Healthfull Essence — Restaurant in Atlanta

I've been coming here occasionally for the past 6 years when I'm in ATL and want some vegan food quick. I prefer supporting black owned businesses. I've been satisfied, though never really impressed with the food quality and selection, as the portion sizes are plentiful, but recipes are centered around the usual processed vegan foods and not very fresh. If you order a smoothie or other drink, they'll go pull a bottle out of the fridge rather than blend up something on the spot. The customer service was always good until a recent visit, which changed my mind about supporting any longer.

My family and I were leaving for a road trip and had just ordered a bunch of food from Wadada beforehand, but one of us wanted to stop here. We all went in together. I was ordering a few additional items and then asked how much the salads were (pre-prepared and in small sandwich/salad style containers). She said $16. I said, "No, thank you," in a very nonchalant manner. She then started going on about how I'm probably not used to ingredients of this quality. I reassured her that we cook healthy vegan cuisine all the time in our home, and most of the items she was naming were presently in our fridge. Then she goes on stating that I have a lot of mouths to feed, and she understands if I can afford the salad. I just shook my head and laughed to myself because she just sounded dumb. I make 6 figures multiple times over yearly in a single income family. I usually spend here without even thinking about $$. I'm just tired of paying for things that aren't worth it.

Most of the time I come here, I'm putting up with food of a lower quality than what I eat on a normal basis, because it's a black owned business. Their options in terms of size make no sense to me, because you get too much of one thing (like rice) and not enough variety, if you're ordering an appropriate sized container. I still come back because it's black owned. The containers are those flimsy styrofoam types and they usually put on a ton of gravy, so count on liquid spilling all over everything when you leave. They don't make freshly blended smoothies. Much of the food has way too much salt. I could go on and on. I just won't be back. Customer service is important. Just look at responses to critical reviews here, and you see a complete absence of...

I'm leaving this review in hopes that the owners see this as a constructive critique and perhaps initiate positive change to the overall quality of the food (e.g. flavor & seasoning, and portions). I think this is a cool spot with a great vibe and some healthy options and hadn't been there to eat in many years. When I took my 10 year old son to get our favorite liquorice root/sticks, I asked him if he wanted to eat there as well, since the food smelled and looked pretty good. We ordered and I was surprised by the pricing for our simple orders: entree + 1 side for each of us, plus two drinks and tip for $30+. Though I couldn't remember what the food tasted like the last time I ate there years before, I decided it must be incredible for the pricing and felt good about investing in health options! Unfortunately, once we sat to eat, I was quite disappointed b/c the BBQ Tofu my son and I both ordered tasted like it was cooked in a watered down BBQ sauce with very little flavor and our sides were average at best. For my side, I had the curry veggies wich also tasted like they were in a watered down curry broth (w/ little seasoning). I tried my son's side, the greens, which weren't memorable and I then realized we could have spent the same amount and ate much better at Soul Veg across the street. I haven't ever been disappointed by the flavor, seasoning, proportions, or cost at SV, so I I'm not sure I'll try eating at Healthful Essence again unless I was somehow assured the the cost/quality was significantly improved. That said, the one positive is the $5+ ginger beer I assume they make there. It still tastes great (to me) and is worth the cost, so I'll still come for that and the...

I just love eating at a vegan restaurant that serves delicious food. I ate here years ago when I first moved to Atlanta and I have no idea why it's taken me almost 5 years to return... silly girl (lol). For a wet Saturday afternoon there was a steady line but the wait was minimal. There were so many vegan items to choose from but they unfish cakes caught my eye first, they looked so yummy.

So when you walk in there's a hot food case with items to choose from and they also have special items in the back so make sure you ask. Pick up a food tray from below if you're thinking in. There's a white board with a handwritten menu with prices by the register and another menu with the unmeat items in the dining area. The server allowed me to sample a few items which I was very appreciative of; I ordered a medium plate with curry ungoat, mac n cheese, cabbage and a side of the fish cakes. *medium plate with "meat" and 2 sides $9.99 (i believe) side fish cakes (2 per order) $3 alkaline water $2 I was surprised by the portions, they were very large. I dined in so the items were on a plate. There's four medium size low tables in the restaurant and about 3 small high top tables. They also have a sofa for sitting.

Food taste: everything was DELICIOUS, i cleaned my plate! The curry was nice and spicy, the mac n cheese was very flavorful, cheese was very creamy and it was hard to believe it was vegan. Best item was the fish cakes, so flavorful and crunchy; I was tempted to go and place another order.

I definitely don't wait another 5 years to visit, I'm looking forward to my next visit.

Excellent service and...