Tried a little bit of everything and was NOT disappointed! My faves were the fried tofu, the potatoes, and the stuffed bell pepper! Would definitely eat here again. I'm so glad vegan places like this exist and the vibe was so good. read more

Taste Buds - Plate of food - buffet style - Vegan Near Me - Willits, California

Blink and you'll miss it. I've admittedly never had a meat Rueben (been vegetarian for a really long time) but this was one of the best tempeh ones I've ever had. Got a tempeh Reuben and buffalo cauliflower. Both delicious. Spent an hour trying to guess where the umami in the coleslaw came from. Interior was a lot of eclectic decor and the bathroom wasn't great. Service was very attentive and friendly. read more

Delicious little vegan spot that was worth the stop off. Friendly staff, tasty eats and lots to choose from. Very casual spot and you can ask to sit in their patio with dogs. Buffet and menu items which we tried both and they were great! Thank you Wacky Willits vegans read more

Taste Buds - Combo of buffet items - Vegan Near Me - Willits, California

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First off, let me clarify that I WANT THIS RESTAURANT TO SUCCEED, which is why I'm posting this review, i.e., so that the staff can make changes they think are appropriate. Having been a vegan for 5 or 6 years, and another year as a raw food vegan, I support vegan restaurants, but...the pinto beans here were so spicy -- think of pain in one's mouth -- that we could not eat them. The stir-fried kale as so salty that we would not eat it. (The mashed potatoes and gravy was delicious.) read more

Was able to check out the new Willits location - I was so sad when they left Ukiah because I'm rarely in Willits. Same great owner, same great food. Definitely worth the extra 15 minute drive from Ukiah. Just one caveat - because the road is technically a part of Highway 20, it is patrolled by the CHP, which has less to do up here now that weed is legal. They're waiting to pounce on you for the smallest thing like not signaling even if you're in a forced turn lane or using your cell phone while stopped in a parking space but with the engine running - especially if you're not white - and of course they have that classic CHP condescension and unreasonableness. read more

Really love the people working here are super nice. The space inside the store feels empty and could be utilized very easily by adding some items that make the environment feel more welcoming, more warming, and provide a sensory experience. The tofu was pretty much fully saturated in oil making it really hard to eat. The broccoli was decent, but had no real flavor and was very soft which I don't mind. The macaroni and cheese was literally mush, fully mush, and had no sort of sauce flavor or anything of the sort. The lentils were really good, but if you don't like spicy, you're not gonna enjoy them. Did not enjoy the sweet potato mash type item just really didn't like it. I feel like they could improve by incorporating more popular items such as a veggie burger or a veggie hotdog items that are sought-after like sandwiches, etc., for the hot bar items that are premade. I honestly think it has potential if they consider changing the flavors to be more palatable to what people in this general area are more interested in eating. If they had items like premade sandwiches that were wrapped similar to Mariposa market that were vegan and had more selections same thing with maybe a pasta salad and a couple other popular items that are Veganized. I would love to see items like Asian glass noodles or soup or different types of culturally vegan foods. read more

I love this place and am so glad they moved to Willits! They make yummy vegan food that is organic and wholesome. The cost is very reasonable. They do take out and eat in. read more

I would give this restaurant 0 stars if I could. My family is vegetarian and we were very excited to stop on a road trip and try a vegan eatery, but everything from the food to the bathrooms was terrible. While the staff was friendly, the food was bland, sauces not good, fries limp and drastically over-fried with DARK brown color and soaked in grease. We had a BLT (which had no bacon or lettuce but rather kale and tempeh) and a Ruben sandwich but both were bad enough that a casual cook could do better at home, and we didn't finish them even when shared between 4 people. The sandwiches even came on barely toasted white bread which is a big fail for what should be a health food restaurant. On the other side, the bathroom at this place had a broken toilet that has obviously not been cleaned in a very long time, water running constantly and did not flush, plus they watered down the soap to the point of being useless. If this is where the employees wash their hands then i fear for the safety of prepared foods read more

Such a cute little place with amazing food! The portions were big! We got the nachos, Philly cheese steak and Pick 5 from the bar. Nachos- the portion was huge and I'm not complaining!! My growing boy usually puts his own food down plus more and couldn't even finish these. He was amazed. The only downside for me,personally, would be the 'meat' was way over seasoned. But, that could be someone's thing, just not mine. Philly cheesesteak- I was a little skeptical about a $12 sandwich but it came out pretty big! Wasn't a huge fan of the actual 'meat' but that was more of a texture issue on my part. Everything tasted great! Pick 5- We got the bbq ribs (sorry if I got that wrong) rice&beand, Brussels sprouts& mushrooms, chickpeas and stuffed bell pepper. The bbq ribs are to diiiie for!! I could eat those every day all day, no joke! Everything else was awesome but all I could focus on were those bbq ribs!! *drool* read more

