Detroit Vegan Soul — Restaurant in Detroit

Today was my first visit, and this was an “off day” for the staff. According to the manager, three people called out. I am visiting out of town to support my cousin who is in ICU and was really looking forward to enjoying some delicious vegan comfort food. I entered feeling excited and optimistic. The girl working the register wasn’t much help with the menu, was absent minded, and didn’t seem to take her job seriously.

The restaurant appears to be clean and well kept. The food is tasty.

Be aware that the full menu is NOT available on Sunday’s. The only dinner plate is the “platter”, and that doesn’t come with a meat substitute. To add on “meat” is an additional $6. With one plate and a slice of cake, my order came to a little over $27. YIKES! I thought, “this better be good!” I jokingly said that to the girl up front, but I meant it. Who wouldn’t?? When I got my food, the catfish I paid $6 for was a tiny amount. Had it been included in the platter, I wouldn’t have complained.

I voiced my concerns to the owner/chef. She was instantly defensive. I could tell that she was overwhelmed, but I have a right as a consumer to voice my disappointment so I didn’t back off. Ultimately, she refunded me and allowed me to keep the food. I was, however, turned off by her attitude. As a business owner, you shouldn’t take people’s disapproval personally unless you use that emotion to fuel your efforts to improve your business. People come expecting food to be delivered hot, accurate, fair in pricing, and in a timely fashion. I know vegan food is supposed to be more expensive because of the time and effort required, but the portion of “meat” you get should match the price or be included in the platter. It shouldn’t be almost $30 to enjoy something other than a salad. I’ve had better for much less money. If I lived here, I’d return, but I’m glad I live in a city that has multiple

I would leave 4 stars because the food was really good, but I want people to read this review so they’ll know...

“A shell of what was” My partner and I were looking forward to our experience at Detroit Vegan Soul. Upon entering the establishment we immediately began questioning our decision. The space was uninviting with no definitive flow of service. A woman entered the bar area thru the kitchen door without ever looking our way and actually acknowledging us like she was too busy to do so when there was only one person currently waiting for food. As I ordered at the kiosk my partner asked to use the restroom because there was a barricade setup so that you couldn’t get to it, which is bizarre for a facility that claims that there is limited seating available for patrons who chose to dine in with their food order. Which isn’t inviting or ADA compliant. Upon ordering we waited at the window bar seating for our food. The decor is reminiscent of a time where this restaurant seems to have been in a better place but currently it’s a filthy, sticky unkept mess hall. Once our food order was ready, as I got up from the bar my jacket sleeve was stuck to some goo-like substance that I had to peel off. Food. At first glance The Oyster Mushroom Po’ Boy looked like a classic Po’ Boy. Let’s dig in. Initial bites of the sandwich hits home BUT Mushrooms were overwhelmingly greasy and the batter isn’t crisp and the follow thru is lack luster. The sandwich as a whole has potential but it falls short. Shortly after finishing the sandwich my partner and I both began to have severe symptoms of MSG. Mouth tingling-numbness, nausea, painful gas and heart palpitations. “No additives, No Preservatives, Organic Ingredients” is the slogan. Seems like a business that’s lost its identity to the...

Don't let the 4.5 overall rating fool you. This claustrophobic inducing establishment is anything but quaint, and inviting. The ambiance is sterile, the service dreadful, and the food a hit or miss — most of the time, a miss. I have frequented this location on at least ten occasions within the last 60 days, and only on the first two, or maybe three visits was the food mouthwatering. Then there's the issue of service. Detroit Vegan Soul - West has one of the most lethargic, and disconnected service staffs that I have ever seen at any restaurant, and let's not even touch upon the long, and drawn out wait (on most occasions 45-90 minutes) that you have to endure just to get your order whether dining in, or getting carry out.

Lastly, there's the manager, a middle aged African American woman with a very inhospitable, and ill-natured disposition. Recently when she was taking my carry out order at the counter her phone rang, and without saying excuse me, pardon me, or even "one moment please," she took it upon herself to take the call, and just simply walked away from taking my order, and went to the back. The other staff members at the counter looked at each other in total confusion while I was just left standing there until someone else decided to help me. How utterly rude, and unprofessional! I really wish that I could recuperate all of the money that I have spent at this detestable place. Nevertheless, Black owned or not, I won't ever be going back to this...