Bee ORGANIC — Restaurant in Town of North Hempstead

Don’t come here on a busy day! I frequent here, as it one of the only extensive vegan menus in Great Neck, but this is the second time I received really poor service and it breaks my heart to say that it feels racially motivated at this point! I was seated outside by Ashley only to be forgotten. 10 minutes had already passed so I called from outside to place my order and explicitly stated that I was seated outside, and forgotten! No acknowledgment, no apology. Following this exchange, I believe it was the manager (blonde) who came out to tell me they were more or less understaffed, as well as take my order! At this point I’m already annoyed because I had communicated at 1:08 (over the phone) that I wanted my large healthy glow and a bee green salad. I extended grace and confirmed my order for the second time now. I continue to patiently wait for my salad and juice outside, which were brought to me simultaneously— so I ended up waiting an additional 12 minutes for a juice that was served to me without a straw. Now I’m at my ends, so I call from outside and cancel the juice (explaining that I did not receive a straw). The manager comes out with a straw and asks about the juice. I kindly explained that she didn’t bring out a straw. She’s definitely not an actress because she did not try to hide her frustration. She quickly grabs the juice and tells me she’s going to ring me up. Unlike my juice and salad, she wasted no time bringing me the bill— to the point where I was brought the tab that still included the juice. The part I didn’t mention is that two men who came in AFTER me, who also sat outside, and were served BEFORE me.

Previously, I had a similar experience. I came and waited about 3 minutes to order take out. I was in a rush that day, so I never got a chance to order due to the fact that I asked the POC in front of me if she had ordered yet (she told me no, and I took that as my cue). So at this point, I’m seeing a pattern. I don’t know what happened to the other cashier/server but the service has drastically declined!

The poor customer service and management take away from the cute ambiance and the...

I wish I would be writing this review about Bee Organic, the warm, inviting, cozy little restaurant serving fresh, locally sourced and organic when possible delicious and creative healthy food. But that review would be for the restaurant that opened several years ago in Great Neck, where the dining options are many. Since then, the restaurant has steadily declined in atmosphere and quality, to the point where our last visit there was downright COLD. Literally. That was the first thing we noticed when we stepped in, and when we checked we found that the thermostat was stuck on 67 degrees. We were told that the system was broken, but apparently it had not been functioning well for some time.

Nevertheless, we sat down. Then we noticed how the décor and atmosphere of the restaurant had changed, making the ambiance far less cozy than it had been; and then we couldn’t help noticing that there was only one employee in the front to be host, server, cashier and doer of whatever else needed to be done. This employee was clearly doing his best to fulfill all his roles, and he did an excellent job, but it wasn’t the same as being welcomed and attended to as we had been when the restaurant first opened.

Then we were served our food. The portions were smaller; the food was warm, not hot; the stir-fried tempeh tasted burnt; the mushroom burger had a strange texture; and the sweet potato that we ordered turned out to be a few cold potato sticks, not the whole potato the restaurant used to serve. We sent the mushroom burger dish back to the kitchen to be reheated, and the kitchen reheated the sauce and the sprouts as well, which didn’t do much for the dish.

The real disappointment is that we were so supportive of the owners when they first opened – we appreciated their efforts to bring organic dining to the neighborhood – that we can’t help but feel betrayed by the restaurant’s current state. We still appreciate the fact that the food is healthy, but it does leave something...

This is a jewel of a restaurant for Great Neck! The menu is thoughtful and the food excellent. Really excellent. Bee Organic stands out as the only place where everyone in my family can get healthy meals that are focused on health and flavor as well as on organic and non-red meat fare. We try to patronize them weekly because the food is that good and satisfying. Where else in Great Neck can you get fresh juices and shakes made with wholesome ingredients? Where else can you get fresh wheat grass shots?? No place anywhere nearby has what Bee Organic has. We love their fish bowl, vegan spicy tofu bowl, bean chili, mushroom patties, grilled salmon made to order, options for healthy side dishes like quinoa, sweet potato, spinach, all fresh and delicious and made to order. There is always an assortment of vegan/non-vegan sweet treats made in a healthy way that leaves you feeling satisfied but not guilty. Plus, their little shop items lining their shelves are interesting and unique. I've tried chocolate from Ecuador and teas I never knew existed. That's why this place is a special jewel for Great Neck. No place else offers what Bee Organic offers and I hope they never leave! It isn't a particularly cosy place to eat inside so we normally take out but dining in is fine and there is a restroom on site. I love supporting this local family-run business! Bee Organic is a...