Native Foods Restaurant

In Short – This high-ceiling university watering hole is an integral part of campus life for veggie UCLA students. A quick jog from school grounds, the place has Bruins on both sides of the counter. Tempeh, seitan and soy proteins tangle with recipes of the surf and jerk (spice) craze. Snacks rule here: Industrial-size chili fries are topped with beans and "cheese," and the Bali surf burger has a golden tempeh patty at its center. – –

Editor's Tips

Parking:: Snag a metered parking spot or spring for the flat rate lot if you plan to hang out in Westwood after eating.
Know Before You Go:: They are closed on December 25th and January 1st.
The Extras:: The entire regular menu is available to go (with biodegradable utensils), or for hosting parties and events, check out the party platter menu online (www.nativefoods.com).

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User Reviews (30)

ambiance	66.66999816894531% positive	“Since everything is vegan, the variety is incredible and I feel SO much more comfortable knowing my food wasn't combined with meat, or cooked on a surface that had meat.” “The service is great, the people are so friendly, and the atmosphere is very fun.” “Be prepared to hunt for a meter or pay for flat rate parking.”
dessert	100.0% positive	“hear their desserts are good too.” “The fries are still awesome and so is the cheesecake.”
food quality	88.45999717712402% positive	“Try their wonderful macro bowl, a filling combination of brown rice, quinoa, tempeh, and steamed land and sea vegetables.” “Native Foods is all vegan, but don't let that scare you away if you eat meat, because this stuff is delicious!” “First the service was slow, they made a mistake with my meal and when I brought it to their attention, they denied it, as opposed to fixing it.” “along w/ RAW and RFD, this place is definitely up there in terms of serving up the most tasty 'vegan' organic healthy cuisine.” “Yummy vegan food even a carnivore would love!” “philly peppersteak sandwich, bbq chicken pizza, chicken run ranch burger (spicy blackened is best!)” “The sweet potato fries are a new creation and not yet on the menu, and while less sweet than others I've had, they are made from fresh sweet potatoes and are crispy and delicious: the perfect snack to make you feel better about the world.” “Great vegan food now with more space!” “the food is good and fresh--im not talking about eating pieces of leaves for dinner.” “All of their dishes are full of tasty, fresh ingredients, and their "meat" substitutes, like tempeh and seitan, are all made in-house.” “They changed from a soft wheat bun to a harder not so tasty bun.” “emailed the owner about my thoughts and all I got back was that she believes that I don't know good vegetarian food.” “the dishes are also interestingly creative.” “The appetizers (tofu strips and the nachos are my favorite!)” “While the Westwood eatery is famous among UCLA students for its sweet potato fries, the Ensalada Azteca with fresh avocado, cucumber and jicama salsa, quinoa, romaine, currants, toasted pumpkin seeds, cilantro, and mango lime vinaigrette ($9.95), is what ” “best vegan food in the westside” “Great food, but prices are a bit on the high side.” “Native Foods is by far the best place to get vegan food in Los Angeles.” “highly recommend their jambalaya (full of "sausage" and "beef") and their portabella sandwhich.” “The use ABSOLUTELY NO animal products in any of their food, but their food is not dry and tasteless, the way some might expect.” “The food is great: vegan interpretations of more standard food (mostly latin and american).” “The menu features a wide variety of stuff, like salads and creative "bowls" packed with healthy veggies and, often, creatively flavorful meat substitutes (soy, tempeh, etc.)--for those who can't cook like this at home, or miss the taste of real meat.” “have never had a bad meal here.” “the fries are delicious.” “but it is very fresh, organic food.” “This vegan-food-only restaurant is bound to cheer you up whether you're a plant eater or not, with pictures of friendly animals on the napkin dispensers and signs asking you to kindly leave your milk products at home.” “Best vegan chicken sandwich I've had in a long time.” “The Bali Surf burger and sowlbowl is my” “co-worker of mine (a real carnivore) said they were the best chili cheese fries he has EVER had.” “Its a charming place with some good wholesome and organic food.” “Tasty, wonderful food!” “great vegan food cheap” “Since everything is vegan, the variety is incredible and I feel SO much more comfortable knowing my food wasn't combined with meat, or cooked on a surface that had meat.” “If that's here excuse for these tasteless dishes she's created, I feel sorry for those people that continually patronize her restaurant and wish to live in denial.” “It is more like a fast food restaurant than a sit-down place, and is a great place to relive the student cafe” “I've even been inspired to switch from vegetarian to vegan because I've learned I don't need dairy or eggs to make a tasty meal.” “The fries are still awesome and so is the cheesecake.” “Who would've known that vegan cuisine could be so good?” “The soul bowl is still tasty too.”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“Since everything is vegan, the variety is incredible and I feel SO much more comfortable knowing my food wasn't combined with meat, or cooked on a surface that had meat.” “The sweet potato fries are a new creation and not yet on the menu, and while less sweet than others I've had, they are made from fresh sweet potatoes and are crispy and delicious: the perfect snack to make you feel better about the world.” “The menu features a wide variety of stuff, like salads and creative "bowls" packed with healthy veggies and, often, creatively flavorful meat substitutes (soy, tempeh, etc.)--for those who can't cook like this at home, or miss the taste of real meat.”
overall	100.0% positive	“It is more like a fast food restaurant than a sit-down place, and is a great place to relive the student cafe” “Native Foods is by far the best place to get vegan food in Los Angeles.” “However I think that if I had never eaten there before, if it didn't used to be my favorite vegan restaurant in LA I would like it a lot.”
service	60.0% positive	“First the service was slow, they made a mistake with my meal and when I brought it to their attention, they denied it, as opposed to fixing it.” “The service is excellent with friendly, suggestion-giving staff.” “If that's here excuse for these tasteless dishes she's created, I feel sorry for those people that continually patronize her restaurant and wish to live in denial.” “The service is great, the people are so friendly, and the atmosphere is very fun.” “This vegan-food-only restaurant is bound to cheer you up whether you're a plant eater or not, with pictures of friendly animals on the napkin dispensers and signs asking you to kindly leave your milk products at home.”
value	100.0% positive	“great vegan food cheap” “great value.” “Great food, but prices are a bit on the high side.”
wait time	50.0% positive	“First the service was slow, they made a mistake with my meal and when I brought it to their attention, they denied it, as opposed to fixing it.” “Best vegan chicken sandwich I've had in a long time.”

