Veggie Grill - Santa Monica — Restaurant in Santa Monica

A Bittersweet Visit to Veggie Grill On November 8th, 2024, I returned to one of my favorite plant-based eateries, Veggie Grill on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, California. I was eager to indulge in their renowned Sonoran Bowl and Caesar Crunch Salad.

The Sonoran Bowl was, as always, a delightful culinary experience. The ancient grains, ranchero beans, avocado, and grilled vegetables were perfectly complemented by the house-made roasted red pepper sauce.

The Caesar Crunch Salad, while still delicious, presented a bit of a surprise. The restaurant has recently introduced a new pricing and portioning system. The larger salad, though still tasty, seemed smaller than the previous single-size option. While the addition of more options is commendable, the decrease in portion size for the larger salad is somewhat disappointing. I recently asked one of the employees if the serving sizes had decreased, and they assured me that the dishes were simply smaller, not the portions. However, based on my past experiences, it seems evident that the portions have indeed shrunk.

Additionally, I noticed some changes to the dining experience. The once ubiquitous pepper and salt grinders have been relocated to the counter, and the drink dispenser has been moved behind the kitchen. While these changes may have operational reasons, they do slightly diminish the dining ambiance.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the service at Veggie Grill remains excellent. The staff is always friendly and attentive. The food, when it's good, is truly fantastic. However, the recent changes in portion sizes and pricing have left me feeling a bit less satisfied. I was so disappointed with the portion size that I had to order two meals to feel full. It seems counterintuitive to reduce portion sizes while increasing prices. This strategy could potentially lead to fewer customer visits, as people may choose to eat elsewhere if they feel they're not getting enough for their money.

I hope that Veggie Grill will reconsider their portion sizes and pricing strategy. A happy customer is a loyal customer, and by offering generous portions at reasonable prices, they can continue to thrive in the competitive world of plant-based dining.

J...

I don't know if the universe just doesn't want me to have Veggie Grill but everytime I order, in person, for pick up or delivery- it doesn't matter, something is always missing or wrong. Like the attention to detail isn't there. And it's severely lacking flavor. At the beginning of this year I ordered delivery for one chzburger and fries no tomato and no pickle, a second chz burger no tamoto no pickle no sauce and a kids meal. All the burgers had tomato plus pickle and none had the special sauce plus the drink from the kids meal was missing. I called, the offered a replacement entree upon my next visit. I went a few weeks later -in person, same order and they still messed up the burgers. I tried again a month later this time ordering a double burger adding pepper jack (a 5.50 extra charge) for pick up. The order came out single patty no cheese at all. I called again. When I went back the next time for my order, I used points that alloted me a free cake dessert with the meal, the cake was not in the bag. I called again, the next time I ordered in person with a manager - the burgers still came out wrong with tomato and pickles, and I opted to try a new entree which was the texmex bowl. The fries were missing, no chz on the burgers and the texmex bowl had no mango or protein.... after some time my sister decided to order for delivery - again one burger no tomato or pickle, the second no tomato pickle or sauce. Both burgers had no sauce and no flavor. All you could taste was char and the outer skin of the onion - otherwise the food had no flavor. We tried the new taco salad and that too lacked flavor which is odd since it comes with flavorful toppings...

With hundreds of grocery retail and brick and mortar food options being marked to the consumer as "plant powered" or "plant based" when they actually have dairy and other animal products in the food, (notated in tiny print) we have Veggie Grill as operating as a brick and mortar that is 100% plant based. They are the real McCoy, a casual value packed delicious menu that is 100% plant based. Clean, well run, and smart out of the gate to read the marketplace and see their was a demand for a casual quick service animal-free menu. That the future is now and that is not eating animals, not consuming animal products. The socioeconomics, your health, your carbon footprint are dramatically changed for the better when you completely stop eating animals and animal products. I firmly believe we will always have warfare and violence in the world as long as people are killing and eating animals or taking milk from cows meant for their calves. As long as we continue to use animals for testing of any kind. So a BIG THANK YOU Veggie Grill for creating a place where at bare minimum, you are introducing folks to the concept of eating food without animals on the menu. We loved your menu up in Seattle and we love it here down in LA. While we prep and cook most of our own meals, you are a great place to visit from time to time. Highly recommend this Santa Monica location. Amazing staff and a great path for anyone wanting to enjoy a delicious burger, salad or etc...without looking at a plate or box of animal torture. Eat LOVE not FEAR at Veggie Grill and your body...