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back to the basics: vegan lunch at the stand
16August 16th, 2010the standthe stand in orange county is a southern california institution. people have been telling me about this restaurant for years, and according to reports on happycow, it’s been around since the ’60s. the tiny vegan eatery is located right by the ocean in laguna beach, and serves up a large yet simple menu consisting of things like salads, sandwiches, burritos, and smoothies.
the focus is on plant-based natural foods, so that means no animal products, but also no processed fake meats or cheeses…even tofu and seitan are absent from the menu. the stand pulls it off though, with delicious meals based around fresh vegetables, legumes, brown rice, and incredible sauces. we went there for the first time last week and loved it.
special bowl: our tasty beans and brown rice, topped with guacamole and seasoned with mild salsa. $5.95
i have been kind of obsessed with bowls lately, and if i see one on a menu, i have to order it. luckily for me, the stand has tons of appetizing bowls to choose from, so i went with the special bowl. for just under 6 bucks, it came with filled up brown rice, pinto beans, mild salsa, and a garnish of shredded vegetables. it’s normally served with guacamole as well, but i opted for some extra hot salsa instead—so good. the sauce at the stand is so flavorful and fresh, it really took the entire bowl to the next level. for an extremely basic dish, i really loved this thing. all the ingredients were high quality, it was well cooked, and perfectly seasoned. positively scrumptious.
vegetable salad: a combination of crisp red and green cabbage, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, beets, green peppers, celery, zucchini, alfalfa sprouts, carrots, jicama, parsley, and sunflower seeds with lemon herb dressing. $6.95
my husband went with the vegetable salad, a plate piled high with cabbage, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, beets, celery, zucchini, sprouts, carrots, jimaca, parsley, and sunflower seeds…served with lemon herb dressing. he asked for it with no bell peppers, and the stand was happy to oblige. although the plate this thing was served on was a bit too small (i mean, just look at that pic!), everything was fresh and tasty.
the atmosphere at the stand is kind of what you’d expect from a little beach joint. the place is really, actually A STAND, with a tiny counter to order at and a handful of outdoor tables to sit at. even at around 2:30pm on a weekday, this place was crowded—so i imagine summer weekends could get pretty crazy. although it was packed, our food was ready almost immediately, so whatever they are doing back there in that little kitchen is obviously working.
i can’t wait to return to the stand, and i know this place will be a destination every time i’m in laguna beach. the food is simple yet tasty and fulfilling, and the atmosphere is modest yet charming. plus, it feels good to support an all vegan establishment that has been around for so long.
the stand
238 Thalia Street
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2712
(949) 494-8101
open daily 7am – 7pm
check out the menuPS: when you are done eating at the stand, head directly across the street for beach access and a nice little public deck overlooking the ocean. lovely!
Tags: bowls, laguna beach, orange county, salad
16 responses to “back to the basics: vegan lunch at the stand” 
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This place sounds like a gem. Wholesome animal-free food and so close to the beach! Nice 🙂
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So glad you finally got a chance to eat at The Stand. It is one of my all time favorite vegan places. Back when there were only a few places to eat for vegans and I had to drive across town just to eat vegan food, The Stand was on top of my short list.
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My husband and I took our three kids there yesterday for lunch. It’s one of our favorite spots and delicious every time!
I got the hummus & avocado sandwich – it’s SO yummy and so big! The soft-serve is 100% fruit and excellent too!
Thanks for featuring The Stand. It really is a gem of an eatery for vegans!
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Gauri Radha August 16th, 2010 at 07:20
Thanks for the review QG!! 😀
“I got the hummus & avocado sandwich – it’s SO yummy and so big! The soft-serve is 100% fruit and excellent too!”
These both sound fantastic!!
I will go here and try both next time I’m in the area.
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Michelle August 16th, 2010 at 08:34
The all fruit soft serve here is absolutely delicious! This is one of my favorite places in South Orange County to eat.
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Deanna August 16th, 2010 at 09:02
Next time you have to try their tamales!!! they are the best! and for a little something special order it with a side of their sweet and sour sauce, just pour it over the tamale and rice, yum! Oh yeah, we also get the regular salsa on the side. And then if you still have room in your tummy the banana date shake is the tops!
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Fat Fudge August 16th, 2010 at 10:52
If I ordered the salad, it would be without alfalfa sprouts. I feel about alfalfa sprouts the same way you feel about bell peppers!
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This place made being vegan in high school possible. The nut milk smoothies were a summer staple, and I was always bringing their blueberry waffles with papaya to eat during morning detention. I still make hummus and guacamole sandwiches at home with tons of sprouts, a la The Stand. Great post!
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yes !! so glad you did a review of the Stand… Edward is such a great guy . this place is right by my sisters house.. before I was pretty much eating all raw, I would be here either before or after hitting table rock or 1,000 steps every sunday.. 10-12 years ago an ex-girlfriend use to work there so we were there everyday..
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my partner and i ate there last friday – and darn it, if you didn’t catch us in one of your photos! we’d just finished scuba diving and were super excited to stop at the stand.
we love the avocado sandwich, and the 100% fruit soft serve is one of my favorite treats.
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Around the corner is Taco Loco. Their tofu/mushroom burger is heaven!
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Oh I love this place! I was there in March and I got tortilla soup. And it was good.
susielol August 16th, 2010 at 06:48