Cosi

Have been here twice and both times they didn’t get my order right. After making my sandwich they immediately wrapped it without asking if I wanted to eat it here. I suppose he assumed since I was alone and younger looking that I can’t eat somewhere by myself. When I got to the register I asked for a plate to eat it here and she was completely confused and said they don’t have plates??? Guess I’ll just eat it out of the tin foil then. I usually love cosi but this one is extremely disappointing.

I have been to many Cosis and it is a restaurant I really enjoy. I’ve really never had an issue before, but this Cosi was the exception.
I work right around the corner so I went there today for the first time for a quick bite. I entered the store and was greeted by a sign that said Salads to the right, Sandwiches to the left. I was confused because at every other Cosi I’ve been to you just order at the register and they bring the food to the table. I was also ordering a Taste two (half salad+half sandwich) so I wasn’t sure which line to get in. I decided on the salad line because it seemed like the logical progression of the line to the register.
I get to the front of the line and the guy asks me what I want. I told him I wanted the taste two with a Signature Salad and a Pork Belly Bahn Mi sandwich. Without looking at me he asks «White or wheat»? I had no idea he was talking to me and I could hardly hear because it was loud. When I didn’t answer he yelled at me and was extremely rude. When I told him what I wanted he went over to the sandwich people and told them my sandwich order. He then told me to slide down to the other side and wait for my sandwich.
I noticed that everyone else in line got an order slip to bring up to the register. I got nothing, but I assumed the sandwich people would give me one when they were finished making other people’s orders. I was standing there waiting while three more people ordered and received their sandwiches and eventually I thought there was no way it was taking them that long to make my order. After standing there for about 7 minutes I asked the lady if someone was making mine and she said the guy in the back was. Well I noticed he was making a full sized sandwich and I ordered a half size. I notified her of this, and she asked me if I ever got an order slip. I said no. She wrote one up for me and told me I could go pay at the register and they would bring me my sandwich.
I figured they would just give me the whole sandwich that they had already made to make up for the fact that I had been waiting for so long (which they never really acknowledged even though I was waiting directly in front of the counter AND the manager walked past several times). They gave me a half sandwich anyway. What did they do? Cut the sandwich in half and throw out the rest? Make a whole new sandwich? They never even asked if my order was for there or to go. I wanted to eat in house but they wrapped everything up and didn’t give me a tray.
When I finally sat down, I opened my salad and it was pretty lacking. Whenever I’ve eaten at cosi the salad is usually very sizable with the lettuce piled above the rim of the bowl. Since they had given me a lid (because they never asked if I was eating there or to go) there was hardly any lettuce, and what was there was absolutely DRENCHED in dressing. I’m talking, when I was finished eating, there was at least a centimeter of dressing remaining at the bottom of the bowl. They also gave me white bread when I had ordered wheat.
I gave it two stars because, besides the bread being wrong, my Sandwich was ok. I had never had that particular sandwich from Cosi before so I have nothing to compare it to, but for what its worth I liked it. I’ll be fair.
This is the first Cosi I have been to for a few months, so I have no idea if Cosi just changed their ordering layout or if this particular location is one of the only ones that does it this way. It was completely unorganized and prone to error. I will not be returning to this Cosi location which is a shame, because it is the closest one to my work and I really do enjoy Cosi’s food. Oh well, I’d rather enjoy the diverse cultural cuisine of Philadelphia anyway.

This is the first review I have ever written. I must share the absurdity I just experienced at a restaurant that I have regularly frequented for the last 15 years. I ordered the «Signature Salad» which is standard for me. My husband picked it up, brought it home and when we opened the bag, we found the salad — one-​third the size of the usual portion. I called the store and was told, «Yes, now we’re making the salad the RIGHT WAY!» For 15 years it’s been made the WRONG way consistently??? «Now we’re weighing the lettuce,» they added. Needless to say, Cosi has lost a customer! Zero stars! (By the way, the price was not cut, but the portion size sure was!)

I cannot believe this was the same cosi’s I was at six months ago. Today my daughter flew in from nyc. her flight to Italy had a layover there… 5 family member and I met with her there, since I said this place was great. Well. this was today. I was SO embarrassed we paid close to 60 for a salad a large pizza and a sandwich and 5 waters.. The food is tasty but the girl that brought the pizza to us. dropped part of the pizza yet still served the remainder to us. she said sorry. I dropped some. I said that was ok, just bring us some more. Even though we were pressed for time bc of my daughters next flight… she said well. then I would have to make a new pizza. I said ok. she said no I can’t DO that!!! omg. I was shocked… the place was also dirty. I cannot believe she did not fix her mistake. we let it go. and left hungry. Never again will I recommend this place to anyone. even though I love the food… who is training these people. where are their manners. you Don’t serve people a partial meal they paid for!

