"Contender for best burger in London"   My Rating
76 Jemima	Posted on: Tuesday, August 25, 2009
	Review: The window is metal wired and you enter through what seems to be a small door. I guess it's probably a regular door but seems small for the rectangular space that makes up the café. There's a vintage looking computer in the front corner which you might be able to use for internet. There is also wifi. The décor is scruffy. Not sure if they were aiming for that but they might have been. It is a cooperative and has a punk/ anarchist/ Marxist vibe. There were quite a few people sitting about talking, hardly anyone was eating. There was no soap in the toilet. I'm assuming they had soap in the kitchen... It's organic food with mainly burgers and a few other things like nachos and sausage and chips. There are children's sized portions too. Desserts include cheesecake which I've been told is very good. Unfortunately there wasn't any when I went. After using my antibacterial hand sanitizer I had a punk burger which was a burger with bacon, cheese, salad and mayo. The bun had herbs in it and the burger patty was a soy one. I think they make them on site. It was decent. I had a peanut banana smoothie which was pretty good. This is more of a healthy version of fast food as opposed to substitute McDonalds like Next Generation and Red Veg. Service was helpful and prompt but he didn't do anything about the lack of soap in the toilet. Value is very good at just over a fiver for the above. I'm not sick yet so I'm guessing they had soap in the kitchen but no soap in the toilet – has to be a three for that.   Pros: Vegan, organic * fitting decor for their ethos * Cons: no soap in the toilet * *
0 of 0 visitors found the above review beneficial  Respond | Contact Member | Was this review useful?  - report abuse -

"Great cake, grumpy staff member"   My Rating
5 veganauror a	Posted on: Monday, June 29, 2009
	Review: Pogo is one of the best places in London for cake. Their mango cake for example is usually moist and delicious. They also do a great vegan milkshakes and a super knickerbocker glory - ice-cream heaven. Apart from the food, the cafe also promotes organic veg initiatives and the work of local artists amongst other things. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and unpretentious, and the staff are usually friendly and helpful except for one evening when my friend and I went a couple of weeks ago when one of the staff members was a bit grumpy and unhelpful. Hopefully that was just an off-day for him as it would be a shame to put people off going to a place that has good intentions and great vegan cake.   Pros: great cake * good value * Cons: grumpy staff member * *
0 of 0 visitors found the above review beneficial  Respond | Contact Member | Was this review useful?  - report abuse -

"amazing vegan food, casual atmosphere"   My Rating
12 quarrygirl	Posted on: Saturday, June 13, 2009
	Review: of all the places i've dined in london, pogo cafe is definitely one of my favorites. the small co-operative acts as a hub for activism, a book trader, and one of the city's few 100% vegan restaurants. there are a couple dining tables in the place as well as comfy couches, computer stations, and coffee tables covered with anti-government literature. all this stuff is really rad, but the best thing about pogo cafe is of course the delicious food. i'm talking really good, cheap vegan fare served in huge portions. when we went to pogo, my husband ordered a punk burger, which was hearty and tasty beyond belief. the thick vegan patty came topped with cheezly, mayo, vegetables, and a meatless "rasher," or bacon as they call it here in america. he upgraded his burger to the meal option, which means they served it with a huge pile of spicy potato wedges and side of leafy greens. clocking in at under £6, this thing was a deal and an awful lot of food. i ordered the nacho plate, which was an impressive mound of chips topped with fresh salsa, guacamole, vegan sour cream and melted cheezly. i was so excited when my plate arrived and it was covered in cheezly, one of my favorite vegan cheeses that is almost impossible to come by in the states. it had an amazing rich cheese flavor, and it actually melted. i seriously think this is the best plate of nachos i've ever had in my life, and it was only £3.90! how is it that a couple of DIY kids in a tiny kitchen can make me a lunch this amazing, but fully staffed restaurants in fancy facilities can't turn out something half this good? when in london, definitely hit up pogo. it's totally out of the way and will take a while to get there, but it's very VERY worth it.   Pros: all vegan * casual vibe * great food Cons: staff can be rude * far away *
1 of 1 visitors found the above review beneficial  Respond | Contact Member | Was this review useful?  - report abuse -

"Pogo Cheesecake Rules Da Skool!"   My Rating
4 Marsglobe	Posted on: Saturday, June 14, 2008
	Review: A friend and I went for a meal at Pogo, and found ourselves in the middle of an evening dedicated to Palestine including a really enlightening illustrated lecture by someone living there. This is the strength of Pogo - it creates links and cross currents which perhaps you might not normally make while chowing down your food. Pogo situates itself in the anarchist counter-cultural milieu: it's in Hackney, it's punky but it's welcoming to nerds like me. The staff were smiley and friendly and prepared our food in record time. The restuarant itself is an assemblage of scavenged furniture and restored nick nacks which feels rather lovely and would probably be described as post apocalyptic shabby chic. All of this is underpinned by a varied selection of music (and occassional live shows I believe). As for the food itself, well, we came in at the end of the evening, so the main meal which was a nut roast was a little dried out, nothing that a little gravy couldn't cure though. AND the cheesecake more than made up for the disappointing started. This is easily the best vegan cheesecake I've ever had (and believe me I've had a few!) and even now some months later - the thought of that cheesecake is what will draw me back to Pogo when I'm next in London. So, if you want solid food, great cheesecake, to support people who are doing their best to create a different world and the chance to rub shoulders with activists from around the globe, make your way to the little cafe with the big, big heart! That's before I even mention the Secret Society of Vegans who may (or may not) have their HQ somewhere in the bowels of the building...   Pros: good atmosphere * heavenly cheesecake * friendly staff Cons: can get a bit crowded * *
1 of 1 visitors found the above review beneficial  Respond | Contact Member | Was this review useful?  - report abuse -

