17 September 2019
Quinita Thomas
5/5 stars
Local businesses are not as supported as some big corporations but are beneficial to the community as a whole to support. These types of small business are especially deserving of support when it is a restaurant that accommodates various interests. While some folks love their meat, others prefer vegetarian or even vegan dishes.
Santana’s Vegan Grill is a fast food restaurant that, like most places, serves burgers, fries and regular diner items, though most of their drinks are healthier alternatives to Coke products.
According to their web site, Santana’s is the only vegan drive-thru restaurant in Colorado Springs.
I heard about Santana’s through several of my friends. After hearing raving reviews about the food, I decided to try it myself. The first thing I tried was a deluxe cheeseburger with fries. I give the food a five out of five stars. Customers will not be able to tell the difference between a vegan and a regular burger here. Whether one wishes to get a hot dog or chicken strips that are vegan, it all tastes as delicious as actual meat without harming any animals.
Another plus for Santana’s Vegan Grill is their nutritious drink selection. While most fast food places offer the same predictable types of sodas, sweet tea, fruit punch, etc, Santana’s brings to the table natural juices and smoothies. For example, you could order pineapple juice or a berries and kale smoothie.
Santana’s also serves delicious desserts that come from another local business in town. Lemon pound cake and other sweet treats on the menu are all vegan. One can simply have an entire meal and not have to worry about any animal products in their food whatsoever.
I give the prices four out of five stars. All items on the menu seem to be reasonably priced in my opinion. I would much rather pay $7.99 for a vegan steak and cheese sandwich, as opposed to purchasing a sandwich from somewhere like Drifters.
I spoke to the owner of the restaurant briefly while ordering my lunch a couple weeks ago. He informed me that he named his restaurant after his daughter. He also mentioned that it was her who convinced him to go vegan.
Overall, I give Santana’s five stars all around. Not only is the food excellent, but the customer service is nothing but pleasant. Even if someone is not a practicing vegan, I would still recommend this place to them.
They are open Monday-Thursday from 7:00-8:00 p.m., Friday-Saturday 7:00-9:00 p.m., and Sunday 7:00-6:00 p.m.
Santana’s Vegan Grill is located on Austin Bluffs Parkway, making it convenient for students if they wish to grab a bite to eat. In addition, since it’s relatively close to the university, it provides an exceptional opportunity for students, faculty and staff to support a local business in the Colorado Springs community.