A small all-vegan restaurant located inside the food court of the 4th East Street Market. As of Feb. 2019, it is the only vegan restaurant in the food court. Seating is in public space. Offers a strictly vegan, plant-based menu of traditional Mexican food. The majority of the menu is gluten-free and soy-free as well, and they do not use any mock meats. Best known for tamales (over 16 different flavors) but they also make ceviche, aguachile, pozole, enchiladas, salads, soups, and desserts. Their menu is rotational and therefore they have different items every day. Check their social media pages for any changes. Inside Fourth Street Market (4SM). Open Mon-Tue 11:00am-3:00pm, Wed-Fri 11:00am-7:00pm, Sat 11:00am-8:00pm, Sun 11:00am-6:00pm. Closed Tue.
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201 E 4th St, Inside 4th St Market (at Bush St), Santa Ana, California, USA, 92701
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- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 04 Nov 2024 by laveganamexicanaoc
Update business info
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35 Reviews
First Review by VeronicaM
PritamBanerjee
Points +2051
Great healthy Mexican food - Edit
The food is really healthy and delicious. They mostly don’t use soy products. They have a huge sitting area where dogs are allowed as well. I love their tamales and tacos. All their food is great.
Read moreGuest
j.baptiste
Points +154
Great Taste In A Cool Space - Edit
Awesome customer service and good food!
Read morePros: Massive tamales, Friendly staff, Trendy location in cool cafeteria
Guest
KimberlySandie
Points +92
Quesataco w/mushroom asada 👍🏻 - Edit
Really enjoyed all 3 quesatacos — which is a cross between a quesadilla and a taco — but the standout was the mushroom asada.
Read morePros: Tasty, Inventive, Friendly
Cons: Limited hours (but understandable)
Guest
yungveg17
Points +1169
Friendly and tasty - Edit
Had a great first experience at la vegana. The pambazo torta was tasty, especially with the habanero and crema on the side for a little more flavor. Looking forward to going back and trying the quesotacos. Friendly and fast service as well
Read moreGuest
Cleone
Points +244
Best tamales - Edit
The tamales were amazing. We tried the beans and mole plus the cheese and Jalapenos.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-09-09
Pros: The employees were super friendly , The food was delicious , Convenience off the 5 fwy.
Guest
bfigs04
Points +198
Awesome tamales! - Edit
Amazing tamales for Christmas or anytime
Read moreGuest
soulutionary
Points +156
Yummy tamales - Edit
Nopales tamales are my favorite. Love the horchata and gluten free desserts
Read morePros: Gluten free, Yummy salsas, Yummy drinks
Cons: Needs more seasoning salsas adds more flavor
Guest
Ash(fortheanimals)
Points +206
Bomb quesatacos - Edit
What cheese do they use??? Literally the best vegan melty cheese I've had, I can't ID this one. Some things are better than others here, but what is good is great. Quesatacos, great. Didn't love the tamales, but I'd give them another go someday, so many types.
Read moreEdit - continuing to go back and try more. If you like mole and nopales, you will LOVE their mole enchiladas
Updated from previous review on 2023-07-27
Guest
Zombiecynthia
Points +5559
Fully Vegan Eats in Santa Ana - Edit
Loving a fully vegan/plant-based spot near some of my favorite humans - I love the area it’s in!
Read moreOrdered the taquitos (de papa) and a tamale (nopales y salsa verde). I loved the taquitos but sadly agree with some of the other reviews on the blandness of some of the food. I usually don’t use spices but even to me the tamale was not spicy at all and could have used salt (again imo). I did enjoy the taquitos fully and even got an extra one with my order! I could have used some vegan queso on it though! I’d give them another shot.
They got me with their kind and welcoming service! Also the arroz con leche - yum!
Pros: All Vegan/Plant-Based • Sustainable Packaging, Friendly Service/Personnel, Taquitos de Papa and Arroz Con Leche
Cons: Tamale Could Be Better More Flavorful
Guest
MichaelMM
Points +18
Let me save you a trip. - Edit
Literally the most bland mexican food, vegan or otherwise, I've ever had. This isn't a harsh statement, it's simply the actual truth. My advice if you ever choose to dine here: bring your own seasoning.
Read moreYour food will have little to no flavor besides the occasional specialty item ie: al pastor mushrooms. Even then, the unseasoned rice, beans, lack of texture diversity in their items, etc, has made their dining experience a lackluster one for myself and several people I know who gave this place a shot, never to return again.
Couple that with slow service even when they have little to no customers and the overall experience seems borderline disrespectful.
On the plus side, if you happen to bring your own sauces, seasoning, and w/e you like to dress your food up with, La Vegana Mexicana provides a very neutral base for you to design your own flavor profile.
Pros: None.
Cons: Bland, Overpriced, Slow
NicholasThoman
Ugh, I hate it when this happens. Thank uou
Read moreGuest
moregarlicpls
Points +50
Underwhelming & overpriced - Edit
I wish I understood the hype around this place, but I had a pretty lackluster experience here.
Read moreService was incredibly slow for what amounted to heating some premade filling on the flattop and putting liquid in cups, especially considering we were the only customers at the time — not a good sign when your food stall is empty at lunch hour.
I ordered the burrito and cafe de olla, and my dad got the quesataco and tamal with pastor filling with a jamaica to drink.
The burrito had no fresh elements besides the salsa that came on the side. It had chickpea chorizo, beans, rice, and potatoes — no guacamole, lettuce, tomatoes, crema, etc. As a result it was texturally one-note, with everything being the same semi-mushy consistency. Flavor was lacking too. The filling was under salted and under seasoned, with the only flavor coming from the side of salsa, and even that was just one dimensional heat.
