The Loving Hut does not check you at the door to make sure you drive a Prius, wear sandals and never shave. Rather, its mission is to make healthy and environmentally-friendly food available to everyone even the high school student on a budget.

The Loving Hut is a vegan restaurant located at 165 University Avenue in downtown Palo Alto. It is a rapidly growing vegan chain that is scheduled to open more than 30 new locations this year.

Open 6 days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., The Loving Hut is the perfect location for a quick vegan pick-me-up at a reasonable price, as most items are under $10.

The restaurant’s café setup allows for a quick lunch or dinner for students on the go. Pamphlets in the café describe the advantages of going vegan and can be read while waiting at one of the many comfortable booths. Enthusiastic and social waiters offer another valuable resource for those curious about the vegan lifestyle.

The Loving Hut’s food is tasty and students will hardly notice the absence of meat or animal products. Friendly staff members are eager to help new customers decide on a variety of delicious dishes. The Loving Hut allows costumers to be adventurous in their food choices without sacrificing taste.

Priced at $8.95, one of the most popular items on the menu is the Avocado BLT. It allows students to enjoy a healthy vegan meal without giving up their love of meat. Made with mostly traditional ingredients, the real bacon in the sandwich is substituted with vegan “bacon.”

This bacon is composed of tempeh and sesame seeds seasoned with maple syrup. The fake bacon definitely looks a little funky but tastes reasonably good a slightly sweeter version of the real deal.

The Loving Hut is able to cater to even the biggest of meat lovers without forcing vegan values onto them, a true win-win situation for both the carnivores and herbivores of the world.
Another light lunch or quick snack is the Fresh Spring Rolls, which are priced at $5.50. Filled with crispy lettuce, freshly cooked rice noodles and a side of peanut dipping sauce, the rolls are tasty, delicious and easy on the eyes.

With over 13 other mouthwatering and completely animal-free items to choose from, there is no lack of variety. By making healthy food available and providing environmentally friendly alternatives to the typical American fast-food, the Loving Hut offers the perfect change of pace for the hungry and curious high school student.

Students should take advantage of the fact that they do not need to be “hardcore vegans” to enjoy what the Loving Hut has to offer. A relaxing and eco-friendly environment, makes this lovely, café worth the trip.

Taste: 4 out of 5
Price: 3 out of 5
Service: 4 out of 5
Ambiance: 5 out of 5