Vegan Mario’s

I hope I can upgrade this review soon. I read about this place a month ago and had been dying to try it. When I read another review in the 12÷24÷15 Time Out magazine I made a point to get out there to try it out with a couple of girlfriends. We headed out there on 12÷26÷15 (note it was just 2 days after the date of the review) and got stuck in the traffic from the fire on the freeway. That was okay though because we would just be more hungry when we got there! Well, we got there and the place was CLOSED until NEXT YEAR. Not a word about that in the review. We were all very surprised that a placed that is relatively new would take so much time off for the holidays. Not sure when I’ll make another special trip out there to try it. What a disappointment.

I am a gluten-​free vegan, and was lucky enough to stumble upon Vegan Mario’s at the Sunday farmers’ market while weekending in Ojai.
In the 8 years I have been vegan, I have never seen or eaten a vegan calzone. Certainly in the nearly 5 years I have been gluten-​free, I have never seen or eaten a gluten-​free calzone. It was seriously really exciting for me to eat a food that is never on my radar or my beaten path.
The calzone itself was delish. It was stuffed with, among other things, pumpkin pesto, mushrooms, and broccoli, and served with a tomato marinara. The to-​go package comes with one small serving of marinara; I felt like my experience would have entered another level if I didn’t need to ration my sauce. The bread itself was delicious, although a little bit tough (probably to be expected because gluten-​free).
All and all, yummy! Excited to come back and try more… and ask for extra sauce ;)

Overpriced and tasteless. I’m so sorry to be giving this place 2 stars as a cute little family seemingly runs this place. But I have to be honest, I paid around 8 dollars for a teeny patty (too many ingredients to list) that fit in the palm of my hand, with room, and I have small hands! You have got to lower prices if you want to stay alive! The veggie pizza needed pizzaz, it was underwhelming. The advertising outside is also a little cheesy. Though, décor inside is modern. It is air conditioned and their black charcoal tea was delightful. I hope to see this young business soon thrive!

It’s establishments like this which gives me faith in humanity. Consciousness all around and simply scrumptious delicious gluten free vegan food. I had it for lunch and wanted to go back for dinner!

We love this place. Had them cater our wedding – wow! Best pizzaeveryone loved it, meat eater and non meat eaters alike YUM. Best coldpressed juices anywhere!!!

The best thing to happen to Oak View! Mario and crew keep coming up with new favorites! Check out his story and ask about all they have to offer.

I am a fan purely on the taste! The sub I had tonight didn’t look like much but it was so yummy! And the same goes for the pizza I got a few months ago, was not appetizing to the eye but it was divine!
The place is small, uncomfortable, limited seating and the associates are lack luster… Pizza did take forever. Still, yummy organic, vegan whole foods!

I really love the food and the staff. When they first opened they were not as good as they are now. They have lot’s of affordable dishes now that are some of the best I’ve ever eaten! The staff is really sweet and even when the food takes a bit long to make you can see the effort that goes into it. I’ve gone to many, many vegan/​vegetarian restaurants and this is one of my very favorites!!!

I stopped in here this morning on my way to work to check out this fairly new shop. It’s nice to have more vegan options in the Ojai Valley and Vegan Mario’s delivers that. Since their main banners and signs have been for their juice from the start, I tried their cold pressed Carrotade. Carrot, apple and lemon juices. It was very sour/​tart, but good. It had a nice flavor and good density.
Served in a mason jar with lid, and sold at a price of $ 9, I think I’m not the target market for their foods and drinks. The price will probably keep me from coming back on my own, but if I have vegan friends who want somewhere to eat, this will be on my list.
In addition to juices they offer a couple of breakfast options, pizza, and sandwiches/​subs. They also have desserts, including some gluten free desserts.
Service was polite and professional. Location was clean and organized. There are a few small tables inside to eat at, or a picnic table outside under the trees.

We had calzone. They were hot and satisfying. The salad was Deicious. Friendly staff.

Can’t really give it a 1
Ordered a gluten free pizza with extra cheese
All we got was a piece of cardboard with five tomatoes and a few pieces of spinage on it
Would not recommend this place to anybody PERIOD

Second or third time coming here now … Was a little peeved my first experience, but have it another shot or two. What can I say? The food is delicious. Service might be slow, but that’s because it’s fresh and HOMEMADE. Great quality and good people. I’ll become a regular.

