EVOLUTION FAST FOODS If you pull up to your local drive-thru and request something plant-based, prepare to make a meal out of ice cubes, wilted trimmings from a head of iceberg, and the three french fries that took a swan-dive to the bottom of your brown paper bag. But why bother, when you could instead head to Evolution Fast Foods in Bankers Hill, San Diego's first vegan drive-thru, and have your pick of burgers, fries, tacos, and burritos served with compostable packing and utensils. evolutionfastfood.com GRAINS CAFE A curry-scented plume embraces those opening the doors to Grains Cafe in University Heights. Inside, sibling co-owners Napatr Chayodom and Katiya Hendricks are serving reimagined versions of the aromatic Thai dishes that defined their upbringing. They're pairing bites with a local draft beer selection, honoring our illustrious craft brew culture. grainscafe.com GREEN DOOR CAFE Green Door Cafe lies along a potted plant–lined patio tucked beneath exposed wood beams on a beachy La Jolla block otherwise abounding with yoga studios and boutiques. Chef and owner Martin Hall is to credit for the entirely from-scratch menu, which includes carrot lox bagels, a red chard and leek quiche, and tempeh- topped mushroom flatbread. greendoorcafe.org
PHATTIES VEGAN MEXICAN RESTAURANT Around these parts, culinary magic can be found adjacent to convenience stores, across the street from the post office, or, like Phatties, in a nondescript Escondido strip mall. Phatties’ menu has everything from jalapeno-marinated oyster mushroom aguachiles to banana leaf–wrapped, rajas-stuffed tamales and cinnamon-sugar-dusted churros. phattiesfoodinc.net
ENMOLADAS
HAZEL & JADE BAKERY
The aromas inside Hillcrest’s Hazel & Jade are a chorus of spices, freshly brewed
espresso, and buttery croissants singing in
three-part harmony. Walls paneled with floor-to-ceiling subway tiles assist the bits of natural light popping in from the patio in brightening the space. Display cases and a pastry shelf proudly house the day’s bounty, which might be white cake filled with strawberry buttercream and pistachio- rose cookie pieces, twice- baked pistachio chocolate croissants, or cheddar chive biscuits. hazelandjade.com
STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE
PEACE PIES Peace Pies is San Diego’s only dedicated raw, vegan sit-down restaurant, and owner JP Alfred is entering his phoenix-rising- from-the-ashes era. He’s in the thick of rebuilding the Encinitas branch of Peace Pies, which suffered unrecoverable fire damage a few years ago. He’s bouncing back with an open, airy space in the same previously scorched structure while simultaneously running the inaugural Peace Pies on Voltaire in Ocean Beach. peacepies.com
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SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE
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