One of the reasons we hosted our ArticulATE food robot conference in San Francisco this week is because, well, it’s where most food robots are. So it only made sense while I was in town to go on a Food Network-esque trip around town, enjoying all the robot repasts I could.

My tour did not disappoint. I spent the day walking (and Ubering) around SF visiting Cafe X, Yo-Kai Express, Creator, Blendid and Le Bread Xpress. Because it’s better to show than to tell, we created a Spoon Instagram (follow us!) to give you a glimpse at all the cool food robotics happening right now.

 

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San Francisco Food Robot Tour part 1 Started the morning at Cafe X downtown. Got a delicious green matcha latte with oat milk. App was easy to use, the robot’s articulating arm still draws lookeeloos with cameras and most important the drink was tasty. Good start to the day. Up next: Yo-Kai Express Ramen

A post shared by The Spoon (@thespoontech) on Apr 18, 2019 at 8:11pm PDT

 

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SF Food Robot Tour part 2 Yo-Kai Express in the Metreon is a high-tech vending machine that dispenses delicious (very) hot bowls of ramen (roughly $12) in under a minute. The machine will soon take crypto payments as well as airline vouchers. Gen 2 of the machine will add a second dispenser to reduce wait times. I’m not a ramen expert, and this was fast, tasty, and did we mention hot? Next stop: Creator for a robo burger

A post shared by The Spoon (@thespoontech) on Apr 18, 2019 at 8:21pm PDT

 

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SF Food Robot Tour stop 3 – Creator Located on Folsom downtown, Creator is a buzzy robot burger restaurant that honestly? Is worth the hype. Get there right at 11:30 because the line gets long quick (it also has very limited hours). Burgers are $6 and even though they read as fancy on the menu the one I had (The Re-Creator) had a clean taste packed with flavor. Next stop: Blendid for a smoothie

A post shared by The Spoon (@thespoontech) on Apr 18, 2019 at 8:31pm PDT

 

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SF Food Robot Tour stop 4 – Blendid Nestled inside the University of San Francisco’s Market Cafe. Download the Blendid app and choose from one of eight smoothies like Foggy Don and Modern Lassi. An articulating arm whirls about moving pitchers, blending and pouring drinks. I got the Strawberry and Cream ($6) and felt it was a little thin and not that creamy. Next stop: Le Bread Xpress

A post shared by The Spoon (@thespoontech) on Apr 18, 2019 at 8:47pm PDT

 

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SF Food Robot Tour part 5 – Le Bread Xpress If you’re ever in desperate need of a baguette-stat!-AND you happen to be at the Stonestown Galleria, you’re in luck! Le Bread Xpress is more machine than robot, but is does heat up and spit out par-baked loafs of french bread for $4. I was pleasantly surprised at how good this machine loaf was! Fluffy, airy, buttery with a nice crust that is neither soggy nor crisp enough to lacerate your gums. Hopefully more machines will pop up in more convenient locations. Thanks for going on this your with us! Stay tuned for even more robot eateries!

A post shared by The Spoon (@thespoontech) on Apr 18, 2019 at 8:49pm PDT