Central Kitchen at The Lorenzo

Love the burgers and fries here. They are filling and tasty. I come every week on my lunch break. All compliments nothing negative

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Absolutely horrendous customer service and physically aggressive behavior.

On August 25, 2025, I was in the Central Kitchen at The Lorenzo, where I live as a new resident, getting a drink from their refill soda machine like I always have. I had my headphones in because I was on my way to class, and suddenly a man approached me in a completely aggressive and threatening manner. He demanded to know what I was doing, and when I explained I was getting a drink that’s supposed to be free for residents, he literally tried to grab the cup out of my hand and force it away from me.

I repeatedly told him to let go, but he refused and accused me of stealing. I even offered to pay for the drink just to get him off me. After I paid, I told him not to grab my cup again and explained that management should make it clear which drinks are free because The Lorenzo advertises “free drinks on the ground floor.” Instead of apologizing, he continued with his physically aggressive, threatening behavior and called me a thief even AFTER I paid for the drink.

I later learned this man is the owner from the Lorenzo. This is beyond disgusting. No resident should ever be physically grabbed, threatened, or accused like this in a place I pay a lot of money to live in. It made me feel unsafe, and honestly, I can’t believe a place like this exists. My parents wanted me to call the police and file a report, but we reported it to the city and state instead.

This experience was the absolute worst and scary customer service I’ve ever had in my life. Avoid this place if you value basic human decency and safety for USC students, there’s plenty of good food right down the street.

Edit: Apparently the owner is a liar too because I was in Canada when I wrote the review and he wants to try to repair their horrible image and say I went there on the day I wrote the review. Great example of the aggression as he still tries to say I stole even AFTER I paid, embarrassing. Thank you to all the support in reporting this business!

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Jay is the best

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Everything here tastes like it was made just for me.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Where people feel like people.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I absolutely love CK, it's my favorite thing about the Lorenzo, and the only thing I will miss when I leave LA. The food is almost always on top tier. They are flexible with adding or removing things from their meals, and the app is easy to use (mostly) My favorite thing about CK is the staff, half of the staff know me by name, I don't ever have to wait in line because they already know that that mobile order is mine. It is a little bit spendy, but if you want my personal favorites I would recommend the Hangover Burger, the Junior Burger, and the Alfredo. Sometimes the hours change which can be a little bit unfortunate but they are still usually open over 12 hours a day, so cannot complain much at all. Don't go here if you don't want to become addicted to burgers.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

It was good. We had the carne asada fries, buffalo chicken wrap and cheese pizza. Everything tasted fresh and came out quickly

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

What a great place beautiful courtyard fountains left and right an amazing green palm trees great food even a sand volleyball court right off the toll road carpool Road from the 110 brilliant so great food. We loved it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Came from the children’s hospital and decided to order from this location which was near by. I ordered the margarita pizza 🍕 and it was delicious the ambience is calm and pleasant which is a residence for students attending USC it is a nice residential area.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Every single thing on their menu is absolutely delicious!! My daughter lives here (USC student) so yes I have had just about everything on the menu. When I visit her, it’s the only place I want to eat!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

EDIT (NEW)

I went into the restaurant today and told them about my experience four days ago. Justin helped me immensely; he remade the fries and added extra chicken and ranch. The supervisor, Joey, the one I was talking about when I made the post, lied to the owner and said he offered me a free meal or items when that's straight up a lie; why would I write a bad review then if you had fixed my problem when I came in? I don't know whose fault that is. Joey lied and doesn't know how to treat people. What a joke. Luckily, I met Justin today, and he fixed all my issues; I was sad to hear he was leaving soon. He's a good person. Thank you so much, Justin!

I ordered the Buffalo Chicken Fries in the afternoon around dinner. The item Was 98% Fries and 2% chicken. I couldn't go on the same day because I had a class later and once I was back they were closed. I spoke to the Manager today, who has a crazy attitude and told me I should've called when they don't pick up phone calls most of the time, even when they open, stating that he's always there till 11. and he said there was nothing he could do about it. I paid 15$ for fries, basically, and I had to throw the food out since it was all soggy fries, a couple of pieces of bleu cheese, and three small circles of chicken. (It was not even one full tender. That's how little chicken there was) You can go to CAVA; they give you an ample large bowl with two plentiful scoops of chicken, which only costs 13$. These fries also tasted weird, but I'm not even complaining about that entirely; it's more of the fact that they do not have chicken and how they treat their customers. This place has many food quality issues, such as food not being consistent. I usually go here often, and most of the time, there are always issues with the food. I don't like to complain, but when quality is always poor, I always have to say something. The Manager with big earrings offered no help or service to make it right since it was the next day. I didn't want the fries again cause of how bad they taste and how they make it. I just wanted some compensation, like a free drink or cookie. It's not my fault they were closed, and they messed up the order in the first place. If you follow the recipe guidelines, then there wouldn't even be an issue in the first place. He's a joke. And if you say you are sorry and are going to make it right after this review, then you should have done it when I went in. TERRIBLE MANAGER, Learn how to treat customers and compensate them for something you shouldn't even have done in the first place. What a joke

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Showed friends from east coast this gem on the west coast! Excellent customer service, clean restaurant, varieties of food and snacks. fountain with fire in the midle, very nice enviroment, quiet. Most of their clients are students if USC! Highly recomend!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Very welcoming service and the food is amazing

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Awesome place, awesome food, EASY parking (the most important thing).

Franklin and John, kudos to you guys!

VERY affordable place. Definitely coming back

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food first time experience

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5