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Absolutely delicious and filling! Pictured here are the NACHOS, CAULIFLOWER BUFFALO WINGS and FRIES! (wish the buffalo was crunchy and not so mushy, but that's my only complaint. Flavor was great.) Not pictured was the half chocolate half peanut butter milkshake of perfection. The greatest consistency to have for a milk shake. I wanted to go back for another. Cody's hospitality was on point and made us tourists feel right at home. read more

Taste Buds - two plates of food on a table - Vegan Near Me - Willits, California

Yum! Nachos were amazing and ginormous! Service was also amazing! Definitely coming back next time I am in Ukiah. read more

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Saw there was a vegan restaurant in town and jetted over before they closed. Staff was super friendly, with quick service. I got the taco salad. Outstanding! Highly recommend! read more

Pros: the staff were really friendly (and the only reason this isn't a one star review). Cons: the food. It was terrible. Throwing tofu in barbecue sauce is not a meal. Mashed potatoes don't need tons of turmeric. I wanted to like this place and was excited to try it because of the great reviews but how high was everyone else that ate here? The made to order food might be decent but the hot food bar we tried was basically vegan cafeteria food, in the worst possible way. We left disappointed and didn't finish our food. read more

Taste Buds - Mashed yellow potatoes with mushroom gravy, cold tofu in barbecue sauce, and some sort of peanut protein in a peanut sauce. - Vegan Near Me - Willits, California

Great healthy food, warm and friendly service, happy hippie atmosphere.. this place stands out in this desert. Only a handful of full of restaurants in Ukiah are worth visiting, this is one of them. Ukiah's quality for restaurants could use upgrading. Tastebuds raises the bar. read more

Our family loves eating at Tastebuds when we are in Ukiah. There are vegan and gluten free options to accommodate our family. Love the BBQ Jackfruit burger with gluten free bread (the bread even by itself is delicious). Hot lunch options are really good too. The atmosphere is really relaxed and Cody's service is excellent. The portions are very generous which is really nice. We would come even more if we lived closer to Ukiah. Child friendly atmosphere. Foods we love: BBQ drumsticks, Tofu from the hot lunches, rice, Nachos (we add beans), and the Caribbean drinks. Hoping to try the vegan cheesecake at a future visit! read more

The "BLT" was not a BLT. The tempeh "bacon" was flavorless, slimy and gross. Smearing mustard on the bread did not disguise the taste or texture. The fries were burnt and over salted. When we asked the guy at the counter about it he said, "yup, that's it". This was inedible expensive crap. Possibly the worst meal I have ever been served. read more

Great food. The best garlic sautéed kale on the planet. Truly vegan. Fair prices. Quality matters.

I have been wanting to try Tastebuds for a long time & I'm so glad I finally did. I took my 13 year old daughter with me for an after school bite to eat, she had the fries with cashew cheese & she absolutely loved them. I had the kale salad & it was really fresh with very flavorful dressing & a good sized portion. We are not vegetarian but I was in the mood for something healthy.. I did not tell my daughter that her cheese fries & mint chocolate chip shake were vegan but she didn't even notice. We both left very satisfied & we will definitely be back! read more

My vegan friend and I went on a road trip and I did my research ahead of time to make sure there would be somewhere for both of us to get a nice lunch. Tastebuds sounded like it would work for us and we were not disappointed! My friend got a rainbow bowl (I think that's what it was called) and she really enjoyed it and I got the 3 item lunch plate. I couldn't decide which items to chose because everything looked and smelled delicious so I let the host surprise me. Every item was fabulous and very flavorful but the one that really surprised me was the mouthful of yumminess that came from the humble squash dish! I totally want the recipe. The food was great and we each had a refreshing glass of lavender lemonade with our lunch. The servings were large enough to enjoy for dinner as well. The two gentlemen who ran the place were very friendly and helpful and made us feel welcomed and right at home. We'll definitely enjoy another meal there if we're ever in the vicinity, well done guys! read more

I have eaten here about 10 times and always being to look forward to my home cooked vegan lunch around 10:30 a m ! This business is responsible for a definite Improvement in my diet. It is wonderful to have tasty food I look forward to eating that is nutritious and certain to help my health along. I have enjoyed my interactions with the people in this business as well, so I will recommend the atmosphere as much as I would recommend the food. I'm really glad that the folks at taste buds found a way to respect people palates and the planet all at the same time. read more

