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Shandal's Vegetarian Cafe
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Vegan
Vegan
Fast food
Take-out
Caribbean
Jamaican
Casual cafeteria-style set up featuring Jamaican cuisine using wheat gluten, soy, and veggies. Offer dishes like "rasta pasta". Usually approximately 15 dishes from which to choose, generous portions. Has 5 small tables for dine-in. Black-owned. Open Tue-Fri 1:00pm-9:00pm, Sat 1:00pm-8:30pm.
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520 Capitol Ave, Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA, 06606
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- Wheelchair accessible
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Last update on 22 Apr 2022 by Guest
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Added by FIYHF on 07 Mar 2008
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45 Reviews
First Review by positivelou
DeborahRedman
Points +16
One of my favorite take out spots, food is amazing! - Edit
Lots of choices, all vegan and taste! Love Jamaican food, definitely worth the 1 hour drive! #Veganuary
Read morePros: vegan, Delicious , Friendly owner/chef
Cons: Small place, not for group sit down meals
Guest
tarayooni
Points +1120
Mixed feelings - Edit
I have mixed feelings about Shandal's, and I honestly don't understand the fuss. I want to love them because they're so highly regarded (my friends are obsessed), but I don't think it's anything amazing.
Read moreI think the food is fine. Noodles are usually overcooked and mushy, some things are over seasoned/too salty, rice is dry, and some things are bland and lacking flavor. I haven't had anything that wowed me and made me want to keep going back.
They've been steadily increasing their prices every year since I've gone vegan (2013). I understand doing it once in a while, but one to two times a year seems like a bit much. I used to think it was a good deal for the quality of food, but now I'm not so sure when it's pricier, portions are smaller, and the food quality isn't improving.
Updated from previous review on 2021-09-17
Pros: Vegan
Cons: Inconsistent food quality
Guest
WildaMerant
Points +130
Yummy! - Edit
I went there for lunch today about 30mins after they opened. The owner was still setting up but he was super nice, recommended which to try first. Confirmed that everything is vegan and that it’s his own recipes. The food was delicious! I was so hungry I forgot to snap a picture. I recommend the black noodles and rice and Rasta pasta!
Read morePros: All vegan, Caribbean style, flavors are amazing., A good mix of options for the day
Cons: Street parking only, Not too much space to dine in. More of a to-go
Guest
EleniM07
Points +101
Best Vegan eats in CT - Edit
Shandal's is by far one of the best vegan places I've found in ct for Jamaican food. Tastes so good and affordable, 6 out of 15 options for $12. Good portions too. Will definitely be coming a lot more now that I know about this gem.
Read morePros: Everything 100% Vegan, Affordable, Big portions
Cons: Street parking
Guest
kashmir_stg
Points +341
Amazing food - Edit
Shandal’s is a small, hole-in-the-wall GEM! You get 6 items for $12 and he gives a good portion of each dish. The Rasta Pasta, Curry potato (the only spicy dish), Seitan chicken with onions and red peppers and Sunshine Tofu are my favorites but, honestly everything is delicious! The area isn’t the greatest by the looks of it, but everyone around are friendly.
Read moreThey open after noon time. Of course there is no indoor dining right now as it’s a bit small in there. I travel there from 45 minutes away to treat myself sometimes. It’s definitely worth the trip
Pros: All vegan , Reasonably priced , Black-owned business
Cons: Limited street parking
Guest
BethSiegelbaum
Points +31
Mmm-mmm-mmm - Edit
I only regret that it took me so long after learning about Shandal's to go there. My friends and I sat eating our lunch and could be heard saying "mmm-mmm" throughout our meals. Everything is freshly made and delicious. The owner/chef is very nice and patiently explains what each dish is. You can choose four or six items from a buffet of about 13-15 choices, served to you from behind a glass partition.
Read morePros: Delicious, fresh food, Owner/chef is friendly and helpful
Cons: Parking, Limited seating, Polystyrene containers
Guest
Scholemillers
Points +735
Delicious - Edit
Really good Antiguan food. My coworker and I both wolfed down very large 6-item platters.
Read moreGuest
AmandaJean
Points +564
My Favorite Food - Edit
Shandal's is without a doubt my favorite place to eat. The first time I went I was hesitant to try all the items and flavors I had never heard of before but the owner insisted I get more than rice and veggies and I am SO GLAD HE DID. I cannot say enough good things about the food, everything is awesome. My favorites are the Rasta Pasta, Sunshine Tofu, Lo Mein and Chk'n (seitan I think?) with peppers & onions. I don't like BBQ but my sister says his BBQ tofu is amazing as well.
