Even Stevens Sandwiches — Restaurant in Salt Lake City

Over a month ago, my husband and I decided that we were going to adapt a whole foods, plant based diet for health reasons. I was SO EXCITED to learn that Even Stevens offered vegan options. I remember how I felt when I bit into my first Sloppy Tina and thought "Wow, this is so delicious - maybe this 'not eating meat thing' won't be so bad." I was so incredibly happy in that moment.

Today we ordered the Sloppy Tina. My husband was in Salt Lake for class, picked up the order, then drove the 45 minutes back to Layton where we live to bring me lunch too. He finished his sandwich quickly and happily. Halfway through my sandwich, I felt a texture that didn't feel right.

The Sloppy Tina is supposed to be made with chick peas and mushrooms in order to immitate meat. It's normally very good. This texture felt like pork. I looked into my sandwich and found little bits of pork mixed throughout my sandwich "meat". I tore some of it, and it tears like meat does. I called and was told by the General Manager, Vicki, "The Sloppy Tina is made with a meat substitute. There's not supposed to be meat in there. It's a really good substitute." She didn't apologize, she just simply told me that I was mistaken.

She checked the Sloppy Tina mix and told me that she didn't see any meat in it. I told her that I would be happy to drive the 45 minutes down to her location to show her the meat in my sandwich. I also told her that I would love to text or email her a picture of the meat.

She gave me her number, and I sent her the picture. She said "Well, what probably happened is that some meat got mixed into the mix, we don't try to hide meat in it." She never apologized until I brought up the fact that she had not yet apologized, and offered me a free meal the next time I came in. I told her that due to her poor service and the fact that we can't trust their menu items, I had no intention of ever eating there again. I told her that I can't even finish the food I have already paid for! She finally offered a refund.

I had started my call to her with all of the details on the receipt, but she asked for them again. I had told her that my husband had ordered and picked up the food. She asked me if I remembered the name on the order. Of course I remember. Not only is it sitting in front of me, not only have I already read it and spelled the name out for her, but my husband ordered, and of course I remember his name. She said "I am just trying to help you," but it was clear to me that she didn't care.

I explained to her that we had chosen to not eat meat for our health, that this was going to make us sick because of how long it's been since we have eaten meat, and all she could say was "It is frustrating when the item that you order doesn't come as it was ordered". Frustrating?

This was the worst service I have ever received, especially when speaking with a General Manager. I will never be returning to this location, and I will make sure that everyone I know who eats a vegan diet knows that the items on the menu at Even Stevens that say "vegan" may or may not be vegan despite what they say.

I am overwhelmed with anger at the way Vicki handled the situation, as well as sadness in thinking about how that first sandwich was. I am so sad that I can't trust restaurants to put on the plate what they put on...

I’ve eaten at Even Stevens approximately 7 times over the past 6-7 months in 2022 and gave it a last chance today. I’ve gone this many times because it is my partner’s go-to for a breakfast burrito, and we like to give local small businesses a fighting chance. My opinion is that the food is bland, tastes old, and is overall uninspired. I would say that this is comparable to cafeteria food based on all 7 experiences. All the sauces I’ve tasted are extremely bland and need at least double the seasoning. Especially the beer cheese. It is basically cheese water and tastes like nothing. The tater tots are always dried out but somehow mushy too. I believe they bake the tots instead of frying, which isn’t doing anyone favors. If I am going to have carbs and fat I’d like it to be worth it. The breakfast burritos always have a musty aftertaste and end up a saucy dripping mess. The sandwiches are bland and dry. Their gluten free bread is inedible because it is so mushy and falls apart. I highly recommend they bring in a chef as a consultant and revamp their entire menu and structure. There is definitely some potential here, but there are way better places to get a sandwich and breakfast foods. Service: The employees consistently ignore you standing there waiting to get service, even when you try to get their attention. Several times I've been the only customer waiting at the counter and waited an average of 7-10 minutes just to get someone to stop ignoring me and hand me my...

Awful establishment. Host yelled at me and accused me of damaging my drivers license, which is out of state, because her iPhone app couldn't scan it right. Which was fine. Couldn't get a mimosa, not the end of the world, but no need to yell or accuse me. I am clearly old enough to drink, but not desperate by any means.

I proceed to order their version of a Cuban sandwich. Do yourself a favor: DONT! It's a greasy slime ball. The beef was dry, the ham was rolled into the cheese, which was falling off the sandwich due to the inordinate amount of presumably aioli they added. Three small pickle wedges. And, sadly, it was not pressed, even though they assured me it was prior to ordering. All good Cuban sandwiches are pressed.

Overall the food is greasy, poorly made, and lacks flavor. The staff is rude and Will yell at you if you have an out of state ID and aren't conveniently carrying your passport to lunch with you.

Hard pass for me. I would never recommend to anyone. In fact, I have since recommended multiple people to NOT GO TO EVEN STEVENS because if you want a good sandwich in Sugar House, there are...