CLOSED: RAW Organic Food and Juice

I remember when I first saw the sign displaying "RAW Organic Food & Juice," before they opened their doors, and I was so excited to have a vegan eatery within walking distance of my home. I'm not even a raw vegan, but the idea still excited me!

I walked in... No one spoke. I looked at their overhead menu boards and saw things like chicken and salmon, but no indication of them being faux. So I asked the girl behind the counter about vegan items and she had NO clue what I was talking about. She called some other lady from the back. Lady #2 came out and advised that she could make a bowl or wrap vegan with lentils, black beans, or quinoa as their protein options. Oh. So this is not a raw vegan place. That is my fault for assuming. They had fresh juices, some raw veggies (i.e. carrots & spinach), and that's about the end of their raw line. I was so disgusted that I left without buying anything that day.

I finally went back this weekend (months later) and tried the Fiesta Bowl. Per their menu, it's $6 for a brown rice bowl. It comes with tomatoes, but I requested to get spinach instead of tomatoes (since I don't eat tomatoes). I was charged $8 as a base price for this $6 bowl.

The bowl was large and contained hot, cooked brown rice, black beans, and corn, raw onions, raw spinach, avocado, and a red basil dressing/sauce. It was ok. The red basil dressing/sauce (vegan) was pretty tasty, but overall it was just an ok meal. Nothing special or memorable about it, and I definitely wouldn't go out of my way for it.

They no longer had the fresh juice machines. I heard another customer inquiring about them as I was leaving. They directed her to some refrigerated, bottled juices. This business looks like it may be on its last leg. I personally still feel jaded by their name. Branding your business as RAW Food & Juice, but having minimal raw options? It just seems shady. AND they overcharged me. Not a fan. Won't return.