The Vegan Joint - West LA (California Certified Green Business) — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Title: Disappointing Experience at [The Vegan Joint] Due to Poor Service and Illness After Dining

I recently visited [The Vegan Joint] on [06/12/2025], and I regret to report that the experience was far below my expectations.

Service Concerns: During my visit, I encountered an employee who behaved in an extremely unprofessional manner by the name of Edith "Jessi" Rivas.This individual, who I later realized has a personal connection to me, was notably aggressive and confrontational. Such behavior is unacceptable in any customer service environment and significantly impacted my dining experience.

Health Issues: More critically, after consuming [wonton soup and Shrimp Burrito], I experienced severe symptoms consistent with food poisoning, including like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, cold chills, etc.]. The onset of these symptoms shortly after my meal has left me deeply concerned about the food handling and hygiene practices at the establishment.

Lack of Adequate Response: After the incident, I reached out to the restaurant to express my concerns. Unfortunately, the response I received was less than satisfactory, with little acknowledgment of the seriousness of the issues raised. This lack of proper communication has only added to my disappointment. I spoke to Summer the cashier as I explained to her what happened as I feared for my safety and waited in my car for my food to go.

Given these experiences, I cannot recommend The Vegan Joint. Potential diners should be wary of both the customer service and the food safety standards currently in place. I hope that the management will take this feedback seriously and implement necessary measures to improve their service and ensure the safety and well-being of their customers.

I even tipped $5.00 for a to go meal. They never offered a discount for what experience I went through with their dishwasher. I truly feel she did something to the food to make me so ill. This version of the review is straightforward and sticks to describing specific events and reactions without making unsubstantiated claims. It provides potential diners with a clear picture of my experience and the reasons for my dissatisfaction, while also giving the restaurant feedback that they can use to hopefully reprehend this employee for her bizarre actions...

Lack of Adequate Response and Possible Hygiene Issues: After experiencing symptoms of food poisoning, I reached out to the restaurant to express my concerns. Unfortunately, the response I received was not satisfactory. Additionally, I am concerned about possible hygiene issues, such as the effectiveness of their dishwashing procedures, which could contribute to such incidents. It is crucial for a dining establishment to uphold the highest standards of cleanliness to prevent such...

After purchasing a Groupon for The Vegan Joint ($20 for $12), my bf and I decided to venture over for dinner. This low key restaurant looks mom n pop from the outside and sure felt that way on the inside too. However, seating was ample and the floor, chairs and table tops were clean. Parking was a bit of an issue too. We arrived on Saturday night and had to drive around the surrounding streets for parking.

Once seated, we ordered three items: the hot drum sticks, the spicy mint noodles and a green curry. The hot drum sticks came out first. There were a total of 4 "meat-like" drum sticks, fried and then coated with a sweet and sour sauce with an assortment of carrot and celery sticks on the side. This appetizer also came with a side of ranch sauce for dipping, so it was very "buffalo-chicken-like". I thought this dish was ok but my bf, a ravenous meat eater, liked it. He said it tasted very meaty, though it was vegan, so win!

The spicy mint noodle dish was the stand-out for me. It was cooked perfectly, albeit a little greasy, tasted delicious and more importantly, was authentic. The aromatic mint leaves really brought out the flavors of the noodle dish. Although spicy, I didn't think it was nearly spicy enough so I added heaping tablespoons of chili sauce to my noodles.

The green curry was alright. My bf and I both thought it was just ok. My main gripe with this dish was that it was neon green! What?! I've had green curries in the past where the universal color seems to be light green but this was downright a little strange. I thought my bowl of curry was glowing! (Radioactive?) Anyway, I liked the pieces of tofu and bamboo shoots, but thought the dish, overall, was too coconut-y for my tastes.

Bottom line: Would I return? Yes. Without another Groupon purchase? Maybe not. Price wise, it's not too bad but it's definitely a better deal with a Groupon. For authentic tasting vegan & vegetarian Thai food, I could always just go to Thai town and order the rice and noodle dishes sans...

Woke up Sunday morning in an adventurous mood hoping to find a new place with a delicious breakfast special. My boyfriend wanted to follow his taste buds to a great cup of coffee, while I was salivating over a scrumptious burrito I had concocted in my mind the minute I got out of bed. Miraculously, The Vegan Joint satisfied both of our cravings and earned itself two new breakfast regulars. I fell in love the minute I read the menu, spotting healthy options with a tasty and flavorful twist. I became concerned when I realized that they were all vegetarian options, the only "meat" ingredients were actually soy or veggie. My boyfriend has never dappled with vegetarian options, intimidated by the effects soy and estrogen might have on his masculine physique. But I coaxed him with my undeniable excitement and the fact that aside from the "soy meat" the burritos were precisely what he was looking for. So at last, he daringly ordered the Soychorizo Burrito: a whole wheat tortilla keeping a delicious mix of soy based "chorizo", scrambled eggs, black beans, red potatoes, cheese, and salsa warm. The Breakfast Burrito was exactly what I dreamed of, a whole wheat tortilla overflowing with scrambled egg whites, black beans, red potatoes, cheese, salsa, and veggie bacon. I haven’t tried bacon in over a decade due to religious beliefs, but figured this was a safe haven where I could sample this forbidden "meat" without the unhealthy consequences or sac-religious guilt. If the delicious coffee and tempting food wasn’t enough, the early- attic décor makes this the perfect destination for quiet mornings or relaxing evenings. We were thrilled to find an alternative neighborhood cafe that offers strong coffee, an eclectic menu, and...