Chipotle BBQ - Veggie Grill
Veggie Grill
University Center – Irvine
4213 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92612 | map
Phone 949.509.0003 | hours 11am to 10pm
Eight dollars and fifty cents for fake meat. It comes with a bun and lots of sauce, some lettuce and a tomato. Don’t forget the tiny side of veggie chili. This is what my Monday ritual has become, every time I enter the Veggie Grill in Irvine, California. I’ve never been to a restaurant before and only tried one dish after visiting the place literally dozens of times. The first time I saw the Chipotle BBQ sandwich on the menu I knew that it was going to taste great. And I was proven right, time and time again. The sauce is slightly spicy and tangy and mildly sweet. And the bun is so soft and perfectly toasted. But the fake meat is some kind of seitan or some other substitute. The Veggie Grill menu calls it, “Marinated Veggie-Steak.” I have no idea what it is made out of but each bite is like eating a Saucy Barbecued cloud from heaven. But they want Nine Dollars for it after tax, and that’s not including tip. That’s NO JOKE. But deliciousness comes at a price. And it seems that this fake meat stuff is supposed to be healthy so that at least consoles me a little bit. My main problem is that after ordering the Chipotle BBQ sandwich, I then get hungry again while waiting for my writer’s group to start and then I order some Egg Rolls from Jack in the Box. So don’t expect this sandwich to fill you up. It only makes you hungrier.
The size of the sandwich is small, but there is a decent amount of fake meat on it. I usually eat the entire thing in about 4 minutes. I have never had any problems digesting it. It always goes down very smoothly, despite the rapid rate in which I eat it. Everybody tells me that I need to try their fries. So I guess I’ll do that the next time I go there.
The consistency and texture of the veggie-steak is delectable and scrumptious. I can’t get enough of it. I could probably eat three of their sandwiches at a single sitting if I could afford them. And if they had a Chipotle BBQ bowl over rice I would probably eat there more often. I have eaten at vegetarian restaurants before but this sandwich is my favorite of all time. I think I like it even more than any meat counterpart that I’ve tried. And that is saying a great deal. It tastes better than pulled pork, and definitely better than beef. My friend says that this is one of their most popular items and I can totally believe it. It has a flavor that is remarkable and at the same time feels light and healthy. I have no idea how they pulled that off.
The main difference from the Chipotle BBQ sandwich as opposed to an expensive burger at a sit down restaurant, is that the Chipotle BBQ sandwich is smaller. It is much smaller than let’s say, a burger from Ruby’s or Johnny Rocket’s. But I feel that the flavor is far superior. And it doesn’t sit like a lump in the stomach the same way as its real meat counterparts. But it also isn’t as filling, so there is a trade off.
A great thing about the Veggie Grill in Irvine, in the University Center near UCI, is that the service is extremely fast and pleasant. The staff is always respectful and courteous. They are also fast to take orders and fast to get them to you. It isn’t a TRUE sit down restaurant because you take your order at a counter. But they do take your order to you when it’s ready. But they don’t refill drinks or water for you. You have to do that yourself. I think their prices would be even higher if it was a full sit down dining experience with a waiter and everything. So with that in mind, I’m glad they are the way they are.
Soon I will try new items on their menu. When that happens I will report back to you.
-Tyler