03/09/11

5 stars...and I am not even Vegan!

by PhotoJake

Okay, my girlfriend is but this place is amazing! I defy you to find a healthier, better tasting meal for the prices there, seriously.

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01/17/10

Chicken what? Chicken who?

by DianaTakesaBite

Chickens needn't run for cover in the vicinity of Native Foods, a quick-service vegan restaurant that can turn even a carnivore's head. While the Westwood eatery is famous among UCLA students for its sweet potato fries, the Ensalada Azteca with fresh avocado, cucumber and jicama salsa, quinoa, romaine, currants, toasted pumpkin seeds, cilantro, and mango lime vinaigrette ($9.95), is what keeps me coming back. With the addition of blackened tempeh, this hearty salad could easily go head to head with a medium rare rib-eye. Or, at the very least, convince a meat-lovin' gal to give her steak knife a break.

Pros: Healthy, fresh ingredients, innovative menu
Cons: Poor parking

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07/09/09

REVIEW FROM CITYSEARCH's 3BUCKBITES DICTATOR

by KRamos

Being vegan doesn't always mean tofu and celery sticks - at least not with Native Foods' sweet potato fries. This vegan-food-only restaurant is bound to cheer you up whether you're a plant eater or not, with pictures of friendly animals on the napkin dispensers and signs asking you to kindly leave your milk products at home. The sweet potato fries are a new creation and not yet on the menu, and while less sweet than others I've had, they are made from fresh sweet potatoes and are crispy and delicious: the perfect snack to make you feel better about the world.

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04/17/08

flavorful vegan

by dthstar

along w/ RAW and RFD, this place is definitely up there in terms of serving up the most tasty 'vegan' organic healthy cuisine. it's fairly small and the decor is nothing to talk about & there's no parking (as it IS in westwood) & they don't deliver, but for me to put up w/ all the above suggests that the food might be the only thing that actually makes up for all that it lacks, and it does. even my friends who don't like 'vegan' or healthy food have all raved about this place, so that says a lot.

Pros: great-tasting vegan
Cons: food's the only thing good about this place

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01/23/08

LOVE this place.

by abd1350

Being a vegetarian, I am always on the lookout for good places to eat, and this one is definitely my top so far. I have never had a bad meal here...and for the carnivores, the fake chicken actually tastes like chicken (no joke), maybe even better. I love their bowls. The service is great, the people are so friendly, and the atmosphere is very fun. If you haven't tried Native Foods yet, go!

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Editor's Tips

03/09/11

5 stars...and I am not even Vegan!

by PhotoJake

01/17/10

Chicken what? Chicken who?

by DianaTakesaBite

07/09/09

REVIEW FROM CITYSEARCH's 3BUCKBITES DICTATOR

by KRamos

04/17/08

flavorful vegan

by dthstar

01/23/08

LOVE this place.

by abd1350

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