Service: 5 stars This was my first time trying an all vegetarian and vegan restaurant, and the person was welcoming and offered samples and suggestions. The cashier was patient and polite, especially as i can be pretty indecisive at a new place to eat. Ambiance: 4 stars it was a nice cozy spot for a casual dinner with my coworker. You order at the register and it is like panda express style where you pick your hot foods through a glass case. Food: 2 stars I ordered a 3 item combo and i was not super impressed. My favorite thing was probably the coconut curry potatoes and the mushroom gravy (extra cost). That gravy was really good actually, that is why i went there twice. However, since their menu changes everyday, there was no mushroom gravy.on my second visit 2 weeks later, so i just ordered a mint milkshake. The milkshake was really not my favorite, it tasted funny and i am not sure what was the crunchy thing in it. Otherwise, i was expecting more because my coworker was raving it to be the best vegan food he ever had, and that inspired him to make seitan at home. I guess we just have different tastebuds...no pun intended. read more

Taste Buds - Vegan Near Me - Willits, California

Best place to eat in Ukiah if you're vegan and the owner and staff are amazing. Thank you for serving our community.

I really enjoyed my meal at Tastebuds. I had the 3-item combo with forbidden rice, zucchini, and a half-half serving of jerk tofu and the faux-fish. I wasn't crazy about the forbidden rice (I've never had black rice before) but overall the combination plate was delicious. Next time I would get the rice and beans or quinoa as my grain. The faux-fish was a favorite. I also had the ginger cucumber drink. Spicy and refreshing but rather sweet. Great service, comfortable space, reasonable prices. I would definitely return. read more

Taste Buds - Three item combo plate - Vegan Near Me - Willits, California

There is so much that makes me happy here. Their nachos are a treat if you aren't eating the buffet items, which are always fresh and good. The kale salad is delicious and their shakes are too good! Haven't had a vegan dessert I didn't like. read more

A totally unexpected level of awesome way off location from San Francisco discovered on a northern wine and spa foray. Excellent food, excellent service, and an attractive space; if I had this option in the city I would eat there 365 days a year. I admit I'm writing now as much to bookmark this spot for the next time I venture north, and it may as well become a destination restaurant since I'm already trying to invent excuses to get back in proximity. This is the poster shot to sell vegan food to unreconstructed carnivore skeptics. They put care and attention into each dish, and the result is that every option on the menu is a good choice. The jerk tofu singes at an appropriately brutal clip, but everything else stands up to it in flavor: I had cauliflower, lentils, wild rice, and black-eyed peas, and I only wish I had more of each--though at the end I was well-stuffed, so no complaints on portion size, but even then I felt totally refreshed and revitalized. Nothing like quality vegan food to leave you feeling well fed and also good! read more

Taste Buds - Every option is good! - Vegan Near Me - Willits, California

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This place has a very layback ambience... This was the only vegan spot on our road trip threw hwy 101. I expected more "Caribbean" type of flavors, but most the items were "asian" inspired. Being Caribbean myself, I really wanted to try some flavors that reminded me of home. They do have plantains, but I didn't other them (I make them a lot at home). The flavors were good. We got a 3 and a 5 items platter. The only negative I can share is that some of the potatoes were not fully cooked and the mac&cheese were bland and dried. The rest of the items were crisp, cooked well, full of flavor and good textured. Portions are good and si was the service. I forgot to take the picture when we got our food, on that photo, we were half way digging in. read more

Taste Buds - Vegan Near Me - Willits, California

Dude, so I'm not vegan but I just like good food. I saw this place in my recommended section n I thought I'd give it a spin. This whole place had nothing but flavor to add to my plate. Cody is a real one, he makes nothing but the best. DEFINITELY TRY THE ALMOND MILKSHAKE!!!! read more

Taste Buds - Bbq tofu, bbq pork, Mac n cheese, beans, curry potatoes, house potatoes, and brussel sprouts - Vegan Near Me - Willits, California

Came here for a weekend dinner on a road trip. Most of the food is pre-cooked and served cafeteria style, so my only gripe is that my food was lukewarm rather than piping hot and fresh. I ended up trying sweet potato/ peanut stew, jerk tofu, pumpkin, as well as the "chicken" drumsticks with cashew nut "ranch." The processed soy drumsticks were okay, and I wouldn't order them again, but the rest of the food was flavorful and very filling. You'll definitely get your day's worth of fiber here lol. The restaurant setting is super chill and funky. I loved the salt lamps on the tables and the throne-like chairs. If you're not vegetarian/vegan, I'd say this place is just okay, but I would recommend Tastebuds if you were on a vegetarian/vegan diet. read more