"great spot!"   My Rating
8 anto	Posted on: Tuesday, April 29, 2008
	Review: I visited the Pogo over the weekend on a visit to London its a great spot. Lovely food, nutritious tasty, good portions and great value. Really nice atmosphere and friendly people -respect to all the volunteers! free internet access too and great cup of tea! Cool exhibition on the walls of UK zine artists which was great also! Id defo recommend this place. Its very close to the Hackney Central station once you've got your A-Z Guide you cant miss it! If you've got a bike its a handy cycle also! Do it!!   Pros: Great Value * Nutritious * Atmosphere Cons: Closed Mon, Tues * *
0 of 0 visitors found the above review beneficial  Respond | Contact Member | Was this review useful?  - report abuse -

"Thank you, peeps at Pogo!"   My Rating
3 greengirl	Posted on: Saturday, January 26, 2008
	Review: I went there w/my gf in May whilst we were visiting London from NYC. The location is dodgy and not what you'd call queer friendly, but the place is accessible by bus, which is a plus for travelers. We got there after they'd closed the kitchen, but we were able to convince the girl behind the counter to let us order some grain coffee and a vegan lemon cheesecake that was TOPS! I also liked the art exhibit that was up, all about Banksy and other graffiti artists. I'm not exactly an activist either, but this is definitely the place to be after or during the revolution -- or to help plan it! Thanks to the volunteer peeps at Pogo for keeping us from starving on a brisk, rainy night...you rock..   Pros: cheesecake * film screenings, local art * collectivist atmosphere Cons: location * weird hours * a bit clique-ish
0 of 0 visitors found the above review beneficial  Respond | Contact Member | Was this review useful?  - report abuse -

"Highly recommended - fantastic place."   My Rating
3 manicpiani c	Posted on: Friday, November 23, 2007
	Review: I visited this totally vegan mostly organic cafe with my husband yesterday lunchtime. We were so glad that we went. The food is so tasty, lots of it and so cheap. I had the 'Punk' burger which came with thick potato wedges, a leafy green and tofu salad and a carrot, apple and lemon salad. Hubbie had the mixed bean lasagne which came with a mixed salad. For dessert we had the very naughty knickerbocker glories which contained 4 different soya icecreams/sorbets - kids would absolutely love this (I did!). There is plenty of choice on the menu (including the extensive drinks list) which is fantastic bearing in mind how little choice vegans usually get. The vibe of the place is great, very relaxed and laid back with plenty of tables. There are also sofas to chill out on if you want to browse through one of the 2nd hand books left for a book exchange or you could check your emails and surf the internet on one of the 2 computers. All the staff are unpaid volunteers who are trying to do their bit to support veganism and help promote a cruelty-free lifestyle. They were very friendly and helpful. Don't be put off by the cafe's location (Hackney) - in fact there's a lovely square and park just round the corner, and it's not far from the tube station. You won't want to miss this place. It is a real find and I would recommend it highly. You can visit their website which contains their menu among other things at www.pogocafe.co.uk   Pros: Wide choice * Delicious and filling * Cheap Cons: * *
1 of 1 visitors found the above review beneficial  Respond | Contact Member | Was this review useful?  - report abuse -

"Not really a date restaurant"   My Rating
13 MrFalafel	Posted on: Tuesday, May 15, 2007
	Review: The bus dropped me off in central Hackney and my A-Z led me down a side street past a few kebab shops and liquor shops across from a slightly dodgy housing estate to the Pogo Cafe. The decor is more student union than restaurant but its very relaxed and welcoming, even for someone dressed in a business suit (which I was). There was only one other customer and the volunteer/staff were lounging around or doing odd jobs around the place in a very relaxed pace. Great music and interesting political art on the walls. The menu was simple enough so I ordered garlic bread and their signature puNk burger. The handed me a corkscrew for me to open my bottle of wine (which I brought) and even gave me a proper glass! My garlic bread was served and turned out to be extremely lovely hearty whole grain fresh bread toasted with a very fresh and garlicky spread on it. Very nice. The puNk burger was served by a dreadlocked chef who treated me like a colleague by engaging me in the conversation that was floating around the room mainly by the staff members. The burger was one of the top veggie burger available in London. Vegan cheese, and a vegetarian rasher on top of a lovely homemade tofu-based burger patty served in a fresh bun and baked chips and a bit of salad on the side. Top marks for the food and even better marks for the great prices. Verdict: great place to eat after a protet march or with your anarchist buddies.   Pros: great prices * great food * quriky Cons: not central * not best location *
2 of 2 visitors found the above review beneficial  Respond | Contact Member | Was this review useful?  - report abuse -

For Business Owners, if you see an unfair review- read this
Why was my review removed?- details
Reviews are not endorsed by HappyCow.net - review terms

Has POGO Cafe closed, shut down, moved, or changed? Please use the Update Form.