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The Gypsy Den
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Vegetarian Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Coffee & Tea, Vegetarian, Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
125 N BroadwaySanta Ana, CA 92701
(714) 835-8840
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 8 am - 10 pm
Thu-Sat 8 am - 11 pm
Sun 8 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Hipster
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- Yes
374 reviews for The Gypsy Den
Review Highlights
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"Open Mic Night Monday night*** is so legit." In 30 reviews -
"I get daily cravings for the Adobe Stew." In 18 reviews -
"...I think you are my new favorite coffee place in Costa Mesa." In 41 reviews
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374 reviews in English
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Review from Eva R.
Los Angeles, CA
5/21/2012
I am absolutely in love with this place. It's good for a date, lunch, a study break... anything! It even has open mic nights.
When you first walk in, it's obvious the place is not your average lunch spot. You walk in, grab a menu and find somewhere to sit - which could be in a corner with a host of cushions to greet you. The interior seriously takes after it's name - there are beautiful lighting fixtures that make the place look like a gypsy den, and not a cheap one at that.
The waiters have always been nice and funny when I visit and there are plenty of food options for all types of eaters. They also always have a different special; rest assured their food is always interesting and there are plenty of pastries to choose from, too. It's not unlikely to see people with laptops doing work inside and there is also a small patio outside. This place is definitely worth visiting and it feels comfortable and welcoming from the first visit on. -
Review from Miguel R.
5/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
The best thing about The Gypsy Den is that you might just get the chance to sit by a window and watch interesting people go by in the uber cool Downtown Santa Ana area. Inside the decor is really cool. They have paintings all over and they are quite well done. Some of them are kind of macabre but that only feeds the cool ambience of this place. It's definitely not for mainstream people. They would probably see this place as weird.
I came here with the world famous Lili H. We had a great chat and that added to my positive experience. However, I really do not like their food. It tends to be on the light side and they even have Vegan food. It seems to me that most of the food is influenced by vegetarian/Vegan cuisine.
I got a turkey sandwich and well, it was just a sandwich. Nothing special. I wanted something more interesting but the other choices were not appealing to me at all. One of them was a chicken salad sandwich. It had interesting flavor to it but I don't like salad sandwiches at all. Their peach cobbler was not bad at all, but not amazing either. I washed it all down with a tasty stout beer.
We were lucky to have a fantastic server.
If I were to ever return it would be for the ambience and a coffee with a nice pastry.Listed in: Managers/Owners That Care
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Review from Dani H.
Orange, CA
5/15/2012
Hipster details aside, this place is the goddamn bomb. It took us forever to decide what we wanted because everything sounded so good! Very reasonable pricing and the food is filling but not so heavy that it makes you feel like 100 extra pounds when you're walking out. This place is a dream for a vegetarian; many of their options are vegan too. And delicious. My boyfriend is not a vegetarian by any means but ordered a vegan dish and was perfectly happy with it. Chips and salsa were good and only $3. I paid all of $30 and we both were completely satisfied and had leftovers for next day's lunch. If you're into entertainment, a guy was playing very pleasant piano and I hear there's open mic night and other goings on. My next plan is to try their brunch. Apparently, they have bottomless mimosas, and I also saw they have a pomegranate variety. I am intrigued.`
Note: If you're one to cherish the usual mellow atmosphere I would advise against going here (or anywhere in or near the artists village, for that matter) on the first Saturday night of the month. This is when artwalk happens so the whole area is teeming with people, and since Gypsy Den is both awesome and right next to the main gallery, I think it'd be safe to say that it would be exceptionally busy. -
Review from Kelly K.
5/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Looks like a ren-faire costume. In a good way.
Best spiced chai tea latte I've had and served in a big girl cup, too. I love it when there's a foamy residue glued to the side of the cup as it slowly empties.
Lox made in-house, soft delicious bagels, spreadable cream cheese and fresh tomato and cucumbers. Too bad they don't deliver.
