super healthy dishes. I get take out from here often and would recommend to anyone and everyone. So nom.
(5)Jessica G.
I stumbled across Agra Culture by accident when my sister was in town from DC. We had initially planned on taking advantage of Coup d'Etat's late brunch menu, however they were unexpectedly closed leading us to Agra Culture practically next door. The décor and ambiance inside was both casual and classy and the menu options are super healthy and vegan/vegetarian friendly. The gentleman taking our order behind the counter was extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the menu and various ingredients. Still in the mood for breakfast, I ordered The American style omelet, a side of segmented grapefruit, and a Café Miel (apparently I was the first to have ordered this drink and I highly recommend it!) My sister ordered the Simple Scramble (eggs and cheese) in a spinach tortilla and, in true southern fashion, the Deviled Egg Trio sampler. We sat outside with our coffee while we waited on our food, which was where the problem arose. My plate came out and everything was great, but my sister's food took a good 30 minutes. The girl working totally acknowledged this, and eventually came out and offered to comp my sister's meal (BONUS POINTS - no lame excuse, no nonsense, just righting a wrong and ensuring a return customer). Once her food came, she loved it and all was good. Overall, great setting, a refreshing menu with options for all diets and great customer service which is key for a newer place whose success will ride on building a loyal fan base. I'll definitely be back!
(4)David B.
Came here with a group of 8 or so when family was in town. We had a wide range of dietary needs/preferences & from what I recall everyone was very pleased. Yes, it's on the pricey side but the food seemed to be very high quality. They also will make you a bulletproof coffee which is a nice perk in my book. I've only been there once but hopefully that changes soon.
(5)Scott K.
Tasty, healthy spot. A little pricey but you're not getting food pumped up with hormones and GMO's. I'll pay more for food that doesn't make me feel funny.
(5)Josh R.
Been here 3 times now. Great food. But the ordering process is clunky. Menus are difficult to read. Friendly group. Just will take a bit for them to work through the issues.
(4)Jeremy C.
No, this mediocre rating is not based on price. Although, they did try to charge me $5 for a single shot Americano - a preposterous price considering coffee pros like Dogwood and Spyhouse charge much less. Alright, back to our regularly scheduled review. Minneapolis finally has a fast-casual seasonal, local, healthy (insert every food trend possible) place. But based on my multiple visits, I think they need to still work out the "fast" part of this concept. The service is the issue here. I've waited too long for someone to finally recognize my presence and actually take my order at the register. This has happened multiple times. And in one instance, it took nearly 15 minutes to construct a seemingly simple Kale pesto and Prosciutto egg sandwich. Now let's get to the food. Refreshing is the key word. Simple, pure food and nicely seasoned, Agra Culture does a good job at demystifying the "healthy is boring" concept. The portions are small to the relatively big Midwestern-sized plates, but nonetheless they're ideal. It's not about excess here - it's about quality. The salads are perfectly dressed without weighing down on the lettuce and even though the breakfast sandwich seemed painstakingly long to make, the pesto was fragrant while the fresh parmesan added a subtle saltiness. Agra culture is a promising and welcoming new addition to the Uptown neighborhood, considering all the surrounding joints serve more grease than the hair styles of its douchebag patrons (except for you Coup d'Etat). Just please, pretty please, make your service more desirable than the inconsistent wait times I've consistently encountered.
(3)Keely N.
The paleo chocolate chip cookies are TOP NOTCH! The food is equally fantastic, adequately priced, and also primarily paleo friendly (a rare find in Minneapolis.) As someone who frequently cooks with good fats, clean meats, and organic, plant-based foods, Agra actually tastes like "home cooking," which is SO EXCITING to find in a restaurant! I've ordered the salmon with romesco sauce and brussel sprout salad, chicken with kale pesto and simple salad, kale chorizo soup with scallops and quinoa... all superbly delicious. But seriously, the paleo chocolate chip cookies... Ooh, and also the massive wall of REAL PLANTS! Yes, the plant wall.
(5)Ashu C.
