12/22/08

I FOUND TWO (YES, TWO!) PUBIC HAIRS IN MY INDONESIAN NOODLE SALAD!!!

by astudent4ever1

This has to be the one of the most disgusting places I have ever visted. It 's especially shocking since this is suppose to be a clean, vegan restaurant. I would have expected something like this from an omnivorous restaurant but not here. For the vegans out there, you might get an extra source of protein that is NOT entirely vegan. Considering that this is supposedly a holistic palce to eat, I was truly appaled and disgusted by the lack of cleanliness of this place. I would not have given it any stars if it weren't for the waitress who voided the bill. Do NOT even consider stepping foot in this dirty restaurant.

06/16/08

not 100% vegan

by jennaisveganxxx

I used to eat at herbivore on a consistent basis- until i befriended a longtime server of the company. much to my horror he informed me that the company uses BEEF BROTH in ALL if not a majority of their sauces. He also told me that their fake chicken that i absolutely loved contained EGG! i am DISGUSTED and APPALLED that anyone would blatantly lie about the vegan-purity of their restaurant. thankfully i found their deserts at rainbow in the mission district for frighteningly cheap. how long had i been paying $7/slice for cake that sells in whole for $30? Unfortunately for me I absolutely trust this server and i will head his warning.

A local mini-chain known for its affordable, well-executed vegan fare.

by Contributor

In Short
The welcoming, seat-yourself style is present at both Valencia and Divisadero locations, with tables on the street and breezy back patios. Glossy dark-wood tables and modern seating put the final touches on an already popular dining experience. Service is friendly, but can vary in speed depending on the time of day and the location. The vegan food is well-prepared and simply presented.

08/30/06

Disappointing, lazy cooking

by jonmandel

This is lazy cooking at its weakest. I went for lunch, ordered a "house made veggie burger". What I got was a mustard and condiment sandwich, with a tiny sliver of house-made veggie burger material. Then they added undercooked, greasy potatoes, seasoned with a few pathetic flecks of pepper and a huge, disgusting puddle of bottled ketchup. Now add a wilted, underdressed lettuce and lettuce salad, and the picture is almost complete. Don't forget about the indifferent space cadet of a waitress: "We don't put ketchup on our plates." Excuse me?

There's no excuse for this. Interesting, innovative vegetarian cooking can be delightful. This is cooking I'd be ashamed to feed to my kids.

• Pros: Well designed space
• Cons: Indifferent service, inattentive cooking

08/22/06

Great food, Good Service

by lemonpixie

I love the food here. I cannot wait for the restaurant to open on Shattuck in Berkeley. I am a vegetarian...however I have brought non-vegan/vegetarians here. Even meat lovers and they loved this place. The waitress was very attentive. I have had no problems here the many times I've been. The portabello Mushroom burger is to die for!

• Pros: Great food
• Cons: I've never tried but definitely not equipped for large parties

08/15/06

Good Vegan Food, even for non-vegans

by dancergirl21

Hey, once I even forgot that it was a vegan restaurant ... I've been to Herbivore several times and I really like it. I recommend the grilled tofu sandwich and the lasagna. The service has been sometimes wanting, but I find the waiters/waitresses all genuninely NICE, which makes up for gaps in service. It's a popular place, so I assume I'm not the only one who agrees. Also good smoothies! That being said, it lacks the stellar-overall quality to make it one of your favorites in the city, but it is very good ...

• Pros: Good Vegan Food, friendly staff, a variety of food to suit different tastes
• Cons: Not expensive, but not cheap

11/19/05

Allow for the possibility of an awful meal.

by rickstersf

I've visited herbivore 3 times and enjoyed it the first two. I was willing to exchange consistent food and thoughtful service for an all-vegan menu until today, when I was served a soggy veggie burger accompanied by fries that were cold, greasy and tough (I don't know how you make potatoes tough, but I'll bet cooking them hours ahead of time will do it.). Worse, my dining companion ordered something described as noodles with wasabi. It arrived as a bowl of noodles drowning in a horrid green sauce with the consistency of marinara that reeked of cilantro. It tasted as evil as it looked. I mentioned it to the server when she returned 20 minutes later to clear, but she seemed to think I was expecting too much. Hey, I'm basically like a dog who'll eat anything meatless. The bar's not that high. This experience was just horrible.

• Pros: Vegan, Diverse menu
• Cons: Hit & miss food, Careless service

10/23/05

Yummy! With Style

by mymakalika

Go Vegan! -for a day or as a life choice. This place will "show you how it's done!" I've been three times and decided to bring my parents when they visit. Herbivore have such a well rounded menu that no matter what your craving may be, you'll find what will satisfy it, without a doubt. I recommend the pesto tofu scramble or french toast for breakfast with a side of banana bread (one order includes 4 slices!). For the rest of the day go Itallian, Thai or hot sandwich! Do not forget the grilled corn and ask for Leah. She's a doll. She stays on her "P's & Q's".

• Pros: delicious menu, albsolutely vegan, fast service
• Cons: no artificial sweetne, drafty, stiff chairs

10/14/05

Slow but Comforting

by eamattson

Wowsa is it nice to have a menu that is entirely vegan! I can eat ANYthing! Whee! The service is a little slow, but, you urban cats, is this so unusual for granola CA digs?! I think not. It's excellent comfort food, I don't feel bad for slouching, and I'm always happier when I leave. Good side-drink smoothies, devine salad dressing, and the most delicious vegan sandwiches this side of the IA City Co-op!

• Pros: Huge Vegan Menu, No piddly portions, Near Osento
• Cons: Slightly Pricey, Little Slow, VERY full belly

05/14/05

still waiting for that salad

by flipy

Thirty minutes later and still no garden salad with tofu, though we did see them sitting in the food prep area for 15 minutes while the cook looked at us, we looked at the salads, the cook looked at us, we looked at the salads--you get the idea. Not sure if a little passive aggressive dance was going on or if the staff really is that inept. The server lady kept saying any minute and looked anxiously at the salads that sure looked ready to us, but maybe we didn't look hungry enough to the cook. So we left and never looked back, and I imagine those two salads are still there along with the server lady looking at them.