- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Buddha's Veggie Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Chinese Restaurants Vegetarian Chinese, Vegetarian [Edit]
5802 MacLeod Trl SWCalgary, AB T2H 0J8
(403) 252-8830
- Hours:
Mon, Wed-Sun 11 am - 2 pm
Mon, Wed-Sun 4 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
19 reviews for Buddha's Veggie Restaurant
19 reviews in English
-
Review from Wendy P.
8/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
I think this was the third or fourth time I've ever eaten dim sum. So if you're a dim sum specialist, you may or may not have differing opinions, because so far I think it's all pretty darn tasty.
I met up with some other yelpers for a Sunday brunch. Once upon a time I read that Buddha's had changed their menu from just vegetarian to half regular, half vegetarian. And their menu is exactly that. Half regular on top, and vegetarian dishes on the bottom.
It wasn't busy on this particular Sunday, which was great, we had our pick of one of the great big round tables with the spinny plate on top to move the food around in. The service was good, and we ordered so much food, I could barely waddle out the front door when we finished. Even then, it was a cheap meal.
Standout dishes for me included the Chinese donuts, the deep-fried bread to go with the Conji, the Chinese broccoli, and of course my all time favourite BBQ buns, though this one we ordered from the veggie menu. We also had a plate of something that was supposed to resemble BBQ pork I think? And by resemble, I mean it didn't contain any meat. It was a little odd, like fatty pork, but overall not bad to at least try.
There's no cart service here, you order off a menu and they bring it all out for you. But don't worry, if you didn't get enough, or you want something else... you can always order more! -
Review from C T.
Calgary, AB
7/24/2011
We attended the CMYE at Buddha's Veggie Restaurant for Dim Sum. It was nice with 7 people attending. Did you know that Buddha's Veggie Restaurant has both veggie and meat dishes now?
We sat a nice round table with a lazy susan. We ordered lots of food - both vege dim sum and meat dim sum. I liked the Shrimp Dumplings (Har Kow), and BBQ Veggie Bun - steamed (supposed to be pork but made to look like pork). The Seafood and Chicken congee (choke) was a little pricey for such a small bowl. I was surprised that the congee came in such a small bowl.
The surprise items that the other yelpers liked were the Chinese donut (yow char kway) and Chinese donut rice crepe. The donut tastes best when eaten with congee.
Service was pretty good. The waitresses spoke pretty good English.
We were all so stuffed after our delicious dim sum lunch. It was so nice to meet new people at this yelp event.
Thanks to Wendy P. for organizing! -
Review from Tiffany N.
Calgary, AB
Updated - 6/12/2011
Okay. This place has finally redeemed themselves, in my eyes. True, they may not be solely vegan anymore, but seeing as how I'm the sole vegan in my group of friends or when I'm with my family 99.9% of the time, I'm glad we have a place where we can all be happy.
I didn't stick around this time, just grabbed some takeout. The corn chowder was like a soothing balm on my nauseated tummy. Also... vegan dim-sum! Hooray :D. Ordered vegan versions of what I see my friends order elsewhere all the time; Siu Mai and little "shrimp" pouches. The "shrimp" pouches were my favorite of the two. Those four bombs of deliciousness disappeared first. Also, I had to order the dry ribs again because it's my favorite thing on their menu. Got a meat dish for my companion (so he wouldn't gripe and accuse me of forcing my "hippie food" on him again) and they lovingly labeled and separated it from all the other food. The lady taking my ordered was in a cheerful mood; a complete 360 from the bitter-beer-faced sour puss I dealt with the last time I was here.
Buddha's Fusion, I am no longer mad at you. Disappointed that you couldn't fight the good fight and remain vegan, but if that's what you had to do to continue making those dry ribs that I love so much... I forgive you.Listed in: F, F, D, HK, Calgary 1Ups
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/25/2010
My family doesn't like going downtown where more of the Calgary veggie restaurants are, so Buddha's… Read more »
-
-
Review from R B.
7/1/2011
Buddha's Veggie = possibly the worst meal I have ever ate in my life. Normally, I don't feel comfortable writing such a scathing review on yelp, but the meal was inedible to the point where the food was actually disgusting. EVERYTHING WAS FRIED! EVERYTHING! We ordered four different dishes: the beef, chicken, ribs - ALL FRIED, and deep fried at that. You can't even taste the fake meat...the oil dripping off of every single item disguises the crappy fake meat that Buddha's Veggie serves. After realizing that our entire meal was deep fried shit, we payed the bill and just walked out...the first time that we ever had done that at a restaurant.