Free wifi, but it doesn't seem like there are plugs aplenty.
Did she say bottomless mimosas? Waitress!!Listed in: Cafes, Caffeine, Crepes,…, Free WiFi
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Review from Amanda P.
5/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
I enjoy the Gypsy Den location at The Lab, but it has some issues. It's cramped, parking can be tough, and the breakfast menu isn't very exciting if you don't want eggs. The Santa Ana location solves all of those problems. It's huge, there's a nearby parking structure, and the best part...vegan brunch on Sundays! How did it take me so long to find this?
My husband and I both had the vegan bacon and sausage scramble. The tofu isn't really scrambled in the sense of being crumbled and sauteed with seasonings; it's instead cubed and cooked with tempeh bacon and soy sausage. Never mind the semantics, though, it's good. I had it with an iced soy chai latte, as I can't go to Gypsy Den without getting an iced chai.
I would gladly eat this every weekend. I just wish the vegan brunch options were offered every morning, or at least at both locations. -
Review from Nic S.
Orange, CA
Updated - 5/10/2012
Did I mention we love this place? Hubby and I took Mother In Law here, she loved it too! She ordered the spinach scramble. I had the Lox bagel for a late breakfast (noon-ish).... I was so glad I choose that.
THE BEST PLACE EVER! The Staff are super friendly and always make a fantastic coffee too!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/30/2012
The Gypsy Den in Santa Ana is located right in the middle of the arts district. It is pretty funky… Read more »
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Review from Lili H.
The Gypsy Den is a classic in Costa Mesa and during the last years in Downtown Santa Ana.
I have been here several times, mostly for breakfast or just for coffee.
Their breakfast are awesome! eggs, omelettes for every taste.
Also they have great coffee (YAY!) and a variety of gourmet teas.
Only until recently I went for lunch
Ordered Chicken curry Sandwich. Delish!!! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
It was similar to a chicken salad sandwich but with the right amount of curry to give it a unique flavor, without overpowering the chicken flavor. Great texture on a croissant with sweet potato fries as a side dish.
To finish the meal, we ordered a scrumptious seasonal cobbler a la mode.
OMG!!! it was perfect, balanced flavor, not too sweet, perfect texture.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I also tried their baked goods and they never disappointed me.
Aside of the hot beverages, they serve beer, wine and mimosas on Sunday (never tried them, but I heard they are good)
Great coffee, free wifi, awesome food and cool eclectic decor
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
what else can I ask for?
Recommended!
Of course I'll be back -
Review from Sally B.
It should tell you something that I was only in Santa Ana for 5 days and I came here 3 times.
Delicious chai, amazing scrambled eggs, and great ambiance make this a must-visit. I went while everyone else was at work/class and felt like I owned the place. I'd go back in the heartbeat! -
Review from Diana N.
Westminster, CA
4/11/2012 1 photo
I had only been here once and tried one item, but the carrot cake got me hooked. The cake was so moist and buttery, and it was topped with the richest cream cheese - it's definitely got me hooked.The cashier was a short-haired, brunette girl with glasses who was sweet enough to recommend it to us first-timers.
Nothing beats spending a saturday afternoon enjoying carrot cake on a patio and people-watching all the hipsters casually exploring Santa Ana's art district. -
Review from Chloe C.
Irvine, CA
3/22/2012 4 photos
This place is really cool, they get imported scrambled eggs! Yeah it's awesome, they import theme from freaking HEAVEN.
I enjoyed their spinach scramble that came with veggie sausage, finely crumbled feta, mixed fruit and toast &jam & butta!
Oh lordly, I've never had such light and savory scrambled eggs in my life. They almost melted on my palette. My heart sings for these little bright yellow soft pillowy eggs just dusted with feta. When they first graced my tongue, my taste buds leaped off of my tongue. They knelt down before me, and praised me. Oh dear, those silly taste buds..
