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Categories: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
2990 N Campbell AveHands down the best vegan cuisine I've ever had. Seasoned with sublime expertise, this full flavored dining experience makes deciding on an entree so difficult, because its all good.
I definitely recommend the mushroom / cashew pate, the stroganov, and the brownie.
Looking forward to a return trip.
The food made at Lovin' Spoonfuls is simply good. There is no amendment to that statement; no, "It's good for vegetarian food." The vegetarian restaurants of yore that I was thrilled with became wallflowers after finding Lovin' Spoonfuls.
Lovin' Spoonfuls provides a full menu of absolutely delectable options with all vegan ingredients as well as a separate menu with the gluten free options. This is home-style food better than you can remember it ever being made; there are no lack-luster or disappointing options here.
The serving staff are friendly and knowledgeable about their food offerings and Peg, the owner, is also very friendly and is usually around to assist. The service provided by the staff is very consistent. This restaurant is especially perfect if you are looking to order on your lunch break. I typically eat at Lovin' Spoonfuls for lunch and the longest I have had to wait for my meal is 15 minutes.
The highlights from my personal ordering experience:
Breakfast:
Possibly the best french toast you will ever find, vegan or otherwise
A good selection of delicious and hearty scrambles from the menu or made-to-order
Lunch:
Southern Fried BBQ Chicken Sandwich (usually the Friday afternoon special only, but it is the best)
Club Sandwich
BBQ Beef Sandwich
Golden Chicken Nuggets
Good to know for lunches: Lunch basket selections (mostly sandwiches) are served with Poore Brothers regular potato chips, a quarter of dill pickle, and a side of cole slaw, carrot salad, or potato salad. You can substitute a small green salad for the other three sides if you prefer and their made-in-house sesame dijon dressing is great. Lunches average around $6 to $8.
Dinner:
Country Fried Chicken Platter
Dessert:
I hardly ever make it to dessert, but they have a large selection of everything from cookies to very decadent cakes. They also make great shakes, some that are always on the menu and some that change daily/weekly. I usually saw there to be a gluten free dessert option in the dessert case as well.
Some tidbits about the restaurant:
Ordering style is at a counter but food is brought out to your table
Patio seating is available
The food is totally Vegan
Seating for groups is available, but the restaurant probably seats about 60 only--if you have a group bigger than 6 you may want to call ahead, especially if it is for lunch.
Please, do not miss out on trying Lovin' Spoonfuls!
Yum, every time I visit Tucson I go here. Let me state for the record that I am not a vegan, or even a vegetarian. It doesn't matter- I love the hearty comfort food and the cozy atmosphere this place has. The woman who owns the place is super interesting and sweet. The restaurant itself is a great place to relax and enjoy yourself.
Chicken dishes, burgers, fries, chili, and soups have all been very good. It's a bit on the expensive side, especially for the Zone, but easily forgiven once you've had a bit to eat. My friend (who is vegan) says the dinners here are even better.. so if you have a chance you should probably visit then.
I had to knock off a star because eating lunch here, as opposed to dinner, was a total letdown. They mainly have only sandwiches and salads available during lunch, which seemed to consist of limp bread and fake lunch meat that could be bought at any mainstream grocery store. Add a bag of chips to all of that and it's just a weak meal.
From now on, I would definitely make sure I only go for dinner.
This is the best discovery I've made in a long time!
I expected to find a rundown or hole in the wall…
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When asked, "Do you want to go to this sort of weird vegan place?" my answer was of course: YES!
In my opinion, most places initially described as "weird" wind up being wonderful and I'm also always interested in trying out completely vegan restaurants.
My friend ordered the Mexicali Black Beans and Rice and the house salad with a ranch dressing sooo delicious, I stole some (along with a crouton). I ordered vegan junk food: tempura mock shrimp and mini-battered beer brats. It was SO DELICIOUS!
I seriously wanted to order everything off the menu...plus they had some really good looking desserts (I wish that I wouldn't have been so full after dinner, I absolutely would have had a piece of chocolate pie).
The atmosphere was so relaxing. Clean, dark wood tones, and good classical music playing. Very nice for an order at the counter place. Also enjoyed the quick service!
The only vegan restaurant in Tucson, not a place to get food that is good for you, it is a vegan junk food restaurant. I like fried things quite a bit but I might as well go to the freezer section of Trader Joe's or Whole Foods and buy the same products they serve here and make them myself. I've been here many times with many friends and each time I think: what a shame they use so many pre-made products.