Normally, a waiter will try to salvage the situation - after she asked why we didn't want the rest of our food, she simply said, okay that's fine. No "can I bring you something else...or what could we do to make this better?" Absolutely no service, no appreciation for the customer, and a god-awful meal...STAY AWAY from Buddha's veggie at all costs!!! -
Review from Sarah Louise F.
Calgary, AB
11/10/2010
To Buddha's Veggie:
You used to be super rad and I used to go to you on special occasions (you are pricey compared to other vegan chinese 'round town) such as my birthday when I was still in junior high and high school and living in rural Alberta and it was like a treat. I came to the big city JUST for your vegan ginger beef.
However, last time I tried to hit you up with my mum, we ended up walking out. WHAT IS WITH THIS VEGGIE FUSION THING? And now there is MEAT on your menu? What the hell. After years of being a quaint little vegetarian chinese food place, you sell out like this? Sorry Buddha's, but I am holding a grudge against you.
From Sarah LouiseListed in: vegan friendly in calgary
-
Review from Brad C.
2/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Okay. I've been here three or four times now over the past three or so years, and have a couple comments on how things were and how it's changed.
First of all, the first time I went here it was veggies only. I was honestly hesitant, and usually still am, only because I am not a particularly adventurous eater. I won't necessarily just try something just because it is there. But the spicy dry ribs and the ginger "beef" are really good.
When I went back one time last year, my friend and I were surprised to see that they have meat on the menu. I decided to be adventurous and ordered something for me. Big mistake. All I remember is that it was a chicken dish, and that it was really greasy. It was certainly not a nice dish, and I did not enjoy what I managed to eat of it.
Bottom line, I would recommend Buddah's if you're vegetarian or vegan. If you're going for the meat dishes, go somewhere else. Perhaps Buddah's needs to adopt a UNIX-style philosophy of doing one thing and doing it well. Stick to the vegetarian dishes that you have become known for. Don't try to branch out excessively by adding meat dishes to the menu. I also can really see why so many people would be upset with the addition of meat dishes.
Oh yeah - one more thing. Get rid of the televisions! I know there are "only" two of them, but they are a MAJOR distraction while eating - the eyes get drawn to them as a moth to a flame. There really is no reason to even have them in the first place. If I had a TV-be-gone I certainly would have used it! -
Review from Matthew D.
11/21/2010
Went today for Sunday Dim Sum. Out of vegetarian dishes we got, some were really good, some were so-so. I'm a big fan of the barbecue ribs and the gluten (even though its really weird texture). I think as I get a feel for the dishes I like, it will become even better. Also, the dishes are really cheap, a big plus.
Not sure about whether the meat and veggie food are prepped together, but I guess that doesn't bother me much.
Also, in contrast to Tiffany N's issue with waiting forever, there was almost no one in the place when my friend and I got there, and service was very fast. -
Review from Danny F.
Calgary, AB
10/1/2008
As the restaurant's name implies the food at Buddha's Veggie is vegetarian but one of the things that Buddha specializes in is faux meat. You read correctly - faux meat, meat made from vegetables and grains. The ginger 'beef' doesn't really taste like ginger beef but how ginger beef should taste -mouth-watering and gingery not greasy and stringy. The dry ribs are better then any real dry rib I've ever eaten. And it's all trans-fat and MSG free.
Squarepeg's Tip of the Week:
Buddha's Veggie is a perfect place for a first date. The conversation is guaranteed never to lag because in between discussing politics/weather/towels (or whatever it is you discuss) you will be talking about how amazing and interesting the food is.Listed in: Vegetarian Barbarian
-
Review from Meghan M.
Cold Lake, AB
1/19/2011
I love vegetarian food, especially when it's a celebration of vegetables and grains; whole, natural foods cooked to perfection. Buddha's Veggie has some tasty, tasty food, but I just can't get over the fake meat thing.
The first time I went to BV was a few years ago and I was blown away - it was tasty stuff - and meatless! It's a novel idea. But each time I have it, I think more about just how much stuff goes into covering the fact that you are eating overly processed soy (seriously, just look at the ingredients listed on soy "meat" products!) Or maybe BV is serving up tofu...but you never can really tell because they try so hard to mimic meat that they've masked what is actually in your food.