Anywho, their toast had incredible but not the best I've ever had. It was crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. So beautifully soft. Their jam looked homemade to me, and it was sweet but not too sweet and speckled with tiny strawberry seeds.
Take your taste buds on a fieldtrip here. Their portion sizes are very fair, and the quality of food here is fantastic. They have an extensive list of teas in addition to their elaborate espresso beverage list that includes the classics - lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, & the not so classics, Mayan Mocha, Pirate Chai & Cafe Francais.
Their interior is too cute. Very down to earth ambiance. Quick, attentive service. Everyone within an hour of this place needs to go today. Everyone else, I'll give you a week to make your visit...
And of course, their live bands & open mic.
Great for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner & Late night. Let's partayy!Listed in: Espresso Explorations!
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Review from Sheila M.
3/19/2012
WELL... my boyfriend has been on the hunt for the best Mayan Mocha in OC... We had dinner at Habana (right next door) and saw on Yelp that Gypsy Den had a pretty good one so we made the short walk here...
Very cute place inside. A lot of personality on its walls. Cute cute place.
I was immediately drawn to the desserts on display and just had to order the Vegan Chocolate Cake! I said to myself, "Oh my! How is it possible?!" My boyfriend ordered the Carrot cake.
Drinks.. I am obsessed with Chai Latte and saw many recommendations for their PIRATE CHAI, so I ordered it with so much anticipation! WOMP WOMP WOOOOMP BIG-TIME! This drink has horrible to me... The taste upon first sip is fine, but the aftertaste is terrible. Imagine rubbing an incense stick inside your mouth, and that's the aftertaste, so bad! I hated it, plain and simple.
The MAYAN MOCHA was freaking amazing, though! So so good! Could taste the cinnamon and the chocolate in such a delicious mix! 5 stars for that!
Our desserts... well, guess the vegan chocolate cake tasted just how it was supposed to taste.. vegan! It was really grainy and not soft at all, and I honestly, have no clue if that's how vegan stuff is but I am not a fan!
The Carrot Cake was super duper good! Nice big walnuts, lots of shredded carrot, just very very good!
In summary: My boyfriend had a kick-ass after-dinner treat and I did not. -
Review from Sukhraj B.
Lake Forest, CA
2/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
The night began with two - Mahesh and I - drunk in DTSA, then we added one more to our party however by the time we ended up here, there was 8 of us, it was late, and we needed coffee. I will agree to drink coffee at any time of the day or night. I'm simply in love with the stuff and can't get enough.
I'm in love with this location too. It's everything I want in a coffee shop and better than the Costa Mesa location (which is a lot smaller and crowded on most days). There is plenty of mismatched furniture, strange lighting fixtures, bookshelves, and friendly staff. The menu is extensive. I like mixed coffee drinks. I opted for the Mayan Mocha which is a coffee drink with cinnamon and chocolate. Sounded good but it was way too sweet even though I love my sweets however I don't like them that intense. Sadly the drink was a failure. Luckily, they do offer to make you something else however I was lost in a conversation with 8 other people and the drink really didn't matter. I was digging the vibe and atmosphere. I just know that next time, I'll opt for coffee or try something that isn't the Mayan Mocha.
This place ranks high up there with my favorite coffee shops in OC/LA. I just need to find a drink I can enjoy here which I'm sure will happen at some point.Listed in: The Perfect Cup
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Review from Manny S.
Santa Ana, CA
3/17/2012 6 Check-ins Here
Its a nice place to go for breakfast. I always try to make it in before 3 pm because they stop serving breakfast. Being a breakfast lover, I always find myself ordering the same thing a breakfast bagel sandwich. It is one of their best things to order of the menu along with a Mayan mocha or Mayan Cocoa.