Read moreBe warned the food is often not ready by 12:30. I never plan to go before 1pm.
Pros: Delicious Food
Cons: Limited Seating, No Parking
Guest
kyoungbird
Points +1203
Awesome food...glad i finally tried - Edit
Would highly recommend checking this spot out. I was hesitant but will definitely be back! Worker was friendly and helpful for my first time. $11 for 6 choices or $8 for 4
Read morePros: All vegan, affordable
Cons: Parking
Guest
PHerz
Points +79
Must visit! - Edit
Stopped here driving back to NY and was so pleasantly surprised. I told the chef to make me a plate of whatever he wanted, and there wasn’t a single bad thing on it. I wish this place was closer! Will definitely be going back as soon as I can manage it! Absolutely delicious.
Read morePros: Amazing food, Good price
Guest
Vegcake90
Points +45
Amazing!! - Edit
On my way back from Massachusetts I decided to look to see what vegan options were around. I found this little hidden gem that was on my way back to Jersey. I was so happy to stop here. The Chef was super friendly and the food was out of this world!! The portions were amazing!! And I eat a lot!! A must try for anyone in the area. This is the type of place that I would drive 2 hours for just to eat it again.
Read morePros: Food is amazing, Chef is super friendly, Large portions.
Cons: Far from me :(
Guest
ZapThat
Points +13
...Was - Edit
First of all I must say the food preparation, and all are top off the line on the east coast. When cafe first opened portions where hefty and the price was fair, last time I went the portions where much smaller and price jumped. I inner-stand cost of overhead goes up, but when I see the chef at "Price Rite" which looked like they were getting supplies for menu (maybe it was a one time thing, I was not following them around), then I know overhead is not that much. Then on top of prices rising, the owner has the nerve to put a tip jar up, and says "...they are giving big tips" and I say "...you got your tip with price raise".
Read morePros: Food is excellent
Cons: Seen the chef at "Price Rite" SMH, Small Portions, Price rising
Guest
LaurenC
Points +153
Delicious - Edit
Stopped here on the way to NYC. Everything was delicious and filling. I’d be here all the time if I were local. Now I’ll remember it on all my road trips.
Read morePros: fast, tasty, convenient
Guest
tainy8lo
Points +15
Recommended - Edit
I love the food. It is so tasty! The ch'kn and the noodles are a must!
Read morePros: $10.50 for 6 options. $8.50 for 4 options, tasty, vegan
Cons: always the same items
Guest
Michael X. James
Points +937
Updated Review - Edit
I was in town visiting my mom (who is now vegan too!), looking for options when I came across a review I had written six years ago about this place. I've been many times in between but she hadn't been there yet. My mom doesn't like a lot of "exotic" foods so she was a little worried she might not like it. I wasn't worried at all. The food here is top notch. $10 gets you a full plate of six options to try. We went later in the evening do a bunch were already sold out. Still, plenty to choose from. Both of us LOVED it. My mom only ate half and had the rest for lunch the next day (I ate all of mine!). There's usually a dozen or so things to choose from. The only problem you'll have is deciding what to get!
Read morePros: Lots of options, DELICIOUS, Inexpensive
Cons: Street parking only
Guest
Herbiv4
Points +1789
wow! - Edit
Love this place! It may be small in size but it definitely delivers on taste. The owner is super friendly and cooks all of the food himself. I was so happy that everything was 100% vegan that I ordered everything to go (that way when I return I’ll know exactly what I want). Well...it was all fantastic. I will definitely return here. FYI: you can get a large platter of 6 items for $10.
Read morePros: lots of choices, good prices, tasty food
Guest
Coach_MJW
Points +20
Amazing Food! - Edit
The food taste great, very affordable prices and the owner is very friendly. I ate there a bunch of times.
Read moreGuest
MelissaFinley
Points +22
So Good - Edit
Get the "chicken". And the lo mein.
Read morePros: delicious
Cons: the lack of parking and the overall neighborhood
Guest
KennisKahler
Points +21
Don't judge a vegan cafe by its cover! - Edit
From the outside the appearance had me wondering what I was getting into. But on the inside---WOW! The food was amazing. Wish I lived closer. Lots of great food for a very reasonable price. I will definitely be back the next time I am in Bridgeport.