I have no idea why Cosi only has two stars. I had a lay over here in Philly and this was fairly close to the sights making it very convenient. The only reason that I took away a star was that I was unable to get a bagel as it was too late in the afternoon. I feel as though bagels are an all day type of food. Instead I got tomato basil soup and some raspberry lemonade. I also nibbled on pieces of my brother’s margarita pizza. Oh man were they good! I am incredibly picky about my tomato soup (it is my favorite food and eat it quite often) and I would certainly recommend it! The pizza was delicious as well. Very impressed!!!

Another Enthusiastic 1 Star. Horrible Horrible Operations at this location!
Please Cosi Management — send someone who knows what they are doing to set some standards at this location!
Sampling of various visits over the last 4 months.
1. As other reviewers commented, there are 2 lines, one for sandwiches and the other for salads. The lines are «loose» — you can usually order from either line — the people behind the counter don’t seem to care. Nor do they care if someone walks up ahead of you and orders, they don’t really notice who is in line. There is no semblance of order.
2. The menu clearly states a price for Half Salad and Full Salad. I tried to order a half salad and the person making my salad (who has worked there as long as I have been going there — 4 months) told me I can only get a half salad if I get a Half and Half option (half soup/​salad/​sandwich). Well, that is not what the menu says, but nevertheless I ordered a full salad. At the cashier I asked if it was possible to order a half salad as stated on the menu board. She said, hmm, I’m not sure, and looked at the cash register. Then she said, yes, because it is on the register, I guess you can.
3. The menu clearly states that you can substitute any meat with Grilled Tofu. My friend ordered a salad and asked to substitute the chicken for tofu. They salad guy said «what? Oh no, we don’t have any of that.» My friend pointed out what it says on the menu and he frantically ran around shouting «Do we have tofu, do we have tofu?» Nobody else knew what he was talking about so he came back and said «no we don’t have tofu.» My friend again pointed out that the menu says they have it and he again asked a couple of people and said «no sorry, I don’t know why the menu says that.» The woman at the cash register confirmed that they do have tofu.
4. Cosi Card — they have a Cosi card which you can get if you ask for it. I asked the cashier for it one day after my transaction and he gave me one. I asked why he didn’t ask if I had a card before my purchase and he said «oh, we aren’t trained to ask before a purchase.» Dumb. Dumb. Also, why can’t I use my phone # when I come back to get credit for my purchase. Why do I physically have to carry my card around instead of being able to give my phone number like most rewards programs?
5. Tables dirty — usually
6. Agree with another review — they will have a guy rolling out bread when there are 10 people in line. Shouldn’t that be done during downtime?
7. They people behind the counter don’t look up. They’ll stand there with a line of people seemingly not noticing that people are waiting to order.
I could go on. Unfortunately, we moved into the Bourse Building across from Cosi 4 months ago and Cosi is the closest place where I can get a decent salad so I and my co-​workers go there more than we would like. The food inside the Bourse Building is pretty bad.
The food at Cosi is generally good, I just really wish they would get their act together Operationally. It is a total joke the way this place is run. Clown shoes.

This location has the typical Cosi food that we all know (flatbread sandwiches, salads, and flatbread pizza, all around $ 8). It’s a good lunch spot when you need to grab a quick, inexpensive bite and it is very convenient to all of the tourist attractions in Old City. The service is reasonably friendly and not rushed at all. There is plenty of seating inside as well.
Unfortunately the layout is more than a little awkward. The lunch line is divided into two areas, one for salads/​pizza and another for sandwiches, and customers are taken one at a time. There is not a good flow to the cashier, which is on the other side of a large pillar, making the line to get to the cashier fairly confusing.

We were staying at a nearby hotel and wanted something casual for breakfast. This was the perfect spot, reasonable prices, good food and great service.

Nice low-​key restaurant. The staff is friendly, prices are low and the food is good for the price-​range. I had the hot turkey & brie sandwich with carrots. Nice place to sit and relax a little bit without feeling super crowded or loud like other nearby restaurants.

Amazing service. Staff was very friendly and went out of their way to make sure we had everything. Food was pretty good overall. Great place for a quick and satisfying bite to eat with a good variety of foods. Healthy options available.