Other items to consider:
Waldorf Chicken sandwich
Waldorf Chicken Salad
Sweet potatoes fries are a must have =)
Service:
Compare to other small locations is below average. There have been times where I'm just looking around with a lost face trying to catch the waiters attention for a refill, sometimes for a straw. It get annoying when I'm ready to go and i want the bill. When that happen I usually go to the register and just pay it there. Don't get me wrong there are other waiters that kill you with kindness but they fail to be there when I'm there.
Still I would definitely be coming back for the awesome food. -
Review from Shayne G.
Fullerton, CA
2/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
Gypsy Den has recently changed their menu! I just had take-out from here for lunch.
Let me tell you about their new Avocado Chipotle Veg. Wrap! Every bite was delicious...their lettuce, chiptole sauce, soy chicken, fresh avocado and A THIN PIECE OF HAIR EXTENSION! MMMMM it was great!
Seriously ruined my appetite! Trying to be nice and discrete...I tried calling the restaurant twice but there was no answer. So I've decided to splurge and let the Yelp community know about it.
BEWARE OF MATTED FAKE HAIR. -
Review from Huyen V.
Tustin, CA
The Gypsy Den is unlike any place I've been to! You grab your own menus and seat yourself in a hipster like atmosphere, and enjoy the live music. Pretty cool ambiance, but it may be hard to have a real conversation, because it is quite loud.
I tasted their sweet potato fries. Although they were unique (cut in circles, instead of sticks like normal fries), they did not impress. They tasted more like baked sweet potatoes, instead of having the crunchy fried texture that fries are supposed to have. There were pieces that were not cooked thoroughly and tasted raw. Boo!
I also had their roasted red pepper hummus with pita bread. This dish is excellent and will leave you begging for more! A must try.
I heard not to order their iced coffee because it was watered down...
Overall, this place is a pretty cool place to chill. I give it 4 stars because I loved the hummus that much! =) -
Review from Justin B.
2/20/2012
Pros: Creme brulee, 1 or 2 beers on tap
Cons: None that I can think of
This Gypsy Den location serves food, but I usually just come here to hang out after lunch at one of the many restaurants. They serve food here too, but in general it seems that people just come here to hangout. Totally has a coffee shop feel. What makes this place cooler than other coffee shops though is they have serve pitchers of 1 or 2 beers on tap. Score.
Their creme brulee is pretty badass too. -
Review from Anita C.
My first time in this part of the OC area and I loved it! Such a nice, quaint, little hipster area :)
The atmosphere here is definitely one of a kind. It's very dimly lit and the entire place is decorated with all sorts of interesting eclectic art work. There's so much stuff going on that while you're waiting for your food it's nice to just gaze in all directions and observe the decor.
Ordered:
Pesto Portabello Burger w/Sweet Potato Fries - It wasn't bad, but I'm not ganna lie, I wasn't feeling it too much. The "substitute" cheese had the consistency of rubber (I guess this is where me "pretending" to be a vegas doesn't work out so well) but, the sweet potato fries were delicious! I loved that they defied the norm and cut the sweet potatoes into medallion shapes instead. Also, the Curry Yogurt dipping sauce is BOMB.COM!!
Chipotle Avocado Vegan Wrap w/Orzo Pasta - SOO good! I loved the flavor combination in this wrap (definitely recommended) BUT, for those who aren't vegan/vegetarian -- the meat substitute in this wrap has a very heavy soy taste that you might not be used to. The side of orzo pasta was also really healthy and delicious!
Everything on the menu is reasonably priced, the staff here are very attentive/polite, and the food here was better than I had expected.
Too bad there was no more room for dessert :( I will definitely pay Gypsy Den another visit one of these days for a nice cup of coffee and the recommended Creme Brulee and Salted Caramel Pie! -
Review from Jen T.
2/12/2012
Spice chai is HEAVEN in the mouth . I suspect they use powder, but me and my bf love their powdery stuff with the 2% milk . It taste like mad desert , so creamy and sweet...I don't think I actually taste chai though , weird but it's just good.For more legit chai there is always the Freesoulcaffe.
