Is San Diego Vegan Market just for vegans, or can omnivores eat here too?

It's genuinely for everyone—they run a solid deli counter with items like turkey bacon ranch sandwiches and Philly cheesesteaks alongside their vegan options, so you won't feel out of place if you eat meat. The real draw is that they stock hard-to-find vegan specialty products you won't find at regular grocery stores, plus a market stocked with dry goods, spices, and frozen items.

Can I order food ahead online, or do I need to walk in?

You can order deli items online in advance, but they also have fresh sandwiches available for grab-and-go if you're in the neighborhood. This makes it a solid post-beach or post-hike stop in the College Area without the wait.

What should I order first if I've never been?

Start with one of their deli sandwiches—reviewers consistently praised the turkey bacon ranch and Philly cheesesteak—then browse the market section for specialty vegan products or snacks you can't find elsewhere. The variety is genuinely the point.

Is this family-owned, and should I know anything before supporting them?

Yes, it appears to be a small, locally-run business with real care put into sourcing products—reviewers specifically note the personal touch and hard-to-find items. This is a neighborhood staple worth the trip if you're hunting for specific vegan or vegetarian products.

Is there parking at this spot in College Area?

The address is a shopping center (Mission Gorge Pl), so parking should be available, but we'd recommend confirming when you visit since details are limited. It's accessible enough for a quick stop or deli order.

Do they handle dietary restrictions and special orders?

Absolutely—they specialize in vegan and vegetarian items, with extensive options for plant-based cheeses, meats, and packaged goods. The deli can accommodate custom sandwich orders, and you can call ahead to request specific items or modifications.

San Diego Vegan Market — Vegan in College Area, San Diego

“San Diego Vegan Market is the neighborhood's plant-based pantry and deli counter rolled into one low-key storefront off Mission Gorge.”

Where Boxing Crab dumps shellfish on butcher paper, this spot stocks the hard-to-find vegan staples you can't grab at Vons — jackfruit carnitas, cashew mozzarella, seitan bacon — then flips half the space into a deli slinging sandwiches that don't taste like compromise. The turkey bacon ranch (add pickled jalapeños) is the sleeper hit for omnivores wandering in curious; the Philly cheesesteak is what keeps locals coming back after Mission Trails hikes.

It's family-run, tight quarters, no Instagram lighting — think corner bodega energy if the bodega specialized in nutritional yeast and oat milk ice cream. The freezer section runs deep: veggie meats, plant-based cheeses, pre-made entrees for weeknights when cooking feels ambitious. Dry goods include ramen, bouillon, crackers, spices — the kind of pantry backfill that turns "I need one thing" into a cart situation.

The deli counter takes online orders ahead or grab-and-go sandwiches if you're impatient. Service is friendly without hovering. No pressure to perform your veganism correctly — they're just as happy making lunch for a carnivore as a committed herbivore.

Parking is strip-mall standard. Come midday if you want selection; evenings can thin out inventory. It's the kind of spot that fills a niche quietly and well — not evangelizing, just existing as the go-to when you need something Whole Foods doesn't stock or when you want a sandwich that doesn't default to hummus.

San Diego Vegan Market

FAQ

Google Reviews

BonVivant Reviews

Similar Spots

Tribute Pizza

Spitz Mediterranean Street Food

CoCoCurry — Thai Curry Cafe

Contact & Hours