Evolution Fast Food, San Diego

Evolution Fast Food has undergone a number of changes over the years including three name changes. Once called "Nature's Express," this small, mostly take-out, vegan fast food joint is one of my best memories from my last trip to San Diego several years ago. So when I found myself in this city again with only a couple nights to eat out, I knew one of the nights would be at Evolution.

Evolution is located just outside of the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego. It is a very small restaurant with a drive-thru and seating for just a few inside at the counter with additional seating outside. What I loved the most about Evolution the last time I was here was that they made nearly everything in house. So, I was a little disappointed to see that they were now serving Gardein burgers along with their housemade burgers. Well, at least they still have the housemade burger. I placed my order and took at a seat at the counter.

This place hasn't changed much. They offer fresh salads, raw food, and drinks in the refrigerated case up front and desserts in another case. Their menu consists of burgers, sandwiches, small meals, fries, and sides as well as fresh juices and smoothies.

Their juices and smoothies are one of my favorite things here so I ordered an Israel's tonic, which had apple, beet, carrot, cayenne, garlic, and lemon. It was delish.

I grabbed a fresh salad out of the case that was filled with cucumbers, cabbage, spinach, carrots, tomatoes, sprouts, and sunflower seeds and paired it with a raw cilantro dressing. I love their fresh salads.

Then, my burger came out. I went against my gut and instead of ordering my favorite bacon cheeseburger, I decided to try something new -- the Mushroom Swiss. I opted for their housemade black bean burger that had fresh sauteed mushrooms, Veganaise, Daiya cheese, lettuce and tomato on a fresh, whole wheat bun. It was pretty good.

After scarfing all of that down, I decided to take a raw chocolate mousse to go. The raw chocolate mousse was in a nut crust with shredded coconut on top. It was very rich and decadent.

Evolution uses mostly organic whole foods in its meals without refined sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, GMO ingredients, artificial additives, flavors, preservatives or colors so it is good food that is good for you. They say their mission is to improve the world with delicious, nutritious fast food that is good for you and good for the earth. I like it. Recommended.

Evolution Fast Food
2965 5th Avenue (at Quince)
San Diego, CA 92013
(619) 550-1818