146283 Mon Nov 03 12:46:54 -0800 2003 2 12 Boston Area 0 784140 My wife stumbled onto an article about a place in Acton called O'Naturals in the on-line version of The Globe, so we checked it out this weekend -- we actually got lunch there on both Saturday and Sunday. They bill themselves as natural fast food. It is a mini chain -- they have a couple of other locations in Maine -- started by the husband and wife team who started the Stonyfield Farm organic/natural yogurt brand. The menu consists of sandwiches served on home made flat bread (no processed flour or suguar), soups, salads and noodle dishes. As soon as you walk in, you get that chain-like sense, but more of a Whole Foods feel than, say, a McDonalds feel. The large, bright room is decorated with lots of natural wood finishes (with little signs throughout indicating where the mostly recycled building materials were salvaged from). There is a long counter along one wall, where you wait in line and order. Even though it appears that there are separate stations, you place your entire order with the first person who became available to wait on you. The rest of room is comprised of four-top tables, with a couple of larger "community" tables, and a small self-contained toddler play area, with a brio train set and a wooden doll house. The food generally was pretty good, and far better than any other fast-food alternative. I particularly liked their caesar salad (made with a vegan caesar dressing), although they forgot to include the flatbread croutons when I ordered it on Sunday. They also offer a handful of special brunch items on Sunday before 1:00, so I ordered a flatbread egg sandwich, which I enjoyed, although I think they forgot the cheese (or were so skimpy with the cheese that I couldn't detect it). Notwithstanding the minor glitchese, we enjoyed this place and will return. It is particularly useful for parents of young children, as you can satisfy the kids' urge for fast food and still feed them a reasonably nutritious meal. Mon Nov 03 12:46:54 -0800 2003 0 Ian 1 784186 Useful may be a generous description of this place. Although the intention of the owners has to be applauded, their excecution (on three visits) has ranged from barely satisfactory to abysmal. E.G. The young man at the stir fry station took a pan, added cold oil and proceeded to attempt to stir fry (read kill) a nice veggie lunch. nice all wood decor, and yes, you have little kids and dont want them eating crap this is a fun / mall/ non plastic environment. I think if you go, you should let them know if they screw up because they are really trying to do something nice here. Winter Mon Nov 03 20:55:11 -0800 2003 784140 0 Winter 2 784261 Agreed. This place should be taken for what it is. It is not an alternative to dinner at East Coast Grill or Sage. It's not "chowish" in any respect. It's just a better alternative to the other fast food establishments. Wed Nov 05 21:11:00 -0800 2003 784186 0 Ian