Price : around $5 for 12 oz
Drinks come in random cups, I got some health insurance logo one time. I think they get their junk from the swap meet or the local Goodwill.
Service: Hit or miss , some are cool and others are plain rude
Overall
- open mic nights
- random decor
- bigger than the one in Costa Mesa
- bomb spice chai
- pass on the food , the drinks are betterListed in: Coffee
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Review from Kelly M.
Chino, CA
3/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Finally a good place that appeals to a Vegan or vegetarian crowd!
I sat outside at the Gypsy Den and I was glad I did - there was plenty of people watching! The restaurant is located in the Art District in Santa Ana, which provides a lot of neat shops and restaurants to try. However, next time I might sit inside because there was a really neat ambiance and decor.
I really enjoyed the mediterranean pita and the fries. Their fries are hot, fresh and delicious. I liked the multitude of options for vegetarians because most places only have one or two. The service was a little slow and there wasn't a large crowd.
As I was leaving, I ordered a piece of their cheesecake to go. It was homemade and so delicious. The graham cracker crust was nice and thick and the cheesecake had a delicious flavor. -
Review from Isabella O.
Costa Mesa, CA
2/21/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Love: chai tea latte. It's awesome, spicy sweetness, the only thing I order there (drink-wise)
Meh: pumpkin pie... why don't you taste like anything? :(
coffee - It's just not that great!
bread pudding - too much sweetness... I feel like I'm just eating condensed milk (for all my fellow Asians out there, the kind with the cow and red stripe on it)
Open Mic Nights... It's like I ALWAYS end up here on an open mic night. I mean, 40% of the people I've seen on that stage were ok, the other 60% confuse me.
Overall: It's an OK place and I'm OK with that. -
Review from Juanita D.
Los Angeles, CA
2/9/2012
Everything I've ever tried here is delicious.
the Tuna Melt paired with the Fries are heavenly.
the drinks, coffee, hot cocoa, etc are all pretty tasty too.
Now I don't like to complain, but my god... the service here is awful. I keep coming back because of the food, location and the ambience but don't expect A+ service here. I pray that everytime I come here, someone will give a crap about me, but it never happens. So aside from the service, everything else about this place is great!
If you sit down make sure someone notices you, or they will overlook you! The open mic nights here are amazing. This place is good anytime of the day. Great for breakfast with a friend or to have a coffee date. It's located in DT Santa Ana which is turning out to be pretty nice after all the renovations and such. So there's lots of area to roam around and discover little shops.
The outdoor patio is my favorite if it's warm or sunny... but the inside is just so darn cute! I love all the art that is displayed/for sale and the variety of tables and chairs.... this place is very unique I must say. Definitely try this place out!Listed in: Keen for brekkie?
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Review from Michael L.
Colton, CA
3/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place has a Bohemian feel to it, from the decor and music to the customers. These elements seem to come melodiously together to give the Gypsy Den a sense of hippie legitimacy. My Cafe Mocha was good. It reminds me of the ones I had at Urth Cafe. Service was a bit slow but I'm not complaining because I'm just kicking back people watching and taking in the crowd.
This place rocks. I shall come back on a Friday night and take in the night scene one of these days. -
Review from Sara P.
Everything about my experience at this restaurant was great. Loved the decor and comfy vibe set in perfect lighting. They have a nice selection of bottled beers and the seating is arranged so you can't hear the other patrons. Everything about this place pretty much hits my happy spot.
I could spend hours reading a book or hanging out with my close friends here. The best part of my experience here was the random jazz trio that got up on stage and really iced the cake on my evening.
The meal was good, based on my order I did have higher expectations that "good". There are variations of unique dishes to comfort dishes with minor twists. Can't wait to go out and eat some different dishes. -
Review from Bongiorno M.
Newport Beach, CA
4/14/2012 3 Check-ins Here
This late knight funky gypsy owl is a reliable steed in the stable. Open late, decent coffee, live music at times, and a fun crowd to toy with. A chill spot to fly a down to earth date after a point scoring romantic meal~
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Review from Jeanette J.
