Title: A Flavorful Vegan Journey at The Vegan Factory in Linden
Located on St Georges Ave in Linden, NJ, The Vegan Factory is a hidden gem that promises to delight your taste buds and warm your heart. Its inviting and visually pleasing decor creates a bright, friendly, warm atmosphere setting the stage for an extraordinary dining experience.
As a vegetarian restaurant, The Vegan Factory sets a high bar for itself and certainly doesn't disappoint. Owned by a Dominican woman, this eatery masterfully infuses culturally-preserved flavors into its dishes, creating a culinary adventure that pays homage to tradition while embracing the vegan lifestyle.
The restaurant's menu is a testament to its dedication to preserving the essence of beloved dishes. With offerings like veganized versions of traditional favorites such as tacos, chimi, mofonguitos, patacones, and even a Cuban sandwich, The Vegan Factory manages to bridge the gap between heritage and dietary preferences. Beyond these classic selections, the restaurant proudly presents its own creative inventions like "the amazing burger" and "the BX cheesesteak," alongside timeless classics like 'the chopped cheese.'
Initially skeptical but intrigued, I decided to try The Vegan Factory based on my wife's recommendation. To say that I was amazed and impressed would be an understatement. The flavors resonated with familiarity, evoking the tastes of Puerto Rican and Dominican cuisines, which share similar cooking profiles. The dining experience was undoubtedly a home run for me. While we awarded it 5 stars on Google, I personally rate it a solid 9 on a scale of 1 to 10. The generous portions ensured that we could savor the meal and even save some for later enjoyment.
Our order showcased the variety and creativity that The Vegan Factory brings to the table:
Mofonguitos (4) - These plantain baskets stuffed with quinoa "meat" and "beef" mix, accompanied by pico de gallo, homemade cilantro sauce, sour cream, and the special chimi sauce, were an absolute delight. The blend of flavors and textures earned them a perfect 10 score in my book.
Nachos - Homemade nacho chips piled high with quinoa "meat" mix, black beans, salsa, sour cream, jalapeños, pico de gallo, cilantro sauce, and a generous sprinkle of shredded cheese. These nachos surpassed my expectations with a stellar 9.5 rating.
Burrito Bowl - A hearty bowl filled with quinoa "meat," rice, black beans, cheese, jalapeños, pico de gallo, grilled peppers, corn, salsa, sour cream, and cilantro sauce, accompanied by a side of tortilla chips. This flavorful and satisfying dish earned a well-deserved 9.5 score.
Bacon Cheese Burger - While the vegan bacon and cheese didn't entirely win me over, the homemade bean patty, onion, pickles, and ketchup on a brioche bread made for a delicious burger experience, earning a solid 9.0 rating.
Mac n' Cheese - The rich and creamy macaroni pasta enveloped in a cheesy sauce was a comfort-food delight. While I'm not a fan of vegan cheese, this dish still managed to secure a respectable 6 score.
In conclusion, The Vegan Factory is a culinary haven that beautifully marries cultural authenticity with modern dietary choices. From the inviting decor to the thoughtful selection of dishes, this Dominican woman-owned restaurant takes its patrons on a journey of flavor and nostalgia. If you're seeking a place where taste, tradition, and veganism converge, The Vegan Factory on St Georges Ave in Linden is undoubtedly...
Read moreOkay , let's first start with I understand this a small business and I am for it . Supporting the culture as well. But when it comes to management this place is awful. I don't live in the area , so I was happy to get a chance to try the place I even waited for them to open and waited for my food no problem. Fries were made ahead of time so they were cold and soggy. I get my food home and try it , it was dry and it started to smell onions awful but they were strong like they had be sitting for a"minute . So check your containers to make sure it is all sealed or vent it out. My food was dropping out of the bag as well. I've had mofongo before so I actually ordered 2 orders hoping for the best and was very disappointed in the quality of the food. The cup for Mofongo was hard and dry , not what I am used to, didn't seem freshly mashed . I also ordered nachos as well . And when I finally got a hold of the owner he accused me of being someone else and I told him I still had the order and could bring it back in when I had free time the next time . Thinking hey I'm not lying I have the uneaten untouched food. I call today to confirm that he is in before I make the trip. And I'm laughed at saying he told me to come in as a ruse because of course the food is going to be dry 2 days later. He has not intention of fixing the situation. What kind of owner plays games with his customer?? So my recommendation is don't order double of anything try it first and then add extra . Also Go when it is busy if your looking for options that are GF and vegan but don't expect good customer service or if you have an issue. And trying your food inside the restaurant because it is their policy " to not refund consumed food or give credits or refunds. No sign posted . For my my food wasn't consumed , and the owner again is rude and over talked me and again tried to say I was a a scam artist. This is why small businesses, and sadly those owned by minorities fail because sometime we take criticism or think with our ego. Karma is real beware of the customer service here , they are a nickel and dime business and are not my typical vegan business. Again don't order double of anything try it first if you like it great otherwise. It is principle that I leave the review , the guy who worked last night was decent and apologized . The owner and his front staff today poor customer service skills. Also the menu prices are wrong and I was charged about $2 extra per item so ask for an updated price menu because online and in store are the old prices and there is no sign saying menu prices increased. Nor do they advertise their menu. a disappointed GF vegan :( I'll keep looking for options . But hopefully the business does well Because they are serving a niche market. Oh watch out for those who are GF because I still had systems of gluten consumption after so not sure if they share those foods areas with the...
Read moreMy boyfriend is plant-based and I was determined to find a place for him to eat before he left to go back home out of state. I ironically spent the day in the Bronx Zoo the day before and this spot came up but we didn't end up eating in NY. We were in the Woodbridge area and this spot came up on Google. I saw some reviews and decided it was a good plan. The food was amazing (I'm not vegan but I sometimes choose vegan options to increase my protein sources)! The service was amazing! It felt like we were being served in someone's home - very hospitable. The owner is a very kind and professional. Plus, the atmosphere was full of so much color, it was great!
I got up to use the restroom and heard someone come into the restaurant so when I stepped out (it had just been us until then) I saw a man and a toddler at a table. The girl was calling for her mom and the man was comforting her and said something about a boy and making sure he can be in there (I simply assumed the boy had an allergy or something). I'm painting a picture here lol music was playing the entire time and it was soft rock/pop type genres. When the owner heard the girl crying, he casually walked to the music, searched for something, and switched the song. I noticed he changed it and naturally curious as to why he randomly did so so I kept paying attention.
LET ME TELL YOU WHAT HE DID! He put on, Frozen's "Let it Go"!! He did this to calm the girl down without even thinking about it. THAT'S a family man, THAT'S who you want to care for you. It was such a sweet gesture and it took two seconds.
My boyfriend has been disappointed by several vegan spots in the New Brunswick/Edison area lately, but was genuinely very happy with this location! Definitely...
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