Palm Tree Vegan and Juice Bar — Restaurant in Hampton

This review is regarding my two experiences here.

I decided to meet with a friend to have lunch at this location on 6/17/22. I called in our order, and although they were out of a few things, we still placed an order anyway. I decided on the cheesesteak (with mushrooms instead of seitan) and my lunch partner picked the tuna sandwich. Upon entry we were greeted with outrageously loud music and an employee grimacing at us from behind the register. I was sneered at when I gave her my name for the order (not sure why). There was no conversation, no upsell attempt, or any type of behavior that remotely resembled customer service. We wanted to eat inside but the music was deafening and the lyrics were beyond offensive. I was going to say something but the glares I kept receiving from the employee(s) informed me that further contact was not desired. We ended up eating in the parking lot. My sandwich was deliciously seasoned, but the fries were not tasty at all. My friend said that the tuna sandwich was just 'okay', and they would not eat at this location again.

Fast forward to 2/23/23: I'm in that area with my little one, and decided to give this place another chance because although the customer service was beyond subpar, the cheesesteak was delicious enough to chance a return visit. Maybe that June visit was just an isolated incident. Right? Not quite, it seems. When we walked in there were two employees sitting at a booth to the left, eating and conversing. I greeted them cheerfully. They glared at me. One huffed as she slid from the booth and begrudgingly addressed me with, "We'll be right with you" as she angrily trudged past me to take our order. We ordered the chic n bite plate with a side of macaroni and cheese and fries. Once again there was no conversation, no upsell attempts, and no friendliness whatsoever. Although the music wasn't nightclub loud like the last time, it still didn't seem appropriate for a restaurant so we waited outside for our order to be prepared. The young lady who bagged our order was very personable, and I wished we encountered her when we first came in since she was friendly while going over the different sauces that were available (I settled on buffalo ranch). The bites were soggy inside, the fries were bland (according to the little one who loves fries), and the macaroni and cheese was okay. We were not offered a choice between plantains or cornbread (although the website states that you get one or the other with the entree we picked).

I'm no longer interested in giving this business my money to be treated in such a negative fashion. The food is nowhere near tasty enough to warrant this type of behavior towards paying customers. What makes it worse is that while I'm teaching my child the importance of supporting each other in business, we get a sad example as to why that's sometimes not feasible at certain...

Salty chef and salty food. If the food doesn’t raise your blood pressure, the chef’s attitude surely will.

All of the dishes were EXTREMELY salty. Salty to the point they were INEDIBLE. The only thing that was tolerable was the seitan nugget. We decided to give the restaurant a call back after picking up our order, instead of coming in the restaurant, so we could inform them discreetly (without other customers being aware) of the salt issue. We requested another order of the seitan nuggets for the inconvenience and the young lady on the phone was very understanding and said it was no problem! In efforts to still support a black owned business and not have them take a loss, we did not ask for refund, we did not ask to replace ALL dishes; we just wanted our children to have something to eat without such high salt intake.

Upon reentering the restaurant to pickup the extra seitan nuggets, the chef comes into the lobby like a madwoman. She then proceeds to say that she tasted the food that was served to us and that “it’s not too salty”. Amongst other things that were said to belittle us and strive to embarrass us in front of other patrons. However, it was almost comical and definitely embarrassing for her instead.

How unprofessional for a chef to come speak rudely and justify her wrongdoings in the lobby in front of customers. Why was she so defensive of her “not too salty” food? The reason for us calling on the phone to inform them of the food being salty was to avoid any other patrons knowing about the issue. Instead, she caused an unnecessary scene that then caused collateral damage for the integrity of her establishment.

Still, we strived to inform someone of this horrible experience discreetly; but, there isn’t an email address listed on the website. So we find ourselves leaving a review instead. And after reading the other reviews, the response from owner seems very unprofessional and defensive as well. Hence, not expecting a pleasant response to this review as the truth is difficult to face for many of us. Read the reviews from the restaurant they own directly next door called Palm Tree Caribbean Cafe. This is not a one time customer service complaint.

Imagine how smoothly things could have went if chef just stayed in kitchen and allowed the receptionist to do her job. There’s a reason you have her in the front. She’s great with people. Chef, not so much.

Humility and accountability are nonexistent in today’s world. The universe has sure ways of...

I have consistently supported this restaurant for the past 3 months and have been satisfied with the food quality. Despite the long wait times and missing food items sometimes, the taste is worth the wait. Unfortunately due to a recent dishonest employee, I will not support this business again.

When a customer pays for something and does not receive the item, it is called stealing. This occurred on 8/3/22 when I did not receive my plantains with my BBQ jackfruit dinner that came with 2 sides plus the option of plantains or cornbread. I opted for plantains (called in the order). The meal was great! I received good sized portions of mac n cheese and cabbage (my 2 sides). The food overwhelmed their section of the container. Nice! I didn't realize I had not received my plantains until later that evening. I called the restaurant and was informed that I had received my plantains. The employee informed me that her colleague stated my plantains were provided. She said that there was nothing she could do for me. I explained that my container wouldn't even be able to fit plantains due to the nice sized portions of my sides and that I wasn't provided a separate container. The employee seemed to understand and asked if I could get the plantains tomorrow (Thursday) because they had already thrown out the plantains for the evening and they were cleaning up. I agreed. Unfortunately due to a work meeting I was unable to go Thursday. I called Thursday to inform of this and was told that I could come Friday (today). I called ahead to let them know that I was en route to get my plantains AND to place my lunch order. I was told I could not have my plantains because the (dishonest) employee said she provided them with my order. I explain the situation again only to be told I would not receive my plantains. I was polite, yet stern, in letting this employee know that the other employee was dishonest, that this is stealing, and that I would no longer support them.

This breaks my heart because I am a huge supporter of Us and especially clean eats (healthy) restaurants (by Us). I wrote a lot because this means a lot. This is no longer about my plantains, it's a matter of integrity and principle (and law, theft is theft).

Current and future customers, be sure to check your order before leaving the restaurant. This establishment cannot be trusted to give you the order you paid for nor correct an error once made.

Peace and balance, Former...