Sure, I have a weakness for fries and bread, but, if I could afford it, I would eat salad everyday. I have recently developed a deeper passion and interest in the vegan food community lately- not because I am considering going vegan, but because it is so fascinating to me. As I have been working a lot with the vegan food community, I have realized how many restaurants are starting to cater to these dietary-needs…which I think is so cool. Even though I am not vegan, I have been thoroughly enjoying eating at these new restaurants, along with all my own, personal favorite healthy spots. So, enjoy this new project- the in-and-around Orange County healthy/vegan guide!

• Rutabegorz – Orange, Fullerton, & Tustin – $ :
  • For the past 40 years, Rutas has been serving health-conscious cuisine to Orange County, and I have probably been dining here my entire life. The menu is extremely diverse- salads, sandwiches, burritos, tacos, pasta, bowls, breakfast… Let me just say, you will definitely be able to find something to enjoy here! This is the ONLY place in the World that I get the same thing EVERY time ( and I go at LEAST once a week..)… Garlic chicken salad, chopped and heavily tossed with honey mustard dressing and an extra side of curry dressing.
  • Each location has a different “monthly dip” special. At Fullerton & Orange it is only $1 (!!) and at Tustin 46 cents (!!).
  • You MUST try their squaw bread.
• Jan’s Health Bar – Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, & Laguna Beach – $ :
  • Simple, fast, filling, delicious. Stop by for a quick, guilt-free, lunch that will certainly satisfy. I LOVE the summer berry salad and fresh guacamole or avocado toast.
  • Home of the best tasting avocados- seriously.
  • Jan’s also has AMAZING power bowls (acai, yogurt, etc) and smoothies!

Classic Turkey Sandwich with Avocado

Summer Berry Salad

Avocado Toast

• Mead’s Green Door Cafe – Orange – $ :
  • Completely meatless… completely delicious! Mead’s has an extensive meatless and vegan-friendly menu: from breakfast, to house-made pastries. This is one of the most aesthetic, groovy, funky, cute, etc. cafes I have ever been to. Just walk inside and you will understand.
  • LOVE the healthy sauces here!

• True Food Kitchen – Newport Beach, El Segundo, … – $$ :
  • Super fresh, healthy, dishes with everything made in-house, daily!
  • Pizzas, bowls, salads, sandwiches; with vegan and non-vegan options alike!
  • The almond-ricotta pizza IS AMAZING, and unbelievably 100% vegan.
  • 

    (Front) Grilled Chicken Salad

    

    Cauliflower, Panang Curry, Hummus, Roasted Artichoke Pizza, & Grilled Chicken Salad

    

    Ancient Grains Bowl
• Tender Greens – Irvine, Culver City, Burbank, … – $ :
  • Salads, sandwiches, & sides. Simple, yet SO good.
  • Great for a quick, healthy meal with something for everyone.
  • LOVE their grilled bread and MANY sauces!

BBQ Chicken Salad

ALL the sauces and dressings!

• Urban Plates – Brea, Irvine, … – $ :
  • Salads, sandwiches, braises, soups, plates. LOTS to chose from- all cafeteria style!
  • I highly suggest mixing salad dressings to create your own!
  • MUST try the stuffing when they offer it during the holidays!

• Green Tomato Grill – Orange, Brea – $ :
  • Salads, wraps, burgers, bowls, tacos, oh my! Healthy, fresh, made-to-order options for the vegan and non-vegan alike.
  • I always tell people that everything tastes like it was made in a crockpot by my mom here! (In a good, home-cooked way!)
  • 14 house-made sauces, 10 of which are vegan. MUST try the strawberry beet.

• Chomp Eatery & Juice Station – Santa Monica – $ :
  • Random little spot in a sketchy center, but YUMMY food and juices! Tons of fresh-pressed juices and smoothies, which goes great with their food.
  • Sandwiches, salads, fries, etc… Love that you can eat healthy here, or indulge in a unicorn grilled cheese and sweet potato waffles fries!
  • Lots of vegan options, too! It really is the best of both worlds. Don’t let the exterior fool you!
  • Some of the BEST aioli sauces ever!
• The Healthy Junk – Anaheim – $ :
  • REALLY good Vegan food. Closest tasting “chik’n” I have tried yet.
  • Tons of homemade sauces, all Vegan. Unbelievably good.
  • Owner & chef Lynda is extremely talented. You could definitely fool a non-vegan into eating here.

• Real Food Daily – Los Angeles and Pasadena – $$ : 
  • The winner of my FAVORITE Vegan restaurant so far. Oh. My. Gosh. Honestly, it is a little on the pricier side, but you are paying for QUALITY, FRESHNESS, and CREATIVITY.
  • MAKE SURE you get the “Not-chos”. I am a nacho-holic, and I could easily give up all “real” nachos and be content with vegan nachos for life. Pro-tip : add JACKFRUIT on top. SO. GOOD.
  • TONS of house-made VEGAN sauces – the horseradish aioli? TO DIE FOR.
  • I wish that every restaurant in the world was on par with RFD.

“Not-Chos” with Jackfruit

Yummy!

Seaside Fries

• Veggie Grill – Multiple Locations – $ : 
  • I have started really enjoying Veggie Grill. With so many locations, it just always seems to be a convenient stop for a quick meal for me when I am not in the mood for meat.
  • I pretty much always get the Mediterranean Supergreens Salad. It is SO addictive. Their house made falafel is some of the best I have ever had!
  • LOTS of yummy sauces here!
  • Try the crispy cauliflower for sure!

• Tocaya Organica – Venice and Los Angeles – $ : 
  • Part of the “Madera Group,” Tocaya Organica is a fast-casual, “modern organic Mexican” restaurant with super fresh, chef-driven creations.
  • The menu is pretty simple- bowls, salads, tacos, burritos, wraps, and a couple different sides. Each base starts off as completely vegan, and then you can add proteins and cheeses- vegan or non-vegan.
  • Tocaya Organica is a perfect happy-medium for meat-eaters and non-meat-eaters.
  • Do NOT miss out on the guacamole with plantain chips or the sweet corn cake!