While I’ve had, for the most part, good experiences at Cosi, my experience at this location left a whole lot to be desired. I’m involved in a once-​a-​month shadow cast screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show that takes place at the Ritz at the Bourse down the street from this Cosi. We had just finished a video shoot for an upcoming show and wanted to grab some dinner before our performance, since we had just over an hour to spare beforehand. Unfortunately, they ran out of bread so they couldn’t make any sandwiches, and while the manager announced they could only do salads and rice bowls until closing time, he did nothing else to rectify the bread situation (or counsel the distraught counter guy who was panicking over the lack of bread) most of us were pretty disappointed. In addition, one of my castmates overheard an employee collectively call our group «freaks,» because some of us were in full costume and makeup. The only thing to lighten the mood was a group of high school girls who were in town for a Lacrosse tournament who saw us and started singing the «Time Warp,» since their school’s theater department had put on the show. Regardless, we will NOT be returning to this Cosi.

Stay away from the pizza at Cosi. It is really lame. Especially since in Philly you can get really good authentic pizza practically right around the corner from any Cosi.
I repeat… do not order the pizza at Cosi. I just saved you from wasting $ 8… you’re welcome.

Walked in to get a coffee and no one was at the coffee counter, but the food counter had 5 people. Asked the food guy to make a mocha and he just points that I continue to wait for No ONE to help me. This place fails at customer service

EVERY TIME I GO HERE I GET THE WORST SERVICE AND THE WORST COFFEE.
Was there two weeks ago. Horrible service, horrible coffee, slow personnel, and the list can go on and on. I was told by one of the cashiers that he could not really take me because he had to close his register, and that was after I had been standing there for a minute or two waiting for him to actually pay attention to me. Who closes a register at 11:00 am on Sunday, may i ask? it is not like the place is open ²⁴⁄₇.

Stopped here to grab lunch quick on the walk home with my husband yesterday. Cosi has never been by any means «gourmet» but you could get a decent lunch for not tons of money. Until now.
First of all, when we walked in 2 people were waiting for their food and one was in front of us in line. The person making the sandwiches did not see any need to pick up the pace. She couldn’t have been slower if she was moving backwards. Then there’s another employee restocking the sandwich area. Now I know that’s your job but when you see now 6 people that have accumulated in line, can’t you help?
So we finally get to order just before we were about to walk out in frustration. The main complaint about the actual food is my husband didn’t even get a tray for his sandwich. Not to mention, it no longer comes with choice of chips or carrots. So you pay $ 6.99 for a sandwich that was barely full, and had nothing special about it (essentially a turkey sandwich). It’s a total ripoff. I won’t go back.

Tried going here tonight at 8pm. The staff watched me walk in and continued to talk amongst themselves. Twice a young man looked over at me standing at the register. I smiled, waited for some kind of acknowledgement, and left when they completely ignored me. I thought maybe it was a passive aggressive way to tell me they were closed (despite the other customers seated inside and the wide open doors). Alas, they are supposed to be open until 10pm on Thursdays. Sorry lads, not that hard up for a lemonade. If you can bypass this Cosi, you should.

I’m pretty sure most people know what they are getting into when they head to Cosi. Nothing wrong with a quick meal on the go here.
If I am trying to save some cash and I’m on my way to the nail salon, I stop here and get a sandwich. I like that they have the calories listed on the menu and I like the combo option (½ salad and ½ sandwich).
Decent alternative to regular fast food. I like the Cosi Club and I seem to be addicted to the Diet Lemonade.

I’m surprised to see that this place received an average of 2 stars. This is the first time I ever walked into this chain and I thought I would give it a try. BTW, is it a philly thing that all foods must have their calories listed? It’s a really nice deterrent to eating the foods I actually want!
I spent like 10 min at the cashier trying to decide on what I wanted given their large selection of items that sounded good. Pizzas, sandwiches, wraps, various tasty drinks… I finally settled on the Tandoori chicken sandwich. um… DERICIOUS! The strawberry smoothie? DERICIOUS!
I didn’t get the impression that the service was terrible, but maybe all the other Cosi’s had outstanding service! They bring the food to your table and they quickly run out of space to sit during their lunch rush… so rush your booty over early.

HORRIBLE service! Just awful!
Food tasted stale and not flavorful at all.
I’ve been to Cosis before, and none were as awful as this one.

My boo and I came here to avoid paying for the overpriced hotel breakfast at the holiday inn down the street by independence hall.
I thought it was a pretty standard cosi. Not sure location was like all of the other ones, but it had a bunch of little things I thought was annoying.
For breakfast, the coffee was kept behind the counter. I think they should let us have free refills. It’s not like you can drink gallons of it anyway.
Napkins are kept on lockdown behind the counter. They’re going green I suppose, but I like napkins on every table.
The squagel egg sandwich we had was pretty good. and the employees super friendly and helpful.
I thought going to this place for breakfast was a great alternative to our crappy hotel.