This is an awesome vegan restaurant. I'm so happy to have found it on our travels and able to meet the owner Cody! He's so friendly and personable! Thanks so much for the delicious healthy food! read more

I have a super special place in my heart for Taste Buds. They are single handedly helping my partner and I be the best plant based people we can be. Check out their Instagram- They post the contents of the Hot Food Bar everyday they are open and while their Hot food bar is the star of the show make sure to look out for their desserts! Some of the best Cheesecakes ever! Their normal menu is also quite extensive and kid friendly as well, Rueben Sandwhich is BOMB! So is their Veggie Burger and Raw Nachos (though a little too spicy for me ) ! Note to Owners: -Please consider opening for Brunch only on Sundays or even Saturdays! I am craving Vegan Waffles, tofu scrambles, French toast, etc. Its something that Ukiah is really needing in my opinion read more

I drop in once in a while, as the restaurant is nearby. An adequate selection of tasty wholesome food, cafeteria style service, fair prices, closes early: 5:00. I may head over there right now. read more

Best sweet potato fries and vegan peanut butter cups! Highly recommend giving them a try.

I had an amazing experience at Tastebuds. I have been vegan since July and haven't found a local vegan restaurant. I had the wings on a kale salad and it was great. The staff was very helpful and were very proud of their creations which I appreciated. They gave great advise and were very knowledgeable. I will be retiring to Tastebuds. read more

Taste Buds - Buffalo "Wings" - Vegan Near Me - Willits, California

Update: after several times coming in for lunch and dinner, I continue to be disappointed with the small portion of food I receive. For $13, the three piece hot bar should be a meal, but Servings are tiny. I can't justify paying so much. Previously: I love this place! Vegan, plant based, and so scrumptious. Whether I need a quick bite for lunch, or a smoothie to energize my day, this is my go to spot in Ukiah. Their hot bar always has too many things to choose. And the hemp milk based smoothies (my favorite is Goji Berry!) are phenomenal. Do yourself a favor and skip the burger and try TasteBuds. Yum! read more

Taste Buds - Small $13 combo... - Vegan Near Me - Willits, California

Based on other reviewers, I was expecting a bit more from this restaurant. While I was definitely excited to find an all-vegan spot to eat on my way to Frisco, the food was a bit underwhelming. Like others have said, the portions are fairly small and the flavor could be turned up a notch or two. I tried the veggie burger, jerk tofu, turmeric rice, and mashed potatoes. They were all ok, not amazing. Also tried the mint chip shake, which was pretty good. Overall, this place works if you're in a pinch, but nothing to write home about. read more

Taste Buds - Vegan Near Me - Willits, California

Tooootally worth it the price, so tasty, fresh and good food! I'm in love with this place, each town should have one, is always a struggle to find a good vegetarian place on the road, a short 2 min drive out the 101 and boom, there it is. The staff is great, the place cute and the best food. read more

So happy to find this gem. I cannot eat gluten, and am also allergic to eggs which can make finding meals difficult. This place had many options for me. My boyfriend had a combo plate off the hot bar and I opted for the grilled cheese sandwich and cheese fries. The cheese fries are delicious! The sandwich was very filling but a little bland for my taste. My boyfriend's plate was good all around. I tasted his peas balls and was happily suprized. My son got the tempeh Ruben. He ate the whole thing, so I'm pretty sure it was good (his bread had gluten so I didn't try it). The staff was super friendly, I felt very welcomed and would go back just for that (and the cheese fries). The price is fair for the food, it costs more than some places, but for healthier, much better quality foods it is a good deal. I am excited to be able to take my friends there next time I am in town! read more

Taste Buds - Vegan Near Me - Willits, California

Tumeric mashed potatoes with cashew mushroom gravy. Are you kidding me? So good I was moaning with every bite. Also I've eaten a lot of tofu since 1976. This teriyaki tofu was the best. read more

I've never really tried vegan food until recently. I came here with a friend of mine and he was nice enough to let me try everything. The soy chili "chicken" and lemon "chicken" was sooo good omg. I could feed this to anyone. I also try the wings and my gosh. The food was so good I'm going there for lunch today. Needless to say I loved the hot bar! I also got the BLT, it had tempeh bacon and I will admit it wasn't for me. I think maybe I needed more sauce of some kind. Overall everything was pretty good and I will going back. I'm so happy to find a vegan/vegetarian place locally and have it be so good! Thank you for everything. read more

Support this business! Good people and amazing ORGANIC gluten free vegan food. New owner is a nice local vegan man who really wants to be here cooking and feeding people healthy food made with love . read more