I'm a big fan of the Loving Hut chain. Each is individually owned & operated, so when visiting a Loving Hut in a new city, for the first time, I try to go in with no real expectations as far as the menu is concerned. When I moved to PHX last year I tried this location. I ordered the Hawaiian Burger & the golden wontons to go. To my dismay, the "burger" wasn't a burger at all. It was a weird white-looking soy substance, which I couldn't identify, & my golden wontons were more like blackened. I was put off & did not return for a long while.
For some reason, maybe it was the sweet little ladies who work there, I felt compelled to give them another try. I am SO glad I did. Major improvements across the board, & they have recently revamped their menu.
My fav appetizers:
- Golden Wontons have been consistently fried to golden perfection.
- Pan-fried Dumplings are yummy & the sauce is delicious.
Fav entrees:
- Guru Fried Rice is so addictively (not a real word) delicious. Something about that curry spice on the brown rice (you can choose white or brown rice); I can't go a week without it!
- Noble Broccoli, is a vegan "beef" & broccoli dish. The soy beef is savory, and the broccoli, though crunchy, is soaked in a mouth-watering brown sauce. My non-veg*n friends really love this dish.
- Sweet & Sour Divine is their vegan sweet & sour chicken. It's simply perfect. The "chicken" is encased in perfectly battered & fried balls, dressed in a classic sweet & sour sauce, with pineapples, red & green peppers, & onions. So yummy!
- Spicy Cha Cha, which reminds me of shrimp, less the fleshy, fishy taste. It is very flavorful, and the menu now offers tartar sauce as an option. I tried it this way last week & went back 3 more times afterwards! Some of the best vegan tartar sauce around! Also with the new menu, this dish is now offered with your choice of fries or steamed veggies. Get it with fries for a "fish & chips" type meal.
This dish is yam based, as opposed to soy, so it's also a good option for those who avoid soy.
- Loving Lemongrass is hard to describe. Thin slices of lightly breaded faux chicken deliciously seasoned. Muy sabrosa! Kinda like Pringles; once you pop, you can't stop!
The entree portions are plentiful and I always have left overs (unless I'm sharing my dish).
If you're in the mood for a sandwich, try the new Ocean Sandwich. I was a little skeptical at first but it was so good! That amazing tartar sauce really compliments this sandwich; I asked for extra sauce. Yum!
Speaking of that tartar sauce (again)... The menu offers a side of yam protein, which is basically a plain version of the Spicy ChaCha pieces. Be sure to ask for it fried, with a side of fries and Voilà: a fried shrimp & fries basket. Don't forget the tartar sauce!!
The Hawaiian burger is one of my favorites from the LH chain. At this location you have to ask for a "burger" patty, otherwise you'll get that funky white soy patty, which I've just learned is supposed to be a "chicken" patty. (Get the burger patty instead & leave happy.)
Is it dessert time? Good, because Loving Hut has one of the BEST vegan cheesecakes on earth. Seriously. Been around the world and I-I-I, I can't find a vegan cheesecake this good! That's all I'll say. Try it! Yummy ice cream flavors too: chocolate, cherry chocolate chip, vanilla. If you avoid soy, ask for the ice cream made with coconut milk.
When you dine in you get a yummy bowl of hot lentil soup. The drinking water is fruit-infused, usually with oranges; it's very refreshing. Service is not fast, so if you have a set or timed lunch break, you'll want to call ahead for a carry out order. (They have Eco-friendly to-go containers.) My food is always hot & fresh, and I'm typically in no hurry so I have no complaints regarding the wait.
The owners are so sweet and friendly; they always greet you with smiling faces. The decor is simple and elegant; it has a very peaceful ambiance.
So to sum it up, this Loving Hut has become one of my all time favorite dining spots. Awesome vegan food that will please & satisfy veg*ns & omnivores alike. read more