A San Diego Vegan Delight: Sol Cal Cafe
Good music, cool furniture, & delicious food. Yeah, sounds like a bit of magic, doesn't it? San Diego is chock-full of vegan & vegetarian grub, but it's still a refreshing feeling to visit a 100% vegan establishment. That's why I was so happy to make my way to downtown San Diego to sample some of the veg-friendly options that Sol Cal Cafe* has to offer.
The Story
The healthy eatery is owned by cousins, Jacob & Tom, to be a mouthwatering portal to the veggie world. Jacob Bell, a former professional football player, retired abruptly from the NFL in an effort to save his life & heal his body. He lost 100 pounds once switching to a vegan diet curated by his cousin Tom McCann. Everything at Sol Cal is vegan, organic, local, GMO-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, unrefined, & plant-based.The Ambience & Decor
Sol Cal Cafe is nestled in the heart of downtown San Diego. Parking can be a bit difficult so be sure to keep your eyes peeled. You'll spot the restaurant easily with the bold yellow exterior sign. Upon entering, the cafe has a bright, open, welcoming look to it. The menu is pretty vast with anything from breakfast burritos to quinoa chili to green smoothies. There's something for everyone. The food is fun & approachable & even my non-vegetarian boyfriend thoroughly enjoyed the grub. He said he wouldn't mind being vegan if it always tasted like this.Bob Marley music played faintly through the speakers. Turquoise geometric tables & chairs were freckled throughout. One girl sat working on her homework, listening to her music in her earphones while another couple casually ate & conversed. Sol Cal has an array of greens & succulents all over, giving it an earthy atmosphere.
The Food
Tom brought out our cold brew mocha created with chocolate made in house. The drink was strong in flavor, but the chocolate didn't blend well. We weren't sure if it was the small or large size; we both guessed it was the small since it was pretty petite, but it turned out to be large. This iced coffee beverage will cost you $4.50, about the same as Starbucks but at least you're supporting a local business.The first dish we received was the waffles with berries & cream. The gluten-free Belgian waffles, coconut cream, organic berry sauce, & maple retails for $11.95. The waffle is crunchy & chewy with moderate sweetness but delivers perfection when paired with the coconut cream, maple syrup, & strawberries -- the perfect amount of sugary goodness. I marveled at the handmade coconut cream. So bomb! The waffle dish is perfect to start your day or to have any time of the day.
The Mediterranean panini with fresh vegetables, olives, artichoke, & hummus was delectable but we ended up taking half of it home to snack on later. It came with a side of pickled cabbage & chipotle quinoa. The lovely mix of textures in the panini combine to give your taste buds a run for their money. The artichoke & hummus were extreme selling points for me. The quinoa contraption is moist with a bit of smoky spice from the chipotle. The whole plate costs $10.95.
The Verdict
My absolute favorite dish was the waffles with berries & cream. Hands down. It was scrumptious, well thought out, & beautifully plated. Sol Cal Cafe is a slice of heaven for anyone who wants to taste some magnificent food, regardless if you're vegan or not. It's the perfect spot to chill with friends, do a little work, while grubbing on some healthy, happy, yummy food.
Which dish looks the best to you? Have you ever tried vegan food? Have you visited Sol Cal Cafe? :]
You may find Sol Cal Cafe:
910 J St
San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 255-2927
San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 255-2927
* Disclaimer: Everything was received complimentary from Sol Cal Cafe in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are 100% mine aka Carmen's. :]
Looks like a fantastic place. I love the decor!
ReplyDeletexo Bre
It was awesome. :]
DeleteMmm oh my this place looks like it has some great stuff!
ReplyDeleteARedLip&Love
Now I want waffles!!! Looks so good!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm want the waffles right now too. :]
DeleteOh, those waffles look and sound so amazing! The cafe definitely sounds like a place I would like. Local businesses are one of my all-time favourite places to visit, and cafes are at the very top of that list :)
ReplyDeleteErin
http://sexycardi.blogspot.ca
Local businesses are the way to go. :]
DeleteWow, I could definitely be vegan if these were the options I had.. the food looks incredible!
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I know, right? :]
DeleteOh my word this has made my mouth water! It looks so delicious!
ReplyDeleteHayley-Eszti | www.hayleyeszti.com
It's just so beautiful, isn't it? :]
DeleteIt does look like a wonderful place! Love the design!
