The Gypsy Den in Santa Ana

I recently started doing marketing for an apartment complex in Santa Ana, so when I went there to shoot photos of the available units last week, I figured I would meet a friend who works locally for some lunch in in the revitalized Arts District of Downtown Santa Ana. My friend suggested The Gypsy Den, and after looking at the menu I happily agreed.

There's another Gypsy Den in Costa Mesa across the street from Native Foods, but I had only been there for tea recently, although I know I tried the veggie burger there many, many years ago. The Gypsy Den isn't all vegan or even vegetarian, but they do have a decent selction of foods for us to choose from.

The Gypsy Den's selection of vegan food reminded me of Rialto Cafe's in Fullerton... more than a veggie burger but not a plethora. Vegetarians have it easier here, as they offer veggie sausage and bacon in all their breakfast entrees but no tofu scramble like I would desire.

When I looked at the menu before I went to Gypsy Den, I had decided I would probably try the vegan "chicken" salad wrap, which happens to be one of my favorite lunch items. When I arrived to the spot, the daily special happened to be a vegan curry chicken wrap, so I elected for that instead.

The mixture inside of the bright red tortilla contained faux chicken, celery, onions, carrots, currants, almonds and romaine. It was a pretty typical curry chicken taste, but it was done really well. The wrap also came with a side of fruit and some sort of rice dish that happened to be topped with feta, so obviously I didn't eat that. Why would they top a side of a vegan dish with feta you ask? I have no damn clue.

The sunny, spacious patio was a really nice area to enjoy conversation with a great person. The Gypsy Den also has a nice selection of teas and coffee that could add to the joy of a conversational outing, but this was a quick lunch.

I will say, however, I was highly disappointed with the service. The waiter took forever to take our order even though the place was empty, and he forgot to bring the hummus we ordered for an appetizer. I have had similar service issues at the Costa Mesa location, so this is clearly something management needs to work on.

All in all the food was good enough for me to want to go back sometime and try the regular vegan chicken salad wrap or veggie burger, and the whole menu is reasonably priced, which is never easy to find in Orange County vegan food.

Click here to visit The Gypsy Den's website.

Comments

[corey miller]

This place is amazing....Love the cupcakes, especially the Vegan Vanilla Almond Chai one....