Vegan
American
Fast food
Delivery
Take-out
Fusion
Small chain of vegan restaurants originating from Southern California. Offers a menu of sandwiches, veggie burgers, bowls, salads, and others. Order at the counter and food is brought to your table. Reported closed, May 2020.
39 Reviews
First Review by veganandorganic
mettepalludan
Points +122
Nice place - Edit
We had the waffles & chicken, the Oklahoma burger and sweet potato fries with ranch sauce. Everything was good, and some small birds joined us outside grapping small pieces of food that accidently fell from our plates 😉
Read moreGuest
HungryVeganTraveler
Points +68
Vegan "Chicken" & Waffles! - Edit
Just awesome. Visited the location in Chicago previously, and the selection is fantastic. The"chicken" & waffles served with kale, corn, onions, & a fruit syrup is delicious! Worth the trip.
Read morePros: Selection
Guest
RikkiR
Points +94
Countless great experiences here! - Edit
My fiancé and I have frequented this Native Foods locations several times over the course of our year living in the area. It was my third NF location I'd ever visited and his first. The restaurant has gone through a heavy-duty remodel--including a reworking of the menu--and, for the most part, it's only improved.
Read moreNew ownership came at a critical time, I think; waitstaff and service quality had started to dip and we'd stopped visiting for a few months. But after we heard about the remodel we headed back to check it out. There were new employees as well as old favorites who recognized us, and we got the opportunity to become a little chummy with one of the owners. Very nice people who obviously care.
There have been a few times when the food hasn't been as great as it was before, and others when the food has been even better. I think you'll run into that pretty much everywhere, though, especially if you patronize a place often enough. I asked the female owner specifically about the huge variations in their blondie qualities, and she explained that she had noticed it, too, and when she confronted their baker about it the baker had said it was due to some experimentation; she was asked to stick with the agreed-upon recipe, reportedly. But we've noticed since then that it's always hit and miss with the blondies, which is a shame because when they're a hit they're seriously SO good!
Our favorite dishes are:
-Native Nachos (I always get the seitan and guac)
-Chicken Run Ranch (ask to get the patty tossed in buffalo!)
-their new Chicken & Waffles (don't be fooled: it's definitely a dinner entree with its kale and sweet corn combo served with a sriracha-infused maple syrup)
-Moroccan Bowl
-Meatball Sub
Favorite Desserts:
-Blondie (most of the time)
-Oatmeal creme pie
-PB Parfait
It can get understandably a little crowded around lunchtime, a little lackluster toward closing, but we've found that late dinnertime or early lunchtime is usually the sweet spots. With the exception of a few people, everyone who works here is so friendly, funny, and great!
Overall it's one of our favorites, but not our absolute favorite. We've blown the minds of many omnis by taking them here!
Pros: all-vegan, diverse cuisine choices, usually large portions, lovely patio ambiance, great staff
Cons: can't count on the blondies, the few staff who are unfriendly really stick out
Guest
smartin
Points +63
Used to Be a Favorite - Edit
Please change it back to the way it was with all the colorful artwork and fun happy staff! I don't know why or what this test run is all about, however I think it's failing and it's sad to see it happening.
Read moreThe food used to be AWESOME, now sometimes it's just meh. I've noticed all of the original staff has left too and they were all really cool people. I just hope they don't end up closing. I'd hate the public to think it didn't make it because it was one of 'those vegan' restaurants.
I miss what it was.
Pros: They Brought the Bistro Steak Sandwich Back
Cons: Remodel, Run Out of Menu Items, Tables are Always Dirty and Unbussed
Guest
CélineLoriot
Points +30
A great place to go - Edit
My first time in Native food, and it was delicious!
Read moreIt's always great to go to a 100% vegan place so you don't have to look for something you can eat and to ask to remove everything !!! I definitely recommend that place. Employees are super nice, the place is really big, clean and nice, AND the food was really good! All my non vegan friend tried and they loved it.
Pros: all vegan
Guest
Jdclark08
Points +84
delicious!!! - Edit
This is hands down my favorite vegan restaurant. It is a chain so at first I was skeptical, but they make their cheeses (and other foods) fresh. Every meal has been so good and the staff is super friendly. They have bogo on Wednesdays so def take advantage of that. My husband, son, and I can leave there full with only spending about 27$. I cannot say enough about his place!
Read moreGuest
Elisethepinkmermaid
Points +32
Hit or Miss - Edit
I've been here quite a bunch and it's really hit or miss. Sometimes it's great and sometimes it is not great. Maybe it's going downhill? It used to be on point every time! Last time I ordered a wrap and there was too much salt in only one half of it and it was barely edible!
Read moreGuest
HappyVeganChica
Points +77
Best fast vegan! - Edit
Just put your phone down and drive there. Everything will have you asking how it's vegan. iIt's all amazing from the bacon cheeseburger to the nachos to the desserts to the potato salad.
Read morePros: It's all vegan!
Guest
ShantiPeace
Points +496
Fun place - Edit
This is a good place if you are into mock food (which I am not) The dishes are mostly mock dishes but I did manage to find a few (with the help of the enthusiastic server). It was a lot of food. It was tasty. I am not usually around this area, but if I was, I would probably return now and again.
Read moreGuest
Moneyz
Points +465
Delish - Edit
I have been here a few times, not the healthiest around but still has some great options. The food is delicious, albeit not the healthiest. I have taken a few non vegan friends here who both liked it. I specifically like this Native Foods because it is not far from the beach.
