Veggie Grill - Long Beach — Restaurant in Long Beach

As a local, I've been at this location a number of times and the food is tasty, but the service is atrocious. On my last take-out visit, I had to call four times before anyone would pick up the phone. I ordered two sandwiches and two sides of crispy cauliflower. The woman who was assisting me on the phone asked me if I wanted a side of cauliflower with both of my sandwich orders. I confirmed that I would indeed like a side of cauliflower with both sandwiches. When I drove into the parking lot of the store front, an employee who was driving in front of me pulled into the reserved carry-out spaces and parked (a space which is reserved for patrons that wish to park for ten minutes or less in order pick up their carry-out orders). He proceeded to walk into the restaurant and carry on a conversation with a fellow employee for about 15 minutes, and then disappeared into the back kitchen. When I went to retrieved my order from the carry-out counter, the gentlemen who rang up my order gave me one sandwich and one side order of cauliflower. I then told him that the order was supposed to include two of each. I was then informed that I would have to wait for the second order......Defeating the purpose of calling in my order in advance. As I waited, the restaurant phone was ringing off the hook and NO ONE attended to it. All the staff members just ignored it. They clearly didn't care at all that they were likely losing phone-order revenue. To their credit, my recovered order was prepared quickly and they did apologize for the wait, but when I got my order home I discovered that instead of giving me crispy cauliflower, they gave me roasted turmeric cauliflower. Really exceptionally bad service. In summary: 1- Horrible attention to phone orders 2- Employees that monopolize parking that is designated for patrons 3- Poor quality control in fulfilling orders...

Happy Birthday, Mom!

My mom's birthday falls on a Monday this year, so Sunday seemed the perfect day to have a birthday lunch w/ my mom, brother & his wife at Veggie Grill LB.

The course du jour for me was the Blackened Chicken Plate, w/ papaya salsa, quinoa pilaf & steamed kale salad- Delightful! The chicken was an uncanny facsimile of the real deal, with a little spicy kick. The papaya salsa paired well with it. The quinoa pilaf was light & fluffy, and the steamed kale salad was refreshing.

My mom wasn't too impressed by her Grilled Chicken burger. My brother & his wife were even less enthusiastic about their meals. Oh well, at least they can say they tried the place.

Can't have a birthday w/o the cake!- Carrot cake is my favorite of all cakes. Add vegan cream cheese frosting & you have a winner on your hands. Split 4 ways between us, it was a nice way to end the meal.

Seating is sufficient, with booths, tables & diner-style seating. The restaurant was clean with a bright decor that was warm & inviting.

Kudos to the manager for helping me make this a special day for my mom. Grattitude!

I highly recommend hardcore vegans, the veg-curious & all you crazy carnivores stop by & give Veggie Grill a try. You just might be...

Disorganized and poor customer service. I called in my order to avoid the long line. Was told 15-20 minutes. I arrived and made my way the large sign that said phone order pick up. Another lady immediately screamed that I cut in front of her. I pointed up to the large sign and told her that I had called in my order. The guy at register told her he would be with her after he helped. I gave my name and order, he seemed confused and said he couldn't find my order. I told him where I would be sitting when he found it. I sat for 15 minutes and went and waited next to his line. Another gentleman asked if I was picking up and handed me my order... the same bag that was sitting there when I arrived! I was instructed to pay the first guy who couldn't find my order. I asked what had happened and he said he didn't know what to do because the other lady was ahead of me. Really?! She didn't have a phone in order. Did he not know that he was working under a large sign that said phone in pick up? Needless to say when I got to my car, my food was cold. Drove clear across town for a vegan lunch. The staff clearly needs...