Donna Jean

I've been waiting to try this place out for a year, and my goodness, do I wish I hadn't put it off for so long. We had a reservation at 2 pm and showed up a couple minutes early and we were immediately seated on the cutest little outdoor patio! It was busy because it was brunch, and the vibe was amazing.Our server (I'm sorry I don't remember her name; but she was truly an angel) was extremely friendly and helpful with all of our questions. I had been vegan for 7 years previously so I was already drooling over everything, but my very not vegan boyfriend (should be mentioned that after we left he said this was the best food he had eaten in months) had some questions about choices; it was exceptionally hard because all the food being ran to surrounding tables looked extraordinary.We started off with the Cinnamon Roll French toast, and it was TO DIE FOR. Boyfriend said it was everything you want French toast to be, and superior to any non vegan FT he's ever had. We then indulged in the cast iron shells and cheese AND IT WAS PHENOMENAL. I used to love the shroom "orange chicken" at Hungry Angelina so I had to try to fried shrooms with greens and a biscuit and gravy, and it was my favorite dish. It has to be eaten hot but oh my gosh, the acid on the greens mixed with that savory gravy and the crunch of the shrooms was like a symphony on my tastebuds. My boyfriend got the #1 Crush pizza, and it was yet another banger. The crush, sauce, everything, *chefs kiss*Washed everything down with a couple glasses of Rose and Syrah and what an unforgettable experience. I won't wait so long before returning again. Thank you to the hostess, servers, chefs, you're all tattooed in my brain

I love my vegan/vegetarian restaurants, especially Donna Jean!Donna Jean has a seasonal menu which is nice since I can always try something new each time. This time I got the lasagna which was delicious! I liked the sauce and the fresh basil on top. Finished the sauce with the crust from someone else's pizza in my party, even.I appreciate that Donna Jean doesn't cook with peanuts since I'm allergic. They are very cashew heavy though, I don't mind because I like the taste, but that is something to note.Portion sizes are a bit small for the price, though, for everything but the pizzas.I've visited a few times and service is always top notch! And I love the outdoor seating with candles. Wish the bathrooms were a little cleaner though.Will definitely be back since I have many vegan friends!

While we were in San Diego, my sweet, best friend suggested quite a few vegan restaurants for us to check out. We looked up the menu for Donna Jean & instantly fell in love. We wanted to try their famous pizzas, but were too stuffed after our brunch, so we vowed to come back again soon. We made a reservation, just in case it was super busy, & we were glad we did when we noticed it filling up quickly after we had already been seated. The staff was very friendly & welcoming, & we sat outside amongst the beautiful flowers & other plants, enjoying the perfect day! We ordered: House Bread with garlic butter: this bread is the same they make their pizza crust out of & it was to die for! Chicken Fried Shrooms: a take on chicken fried steak, but using maitake mushrooms instead! It came with country gravy, greens, & biscuits. Hot Shrooms: my favorite! Fried Nashville style mushrooms, pickles, & hot sauce. Just the right amount of heat & the flavor was incredible.I'd highly recommend this place, whether you are plant-based or not!

Donna Jean has been on my list to try in San Diego for the longest time now, and I am so glad that I finally tried it! My friend and I decided to come here on a whim on a Sunday night--since I know this place is popular, I wanted to see if we needed to make reservations. They still had plenty of availability, but if you're planning ahead just know that they are closed on Tuesdays. I love trying out vegan restaurants and seeing how creative folks get with their combinations. Donna Jean really does have a very unique selection of appetizers, pizzas, and pastas here! Hot Shrooms (5/5): - This is a MUST order here--their seasoning and sauce is fantastic and their mushrooms are actually spicy! The pickles that come with the mushrooms also leave a kick in your mouth, this was by far my favorite dish of the evening. Black Widow Pizza (4/5): - Our waiter highly recommend this pizza and I am inclined to agree! This is an unexpected flavor combination and their black garlic-date puree with pickled peppers is divine. Matcha Cheesecake (4/5): - Vegan cheesecake can be very dense depending on the ingredients used to make it. This is one of the better vegan cheesecakes I have had in terms of consistency but I was sad that there wasn't much matcha flavor shining through. The cheesecake is also quite dense so we weren't able to finish it. I'll definitely be returning to Donna Jean to try their other offerings! I also love that they have parking available, they share a lot with evolution fast food so you won't have to struggle with Bankers Hill parking.

