Redwood Café by Chef Julien logo

Redwood Café by Chef Julien

Restaurant · East Palo Alto, CA · reviewed since 2022

How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%62+39.4Reliability 28%55+15.5Replies to reviews 8%8+0.7Momentum penalty84−1.6Experts Score= 54Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade C: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.54SCORE
CGradeLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#103 of 111 caterersPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 7%
4.7 ★★★★★ 112 Google reviews · 23 photos
85%five-star reviews
4.56★last 12 monthsAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
7.8%1–2★ in 2 yearsShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
0%reviews answered by the owner
Oct 2026latest review

Redwood Café by Chef Julien at a glance

Customers frequently praise the freshness of ingredients, particularly in breakfast burritos, salads, and pastries, while noting the cafe's quiet atmosphere and reasonable pricing for the area. Recurring themes include friendly staff and clean facilities, though some patrons mention limited coffee options. Common criticisms involve food safety issues, such as finding foreign objects in meals, and complaints that specific items like sandwiches or fish lack flavor or freshness relative to their high cost.

  • Google rating: 4.7 out of 5 from 112 reviews (85% five-star).
  • Reviews on this page: 112 Google reviews (85 with written comments, 27 with photos).
  • Owner responses: the business replied to 0% of reviews.
  • Most recent review: October 28, 2026.
  • Service: Caterer serving East Palo Alto, California.

Data from Google, last updated October 31, 2026.

Score profile vs other caterers

Score per factor (100 = best)Each factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and satisfaction; weakest: replies to reviews.

Satisfaction62Reliability55Craft & service–Value–Momentum84Replies to reviews8Satisfaction: 62 (median 86)Reliability: 55 (median 87)Momentum: 84 (median 100)Replies to reviews: 8 (median 31)
Redwood Café by Chef JulienCaterers median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactionSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Redwood Café by Chef Julien: 62/100 on this factor. Category median: 86.B
62
ReliabilityReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Redwood Café by Chef Julien: 55/100 on this factor. Category median: 87.C
55
Craft & serviceCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 99.–
–
ValueValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 95.–
–
MomentumMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Redwood Café by Chef Julien: 84/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
84
Replies to reviewsReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Redwood Café by Chef Julien: 8/100 on this factor. Category median: 31.F
8

Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.

Star ratings

112 Google reviews we collected

  • 5 stars9585%
  • 4 stars76%
  • 3 stars33%
  • 2 stars33%
  • 1 star44%

Praise vs complaints

Phrases our text analysis found in 85 written reviews

  • Praise5593%
  • Complaints47%

Topic share

How often each topic comes up in the written reviews

  • Staff & attitude2441%
  • Price & value1627%
  • Would recommend1119%
  • Quality & results58%
  • Speed & response35%

What customers talk about

We read 85 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.

  • “Great breakfast burrito (egg, bacon, spinach, avocado, potatoes), friendly team, quiet on a Tuesday morning.”
  • “The food is amazing and for Palo Alto the prices are quite reasonable.”
    “However, the food was lackluster and way too expensive.”
  • “This has been my go-to lunch spot at work for for the last 8 mos (ever since I found out about it).”
  • “Top-notch service”
  • “A great spot for breakfast or a quick, elevated bite.”

People customers mention

  • French 7 reviews
  • Avenidas 4 reviews
  • France 3 reviews
  • Julian 3 reviews

praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.

Recent reviews

PaulineLocal Guide · 11 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 days ago★★★★★

I could live on the breakfast sandwich. It is that good. The breakfast burrito is pretty amazing too. Friendly service and clean.

christian1 reviewTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★

Best breakfast burrito I had in a long time. Just had it two days in a row. Lots of avocado and leafy greens along with eggs and spicy salsa on the side. It’s incredible. Thank you.

DiegoLocal Guide · 650 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★

I came for breakfast but the side on my quiche had a bug. They should check quality of the products and food safety before offering to customers

BrianLocal Guide · 27 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★

Great breakfast burrito (egg, bacon, spinach, avocado, potatoes), friendly team, quiet on a Tuesday morning.

PauloLocal Guide · 325 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★

Surprising service and food. Congratulations to the staff. Amazing chicken sandwich

KarenLocal Guide · 22 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★

Cafeteria looking cafe with comfy seating. Service was subpar. Coffee stunk! Cup of milk. Plenty of other options with more kind staff.

Photos

Customer reviews

4.7 ★★★★★ 112 reviews on Google · rating breakdown

Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).

Team members customers mention
Filter by topic — each topic is highlighted in the reviews in the same color
Pauline ReeseLocal Guide · 11 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Pauline has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

I could live on the breakfast sandwich. It is that good. The breakfast burrito is pretty amazing too. Friendly service and clean.

  • Order type: Dine in
  • Meal type: Breakfast
  • Price per person: $10–20
  • Reservation: Walk-ins only
  • Parking options: Free street parking
Ishaan BansalLocal Guide · 90 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Ishaan has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

The food was amazing. Chef Julien was amazing.

  • Order type: Dine in
  • Meal type: Brunch
  • Price per person: $20–30
  • Group size: 2 people
Creighton ForrestLocal Guide · 181 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Creighton has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Great onion rings. Blue Moon was good and cold.

  • Price per person: $10–20
Juliana LeeLocal Guide · 17 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Juliana has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

My favorite : salmon and tuna poke bowl

  • Order type: Dine in
  • Meal type: Lunch
  • Price per person: $20–30
  • Group size: 3-4 people
  • Parking space: Plenty of parking
  • Parking options: Free parking lot, Free street parking
christian parker1 reviewTotal number of Google reviews christian has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Best breakfast burrito I had in a long time. Just had it two days in a row. Lots of avocado and leafy greens along with eggs and spicy salsa on the side. It’s incredible. Thank you.

  • Price per person: $20–30
  • Reservation: Not sure
  • Noise level: Very quiet
  • Wait time: No wait
Diego Moreno (Die4Go)Local Guide · 650 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Diego has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

I came for breakfast but the side on my quiche had a bug. They should check quality of the products and food safety before offering to customers

Brian ThomasLocal Guide · 27 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Brian has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Great breakfast burrito (egg, bacon, spinach, avocado, potatoes), friendly team, quiet on a Tuesday morning.

  • Order type: Dine in
  • Meal type: Breakfast
  • Group size: 2 people, 3-4 people
  • Seating type: Indoor dining area
Paulo SilveiraLocal Guide · 325 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Paulo has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Surprising service and food. Congratulations to the staff. Amazing chicken sandwich

  • Meal type: Lunch
  • Group size: 1 person
  • Seating type: Indoor dining area
Karen AdelsteinLocal Guide · 22 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Karen has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Cafeteria looking cafe with comfy seating. Service was subpar. Coffee stunk! Cup of milk. Plenty of other options with more kind staff.

Jonathan AdelsteinLocal Guide · 14 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Jonathan has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Oat milk not a good flavor. Cappuccino weak.

Redwood Café by Chef Julien on Google Maps →

Business details