Native Foods: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Native Foods has been serving 100% plant-based food since 1994, and its Palm Springs location on E. Palm Canyon Drive is where it all started. Every single item on the menu is vegan, so you can order without running down a list of hidden ingredients. The chain now has three independently operated locations in Palm Springs, Chicago, and Glendale, Colorado, each employee-owned since 2023.

What’s vegan and vegetarian at Native Foods

Everything. Native Foods is a fully vegan restaurant with no animal products on the menu at all. You won’t find a vegetarian-only section because the entire menu qualifies. That means burgers, bowls, salads, sandwiches, sides, desserts, and drinks are all plant-based by default. Gluten-free markers appear on select items, though the kitchen uses a shared fryer, so if you have celiac disease you’ll want to ask before ordering fried items.

Signature dishes to order

The burgers are the draw for a lot of first-timers. The Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger layers seitan, vegan cheddar, caramelized onions, tofu bacon, BBQ sauce, and ranch dressing into something that reads like classic fast food but skips the animal products entirely. The Nashville Hot sandwich delivers real heat in a crispy plant-based chicken format. If you want a bowl, the Soul Bowl and the Sesame Kale Macro Bowl are both reliable picks. The Bangkok Curry Bowl and Buddha Bowl are marked gluten-free. On the dessert side, the Oatmeal Creme Pie and Beignets are worth ordering alongside your meal. The Reuben, brought back by popular request under the current owners, is also worth trying if it’s available the day you visit.

How to order

Native Foods runs as a fast-casual counter-service spot. You order at the counter, grab a number, and food comes to you. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 11am to 8pm and Sunday from 11am to 7pm. Online ordering is available through the Native Foods website, and delivery is available via DoorDash and Grubhub. Prices run $$ for a sit-down meal: most bowls and combos land in the $19 to $22 range, and you can piece together a full meal with a side and a drink for around $28 to $30.

What to watch out for

The shared fryer is the main caveat. Many items are marked gluten-free on the menu, but sweet potato fries and other fried items share oil with gluten-containing foods. If you have celiac disease or a serious gluten sensitivity, tell your server and ask specifically about preparation. The kitchen staff are reported to be responsive to these requests, but the setup isn’t celiac-safe by default. Beyond that, the restaurant sits in a strip mall in Smoke Tree Village, so the ambiance is casual and practical rather than elevated. That’s fine for a lunch stop, but don’t expect a date-night atmosphere.

Is Native Foods worth it?

Yes, especially if you’re traveling with a mix of vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores who want a real meal rather than a side salad. The 30-year track record in Palm Springs means the kitchen knows what it’s doing with plant-based proteins. Current owners Misti Rausch and Sean Reynolds worked at this location for over a decade before buying it in 2023, and that continuity shows in the consistency of the food. If you’re in Palm Springs and want a filling, fully vegan fast-casual meal, Native Foods is one of the most reliable options you’ll find.