Wayward Cafe (University District)

5253 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 524-0204
Website

A conglomeration of like-minded businesses created a small universe of high-functioning idealism in the U-District, and here those who abstain from animal products can feast with abandon and all creatures of the world can live without fear of being milked, filleted, or made into wallets. Wayward Vegan Café is the heart of this meat-free paradise, a beloved comfort-food dispensary specializing in greasy-spoon standards: ham and eggs, country-fried steak, and pulled-pork sandwiches, with all of the meat in quotes.
Hours: Daily 9 am-9 pm
Categories: Cafe
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Average Rating:
  • 4.50000/5 Stars.
Reviews/Comments (22) RSS

Newest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a review of Wayward Cafe
22

Great, accomodating yummy, friendly...

True that the old owners and location were pretty funky, but the current location on University is a lot nicer. Food is great, and they're constantly experimenting with new menu items and weekly specials. Great for lunch w/all the sandwiches (sammiches?) or brunch w/a great assortment of veganized classic dishes like pancakes, french toast, scrambles and hash browns. Even do vegan omelettes now! ;D
Posted by Renfield on November 13, 2010 at 2:02 PM · Report
21

Proud to Sell their wraps

Tried their wraps at Mr. Spot's Chai house and fell in love with the Chiggen Wrap. My partner isn't Vegan and still felt the same way. Tastes very much like a well prepared gyro. We have a coffee stand and are really excited to be able to now offer them on our menu. Gave my son one (a proud "meat-lover") and he wasn't even aware it wasn't actual chicken! (Still haven't told him...)
Posted by nereidsespresso on February 6, 2010 at 11:21 PM · Report
20

New owners

Just so you know, the new owners have revived Wayward so it's no longer disgusting. Reviews prior to 2009 apply to the old regime.
Posted by Straits and Narrows on April 13, 2009 at 11:52 AM · Report
19

Brunch for everyone!!

I brought my omnivore family to the newly-revived Wayward Cafe this weekend, and it was an amazing brunch for all of us. My dad got the reuben, and he loved it. My mom got the hot nutlet, and she loved it. And my brother got pancakes ('cause he's askeered of "veeegun" food), and he loved them. I had my favorite, Biscuits Maximus, and as usual was happy, happy, happy. Part of my happiness was that my family was not going to gripe about vegan food for a month, but mostly it was because I now have a place to bring omni friends and family without worrying it will reflect badly on veganism.
Posted by Discriminating on April 13, 2009 at 11:49 AM · Report
18

Details

Wayward Cafe is not "hippie-dippie," (whatever that means) and it does not serve "varying dinners." And the actual hours are:
9-4 Tues-Sun, closed Mon.
Posted by OCD on February 7, 2009 at 2:51 PM · Report
17

New owners makin' it good again

I remember fondly the good ol' days of Wayward, but had stopped going there due to extreme grossness factor.

But I heard there were new owners, and they'd cleaned up the place. Hoo boy, I was back in a flash and happy again. No sticky silverware, no greasy water cups. And the food was even better than I remembered.
Posted by Truly on February 7, 2009 at 2:40 PM · Report
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12

Damn straight!

So, veganism seems a bit scary but Wayward makes it all okay. After you have had one of their delicious American style dishes, you will want to come back for more, (but not right away because you will be stuffed!) My carnivorous friend reluctantly agreed to go with me only after I promised that we could get doughnuts afterward. Not only did he forget about the doughnuts but now he suggests eating there.
Posted by vegenaise on August 24, 2007 at 6:33 PM · Report
11

I like good food.

At first, I was hesitant to go here. I like meat. To my surprise, I really enjoyed their meatless concoctions. I had their biscuits and gravy which rivals ANY sausage filled slathering I've had ANYwhere else. Seriously! I ate half and was so full and happy I took the rest home for lunch/dinner. On my second trip, yes i had to go back, I devoured a TLT sandwich. The wait staff was very willing to educate me on the food I was eating. I had no idea what tempeh was. I now know that tempeh, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches are delicious. Each sandwich comes with a side. I had Potato salad and home fries that were excellent. You're only supposed to get one side but the guy working hooked me up with a little of both since I couldn't decide. My buddy had pasta salad, also excellent. I want my parents to go to this place with me and not tell them it's vegan. Word to Wayward!
Posted by LodeeDoddee on August 22, 2007 at 5:52 PM · Report
10

Go To This Place!

