HipCityVeg — Restaurant in Philadelphia

HipCityVeg is really good! Ive been vegan for only a few years and this has become my regular go to spot. But I’m writing this today not about the foos but rather specifically about their customer service. So today I went in And I want to try something other than my regular sausage egg and cheese breakfast sandwich which is btw really Delicious& today I took a chance and tried something different. I got home eager to eat it and after two bites it just wasn’t for me but this was my dinner and I didn’t know what to do so I called the restaurant. I didn’t have any expectations but I let them know that I didn’t like the dish I was not angry because every thing else I have ever had has always been really good and the manager swiftly came on and said come back and let us make it right. I honestly was surprised I didn’t expect that and then he went on to say do you know what you would like so we can have it ready for you when you come in? I wasn’t sure so he said just come out and look at the menu w’ll be here. So I ended up getting the curry tofu wrap and I’m so excited to say that it is absolutely delicious and also for the first time bought the kale lemonade To be honest I thought this sounded like a weird combination I’ve only tried their strawberry milkshake which is OMG so delicious but this kale lemonade Is on another level. Like I said I did not expect any of this and I was certainly pleasantly surprised. it’s hard being vegan in such a foodie city and I’ll definitely keep...

Mixed review indeed. The burger was amazing. Easily one of the best vegan burgers I've ever had. Chock full of flavor. Fries were ok. Nothing to write home about. Service OTOH leaves much to be desired. I walked in and the young lady at the front was in a full on conversation with an acquaintance/family member/friend. Not one to pull herself away from a good on the clock non-work phone call, she kept talking as I stood at the counter. Finally, a young lady from the back came out, greeted me, and placed my order. Finally, first lady gets off the phone. Around the same time, two customers who, let's just say aren't as melanin blessed as myself, enter. Phone call lady lets out a huge, "Welcome to HipCityVeg! Is this your first time?" Mind you, it was my first time. I stood to the side, collected myself and waited for my food lest it meet unwanted obstacles before reaching my hands. When I finally received my food, I said to phone call lady, "It seems all customers don't get the same type of greeting here; especially if they look like me. I stood here while you were on the phone and you didn't think I was worthy of the greeting you gave those two ladies." Her response was like the apologies celebrities give when they've said something wrong and their publicist make them apologize. "I'm sorry IF YOU FELT THAT WAY..." Classic pseudo apology. Needless to say, HipCityVeg doesn't have to worry about me returning. The nail in the coffin? Sadly, sometimes it be...

Close to a week ago, I walked in to do a sit down order at this establishment. I had been here many times before and always received a pleasant reception and service. However this time, I felt something was off.

I was openly displaying some Jewish identifier, which I have kept hidden in the past. I ordered, tipped the staff really well, specifically remarked I was sitting down to eat there. Based on the vibe I was getting from the staff, I was actually concerned about how they were going to serve me, so I wanted to hang out at the counter to wait for my order.

The lady there said, that I should go sit down at the lobby area of The North American Building where we sit down to eat and that she would bring me my food. Yet after waiting for a long time and wondering what was going on, and just as I was ready to get up to ask about my order, the lady walked out with my food in a bag and it was cold.

She said, oh sorry we didn't really know where you are and sorry the food got cold, kind of just throwing it in my face. It was very obvious based on the interaction that she had clear disdain for the fact that I was proudly displaying that I was Jewish.

I am very careful of how I rate restaurants on Google. However, this situation definitely deserves a remarkable 1 star for their display of hate. I hope that this review is taken seriously and that our local Jewish supporters of this shop take heed when they walk in to order...