reviews — Food — SayHuyen

Next to Big Daddy’s Discount Meats south of Atlanta, lies a low-key restaurant- with high-key delicious food.

Mock Salmon Burger (jackfruit-based, non soy)

But really if you pull up and think you're at the wrong place- you've arrived!

Viva la Vegan offers a diverse menu of plant-based comfort food- from Philly cheesesteaks and shrimp po boys, to mock salmon burgers and cauliflower hot wings.

I’ve tried all four dishes mentioned, but this Friday was my first time going to the restaurant and eating the food fresh! We were on a Food Adventure/Mission Foodpossible for Rahkeen’s Birthday. The objective- get Rahkeen some good food in his belly from Atlanta and be back in time to teach hapkido in Gwinnett.

We ordered ahead of time, and by the time we arrived, the food was ready to go. As we waited in line, Rahkeen the Regular, chopped it up with Viva La Vegan’s owner, Chris. Rahkeen has seen Chris putting in work in the kitchen every visit he’s made there.

For the price, taste, and fullness factor- this spot is 100% reasonable and worth it. The mock salmon burger had a great burger-to-bread ratio, and the cauliflower hot wings had a kick that almost made you wish you weren’t sitting in a car with synthetic leather seats, with your mom who doesn’t like A/C, on a hot day in Georgia.

Almost!

10/10- would recommend!

The new restaurant's soft opening seems successful, with every spotless and well-lit table filled on a rainy Sunday evening.

The hosts were super hospitable- looking after the kids I was babysitting while I parked the car. While my table service wasn't great, I'll attribute that to my broke-teenager-like appearance (augmented by my toddler dates). Speaking of dates- this would not be the restaurant to use to catfish someone. After taking in the bright white walls, delicate light ornaments, minimal floral fixtures, and feel good scripts- the ambiance lets your food and your company shine center stage.

The "Korean Mixed Green Soup Noodle" tasted fresh and savory with a pleasant gingery bite, with imitation shrimp, scallop, and squid that convinced even my very carnivorous kid brother. One of the ladies running tables gave us the check early didn't ask if we needed anything or wanted dessert- but the kids loved the Vegetable Dumplings so much that we ordered another plate of them anyway. The experience ended on a high note as the hosting staff very happily kept an eye on my little ones until I pulled the car around. My picky little brother made sure to ask: "Can we come back to eat here?", and I very smugly responded "We will ask Daddy," before blowing his mind about the lack of animal in his soup that night.

A good friend of mine also recommended the Noodles in Soy Bean Sauce.

Update: I returned and had a delicious "Crab" Sushi Roll. Once again the hosts were genuinely friendly and kind- chatting it up with my mom and helping her with the door while I pulled the car around.