A new San Francisco lunch spot offers Mediterranean-style bowls for just USD 6.99, prepared and served from a blue-and-white kiosk. Unlike other restaurants using robot chefs, Mezli has zero on-site humans. The entire process, from ordering to preparing to serving, is entirely automated.
How it works? Flesh-and-blood workers prepare ingredients in bulk at Mezli's central, off-site kitchen. The kiosk is then stocked with those grains, veggies, sauces and other elements, like a full mise en place for the robot workers.
Customers order from a touch screen — selecting either fixed menus or a build-your-own — and the robots get to work: custom-plating bowls, and heating and cooking as needed. They apply garnishes, sauces and toppings, after which the meal, sides and drinks are served through smart lockers.