I'm not vegan. I like to eat animal products, especially when they are organic and local. I have been to some phenomenal vegan restaurants in other states and what makes those restaurants amazing is fresh, delicious food that is made in the same place it is served. The dinner salad here is ridiculous: ten pieces of lettuce, two croutons and one cherry tomato for $4? C'MON! They do have decent cakes which I indulge in from time to time, but the cakes are not made by in-house either.
Let me set one thing straight. This place is totally VEGAN. The owner is vegan and has told me personally that there isn't anything that's not vegan.
Now, the important thing to remember is that this place is for those of us who miss hearty "meaty" meals. So if you are one those vegans who thinks even eating meat shaped food is a bad idea then it's not exactly for you. Lovin' caters to the crowd who wants home style goodness loading down their stomachs with heavy duty burgers, sandwiches, dinners, and sides. That's not to say you can't get light food here, but they really shine with the mock meats.
On top of all of that the decor is cozy. So many people are turned off by the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle by having to go to some co-op restaurant and eating next to kids with dreads down to their knees, lip rings, and a "insert political statement here" shirt. The beauty part of Lovin' is that all kinds of people meet to eat here. Yes there are the above mentioned types who dine there, but more often than not it's people who are just popping in on their lunch hour. Professionals, retirees, college students, and people with serious health restrictions all come to Lovin' for some lovin'. Peg (the owner) has done more for the cause of vegetarianism/veganism in Tucson than any amount of sign waving and slogan shouting could do.
I highly recommend checking this place out and look out for franchises to open in the future.
Is it the best food you will ever eat? Simply, no. Is it the best meat substitution you will ever eat? Probably yes.
I loved it immensely. At the time, I was a vegan (now just a vegetarian) and having forsaken Ranch dressing had been painful for me. Damn, they did Ranch right there.
The owner waited on me. She was lovely, as was the food. I'm a wee bit suspicious of fake meat, as I've never eaten actual meat, but all my fears evaporated the moment I tasted my sammich. I wish there were more places like this.
Really relaxing, cozy, unpretentious (most of the time) atmosphere.
It kind of feels like the waiting room at a massage parlor.
I ordered the vegan fried chicken combo: salad, fried "chicken" (which tasted almost EXACTLY like real chicken), garlic mashed potatoes, veggies, and stuffing. SWEET JESUS. My friend and I were floored.
I also tried the shrimp tempura last time, which tastes like real shrimp! It's pretty crazy.
DO NOT GET the burgers, a lot of the fake meat there tastes gross, like overpowering cheap soy meat. Also, a friend of mine got the Beef Stroganoff, which tasted like taco bell mild sauce? Eeh, stick with what's good here.
B
This is the kind of restaurant that understands vegetarian food. It can (and should) still be delicious even though it has no meat. A great place for vegetarians and meat eaters alike!
But, if you want to get falafel, I suggest that you visit the Greek restaurant next door for a little bit more authentic greek food.
As far as all-veggie restaurants go, this is not one of the better establishments. Being the only one in Tucson means no competition and therefore no reason to strive to be better.
I ordered the country fried chicken dinner, the golden nuggets and a shake. The first thing that was brought to our table were the salads. There are a few different homemade dressings to choose from, among which include ranch, thousand island, and honey dijon. I asked for the thousand island but also tried the honey dijon. Both were fantastic. Next arrived the golden nuggets, which were "chicken" nuggets. A soy blend that resembles chicken meat battered and served with your choice of dipping sauce (or all of them, if you ask). I ordered these expecting something amazing based on fellow Yelpers' reviews, and those little nuggets delivered. My main course arrived and I was not impressed. On my plate were 3 "chicken" pieces, a lump of mashed potatoes, a huge portion of stuffing, all covered in gravy. The "chicken" was the same "chicken" that I had just eaten in my appetizer. I thought the batter or frying process would at least be different. The mashed potatoes were very good. They tasted like they were made in house and still had traces of potato skins. The stuffing was not to my liking, however the rest of my table really liked it. My peanut butter cup shake was very good as well, they don't use cow milk or ice cream, so the shake was runnier than I prefer but the taste was outstanding.
"Is this a lesbian restaurant?"
"I don't know, but obviously you didn't grow up in San Francisco"
Well they have gluten free pancakes so they win in my book. I like the idea behind the place. The food was good not superb but edible. Did I mention they have gluten free options, dairy free options, and meat free options.
Let me start out by saying, the name is ALL WRONG. "Lovin' Spoonfuls?" that is just plain gross. "Lovin' Spoonful" is a reference to a man's.. how do I say this nicely... ummm.. sauce? (Incidentally, this is the name of LS's neighbor!!! Two gross names right next to each other.)