I really wanted to LOVE this place, but was pretty disappointed.
It was a rainy evening and I stopped in for some warm soup. There was one couple waiting for their order and two people in front of me in line. Considering the overall quiet nature of the restaurant I expected I could be in and out of there quickly, but it took way longer than expected.
While I was there the couple waiting were served the wrong drink and both people in line in front of me left without ordering. The first guy had come in for a particular juice blend and they were out of it. The next person in line had questions about the ingredients in items which the cashier was unable to answer — Hello! This is a Vegan restaurant, vegans typically want to know ALL ingredients and are hyper aware of what they are consuming. Not only should the wait staff be knowledgeable, but this information should be printed and easily available to all patrons, that’s just the type of person you are catering to. So, two missed orders, should have been a sign, but I stayed anyway…
I ordered my soup to go – I thought surely they aren’t making the soup right now and they just have to fill up the mason jar and send me on my way? It still took 15 minutes to get my jar of soup, which I don’t understand…
There was another hiccup at checkout — their credit card machine wasn’t working. So I had to run out to my car in the rain and see if I could dig up enough cash or a checkbook to pay.
At the end of the day the soup was good but nothing incredible. I like the idea of glass mason jars which they don’t throw away but recycle and in my case (a to-​go order) encourage you to bring back for future visits.
I’m hoping they work the kinks out, educate their staff better about their products and what’s in them. I’ll try them again in the future since I live close and eat a nearly vegan diet.

When I first drove by I was quite excited to give this place a try, however, they missed the mark.
The place is clean and was pretty empty when I got there. I grabbed a menu and was immediately shocked at the prices, but I was still willing to see if it was worth it.
I asked the girl at the counter for some guidance; I wanted to know what their top seller was/​what she recommended. She proceeded to tell me how everything could be customized for the most part and made vegan or vegetarian etc. I appreciated this information, however, it didn’t really help in terms of knowing what was good. I ended up getting a cold-​pressed juice and thought it was very yummy, but also overpriced. I am aware of the discount if you bring back the mason jar, but that discount doesn’t make it worth it to me. I really wanted to like this place as it would save me a trip driving into Ojai for a healthier option, but it looks like this place won’t be it. Oh well.

I love and want more than anything to support local small
Businesses… Especially vegan ones!
However my experience here was just average. There were about 10 employees and 2 customers in the place when we arrived, but it still took quite a while
Before anyone even acknowledged us.
The pizza and 1 drink we ordered came out to almost $ 25 which would’ve been ok if the pizza was worth it, but unfortunately it just wasn’t.
It looked pretty.
It tasted good (not amazing, but good)
The problem was this:
The pizza was pretty small for the price, and there was like, 5 tomato slices on it, a few globs of pesto, and some tiny slivers of onion with large patches of bare crust all over.
I could’ve eaten the whole myself (I’m a small girl) and still eaten more.
We left hungry.
Spent $ 25 and left hungry.
I don’t think I need to say more.
Dudes… Put more toppings on the pizza! Make it bigger!!! Or lower your prices!!! Seriously though.

This place is pretty … well … different. I read some of the crappy reviews and determined to come and have a five star experience. I mean, I was going to give it five stars just because I love what they’re trying to do in Ojai, of all places. But they made it difficult! The place opened at 7:00 AM. We went at 7:45. No coffee. No donuts. No cookies. Nothing was ready. Most places that open at 7:00 get there earlier than 7:00 to prepare so that product is ready by opening time. Not Vegan Mario’s! It’s not like most places. Some young man helped us … explained to us they had nothing we wanted yet. He had dyed red hair and looked like he’d eaten an ounce of shrooms the night before. We said we’d come back.
And we did. We returned a couple of hours later. We each ordered a cold-​pressed juice that were in jars. I had a cookie. Nothing special. My friend had a cinnamon roll. It was pretty good. But nothing was spectacular, as it should be. Service should be spectacular. Cookies should be spectacular. Cinnamon rolls should be spectacular. That just wasn’t the case.
We’ll go back soon and give it another try. I like what they’re doing but they really need to pull it together a bit more.
We’ll just have to see what happens.

The food and beverages are handcrafted, innovative, fresh and super delicious.
The menu has something for everyone — raw salads & entrees, freshly baked calzones, desserts. Everything is fantastic and most is available gluten free, including the freshly baked calzones & pizzas.
They have a sweet outdoor picnic table under a beautiful old oak tree. Nice, clean new place.
It took me 6 months to try this place, honestly I was detracted by the sign. I’m so glad I did, and now I’m a regular.
Look for them at the Ojai Farmers Market on Sundays too.

I love love love this place. I stop by here almost every morning for my juice and the occasional tofu scramble which is beyond bomb! So flavorful and special. I wish it was closer to my house but always worth my 15 minute drive. Spicy Kale Chips a must! I’m going to try the chia pudding tomorrow.

You are missing out and so yesterday’s news if you are not supporting this epic establishment. This place is comfortable, hip and may cost you a few more pennies than some, but a wise woman said:
You either pay for your health now or pay later!!!

Yum! Highly recommended. We had the pizza with the gonzo balls, the quinoa salad, and tomato/​avo salad. Oh and the green (all veggie) juice. Everything was fresh and simple yet creative and delicious. Nice to sit under the tree at the humongous picnic table. Hard to see from the road but look for the prayer flags!