The pastor mushrooms seemed to be much better seasoned, but still weren’t mind blowing.
This seems to be a pretty common experience and I assumed it was people just being salty, but I should have listened to reviews :(
Pros: Other options nearby?, Cute location
Cons: Bland food, Expensive
Guest
tiggertail78
Points +106
Pambazo underwhelming - Edit
I ordered their pambazo, which is supposed to be a hit! It is Mexico City style sandwich similar to a bolillo bread, dipped in guajillo chili salsa and lightly fried, stuffed with "chorizo" and potato, shredded lettuce, "crema", salsa verde, and "cotija". I expected this sandwich to be a little crispy considering it was “lightly fried”. It was quite the opposite. It was soft and soggy. It really had no taste either. I wish I could give them a better review and I am hoping their other dishes are better…but this was just no good👎🏻
Read moreGuest
ktmoney
Points +128
Possibly my favorite vegan tacos ever - Edit
Came here with a friend today and everything was amazing, but especially the quesatacos. I got one with black beans and one with potatoes chorizo and both were so good. Great tamales and agua fresca too!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-01-23
Pros: Everything is vegan , Reasonably priced, Good selection
Guest
Jōjia_Momo
Points +506
¡Que excelente! - Edit
Can’t believe I hadn’t come here sooner, you cannot skip this place!
Read moreWe came for a lunch and returned to get our holiday tamales and we were blown away.
The queso tacos are freaking incredible. The Pambazo was epic. The tamales for the holidays were so good. I recommend the jalapeño and cheese tamale, the nopal and the green parrot (which may be limited for the holidays).
The owner, Loreta is so kind and puts love into her customers just like she does in her food.
We are blessed to have them in OC. Don’t waste any time, and go grab some incredible food today.
Pros: Vegan, Variety , Gluten free options
Cons: None
Guest
PaulTaoWalker
Points +28
Nice and Local - Edit
Quick and Tasty
Read morePros: Yummy burrito and rice pudding!
Guest
LoganMelton
Points +1313
Great spot to hit if you're in the area - Edit
I had the seasonal mole enchilada and the tamales. I liked the tamales far more, but both were good. This wasn't the best food I had on my trip to CA, but I would go back if I was in the area!
Read moreGuest
Izanowak
Points +542
Eh - Edit
The tamales were dry and they didn’t have enough filling. I didn’t love this place for the tamales but my friends liked their other dishes.
Read morePros: All vegan
Guest
ayianaaltamirano
Points +34
Best quesatacos ever - Edit
This place is 100% vegan Mexican food. It’s located inside 4th street market, staff is super friendly and flavor is on point.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Good prices , Gluten free/ soy free options
Guest
Kaderina
Points +72
Literally perfect. - Edit
Y’all. This place is incredible. So authentic. The flavors are impeccable. Nothing is spicy unless you want it to be. The staff are SO friendly and SO accommodating. You MUST go here.
Read morePros: Everything is vegan!, Delicious
Guest
mallow
Points +382
Cute little place - Edit
This place is located in an adorable little food court near a ton of Mexican shops and restaurants in the area (a good sign!). I got two tamales and they were both decent. Got some rice and beans and the rice wasn’t really seasoned. Not gonna rock your socks off but comforting. The arroz con leche was amazing though. Haven’t had that in years since going vegan
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-09-05
Pros: Very gluten free friendly , Decent variety of tamales , The cheese is amazingly close to the real thing
Cons: Not expensive but a little much for the items
Guest
Coralvegan
Points +127
Vegan cóctel de camarón - Edit
Growing up I was obsessed with cóctel de camarón but mainly for the sauce and veggies and boy did they do it right. I got a tostada and arroz con leche which doesn’t beat my moms but still damn tasty. Also I met the owner and she was beyond helpful. Even during these uncertain times she had a smile on the whole time. Menu is limited during this time.
Read morePros: All vegan!, Mexican desserts , Women owned
Guest
vegangelique
Points +72
If you are Mexican don’t go - Edit
This place says is Mexican tamales , if you are American maybe they taste good because you don’t know about the real flavor of tamale, but if you are Mexican 100 you know this is awful , trust me don’t waste you Mooney ok here , I tell you I’m 100 Mexican
Read morePros: The place is nice
Cons: Not Mexican tamales , taste no flavor nothing, To much masa no nothing , 👎🏼
Guest
DavidWeatherston
Points +71
Lovely little Mexican in Santa Ana - Edit
Delicious Tamales and a lovely owner. Great food on the go in Santa Ana or sit down in the nice little indoor food court.
Read morePros: All vegan , Delicious food, Friendly staff
Guest
nataliebray
Points +18
Best Vegan Mexican Food - Edit
The staff here is so friendly and the food = AMAZING. I’m obsessed with this place. All of their tamales are delicious and I’m so glad that this place exists because sometimes you could really just go for a tamale.
Read morePros: All vegan , Authentic Mexican vegan food , Delicious food and friendly staff
Guest
MargaretCirinelli
Points +30
I’m obsessed - Edit
Amazing vegan tamales and great service.
Read moreGuest
jojacob
Points +215
Vegan tamales - Edit
Grabbed a few tamales and they were great!! Mexican food that doesn’t leave you feeling like you need a nap afterwards
Read moreGuest
DebbyRiddick
Points +18
Great Food. Wonderful staff - Edit
I have been a few times and primarily get the tamales. I am also gluten free and I can eat almost everything. Great food!
Read morePros: All vegan , Mexican food
Cons: Parking
Guest
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