Wayward Vegan — Restaurant in Seattle

Short review: food was pretty good, atmosphere was colorful and welcoming, but the music was pretentious, and the service left much to be desired. Overall: 3/5 stars, and I recommend you order takeout instead of dining in to avoid the cold service.

Long review: With a name like the Wayward Vegan, I was expecting a much more welcoming reception. However, the cold service and the music, which seemed better fit for an art gallery, quickly deflated the high expectations I had for the place.

Food: My wife ordered the Chico Sandwich and I ordered the TLBT. The only flavor in the TLBT is in the pickle and in the tempeh. Everything else was flavorless texture. Overall, the TLBT falls flat. Fortunately, my wife was merciful and we swapped sandwich halves. The Chico Sandwich was a wonderful experience full of buffalo chicken flavor. This sandwich alone makes me consider repeat business. The fries are delicious, since they are seasoned and fried to perfection. Given the prices, it was nice to see a good portion size that matched.

Atmosphere: as I mentioned in the short review, the colors, the open concept, and the local art are welcoming, but the music sounded like it belonged at an art gallery for people who think they are better than you. Big mismatch in the music, but that can be quickly remedied with better music. Something soft and welcoming.

Service: The service truly made the experience unpleasant and even frustrating. Things that need work: quiet refills, first bite check-ins, menu orientations, and an overall warmer demeanor. The server was cold and made me feel like I was a waste of his time. There were only two or three other parties in the restaurant, so this coldness was inexcusable.

Advice for training staff: greet customers with a welcome in, an introduction, ask if we've been in before, a menu orientation, and some recommendations.

Reply to management: The music choice at the time felt like art gallery or runway walking music. Some sort of EDM. That's not relaxing eating music

If you're looking for café or chill vibes, any sort of warm jazz will do the trick. A simple YouTube search of warm...

My lady and I were excited to come here yet got bad vibes upon entering this establishment. The servers walked by us a couple of times until we eventually asked do we seat ourselves? The server put us at a small table and I asked for one of the larger ones he said no it's reserved for 4 people. Meanwhile the other 4-tops were being seated with 2 people. We ordered enough for 4 people and eventually insisted we move which he said okay. I asked if the "eggs" were soy-based he said yes everything has to be soy because it's vegan, umm no, I've seen very creative options in my 18 years vegan. Anyhow, I opted for the Nuevo rancheros, Cassic french toast, the chickun and waffles, huney and hot wings, and tater tots. We altered the server of a strawberry allergy for the waffles. The wings were delicious, the Nuevo rancheros was bland and something was off (back to that in a moment), and the chickun and waffles came with strawberries, he apologized and bought it back they just took the strawberries off, so we said it's an allergy and he took it back again for a new one. The French toast was good, and tater tots nice and crispy. The dish presentations were all great. As for condiments, they could use ketchup without high fructose corn syrup though. After 20 minutes my water was filled and asked how things are going - a bit lagging there. The second time it didn't get filled. Out of three, I could tell a big difference in serving styles there, watching one of the servers he was on point, wish we got him.

Lastly, back to nuevo rancheros it tasted bland, and I mentioned to my girlfriend something was off. I ate it anyhow. Didn't eat anything thereafter. Later that day I became very ill, not sure if it was food poisoning, but it all came up again and again. This has never, ever happened to me. I can't say for certain what it was and don't want to point fingers. Yet, I think the "eggs" were undercooked. All in all, with these combined experiences, I doubt we would come back. I'm sure many go and have great experiences as it was getting busy...

I walked in and no one greeted me or told me where to sit. Because I was not being served I ordered at the kiosk, clicked “Dine-In”, and paid for my meal no receipt from the kiosk. Next I had to flag someone down to ask where to sit. I was told I could sit in the balcony. I walk down the stairs and ask for a receipt after receiving the receipt it’s back upstairs. The same person then told me I should go check to see if my food was ready. Downstairs I go to the bar and there is my food in Togo containers. The cashier then asks if I need utensils. I said “No. I’m dining in like the ticket says ‘Dine-in’ there are utensils at the table I’m sitting at up stairs.” The cashier “ No, upstairs is closed and this is a Togo order.” Me “No, on the ticket it says Dine-in. I ordered at the kiosk.” The cashier “All kiosk orders are To-go.” Me “Why is there a dine-in option? Can I sit down somewhere” There is no indication that kiosk orders are To-go only. The cashier “Yes you can sit there at this front table.” I proceed to make a plate out of to go containers and eat. It takes 10 minutes before a waiter asks if I need a plate then another 10 before I’m brought some water. Someone started smoking outside the restaurant and I could smell it inside and I decided it was time to go. With bandaids I put my Togo containers back together and walk out. The service and setup was unclear and quite confusing and overall bad there was one person in the whole establishment who I felt treated me like a customer was the one waiter at the end who brought me a plate and water. I would not recommend eating inside. The food on the other hand was SPECTACULAR! The French Toast was done to perfection soft bread and a crisp crust! The Infamous Bowl with tater tots was absolutely amazing a nice balance of seasonings along with the cheese sauce really brought the whole thing together. Verdict: order take out on the phone, pickup your food, walk out. Do not waste your time with the kiosk. Do not waste your time...