Native Foods is one of the best eateries in OC...especially the one located in that circular tent at The Camp in Costa Mesa, which bleeds atmosphere.

It pains me that a couple of ego-driven capitalists anointed themselves as the world's ultimate source of innovative vegan cuisine via their overrated Veggie Grill...when, in fact, they stole the concept, some of the menu, and even the same food supplier as Native Foods. One owner called Native Foods "cliquey" and implied Native Foods was too "political."

Well, I have news for you, I dine there maybe 5 times per year...and I am the polar opposite of Native Foods' alleged customer demographic...and I've never felt anything but welcome there. Nobody ever served up a petition with my Soul Bowl or Native Chili, nobody ever tossed blood at me if I ever walked in with some milk-fed veal cutlets in my Vons or Ralphs shopping bag
(a plastic shopping bag, at that).

The extremely understated "political" messages that almost subliminally dot Native Foods inject something that Veggie Grill will never have...character. And they get me to gently question my carnivorism and remind me to appreciate the beauty that so-called 'animals' bring to this world.

The Veggie Grill owners should bow in the direction of Bristol Street every morning and should praise Native Foods in every interview they give. And don't dismiss me as some raging hippie...as a Master's-degreed, khakis-wearing White male, I'm just the kind of customer you want at Veggie Grill.