Higher Taste, Plant-Based — Restaurant in Long Beach

HONEST REVIEW / Frequent customer

I've almost tried every dish with the exception of smoothies and acai bowls. I've enjoyed pretty much every experience. I love that mostly everything is made in-house, from what I've been told. It's good vegan food at a price that is affordable in comparison to other vegan restaurants. I feel there is a penalty when eating out as a vegetarian/ vegan. The up charges for plant base options are shocking. People should be able to afford eating healthier alternatives every once in a while. That is what Higher Taste provides and why I've supported the business. A lot of improvements the past couple of years. The effort and passion from the owners are evident.

This is why I'm supper bummed to write this review. Cashier/ server dropped off my desert item while I waited for my entree. I noticed they had a first aid kit out afterward. While I waited, I excitedly looked at my desert and noticed red markings on the wrapper. I found it odd but did not think much of it. I observed the server making acai bowls, prepping silverware, and bringing out plates to other customers in the meantime. It wasn't until my dish was brought out that I noticed a newly placed bandaid on their finger. I began eating my food when I saw the cook speaking to the server and looking out at the customers. Again, it felt odd. Later on, I noticed a single-use glove on the bandaid. I pieced it together. There was no jelly/jam or any red colored ingredients in my desert. The pattern and runny consistency in which it dried up was fluid like. I am 90% certain of the possibility it was blood on the wrapper. Enough for me not to eat that desert.

I appreciate the chef upholding food safety standards and educating the server. That server is great with customers and is always in a positive mood. It was a simple mistake.

Unfortunately, I've made the decision not to return 💔. My purpose for writing this review is to inform management so they may invest some time in training. During my many visits, I've observed cashiers/servers handle food and, at times, help with prepping when it's busy. I hope to return one day, but it was extremely off-putting for me.

• 2 star review is for this experience alone*

Overall, 4-star review. Would be 5, but it is true what other reviews say about dirty tables (food crumbs and sticky spots). Although I have seen more effort from servers in recent visits. I usually clean it myself when it's busy. I don't mind. I see how busy the server is handling in-store, online, and phone orders while also making smoothies, acai bowls, salads, and tending to customer requests. I've only seen a single cashier/server in all my visits. I've gone when it it is slow and also pretty busy. There were a few occasions I saw 2 but they were new, had not seen before, and more than likely for training purposes.

I love Higher Taste and still recommend it. Please do not let my review discourage you from checking it out yourself. It is good wholesome vegan food 🙂. I ate here many years ago when it was called Ahisma. I'm not sure if it is new owners or management, but I want to acknowledge all of the improvements and effort aesthetic...

Oh, wow!! Visiting Long Beach from Ohio. My wife is vegan and I am not. She absolutely loved this place (we don't have a lot of 100% vegan restaurants back home... only 1 in Cincinnati that we know of). 1.) This was a special treat for her. 2.) I had the Jalapeno (faux) Cheeseburger and added a fried "egg". I was more than pleasantly surprised. The burger itself was tasty and filling. The fried "egg" however was some kind of magic! The part that resembled the egg white had a little odd in texture (kinda like a soft but chewy jerky in texture... not bad just different). The taste was good, however. But the real magic...that was in the egg "yolk". I grew up eating what we called "dippy eggs). This place nailed it! The yoke was somehow runny and creamy and buttery and it actually tasted like egg yolk. I cannot eat eggs anymore so this was an extra special treat for me! I did a Google search for vegan fried egg and could not find a vendor but did find several recipes. I am inspired to make an attempt at making a vegan fried egg, when our holiday is over. #3.) Last but not least, I also cannot have dairy anymore. A big bummer for me having grown up in the Midwest. Milk and cheese were staples in my diet. Well, I ordered the Strawberry Cheesecake Milkshake, for dessert. Milkshakes and Cheesecake are 2 of the things I miss the most about my recent dietary restrictions. Ahimsa has this recipe down to a science. No one would even know there was no dairy in it, if they didn't read it off the menu. Well done! Overall...

This is my first visit to Higher Taste through my daughter's guidance.

It was a rainy Thursday around lunch hour. The place was empty and there was only one lady behind the counter smiling at us. She gave us a warm greeting and showed us the menu on the counter, then patiently wait for us browsing before ordering.

I ordered the jalapeno burger and a side of sweet potato fries. I considered the portion for the fries quite generous. They were slightly more salty to my taste but still great. The burger patty has a slight smokey taste. I have been a vegetarian for decades and I am not going to compare it with a real burger. I am willing to say I will take this any day over a Beyond burger patty.

My lunch mate had a Thai Temple Bowl. I took a bit of the Thai peanut dressing for tasting and I say it has a good balance between the sweetness and nutty taste.

Prices are quite reasonable given the recent bout of inflation and higher prices.

Parking is paid street parking so it is a good opportunity to dispose of some of your quarters, and add to your daily step counts.

As for recycling, I do not see separate bins, but they are using paper plates and bowls.

I was studying and living in Long Beach decades ago. It is a delight to find this place as a tourist now. I definitely would recommend this place to my friends -...