Hip Vegan — Restaurant in Ojai

This review is tough to write because of how conflicted I feel about Hip Vegan.

We are up in Ojai for my birthday weekend and decided to try Hip Vegan. We first came in on Friday and had the best experience. Manuel (I believe was his name)was so friendly and helpful. He provided menu suggestions, answered all our questions, and made our night. I had their delicious potato tacos special and my husband had a great jackfruit burrito.

Today, we had friends joining us in town and since our experience was so positive the day before, we decided to bring them all to Hip Vegan for lunch. They didn’t have the same potato tacos available, so I attempted to ask the server at the counter (female, long dark hair) a few clarifying questions as this was only my second time eating there. Right off the bat, I could tell the server was irritated. She was curt, terse, and quite frankly rude.

I initially asked if it was possible to turn the jackfruit burrito into a bowl (I can’t eat gluten and my husband raved out it the night before) she bluntly said no. I asked for clarification and she bluntly said we don’t do that here. I then inquired about her opinion on one of the specials they had listed (lime in a coconut) and she bluntly stared “It’s a salad”. Again, it was already clear this server was in a bad mood but I did need to order so I politely asked that she work with me in order to find something I could eat. She reluctantly confirmed I could add the jackfruit I wanted to a black bean bowl (very similar to if she had just agreed to turn the jackfruit burrito into a bowl…) which I ordered, along with the spicy noodles special for my husband and a couple drinks (both from their tap).

Our friends ordered after me (two separate orders) and told me when we sat down immediately after I left counter the server began badmouthing me to her coworkers (why?). We all sat outside (lovely patio) and the same grouchy brunette brought our friends drinks, then food, and avoided eye contact with me the whole time (again, why?). After about 5 minutes following our friends receiving their complete order, our drinks had not even been brought out (again, I ordered before any of my friends) The next time the grouchy brunette passed by, I asked for the status of our drinks. She sort of smirked and walked away. It was very odd. At this point my husband was done with her strange rudeness and went inside to talk to another employee about the situation. The other employee apologized and immediately brought out our whole order.

The whole experience with this woman tainted what should have been such a great birthday afternoon. I don’t know what this woman’s problem was, but she should not be in a customer facing role. If it weren’t for her, this review...

I give this place 2 stars and not 1, because my daughter loves the food! So before I write my review, I went to to see if anyone else shared my experience, and I guess no one has! I've been to this place twice, we heard how great the fries were, and my daughter got some, they were OK, a little under cooked for my opinion! When there she saw the menu, and wanted the Black Bean Bowl, so we order to go, we go to pick it up, and the woman helping us gave us the food, she seemed nice enough, the place was nice airy, and open! When she took my card I was happy to give a tip, instead of a thank you, hope to see you again, her smiled turned to a more visible distaste, and turned around and said nothing, I requested a receipt, and got nothing! We left and right away I wanted to get at least the tip back! I know that may sound crazy, but for me its all about customer service! Yesterday my daughter wanted the same bowl again, cautious, due to the last time I was there, I ordered! I put my thoughts aside, considering the last time she was just having a bad day! Went in, and was gathering my cash to pay, the woman helping had her hand out waiting, cuffing it At a time, like to hurry! I apologized and gave her the money, she put the bowl in front of me, putting the cash in drawer and talking to another girl! I politely asked for a fork, she grabbed one and instead of giving it too me, she decided to turn her back and continue to talk with her coworker, I stood there for, I kid you not a minute! And decided to leave, I even looked back to see if she noticed I was gone, and nothing! I felt so utterly hurt at the fact that my presence didn't mean a thing, I came home told my daughter what happened, she suggest I call the restaurant, and so I did! The owner wasn't there, so I spoke with the acting manager, her name wasn't mentioned! I told her my issue, and that I've been in customer service for 20 years, and I know that may not mean anything, but to me it really does! Anyways, she wanted me to explain what she looked like, and she will have a conversation with her! I told this has happened way more than it should, and I will never go back again! And I do hope that the conversation will be said! Cause she asked what can she do to make it up too me, so she doesn't loose me as a patron! Simple better customer service, treat all people who are coming in, like they matter! You're promoting good healthy food, how about good HEALTHY smiles, kindness, being just polite! I'm not writing this to steer you from this establishment, cause the food is OK, and alot of people seem to enjoy it, but just mentioning why I will no longer be supporting there restaurant and going back ever...

If you have a nut allergy, do not go here.

I have a severe tree nut allergy and ordered the souk salad. If you look at all the other items on their menu, you'll see they mark items if they're gluten free, spicy, etc. I am aware that vegan restaurants will use nut substitutes, but in every other restaurant I have been to -- they will always, always note if there are nuts in a menu item. After all, it is one of the most common allergies in the world. The souk salad did not have any indication of nuts; one particular ingredient was called 'herb cheese.' So, I thought things were all good, until I had a few bites and went into anaphylactic shock. As I was in the bathroom, my friends spoke with the cashier. They found out the 'herb cheese' was entirely made of cashews (tree nut), and the cashier was quite slack about it. My friends were the ones who asked her, "Aren't you going to give her (me) a new salad?" And that's when the cashier got on that. I was in their bathroom for several hours before going to the hospital (yes I should've gone sooner, but I have never experienced an allergic reaction this severe, so I didn't know.) I also passed out on the sidewalk outside their restaurant, and when I came to, I went inside to inform the cashier that I passed out and puked outside due to a reaction to their food, they didn't do anything about it. There was one kind worker who, at the tail end of my experience, said "Hey, the previous workers didn't treat you very well. Let's give you your money back."

As for my ER experience, thanks to my insurance, I only had to pay a $415 for my co-pay, epipen, and medication.

I have never written a Google review in my life, but here we are. I have no deep resentment toward Hip Vegan or the workers there. But, their menu was wrong, I could have died, and they were arguably complacent about that...and I had to pay quite a bit of money for it all at the end of the day. It was a lovely restaurant and great environment, but yeah. Don't go here if you have a...