Read morePros: great food, cheap price
Cons: only two small tables inside
Guest
lulu.tina
Points +20
I EAT HERE EVERY WEEK!!! - Edit
I love this place. I get a meal from Mr Shandal every week. Sometimes every other week.... he has so many options that I literally switch up my order every time and never get tired of it. The food is so flavorful and made fresh everyday. If you never been before, definitely try the Rasta Pasta, the tofu Bbq, and the curry. I love to switch up my orders with some rice and peas, okra, corn and plantains 😋
Read morePros: Flavorful food , Low Price, Good Portions
Guest
sunshine77
Points +18
wow! - Edit
Amazing food, you will not be disappointed 🙂
Read morePros: easy to find , outdoor seating, buffet style
Cons: no air conditioning , minimum $10 purchase in order to use debit card
Guest
veganri
Points +501
Perfect stop when traveling on 95! - Edit
Shandal's is a must stop for us every time we are traveling on 95! ...and when heading north we usually get a couple of meals to go as well. The selections are numerous and quality and flavor is always consistent. My favorite is the BBQ Tofu - my wife loves the red shells and pasta. The prices are beyond reasonable - Shandal could easily charge 20% more and you'd still be getting a great deal!
Read morePros: Scandal himself!, Pasta, Tofu
Guest
alexajmorales
Points +126
Best hole in the wall you can find! - Edit
It says vegetarian but all the food is vegan! I love this spot so much. The food is always fresh and hot. Shandal is very friendly. The place is always clean. It's a bit small so don't plan on eating in. Though he has added a patio set outside to sit now that it's getting warm out! Definitely check this place out. You will not regret it.
Read morePros: delicious food, always clean, very friendly owner
Guest
TheShadow
Points +232
Great comfort food - Edit
Echoing the other reviews, this place is completely enjoyable regardless of whether you eat meat or live vegan. Let him choose the popular items for you in either a four or six item tray. Several items were surprisingly good and I would not not have considered them. Put your faith in his choices. Most people probably get takeout but we ate at the two tables inside. My family will definitely return.
Read moreGuest
JD123
Points +38
Tastey - Edit
Taking a break from meat and dairy. Excellent food and a great host you will not be disappointed. The food is prepared with love, a must if you are in the area.
Read moreEnjoy!!!
Pros: Good food , Friendly
Guest
LoveFrances
Points +20
Fabulous Meal - Edit
I have been living in Bridgeport for a very long time, I have driven by this place a million times, I am currently kicking myself for not stopping here earlier!
Read moreTired of eating plain salad and pasta or rice and plain vegetables while everyone has big beautiful meals I looked for a vegetarian place close to home. This place came up time in again so I drove down a few days ago.
I walked in to a mighty small but cool restaurant. The owner greeted me with the brightest biggest smile I have ever seen. Immediately felt at ease and happy.
after a quick conversation I decided to pick 4 items to bring home and devour.
Rasta Pasta, Sunshine "chicken", barbecue tofu, and a Spanish looking rice w/beans.
Now let me tell you quickly this is not a vegan restaurant where everything is raw and fresh veggies and sprouts and lettuce and what not.
I could simply call it vegan comfort Jamaican soul food.
It was quite good, quite filling, 100% vegan & it totally impressed me!!
I absolutely loved the barbecue tofu the sauce was delicious not too spicy a beautiful hint of sweetness and spices. I devoured the rice. Oh so delicious. The Rasta pasta was definitely my favorite & The sunshine chicken was good. It reminded me of a meat dish I used to get from a local Spanish place. Very soft meat with spices , Green peppers, onions, olives, that you put over rice. I know it sounds funny to compare it to meat but it is called sunshine chicken.
While I enjoyed this – I must say I probably will not order it again. I prefer the barbecue tofu and the Rasta pasta the best.
I would love to go back on a day when they had the macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes.
I got quite a bit of food and a Snapple for under $10. I had enough left over for a complete meal the next day! I was very happy. it took me so long to get there!
So if you are in the area and you want some good comfort food with a kick and fabulous service definitely check this place out
Guest
Krach
Points +90
disappointed - Edit
Went out of my way to go here for lunch based on all the great reviews but at 12:30 on a Friday they said they we be ready in 20-30 minutes. I didn't have the time to wait so I never got to try it. Hopefully I'll be out this way sometime again but I think I'll call first.
Read moreGuest
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