This is the most accessible food to vegan newbies and veterans alike. At other vegan or vegetarian restaurants you can get tofu and veggies with your food in the style of the cuisine (example: indian, thai, chinese). At Wayward you get good old fashioned American cuisine. Rueben sandwiches come with tempeh, a fermented soy, "chiggen" wraps come with delectable seasoned tofu nuggets. They serve breakfast all day, which is a personal fav of mine (AHEM, hangovers.) It's set in a residential atmosphere with the comfort a living room. There's plenty of liberal reading essentials in their small library. They even have bookmarks so you can come back and start reading where you left off! This is a "punk-rockish" place but it seems more diverse as of late. I've heard anything from Otis Redding to Pavement to Poison to Peter Tosh to Discharge. The staff is friendly and always busy. They all do dishes, prep, cook, clean, everything.. Overall this is probably the best vegan restaurant I've eaten at in the country. The combination of great food, people and atmosphere keeps me going back at least once a week!
Posted by GreenIsGood on August 22, 2007 at 4:25 PM · Report
9

just like mom never made

The food is great and it isn't expensive and the portions are huge and the people are nice and the atmosphere is laid back and you can sit and read or sit and talk with friends or sit and daydream. All work equally well. I haven't tried everything on the menu yet, but I advise you too. Independent, mindful, inventive foodplace.
Posted by adenbell on August 16, 2007 at 5:54 PM · Report
8

punx

its great to go somewhere and eat great vegan food with character. The cafe is set up with a scrappy home love that is just as comfy as the biscuits and gravy ohhh with greens. yummy.
Posted by ruso on August 12, 2007 at 10:46 AM · Report
7

Just Plain Awful

I've tried this "restaurant" several times, just to be fair. But it's just plain awful. Vegan food can be delicious, vegan Indian or Thai is great. But Wayward's version of "fake meat" is just terrible. Over-salted, gritty, unpalatable. Vegan food shouldn't have to have "meat substitutes", it should be able to stand on its own, with natural flavors and spices. The pancakes (something that doesn't require fake-meat) are thick, undercooked, and gross. Also want to say the waitstaff is stuck up and downright rude. What's with their attitude? I don't know why the Stranger recommends this place, maybe you should send a reviewer out to get a second opinion.
Posted by Mr.Roosevelt on August 10, 2007 at 1:06 PM · Report
6

greasy food w/o the guilt

this place is like beth's for vegans! The hot sandwiches are awesome! I love everything on the menu but the wraps have to be my favorite. It's a dive that makes you feel like you're in your friends living room after a heavy night of drinking. The music is above average most of the time. The cooks do have different ways of presenting the food and can be somewhat inconsistent at times but it's well worth the trip. Uptight, close-minded people need not attend. This place just kicks ass. Period.
Posted by Non-meat-head on August 9, 2007 at 8:24 PM · Report
5

kbuzi

I really like the food at the Wayward a lot and I go here all the time. The all-vegan breakfasts are excellent, and I'd say rival those of the Globe. But I do have a few complaints about the Wayward. I appreciate the fact that the workers here don't have to submit to a restaurant standard on the recipes, but the variation in the dishes depending on who prepares them can be a total bummer sometimes. I've seen portions vary in size greatly, and some items, like the homefries, are delicious one meal and not worth eating at another. The thing that bothers me more, though, is that their silverware never seems to be clean. It always has an oily film on it, and sometimes you can see the same oil floating in your water. Like I said, I still go here all the time, but watch your silverware.
Posted by kbuzi on July 23, 2007 at 8:59 AM · Report
4

DIY Vegan Dining

The food is so delicious that even several devout carnivores I've been there with have espoused its delectableness. But if you're going out to eat to be waited on, this is not the place for you. Be prepared to wait for a table, set your own table, wait for your food for a long time, and then bus your table. Also, it's cash only. But I promise you'll leave with a belly full of deliciousness and you won't miss the meat a bit.
Posted by Baxter on July 12, 2007 at 11:39 AM · Report
3

Fuuuuck yeah!

I fucking love this place. Where else can you get a delicious vegan meal while listening to black metal? Or Shellac? Portion sizes are good and the price is right (both of which no longer applies at The Globe), and the outdoor seating options are great. This place is perfect if you're taking a punk on a date.
Posted by Benji on June 5, 2007 at 3:58 PM · Report
2

Good food, but shedding problem

The food is delicious (wonderfully greasy), however I've frequently found suspicious hairs in my food. Literally 3 or 4 times. I stopped going for several months but have tentatively returned because I've found one cook who seems to not have this problem. Still, pulling a long beard hair from my hash is not something I'll soon forget.
Posted by Thrillho(use) on May 23, 2007 at 9:14 PM · Report
1

Up the Punx!

Greasy spoonish vegan delights. Good people. Great atmosphere. Big portions. Cheap eat. Community minded. I love this place.
Posted by M.F.er Food Eater on May 17, 2007 at 8:19 PM · Report

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