Cafe Evergreen, Venice, Florida
RECENT VISIT and meal at cafe evergreen
I recently had dinner at Café Evergreen in Venice, Florida. I had the Vegan “Pulled Pork” Sandwich. The sandwich combines lentils, carrots, smoked paprika, herbs, and spices, is topped with a vinegar super slaw, and is served on a gluten-free ciabatta roll. The sandwich comes with one side – and I chose the organic mac n cheese, which is listed as vegetarian and gluten-free. I confess that I eat here regularly and usually default my side choice to mac n cheese. The sandwich was delicious. A nice smoky blend of goodness and slight tanginess from the fresh, crisp super slaw. The bread was grilled with a slight char on the crispy edges. The mac n cheese was, well, cheesy, creamy and the perfect complement to the pulled “pork.”
For a beverage, I went with the Tangerine Wheat Beer. I tend to gravitate to either an IPA or a dark beer, such as a Porter or Stout, but I like to explore whenever I see something of interest on a menu. They have a variety of beers that get off the usual path, and I’ve tried most of them with no regrets. Why order a familiar when you can explore and possibly expand your palate?
CAFE EVERgreen review
Cafe Evergreen is a popular dining spot known for its fresh and healthy offerings. In fact, their tagline is “healthy food for healthy living.” The restaurant's ambiance is inviting, with a cozy and relaxed atmosphere. They have indoor dining as well as a couple of outdoor areas great for outdoor dining. The menu features a variety of nutritious options, including salads, wraps, smoothies, and vegetarian dishes. The quality of ingredients is high, and they use locally sourced produce. They also offer a variety of healthy drink options, including juices, kombucha, smoothies, and probiotics. They also offer some interesting organic beer and wine choices.
The service at Cafe Evergreen has always been friendly and attentive, with staff being knowledgeable about the menu and accommodating to dietary preferences. I’ve heard that, at times, there can be a wait time for a table, but we’ve never experienced a wait. We tend to eat there for a late lunch, but we have gone for dinner as well and haven’t experienced a wait time. This could be dependent on the time of year, as Venice and the surrounding areas experience an influx of people during the peak Florida season. Either way, I would suggest it’s worth the wait due to the freshness and variety of the dishes.
While some might enjoy the diverse selection of healthy choices, others might find the menu limited, especially for those seeking more traditional or indulgent options. It’s definitely vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free forward, but the menu is varied enough for most, I think. I am vegetarian, but my wife is not, and she always finds something to order (including lamb, bison, and salmon) and has always praised the meals. They have great salads, too!
Overall, Cafe Evergreen would most likely appeal to health-conscious individuals and those looking for a refreshing culinary experience in a welcoming environment. Whether you're a vegetarian or simply appreciate fresh, nutritious meals, Cafe Evergreen should be put on your list of “places to try.”