Here are the facts:
The band's name is taken from the lyrics to Mississippi John Hurt's "Coffee Blues"; supposedly a reference to the amount of ejaculate produced by one male orgasm
Now, I am super stoked to have an all vegan restaurant in Tucson. Beyond stoked. I can get over the name. I'm happy to look past it as long as the food is good.
... and for the most part, the food is good, not anything great... just good. Classic menu items without the animal. Breakfast burros, scrambles, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, soups and salads and some not so common items like fried chicken, meatloaf and stroganoff. (They also have an impressive gluten-free menu if you need that. Not many places in town do it so well.)
My biggest complaint about LS is that they seem to use a lot of veggie products rather than making their own stuff. Like bacon, ground round, tofurky, hot dogs, etc.... all seem to be made with store bought veggie meats. That bums me out cuz great vegan food doesn't rely on processed foods... in fact, it is a huge turn-off.
I would suggest that you go and find the one or two things that they do best and stick with it... and in my opinion that means the French Toast, or Southwestern Breakfast Burrito for breakfast. The classic burger for lunch and the Lasagna for dinner. They also have good coffee and old-fashioned style milk shakes.
It aint cheap. That's for sure, and I always sit outside cuz the classical music is too intense for casual eating. Dissonant string instruments and orchestras do NOT make for good times while dining out ('specially on a grumpy morning). It would be cool if that sweet, well-meaning owner had a punk rock daughter who could say "uhh.. no mom." The restaurant's atmosphere is stuffy and feels uptight. They need to loosen their collar.
What's up with dirty burgundy polo shirts the servers are made to wear anyway? They just look bad.
Shouldn't extra salsa be free with your burrito? I mean... c'on! That burrito just cost me $7.95.
Four stars are bumped up to five by two things: Excellent service and amazing shakes.
I crave milkshakes. I long for them. Alas, I've never been able to safely have one and it's rare to find a vegan milkshake that doesn't have the bitter soy flavor that tends to overwhelm the deliciousness. Lovin' Spoonfuls has changed that and now I'm trapped in Phoenix, craving a vanilla coffee bean shake...
The food is hearty and delicious. The linguini and bread are wonderful, the salads topped by a heavenly house balsamic vinaigrette. Delicious burgers can be found, and my wee little one loved the grilled cheese option. She's also unable to handle milk and it's always great to be able to order anything on the menu.
It's a counter restuarant with formal table service after you order. They've managed to find a nice balance between being a counter joint and the standard form of waiting tables.
The sweet owner spotted that my linguini was a bit low on marinara and appeared at the table with a fresh, steaming bowl.
I've been here three times & two thing sticks out: blazing fast service and the best cole slaw ever, and I hate cole slaw. Pricey but not horrific by any means. A milkshake will cost you about $4.50. Forget the vegan aspect - their food is incredibly delicious regardless of it's "ZOMG NO MEAT." Wait staff are incredibly friendly too. They'll even laugh at your jokes. Even the owner is on the action & will be as accommodating and helpful as possible.
I'd go there again and again if I weren't cheap. Do yourself a favor and get a Stella Blue.
Don't worry, you'll be safe here.....
For all the vegetarians out there, this is your safe zone. With all the ribs, steak and chickens being thrown at you like grenades, there is a place at which you can seek solace. Delicious, fresh food in a clean, gorgeous, cozy restaurant. The constant machine-gun drilling of "but do you eat fish" is silenced. Wrap your hands and lips around a thick-cut club sandwich. Enjoy the flavorful, crisp soy-based (did I taste maple?) "bacon" and fresh fixings. I'm hooked on their tempura "shrimp" that has the perfect texture and flavor. I am missing nothing when I eat at Lovin Spoonfuls.
New vegetarian went with me who fell in love with the safe zone that is Lovin Spoonfuls: everything on the menu is for "us" which is a switch for the real world. Usually we veggies end up with one or two choices on any other menu. (The Salads are on the BACK!) At Lovin Spoonfuls, the whole menu is for us.
These are my people, and at Lovin Spoonfuls, we are free.
2 People, 2 sandwich baskets with side salad, 1 appetizer, 2 drinks - $27.00
Great food! Especially love the Golden Nuggets, Pasta Primavera, and any and all of the desserts. Nice ambience. I've even taken omnivores and they enjoyed it. The owner is incredibly nice.
