University of California, Los Angeles
“I love UCLA. As a recent grad, I miss it so much every day. It was a very bittersweet journey for me. I unfortunately had many reactions at the school, but was able to make it work by eating off-campus. Restaurants on and off campus in Westwood Village and LA were my life savers.”
CAVA
“Always safe for me, but they started adding sesame back into their falafel, so I stopped going. It kept me safe and well fed for so many months, and I used to go all summer my first summer in LA! I would be careful but not fearful with a sesame allergy here. Chipotle style serving process.”
Seoul Tofu
“They were helpful and the food was yummy! Consistent as I ordered from them a few times a couple years ago. I would ask ahead about allergens. Vegan option I recommend is the soon tofu, so good! Menu didn’t have allergens listed when I was there (a long time ago). Always a long line out the door!”
Westwood Village Farmers’ Market
“I have rarely eaten here but have had friends visit with me and try different things. Some notable places- there is a Thai Food shop, a bunch of really good juice shops (one sells watermelon juice, and that person was very safe with my allergies), and also Amy’s ice cream shop. Amy’s ice cream used to be made with macadamia nuts, but I have heard she is transitioning to oats. Overall, loved going to the FM to get fresh produce, they had some shops that sold nut products, so I would be careful about those. “
California Pizza Kitchen at Westwood
“They were always so kind and helpful with my allergies 🙂 never got mad or annoyed for me asking about my allergens every time even though I ate the same thing every time. Their strawberry lemonade is literally the best and you have to get it. I usually got the Tomato Basil Spaghetti but used to get the vegan BBQ Chicken before they took it off the menu. Always will recommend for my UCLA friends!”
Araya’s Vegetarian Place
“The best people ever. I felt so safe and so well taken care of here. I trust them with my life. They catered well to my dietary restrictions and my food allergies and always were so kind and warm. Such a good small business and family-owned business to support. I love them with my whole heart. Get the Yellow Curry and ask for Natcha, tell her Yashvi sent you!”
Plant Power Fast Food
“Loved ordering from Plant Power. It’s a vegan restaurant with so much heart and it is always a fun time. I loved nothing more on a late night out or during finals to get the vegan chicken tenders and the fries. Nothing matches how yummy they are. They do have nuts and sesame on the menu, and the fryer foods are not safe for my allergies (for example the onion rings). Their lemonade is okay but not my favorite. This place is available late night and on Uber Eats, and also in San Diego! I would always call and ask before I placed my order and they were always super kind and trustworthy and upfront. Love them so much and miss them every day!”
Tulsi Indian Eatery (Westwood)
“This place kept me safe all through college 🙂 though the staff changes frequently (at least once a year), the manager Mary has been there for a while. She is awesome and is always great with my allergies. I have ordered the same thing every time (dosa and sambhar or the poori bhaji) and it is always safe. When I was struggling to get safe food in some of the worst times in college, their kind staff gave me extra portions just out of love and kindness, when I didn’t even ask. They would never get annoyed with me for asking about my allergens every time in case the menu changed. Will always recommend this place to anyone! Super vegan friendly!”
Monty’s Good Burger
“Monty’s has been my safe haven throughout college. On every late night out or late night at the library, I would have a safe option to fall back on. If I ever saw my friends eat In N Out and crave it, I knew I got to have a safe option at Monty’s. The manager at this location, TK, is literally such a light, and so patient, kind, generous, and trustworthy. I used to get the Charlie’s Chicken Sandwich for 1.5 years but then they changed their burger bun provider and it had sesame in it starting a few years back. So I would ask for lettuce or BYOB (bring your own bun :). Now, I get the 50/50 fries and tater tots (you need both in your life, trust) as my go to. I have been wanting to try their chicken tenders as well. Ask about fryers, etc. They are always consistently safe for me. I take every friends here when they visit and when my friends are craving late night food. They are open til midnight. They have lots of locations as well. The best restaurant period, but to get specific, the best vegan restaurant ever. But I believe it is better than In N Out could ever be (listen, I’ve had my share of In N Out and Whataburger as an Austin and LA girl and Monty’s will always always be the best). Every location always keeps me safe and well fed. Best things to order are the yellow habanero sauce and the chocolate shake.”
Julie Goes Green
“Always the kindest staff and most beautiful and nourishing food. I have been eating here at least once or twice a month for the past 4 years and they got me through the hardest parts of college. They are always super understanding and don’t judge when I ask about my allergens every time even though they remember them and my order. I will always feel safe here. This is home! Julie, the owner, has been so kind and generous with my Food Allergy Donation Matching Program for LA fire relief. She has supported multiple families who have evacuated by providing free meals that are allergen friendly. Julie is understanding and thoughtful, taking time to review my evacuees’ allergies with me and potential menu options. Julie and her restaurant will always be one of my favorite places in the world, no matter how old I grow and no matter how much time passes. She is a huge reason why I miss LA so much post grad! I have taken over 10 of my friends to JGG over the past few years and they have all had lovely things to say. The restaurant is set up with a community table and I have made genuine friendships and connections with strangers sitting at that table. If you go, please say hi for me and tell her Yashvi sent you!”
Crossroads Kitchen – Melrose
“I’ve been here 5 times and have felt safe and confident in the food and staff every time! The food is divine and the staff are so kind and proactive. They met my constant flurry of questions and needs for reassurance with only kindness and smiles and understanding. One of the waiters even told me to be careful of cross-contamination with deep fried foods, “just in case”, even though I didn’t even think of that. They have also had a high level staff member in the past who was personally knowledgeable about food allergies, and I can tell that that spirit of keeping folks safe is very common here. It will always be my favorite place to eat a fancy vegan dinner in LA and in the whole world. Ask about sesame protocol in the breads just in case! They use nuts but have a nut free menu that is extraordinary and very comparable. They also have multiple gluten-free options. All vegan!”