The things I do like about Buddha's Veggie are, well the veggies! The vegetable dishes are fresh and yummy and often less commonly used produce. The rice is cooked to perfection. And, for some people, there is something to be said about being able to taste "ginger beef" when you don't actually eat meat.
I kind of chalk Buddha's Veggie up to a tasty novelty - but it's not something I'd want to eat regularly. -
Review from Erin B.
Calgary, AB
2/19/2009
You've gotta love fake meat. No, seriously, you have to, because it not only looks like (and kind of tastes) that bloody slab of flesh you're craving, but it's way better for you.
That being said, Buddha Veggie is known for its use of the fake stuff, and they use it to great success. The ginger "beef" was way better than other ginger beef in this city (although the ginger beef from the Chinese place at the U of C comes pretty close). I also had the deep-fried tofu which didn't come out as I expected, but was pretty tasty.
If you've never gone veggie, this is the place to try it out. -
Review from Chris S.
Calgary, AB
7/12/2009
Food is good, very good dor vegitarian... You don't even realize it is not meat. Ginger beef is especially awesome!
Prices too high though. -
Review from Landon B.
Calgary, AB
9/27/2011
Very good food, I am not a vegi but still had a great time.
-
Review from Arinn W.
12/31/2009
Fantastic faux meat dishes! The black bean sauced green beans are to die for. Service is ok, portions are nicely sized, food is great, prices are a bit steep but I'll be back. I'm addicted to vegan chinese food.
BV now serves meat dishes too though. Kind of perplexing, but I imagine being a veggie restaurant in calgary was kind of a hard sell. Oh, and there's a $9 min. order/person--the waitress was kind of abrupt about it, but if we hadn't ordered another dish it would not have been enough food. -
Review from JP D.
Calgary, AB
2/22/2010
My meal at Veggie Buddha was a bit of a mixed experience. I am not a vegetarian and I found the faux-meat to be not very convincing, I had the dry ribs some Shanghai noodles with mixed peppers and "beef". The ribs were tasty, but strange, and the "beef" in the noodles was evidently tofu based.
Overall I left the restaurant wishing I had ordered meat dishes instead of dishes that tried to mock meat. The service was quick and efficient, and interior of the restaurant seemed ok, but not overly clean.
If you are a vegetarian in the mood for "chinese" food, this might be a place worth checking out, but meat-eaters should check out 'Dragon Gate Restaurant' on 33rd AVE. SW -
Review from Jamie G.
Calgary, AB
12/3/2009
Seriously. One of THE best places to get your "Chinese food" fix. Easy to get a table waited on by fast and friendly staff. The food itself is completely impressive. The wee lass has been a veggie for almost 13 and absolutely loves this place. Not being a veggie myself, I can honestly say that the food is comparable, in some cases better, then what you may order in a place serving meat.
-
Review from Court S.
Airdrie, AB
6/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
Only went for dim sum. Veggie meat dishes were fantastic. Thought it actually was meat. Will come for dinner another time to check out other dishes.
-
Review from M W.
Calgary, AB
2/23/2011
The service is horrible, been there couple times in the last 3 years only because of the food, but now the food is as horrible as the service, they are actually re-heating food in the microwave.... Go somewhere else.
-
Review from Jenny Y.
12/11/2008
My traveling partner and I stopped in at Buddha's Veggie right before we headed for the U.S. border, sadly ending our adventures in Canada and returning to the land of Canadian entertainers. We were there on a weekend day so we ordered dim sum instead of regular dishes because vegetarian dim sum is as rare as a cast of Saturday Night Live sans Canadians. Their haw gau (shrimp dumplings) were a really good imitation. They even got that yellow paste inside the wrapper (what the hell is that anyway?) tasting like the real thing. Their siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings) were decent as were the steamed pork buns. Most dim sum dishes were $3-4 but you must order at least 3 per person to feel remotely full. If I lived in Calgary I bet my gf would make me come here a few times a month but instead, she has to suffer disappointing dim sum experiences in California where she can only eat jielan (Chinese broccoli) and the occasional egg tart. Vegetarians never get any love during dim sum (except at Buddha's Veggie).
-
Review from Rattanjeet V.
Calgary, AB
7/19/2009
Awesome vegetarian place... great food, good service, fast and clean. I take my friends here everytime!