I was driving around town and decided to do some shopping around this area. This restaurant was by where I parked and I was starving. I decided to go in and it looked like it just opened. Turns out it opened only about 3 months ago. There was no line, so the service was great. The food was also surprisingly good and fresh. The best was the Hash because it was so flavorful in all the right ways!
(4)Alycia M.
It is about time something like Agra Culture came to Uptown. I was super excited when I heard about Agra Culture, and I still am happy after my third trip there. I love that their menu has something for about everyone; they have paleo, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and it is all well labeled. You don't even have to ask. I have ordered the Agra Havest Salad, Chicken Cobb Salad, and Deconstructed Sushi Salad. For smoothies I have ordered the Greenie and the Antioxy. Everything that I have ordered has been phenomenal. Next, I want to try an Agra Plate and stop in for breakfast. The ambiance is casual, but classy. Props to the decorator. The staff is extremely nice and helpful. I have not talked to anyone that works there that wasn't smiling. This is bonus in my book, especially for Uptown. They also have outdoor seating, which is nice since it is summer. The longest I have waited to get my food has been about 10 minutes, and that was to get two meals. I don't mind waiting. It is nice to know that my food is not pre-made and that it is fresh. I would say that their delivery style and time is comparable to D'Amico and Sons. Like the rest of the reviews, the food is a little pricey. However, we need to remember that it is organic, which is always more expensive. It is niche market, that hasn't really blown up in Minnesota. Places like Agra are everywhere in California and Colorado, but I haven't seen anything like this in Minnesota. I love it and I am glad it is here!
(5)Peter F.
Food was good, but it was extremely pricey considering the tiny portions.
(2)Joey F.
They don't have a ton of options on the menu besides salads. Had a half sandwich and half soup though and both were great. Good to know it is a healthy choice as well. A little pricey for what you get though.
(4)Sunny T.
I absolutely love the vibe of this place. Upon entering, I feel as if I have been cleansed by their organic-and-healthy like atmosphere (is that even a thing)? Okay. You may be thinking that I'm a very stuck up person who believes that organic equals justified high prices and the feeling of being "clean". I therefore apologize for getting off on the wrong foot. If you really knew me, I'm the kind of girl who looks for the buy-one-get-one-50% off deals at H&M or only buys her PB at Costco in bulk-you get it: the price-for-value-kind of girl. So why am I giving Agra Culture- the Whole Foods of fast casual dining, the pay $15 for a salad restaurant- 4 stars? Well, I must admit I was a little conflicted at first, but then I realized that at Agra Culture, just like at Whole Foods, you truly are paying for what you're getting. I got the Scallop Salad which was a hefty $15, however, it was well worth it. The scallops were 5-star restaurant quality (amazingly tender) and my salad came with 5! The whole dish was delicious, served with crispy shoestring potatoes on top of a bed of napa cabbage, red and yellow bell peppers, edamame, and carrots, all well dressed in a tangy caramelized pineapple vinaigrette. I understand the many complaints of the minuscule portion sizes, however, as a lunch entree, my salad was surprisingly very filling. Agra Culture does healthy food well, showing that you don't have to eat bland tofu in order to feel healthy. Although I can't say that I plan to eat at Agra Culture regularly, due to the large price tag, I do look forward to coming back again for lunch, and definitely want to try to make it for their breakfast menu (served from 7-10:30 daily).
(4)Adil A.
Trendy fresh very 2020 .. Ahead of its time ... Fresh healthy food .., Decor ambiance suave and smart .., Loved the experience .. Value for money for the upmarket exec ..
(4)Nicole M.
The food here is good, but definitely not worth the wait. They always seem to be 'under staffed' - expect at LEAST a 45 min wait for food. We, along with 4 separate people, were refunded and left without food tonight because the service was so slow. Will probably never go back...not worth the time or money.
(2)Laura B.