Got to be honest and include the very few "cons" to this place: a bit pricy and I once overheard a server talking about how she wasn't vegan anymore because it was "too hard", and describing all the non-vegan food she loved too much to give up. I just felt that it was an inappropriate topic to be discussing in a vegan joint.
All in all, this place rocks! I go at least a couple times a month.
I was VERY excited to try Lovin' Spoonfuls when it first opened, but - after many excursions there - I am just as disappointed as I was during my first visit.
They do a few things pretty well: fake meat sandwiches, home-made coleslaw (which comes with the sandwiches), and milkshakes. In fact, when I want greasy comfort food, I head up to Lovin' Spoonfuls for their Route 66 burger (with fake bacon and soy cheese), and it definitely does the trick.
But when I've ventured outside the sandwich zone, all I've gotten was over-priced, mediocre entrees and overpriced, mediocre desserts. Maybe I was ordering the wrong things, and there are a few dishes there that would really knock my socks off. But it hasn't happened yet.
Lovin' Spoonfuls is Tucson's only all-vegan restaurant, specializing in comfort food, and deliciously proving that a hearty meal is absolutely possible without eating meat or dairy. All the burgers are superb, the mock bacon cheeseburger being my favorite. The ravioli and lasagna are to-die for! The soup & bread are a good way to go for a good affordable meal anytime, and the desserts are excellent.
My wish-list for Lovin Spoonfuls - natural beverage options, and take-out bean burrito option in the $5 range.
Still, I've enjoyed everything I've ordered at Lovin' Spoonfuls and I LOVE that it's counter-service. It's not easy to find vegan dining in Tucson, and this is a well-run business whose time has come in our rapidly-growing town! I admire Peggy, the lovely and hard-working owner, for stepping into this unknown territory in Tucson and being utterly successful.
We went back here for dinner this time and I have to give it 4 stars again. I had the Old Country Lasagna which though tasty lacked the Italian sausage taste the menu described.
We all shared the golden nuggets with the soy chicken is simply amazing.
My wife had the Stuffed Pasta Magnifica which was magnificent. The stuffed pasta was very creamy and full of flavor.
Our Friends had the Linguini with Italian Meatballs which was a little light on the sauce but themeatlessballs were a little crunchy on the outside and tasty on the inside and the Thai Vegetable Curry which was beautiful to look at and quite tasty.
We decided to have some desert. My wife and shared a piece of chocolate peanut butter pie which was good and peanut buttery but lacked in some way. Our friends had the Carrot cake which was out of this world! The "cream cheese" frosting was spot on.
Lovin' Spoonfuls gets it right on so many levels. Healthy vegan fare which is quite affordable. They still need to drop the temperature in the place 2 degrees to 76 instead of 78 but otherwise this place is quickly becoming one of my family's favorite spots for a meal out.
OK little known fact about me #659, I use to be a vegetarian and mostly vegan for about 4 years of… Read more »
Great atmosphere and delicious food. I take many non-vegetarian friends and they enjoy it just as much as me (vegetarian). Dinner menu is super, everything I've had was wonderful. Great organic pale ale too!
What a great place! Atmosphere, variety, flavor - it has it all. I had the tempeh stroganoff, which was delicious, and a pumpkin pie shake that was heavenly! Make sure to try their special house spiced iced tea.
this place has it's merits. for me, loving spoonfuls is the place to go when you want something rich and vegan like lasagna.
(+) large all vegan menu, lots of fakes: veggie meats, cheese, sour cream, etc. counter service is quick, pleasant, and the food is consistent.
(-) it seems pricey. there is classical music ALWAYS, i have not had anything stellar but for vegetarians it is a crowd pleaser. hate the name.
it is insanely good. you dont even know its vegan. so so so good. breakfast too!
I was completely surprised to find such a great vegan restaurant in Tucson! I had the Adzuki Burger and it had the best flavor! I also agree with the other reviewers about their milk shakes. I fell in love with my vanilla milk shake, in fact I wish I had one right now! The staff was very friendly and the owner even came to our table to ask how everything was. Overall a great vegan experience!
As exciting as it is to have an all-vegan restaurant in Tucson, I have been nothing but disappointed by my experiences at Lovin' Spoonfuls. I enjoy fresh, healthy vegan cuisine, but this restaurant only offers high-calorie, overly-processed options. Some people might really like this, though I prefer Govinda for a healthy night out.
Tucson, AZ
Category: Vegetarian
Tucson, AZ
Category: Vegetarian
Tucson, AZ
Category: Vegetarian
Tucson, AZ
Category: Seafood
Tucson, AZ
Category: Indian
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