This past weekend I went down to a little outdoor shopping center to take my boyfriend's nieces ice skating. I was so surprised to see a vegan restaurant located right in the shopping center and I just had to try it out.
When looking through their menu I noticed that Irvine wasn't the only city there were located in. They are also located in Los Angeles, El Segundo and Santa Monica. The Veggie Grill was recently named one of L.A.'s top 10 new restaurants. Doesn't it make you so happy when you see a vegan restaurant doing so well? I know it does for me : ]
For my lunch I ordered their Santa Fe Crispy Chickin' with a side of sweetheart fries. The sandwich blew me away at how close their mock meat tasted like the real thing. It reminded me a lot of Gardein and is definitely something I'd reorder next time I eat here.
I also ordered a small bowl of Bean Me Up Chili, which came with a side of flax seed chips. The chili was okay but not that great. I think I disliked it so much because it wasn't spicy at all..it was a little on the plain side, but at only $2.50 I really can't complain.
When looking through their menu I noticed that Irvine wasn't the only city there were located in. They are also located in Los Angeles, El Segundo and Santa Monica. The Veggie Grill was recently named one of L.A.'s top 10 new restaurants. Doesn't it make you so happy when you see a vegan restaurant doing so well? I know it does for me : ]
For my lunch I ordered their Santa Fe Crispy Chickin' with a side of sweetheart fries. The sandwich blew me away at how close their mock meat tasted like the real thing. It reminded me a lot of Gardein and is definitely something I'd reorder next time I eat here.
I also ordered a small bowl of Bean Me Up Chili, which came with a side of flax seed chips. The chili was okay but not that great. I think I disliked it so much because it wasn't spicy at all..it was a little on the plain side, but at only $2.50 I really can't complain.
The sandwich and fries look great. I'm not from Cali so I've never heard of the place. I'm hoping to visit Cali soon so that I can try some of these wonderful looking vegan restaurants out.
ReplyDeleteHey Jacklyn! It does make me happy whenever I hear about any vegetarian or vegan business doing well. Makes me even happier when I hear one is frequented by a lot of omnivores-just b/c it gives the feeling that people are being open minded to the idea of less meat?!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I want one of those sandwiches. You made it sound so good:)
That looks like a great meal. Sometimes I think restaurant chili is mild to make a wider appeal - but it still looks good! I would love to have more places like that around. Maybe their success will propel them eastward.
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT but soo expensive!
ReplyDeleteI really think CA is the place to be vegan! I hope the rest of the nation catches up soon!
ReplyDeleteI am from LA originally but moved away about 7 years ago (and I was omni at the time). I LOVE discovering all the great LA vegan food whenever I'm there visiting. I'm definitely gonna mark the Veggie Grill's Santa Monica or El Segundo location on my "must visit" list!
ReplyDeleteI can't complain though, Chicago is pretty awesome for vegan food, too (I've lived here since summer of '09). I got lucky when my husband got stationed here for work!
Veggie Grill is one of my favorite restaurants!
ReplyDeletePrices are definitely decent for vegan eats and I've never eaten anything bad there. Irvine actually has two locations, the one at the Spectrum and another one at UCI. I've only been to the UCI location, but the service and food have always been great!
Any non-vegan peeps I've taken there have raved about it as well! :)
Veggie Grill actually does use Gardein mock meats. I am a Veggie Grill fanatic--they have the most incredible salads. I'm addicted to the baja fiesta. Their chocolate pudding is also really good. I usually get it to go and warm it up for a treat later.
ReplyDeleteI also bring omnivores here all the time because they all love this place!
I already ate there and I LOVE IT !
ReplyDeleteWish we had places like this around here...
ReplyDeleteI've gone to the Veggie Grill in Irvine many times. They have amazing food and every time I'm there I try something new. Last time I had what you had, the santa fe chicken and I was astounded at how hearty and meat like it was. I'm not a fan of the coleslaw they give you with burgers but their sweet potato fries are amazing. I am very pleased the Veggie Grill is doing well, I hope one opens up in Anaheim or Fullerton soon.
ReplyDeleteI really like their chili.
ReplyDeleteI go to this place often, I live closer to the one in Long Beach. I really love their sandwiches, also their new Mando Nachos are really good
ReplyDeleteWow what a great blog, i really enjoyed reading this, good luck in your work. Vegan lunch Leicester
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