This has become a must when I visit San Diego. The pizza with dipping sauces are great. I had the pizza called The Widow. I liked all of the vegetables on it. I also had the salad called Salad Days. It had interesting different toppings and I loved the different textures. Our waiter Angel was really nice and was funny! We asked for his recommendations and he didn't steer us wrong. The ambiance was awesome. We sat outside in a garden like patio. It was chilly but there were heaters that made for a nice atmosphere. I will be back!

EVERYTHING IS DELICIOUS! Try the mushrooms, and you can't go wrong with the pizza that has the smoked mushrooms on it as well, chef's kiss! The staff is super knowledgeable of their products, the atmosphere makes you feel special, and the food is just phenomenal. It is a little pricey, but hey, treat yourself.

Donna Jean in San Diego is a welcoming spot for vegans and food lovers alike. This downtown, restaurant is cozy and blending with rustic and modern elements. The staff's was friendly ensuring we felt right at home.As for the menu, Donna Jean has a delightful showcase of plant-based cuisine done exceptionally well. Each dish is crafted with precision, bursting with delicious flavors. Whether you're a dedicated vegan or just curious, there's something for everyone.My table started with the house bread which was served warm and crispy. We also had the Hot Shrooms, Really Good Salad, and the Salad Days. All so delicious with unique flavors. For the main, the table also shared the Four Horsemen and the Thunderkiss '65 Pizza's. While to me, the cheese does not taste like real cheese they still tasted pretty darn amazing and were very tasty and unlike anything I have ever tasted before.What sets Donna Jean apart is their quality ingredients and creative flavor pairings. Every dish we tried reflected their passion for plant-based cooking and their commitment to providing a memorable dining experience. The visit here is a must as it's an experience worth savoring. Tip: Make a reservation the restaurant gets busy.

Donna Jean is vegan heaven :} I love that we got a nonfastfood spot to go to for a nice dinner!tip: RESERVE a table. Even if it's last minute. They have a good amount of seating but nearly every time I've been there, it's busy.This time I took myself out on a date. I waited a while to be seated (without reservation and also I wasn't a huge priority since it was just me). They ended up seating me at the bar, which was actually really nice. I may have gone out alone, but I wasn't lonely! My server was Aspen and they made sure I was good even though I could tell that they had quite a bit on their plate. The rest or the staff was attentive and made sure I wasn't forgotten amidst their bigger tables.Salad Days: had me dancing in my seat. perfect blend of everything needed in a salad ONCE MIXED. You got the sweet/savory smoked date + the savory/nutty white dressing + the freshness of the apples + crunch if toasted seeds and lettuce + and the acidity of the pickled onion. I scraped as much as I could with my fork and licked my fork.Bucatini funghi: salty (which I have found to be the case across their menu), but it evens out once mixed well (or maybe my body got used to it). the handmade pasta itself is amazing and I love noticing the different mushrooms.Snickerdoodle cast iron cookie: so delicious and sweet and BIG enough to share.

Superb vegan restaurant. They make wonderful pizzas. No store bought vegan cheese here. If they don't make it themselves they source from "scratch house" vegan cheese. These guys pay attention to details.Our server was Bella who is just delightful. As good as the food is here Bella makes it even better. She is warm, friendly and is super knowledgeable about the menu. Bella made excellent menu suggestions.We enjoyed two pizzas. The "widow" is a black pizza. It is delicious, the date puree sauce is unique. Get the widow pizza. We also had the "four horseman" which has a zippy pesto zing. Between the fabulous vegan fare and the outstanding staff like Bella you just can't miss here. Free parking in the lot too. Double highly recommend.

NOT Alkaline. Although, very very good vegan food! I recommend the beetroot Hummus. The atmosphere is very calm and green. I'm coming back next time I'm in San Diego