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International Vegetarian House Vegetarian Restaurant  
3 cows based on 8 member votes based on 8 member reviews
3239 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix Arizona 85018
602-264-3480
Type: Ovo, Vegan-friendly, Chinese, Buddhist
Info: One of the only pure vegetarian restaurants in Phoenix. Menu is mostly vegan, featuring entrees made with veggies and some with mock meats, plus a few desserts (maybe not vegan). Try the "duck" (wheat gluten) and sweet & sour "pork" (tofu). Tue-Sat 11am-2:30pm, 5-9pm, closed Sun-Monday. Price: Inexpensive.

   
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"Unique Experience"  
My Rating
Fair
RabbitEars
3-10 Reviews 4
Posted on: Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Review: Veggie House has been a Phoenix staple for many years. Their old location on 7th Ave burned several years ago; they then moved to the current location on Indian School. We owe them a lot; for years they were the only 100% vegetarian restaurant in Phoenix.

Their food is a mixture of various Asian cuisines, and they have made attempts to "Americanize" some of the dishes so that they are adjusted to our taste. This is not true of all of them though, so be prepared - some of the food tastes like the genuine article from Hanoi or Singapore or Guangzhou. The atmosphere is also truer to Asia than to American romantic notions of Asia. I enjoy the veggie eel as an appetizer and ginger duck as an entree, though other items have been good too. Being more authentic the dishes are flavored by sauces rather than drowned in them. I much prefer this, as it allows the foods to be tasted (rather than just the sauce) and of course the food is healthier.

This restaurant is the outreach program of a religion called Ching Hai (it is not Buddhist; the description is incorrect). I believe it is a method of meditation. I've never seen an attempt made to "convert" anybody; this is a restaurant not an airport. They just have a TV running in the bar area that shows their channel, usually with the sound turned off; you're free to watch if you want. The staff have always been peaceful and friendly so I was surprised to see other reviews mentioning unfriendly staff; we have never experienced this. Several of the staff have been there for years; that is extremely rare in a restaurant.

We visit Veggie House several times a year and enjoy it. I would recommend Veggie House to any vegetarian who would appreciate such a unique experience. See you there!

 
Pros: Food * Staff * Location
Cons: Atmosphere * *
3 of 3 visitors found the above review beneficial
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"A little weird"  
My Rating
Very good
hippublican
Over 10 Reviews! 13
Posted on: Saturday, November 21, 2009
Review: It's got a little bit of a culty-vibe going on, but the staff was really friendly. I thought the food tasted good, aside from being pretty dry. I ordered vegetable tempura and a chicken dish. We got it to go, so we didn't really have to deal with the awkwardness.
 
Pros: friendly staff * good value *
Cons: dry food * *
1 of 1 visitors found the above review beneficial
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"One good thing... the menu is vegan"  
My Rating
Needs improvement
Rox
3-10 Reviews 10
Posted on: Saturday, May 10, 2008
Review: First, DO NOT bother coming here if you are simply a vegetarian.......
The only GOOD thing about this place is that I can order anything on the menu as it is all Vegan. In Phoenix, I only know of two Vegan restaurants and honestly both have MANY NEGATIVES.
Sad to say, as much as I shouldn't waste my time and money on Vegetarian House, I will drive to this place when I am feeling lazy. I do not recommend this place at all, the waiter always appears bothered by having any customers at all. On my 1st visit and 2nd visit when asking about the sauces on the food, he honestly appeared irritated. The food is typically flavorless and dry. My carnivore friend and Chinese food expert friend agrees the food is bad, service is worst and the ambience is bland and dingy.

 
Pros: Vegan menu * Short commute *
Cons: Service * Food * Ambience
3 of 6 visitors found the above review beneficial
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"Terrible"  
My Rating
Needs improvement
teaman
3-10 Reviews 3
Posted on: Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Review: my partner and I ate here and got very sick. First off the waiter so not friendly at all. we heard him talking to other customers but us he hardly said two words..had bad vibe from this place. the food was not that good tasting either. At the end of the meal my partner had to run to the bathroom and throw up his dinner..almost did not make it to the bathroom. At the same time I got very hot and had trouble breathing feeling like my throat was closing up..awful awful awful..for a place that is suppose to be peaceful and animal loving..is sucked
 
Pros: * *
Cons: waiter * bad vibe * bad food
1 of 3 visitors found the above review beneficial
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"Last reviewer nailed it. Lemon Grass Faux Chicken"  
My Rating
Very good
gr8vegan
Over 10 Reviews! 334
Posted on: Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Review: Its a bare bones establishment, but go for the Lemon Grass Faux Chicken and you'll be happy you did!
 
Pros: * *
Cons: * *
2 of 2 visitors found the above review beneficial
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"Awesome, if you order the right thing"  
My Rating
Very good
csipek
Newbie Reviewer 1
Posted on: Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Review: The first time I tried this restaurant I had great food. The lobster was delicious--but tasted like steak (I'm fairly new to vegetarianism). The lemongrass chicken was also amazing, I would compare it to fried chicken, with more flavor. The second time I went, we hit some misses; sweet and sour pork, I forget exactly what, but it was a chicken with peanuts, and beef and broccoli. These were all very bland. We went during lunch and our favorites were apparently not available, however... I heard someone a table over order the lemongrass chicken even though it was not on there. Anyway, good to know for next time. The lunch soup, I believe it was lentil was also pretty darn good. So, I may experiment a bit more, but the top three so far are: Lemongrass Chicken, Lobster, and Lentil Soup (I believe, it's whatever is served with lunch.)

Oh and this place has a very awkward, culty feel, but don't let it bother you. Also, they are very nice, but service can take a while.

 
Pros: decent prices * rather large proportions * healthy
Cons: some very bland dishes * awkward! *
2 of 2 visitors found the above review beneficial
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"Hit or miss"  
My Rating
Fair
mycota
Newbie Reviewer 1
Posted on: Saturday, August 25, 2007
Review: This restaurant has some great dishes, and some not-so-great. If you find something you like, you'll want to come back every week. If not, come back again and try something else.

The service can be pretty slow, so be prepared to spend some time here. One time I ordered a dish that was nearly inedible (meatball soup), and the server had a really nasty attitude. He also failed to tell us that we would have to pay half the price of the dish after sending it back! I vowed never to return, but the lemongrass chicken beckoned...

The restaurant is owned by a religious group run by Supreme Master Suma Ching Hai, so you'll see her image and paintings everywhere. They often have videos of her playing in the background, as well. Don't let it creep you out.

 
Pros: Lemongrass chicken * Shredded pork rolls * Great selection of fake meat for sale
Cons: Cultish atmosphere * Sometimes slow or rude service * Some dishes aren't that great
3 of 3 visitors found the above review beneficial
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"only good if you know what to order"  
My Rating
Fair
michal
Over 10 Reviews! 20
Posted on: Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Review: pork rice rolls appetizer are so damn good. i usually get one full order for myself. i also like the eel appetizer, the hot & sour soup, and the wonton soup are both good too. lemongrass chicken is my favorite by far. and they have brown rice, you've got to ask for it though. the place is definately eerie- you either love it or hate it, i love it.
 
Pros: * *
Cons: * *
0 of 0 visitors found the above review beneficial
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