Even Stevens Sandwiches

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 their menus.