I like Agra Culture, and I visit the Edina location often - I'd give that location 4 stars, decent food, friendly service and a nice variety of healthy options on the menu. The uptown location, however, has not provided the same positive experience. I know everyone comes off awful and petty when writing negative reviews, so my experience has to be over the top bad for me to not shrug things off.The staff at the Uptown location are consistently impolite and totally disinterested in serving food. The kitchen staff seem great, and the food tastes good, but I've had several negative experiences with the serving staff. Most recently, I waited over 25 minutes for a takeout order (just a turkey sandwich) - I asked the woman at the counter if there was an ETA, and she clearly rolled her eyes, shuffled around some plates and said "oh, I guess it's right here". There wasn't a rush at all, the place was maybe half full, but still, I understand that things get missed, my issue was with her attitude after the mistake had been made. On the same visit I watched more than one server physically unwrap and smell other takeout sandwiches / orders to identify them, directly touch customers food after having rung something on the register without having washed their hands in between etc. The food and the menu are great and if they can get the staff operating with the efficiency / positive attitude of their other locations I would be a regular!
(1)Clint S.
We were disappointed our first time through, but that must have just been an off day in the kitchen, because today was a different story. Our order came out fast, even though we were one of several parties in the place. Redemption for sure!
(4)Joan B.
Regarding the express restaurant at the lower level.....My tomato soup was too hot to eat but that's better than my companion's chicken chili that was not even warm! I thought my soup was good, a bit zesty and nice texture. My companion said her chicken tasted like it was reheated too many times...dry and as I said not even warm. Service was poor; we felt as if we were interrupting the staff from other activities he wanted to do. And where was the menu? We didn't know what they offered or the prices, and the counter staff person was less than polite that he needed to answer questions. We are not high maintenance customers but I do expect a certain amount of eye contact and assistance. This establishment could use some customer service training. I'm not impressed but it's a place to eat on a cold day while you visit the museum. Next time we try the upstairs cafeteria style venue. More on that when I visit MIA next time.
(2)Erin P.
I was bumming around Uptown with a friend who is a vegetarian and also really only eats super healthy stuff -- basically the total opposite of me. In order to appease her veggie tastes, we decided to lunch it up at Agra Culture. She was excited as soon as she saw the name and declared "They must have a TON of green options!!" Not something I was remotely excited about, but I was trying to be easy going. We walked in, and it took me a minute to realize that you go up to the counter and place your order, then they bring the food out to you. The space is actually really cool, nice and open with dark wood and a "plant wall" thing that makes it feel almost tropical? I dug it. The menu is posted above the kitchen so there was a group of people all kind of standing around squinting up trying to figure out what they wanted. We made our decisions pretty quickly and went to order. I got the Asian salad and my friend got the Agra Detox salad -- she was unnaturally excited about all of the veggies/grains/things I have never heard of that were in it. She also got a side of yam wedges and I also got a glass of house white. Ordering process was easy enough, we got a number and sat ourselves out on one of the street side tables. Although it's street level, it's on a little side street, so it's actually relatively quiet. Salads came out quickly, as they should because hey, you just have to toss a bunch of stuff around with sauce and plate it. My salad was fine. It tasted really fresh and the flavors were good. My friend really liked her detox salad but was meh on the yam wedges. I'm not sure what she expected from a yam wedge, but she thought they were just OK. My house white was also meh, but it's house wine, so I wasn't expecting it to tickle my palate or anything. Overall, the space was really cool, the food was fine, and this is a great option if you or a dining companion are vegetarian/vegan/paleo/gluten free as they have clearly labeled options for all of those folks and lots of them. I would eat here again if dining with a non meat eater, but probably wouldn't come back otherwise.
(3)Bob J.
Dirty, loud, confusing. Food was served cold and flavorless. I ordered filet of beef, med. rare with choice of one free sauce, chimichurri. Beef was diced into small pieces, stir fried and over cooked. As the food server was trying to walk through the long line of customers, several people stopped her to ask what it was. With two sides, lunch was almost 20.00 and not very good.
(1)Carmen S.
I ordered a BLT that took over 15 minutes to make, and then to my surprise, the sandwich was smaller than the size of my hand! For 10 dollars I felt I was ripped off. The fresh citrus wake up juice was the only thing keeping me from asking for my money back. I'll save some cash and take my business and appetite elsewhere.
(2)