ReplyDeleteTanya
www.StripesNVibes.com
BlogLovin
WOW! This place looks absolutely incredible. Those waffles & the Mediterranean panini looks absolutely divine - wish we had one here! Have a great weekend!! xx SS
ReplyDeleteOverall I was really impressed with the food. :]
DeleteI just had an operation so i’ve slept for literally three weeks and i’m having so much fun catching up on your content!! xxx
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Hope you feel better!! :]
DeleteThe back story of this place is really cool and the design is so gorgeous! I love that there is more and more animal friendly places out and about! Good on these two! <3
ReplyDeletehttp://rainbow-roseblossom.blogspot.co.nz/
Yeah the backstory & history really gives it a whole different dimension. :]
DeleteI like the vibe of this place, plus the waffles look so good!
ReplyDeletewww.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au
The food looks absolutely amazing and made me feel rather hungry hehe :) lovely post <3
ReplyDeleteEmma xx
www.wellemma.com
Omg the food looks so yummy! I'm a vegeratian and these days I've been thinking about becoming vegan and this is making me think about it seriously, everything looks amazing! That waffles... I've just had breakfast but... hahaha
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day, lovely ^^
selenaponcestyle.blogspot.com.es
We went in during lunch time but got the waffles anyway. No regrets. :]
DeleteI love vegan and vegeterian restorans....I would love to visit this one. I'm sure it has lovely dishes....great pics, thank you for sharing.
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The food there looks so good. I would really like to try a vegan restaurant as I haven't tried many vegan dishes and this selection looks good!
ReplyDeleteSamio
www.samio.co.uk
The trick is to find a good vegan restaurant or café. :]
DeleteThis vegan restaurant seems amazing...thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI've never eaten at a vegan restaurant, but I've been a vegetarian for years and years. This place looks amazing and has made me terribly hungry. My fave has to be the waffles, throw in the cold brew mocha and it's a meal made in heaven ;-)
ReplyDeleteXO,
Izzy
http://www.nearnoise.com
It is absolutely a meal made in heaven. :]
DeleteI really shouldn´t read food related post when I´m hungry. Both plates look amazing! I´m not a vegetarian or vegan but I try to be at least vegetarian most days just because of the health benefits it gives you. Like your boyfriend said I wouldn´t mind going vegan if someone cooked something so deliciously looking for me everyday.
ReplyDeletexx Lisa | Following Lisa
I know what you mean, Lisa. It's like going grocery shopping when you are hungry. :]
DeleteI love vegan food, even though I am not vegan:)! There are a few vegan restaurants in Montreal, but it seems like I've tried them all already, lol. I am going to California (Los Angeles) in December, and I cannot wait to try some healthy spots there:)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this amazing review!
Yuliannova
Los Angeles has a lot of vegan restaurants even places solely dedicated to vegan cheese. :]
DeleteAmazing place! Lovely photos
ReplyDeletekisses Adela Acanski
Everything looks soooo good!
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looks yummi!
ReplyDeleteTheVogueWord
TheVogueWord
Looks fantastic :) xx
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craving for some food right now..
ReplyDeletexo, Monique
SHE’S MONIQUE
Great post and the food pictures really making me hungry now. :)
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Hi Carmen, this place looks great. I'm lactose-intolerant and not a huge meat eater, so I love cute local vegan spots. I miss downtown SD...have not been in soooo long.
ReplyDeletewww.streetmadonna.com
Hopefully you get to come down to downtown San Diego soon. :]
DeleteThe pictures are so great, food looks yummy.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!!
www.reviewwali.com
This looks like an amazing place, wish we had something like this in Hungary!
ReplyDeletexo, Esther
http://bubblesther.com
Hi love, how are you?
ReplyDeleteGreat post as usual, love it.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Hope to see you enter my giveaway!
http://its-dominica.blogspot.co.uk/
IG: its.dominica.s
Have a lovely week kisses! Xx
This looks so delicious! I'm going to have to show my vegan friend! I don't live anywhere near San Diego, but it's definitely food goals!
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Food goals! Love it. :]
DeleteEverything looks so tasty!! I'd love to be there right now! Baci, Coco et La vie en rose fashion blog - Valeria Arizzi
ReplyDeleteWow this is vegan? Amazing, everything looks so delicious and satisfying! What a great find!
ReplyDeleteThat looks amazing...will have to try it next time I am in SanDiego
ReplyDelete--Sony
http://nailscontext.blogspot.com/
Wow, that panini looked amazing!! And I love supporting local businesses over the chains whenever possible. Great review!
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wow.ur posts r cool....have a merry christmas!and a happy new year ahead!
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