Read morePros: Delicious, Location, Friendly/informed Staff
Cons: Not Too Healthy , Busy Often
Guest
marjorieo
Points +10
Favorite Vegan Place Around - Edit
I've been to Native Foods a few times and have enjoyed everything I've had so far. My favorites are the Kung Pao Bowl (lots of veggies that were fresh and crisp), the Baja Blackened Tacos (could have used a bit more salsa though)and my absolute favorite is the Reuben sandwich.
Read moreIf Native Foods was closer to me I'd probably eat there every week!
Guest
AmeliaC
Points +349
a Vegan MUST - Edit
Fellow Vegans- raise a glass of barnivore-approved wine in the air for a toast to Native Foods! The highlight of any trip to Encinitas is our nearly daily addiction to this Mecca of plant-based goodness. It's perfectly difficult to not gorge yourself sick on vegan chicken wings, vegan Rubens, soul bowls and salads. And that's before you even glance at the dessert case piled high with peanut butter chocolate parfaits, oatmeal cookies sandwiching a not-too-sweet creamy filling, and carrot cake cup cakes. Their seasonal offerings like ancho brisket keep things interesting, but I would venture to guess if I was stuck eating just the chicken wings alone it would do just fine. My only complaint is the five and a half hour commitment I have to make to drive there. Worth every bite!!!
Read moreGuest
Gyan Penrose-Kafka
Points +44
Vegan junk food - Edit
OK, so I have to admit, I've been to Native Foods about a dozen times. There's only one thing on the menu that appeals to me, and that's because it's mostly vegetables with some "Thai" curry sauce.
Read moreThe rest of the menu is mostly junk food -- Deep fried, breaded, smothered in dressing, lots of sugar, etc.
The corn and soy products they use (tortillas, tofu, corn meal, etc.) are not organic, and therefore are GMO.
It's a great place to take non-vegetarians as they'll be able to get something that approximates meat, and when smothered in dressing/sauce, might not be distinguishable from the slaughtered version. But, if you're serious about eating healthy, don't expect that eating at Native Foods will help.
Pros: Good place to take carnivores, Kale, Chupa Cabra Sauce
Cons: Mostly junk food, GMO (non-organic soy and corn)
webmaster
Hi Gyan,
Read moreWhere did you find out that the corn and soy products they use are not organic and contain GMOs?
Thanks for letting us know!
Gyan Penrose-Kafka
I asked in the restaurant in Encinitas, CA and they told me that neither the corn nor the tofu are organic. Since 88% of corn and 93% of soy are GMO, it is highly likely that the non-organic corn and soy at Native Foods are GMO. However, I should have said "The corn and soy products they use (tortillas, tofu, corn meal, etc.) are not organic, and therefore *probably* are GMO."
Read moreAdditionally, there is nothing on their website that says they use organic or non-gmo, which one would think they would want to highlight if they were doing it. To be fair, they do encourage people to eat organic, but to me that comes across as "greenwashing" if they themselves are not serving it to their customers.
Guest
stacypatel
Points +157
Could Pump Up the Flavor - Edit
My kids and I ate at Native Foods. I must admit we are foodies and although Native Foods tries very hard to offer a variety of items, we found the food bland, under seasoned or coated in sauce or dressing. We tried the Scorpion Burger with chipotle sauce (I think they forget the chipotle), epplant caponata appetizer (cold and bland), gyro bowl (no seasoning the on the mushy, steamed veggies, 1 TB of hummus, flatbread was a tortilla) and the Caribbean salad, tasted like apples to us and DRENCHED in dressing, we wanted to wash off the kale. I appreciate restaurants where we can eat anything on the menu and the staff there is friendly, attentive and quick to remedy any issues. The prices are average and the amount of food was well portioned. The free refills on drinks such as lavender lemonade, watermelon fresca and iced tea were fun and yummy. Maybe we are picky foodies, and although we love the concept and amazing, friendly staff, we find the food sounds and looks appealing but we would rather eat at home.
Read morePros: friendly staff, quick service, variety of healthy options
Cons: lack of flavor, too much dressing on salads
Guest
sbthax
Points +83
excellent! - Edit
The food is amazing and not too expensive. The staff was friendly and knowledgable. I ordered the chicken sandwich and a side salad. The sandwich was amazing and would definitely pass the non-vegan test. Hope the east coast location opens soon!
Read morePros: variety, price, friendly staff
Guest
Stanislava
Points +104
Vegan Delight in the North SD County - Edit
Eating in Native Foods Cafe is a pure pleasure. Everything is fresh, delicious and prepared with utmost care. Native Foods, welcome to San Diego!!!
Read morePros: Fresh , Great presentation on plate, Friendly and enthusiastic staff
Guest
Amyruth
Points +48
very good!!!! - Edit
We went twice in 3 days. Ordered a bunch of different things and everything was really good! The place is really clean and staff are nice.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on Tuesday March 05, 2013
Pros: Really good!, Good vibe, Clean
Guest
Edent
Points +557
Great For Take Out - Edit
Was able to order our food via their website on my smartphone. Staff very friendly and efficient. Reuben sandwich was delicious, soy sage sandwich also great.
Read moreThey offer a loyalty card if you're going to be a regular customer.
Pros: Desserts
Guest
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