we've opened our second storefront as of November 2008, in San Diego, California! (View our gallery to see larger versions of the images) Vegolution in San Diego features a fresh organic juice/smoothie bar, as well as drive thru window service with a variety of mouthwatering veggie burgers, sweet potato fries, and shakes. What can we say about our desserts, except that they are five-star! Come in and enjoy soy soft-serve ice cream and raw soft-serve ice cream, plus a complete line of European-style cakes and pies, all made from scratch using premium ingredients. Of course, there is the self-serve buffet which is priced by the plate (choice of small, medium or large plate). Our buffet features homemade soups, breads, casseroles, raw deli salads, and specialty pancake brunch on the weekends...and so much more.
Just like everything else we offer in our restaurant, the Vegolution Drive thru is 100-percent vegan! Drive thru (and now also available for dine in) specialties include Chick'n Chipotle Sandwiches, Sweet Potato Fries, Mylk Shakes, Bac'n Cheezeburgers, and tons more! Check it all out on our Menu page! We also offer a wide assortment of delicious wraps at fine natural food stores in Southern California, including Jimbo's and Whole Foods Markets. Visit our Wholesale Products page, then look for them in our Grab-n-Go section! Lastly, we have a catering menu for parties, meetings, and special events.
The philosophy that underlies Vegolution in San Diego is the same one that informs our original location in Yuma, Arizona. We guarantee that our offerings are 100% plant-based, with no cholesterol. We use only the finest ingredients available, and organic whenever possible. Our dishes are created without the use of chemical preservatives, dyes, white flour, or refined white or brown sugar. Our chefs relish the challenge, and love to show people that these empty ingredients are unnecessary for great-tasting food! Our goal is to provide our customers with a convenient, healthy vegetarian alternative to mainstream food. Moreover, almost all of our 'to go' containers are made from vegetables, and the oil from our fryer is turned into fuel. We strive to work with local farmers, as well as local businesses, to reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible.
Like the rest of the country, San Diego has skyrocketing rates of obesity and diabetes that are clearly related to the food we eat. Poor food choices are also linked to America's three biggest killers: heart disease, cancer, and strokes. Recognizing that fast food makes up a significant portion of our diet, the owners of Vegolution—Dr. Carl Myers of Yuma, his wife Jean Myers, and Mitch Wallis—want to offer a convenient but healthier alternative.
Dr. Myers, an oncologist who has practiced in Yuma since 2001, says he constantly stresses to patients that a diet high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and empty calories may taste good going down, but is hazardous to one's health. "An unhealthy diet not only promotes deadly diseases, but also affects our energy level, how we look, and how we feel about ourselves. If we could make a pill with the beneficial balance of anti-oxidants and micronutrients found naturally in plants, it would cost a ton," says Dr. Myers.
He also notes the link between poor diets and depression. "We forget that what we eat affects how we feel. For instance, schools that improve the quality of their lunch programs have experienced fewer discipline problems. As a nation in a competitive world, we can't afford to bear the costs of junk food forever."
Jean Myers also promotes healthy lifestyles by teaching cooking classes for cancer prevention and survival, sponsored by the Yuma Regional Medical Center and The Cancer Project in Washington, D.C. Jean observes, "By teaching cooking classes, I've discovered first hand that people really want to eat healthier. The participants who are able to fully adopt a healthy diet discover that they feel so much better. Seeing people get excited about what they can do for their health is very rewarding."
Vegolution is designed to make healthier food available at an affordable price. Studies show that many of America's kids are eating fast food three to four times per week. Mr. Wallis states, "The convenience, affordability, and taste of fast food are hard to beat. We know that for Vegolution to succeed the food can't just be healthy, it needs to taste great." Dr. Myers adds, "We want to help everyone know more about healthy eating. Vegolution is committed to helping families eat better at home as well as when they go out."