Orange County, CA
1/18/2012
I have been coming to the Gypsy Den for years already! I love going to read when it's raining, to eat with friends, etc. (this place is great for first dates by the way.. lol) ;)
I love the ambiance! I just love sitting and staring at the decor. It really makes me happy. With dozens and dozens of pieces of artwork surrounding the walls, along with awesome rugs, cute bottles and so on, the decor in there is impeccable and eclectic. If you like bohemian decor you'll love it. I prefer coming to this Santa Ana location to eat. I like the food a bit better here than the one in Costa Mesa, but I love the vibes there too, to have coffee and dessert. If you've never been here, I HIGHLY recommend it. Good service & good vibes is good for me! :] -
Review from Collette C.
Placentia, CA
3/5/2012
This is an awesome little spot in DT Santa Ana. We arrived on a Saturday evening around 8 and there were a few tables open. The decor is eclectic, bohemian, and the place was dimly lit. It definitely can be a romantic little date spot. The menu is huge!! you can have your appetizer, entree, dessert, coffee, tea, beer, wine... so there is something for everybody.
Our waiter was super friendly.
We ordered:
Chai Tea
Hot Coco (not traditional but the spicier one)
Creme Brulee
Vegan Cupcake with Chai Frosting
The Chai Tea & Hot Coco are both quite rich and sweet. The serving is generous. those drinks can be stand alone desserts. The Chai has a good taste though it is a bit heavy/creamy.
Creme Brulee- really tasty, sweet, and a good size. Because this is so rich, I would eat this with plain coffee or tea next time.
Vegan Cupcake- Good taste, sweet, vanilla cake with the Chai frosting. The frosting taste a lot like Japanese Macha (green tea). It's a mystery to me how a vegan cake can taste so yummy.
The only drawback from my visit was when a group of 25 people showed up and sat next to us & the entire place became quite loud it was hard to have a conversation...
so plan on having really yummy dessert and good chai, but you may not be able to have a quiet conversation when this place gets busy. -
Review from Maria I.
Walnut, CA
2/17/2012
I love this place! I've been here a couple of times to perform at open mic night, and it's a lot of fun! There are a lot of good local talented musicians here and everyone is very respectful of all the performers. Sign up early to secure a spot.
The food is very good. I definitely would recommend their nachos and quesadillas with chicken (I know it says its a vegetarian place, but you can ask for meat). Their chili is pretty good too. As far as ambiance goes, when you walk in, it's like walking in grandma's house, very home like. You go in, grab a menu at the front and you can sit anywhere you like. I would recommend to sit far away from the door because people come in and out and it gets very cold.
The place is a little hard to find. With parking, I just park at the lot which is about a block away. Can't wait to come back again! -
Review from Katrina L.
South San Francisco, CA
4/6/2012
Went after lunch and this place was great! I had a Cafe Mocha which was made PERFECTLY. They had really good flavored whip cream that just topped it.The only drawback was the decor. It kinda scared me a little when I went inside. But definitely will come back!
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Review from Ziad N.
Orange, CA
3/7/2012
I was just there and it was very quiet and laid back. However I came with my digital photo class from the Orange County High School of the Arts and they decided to decline service because there were too many of us. I found it very stupid that they declined service when all of us were going to pay and it was not that busy. DO NOT GO HERE!!! All the employees suck and are lazy and deny service to kids because they think they won't pay. DO NOT GO HERE!!! EMPLOYEES SUCK!!! :)
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Review from Ivy W.
Irvine, CA
3/7/2012
I don't understand why this place gets so many stars from other reviewers. I've eaten here pretty regularly over the past six years (when I'm dragged here by colleagues), and the food is just average. Sandwiches with alfalfa sprouts, big whoop. Their fries are these potato coins that are not the least bit crispy. And I do not appreciate the hippie bohemian vibe at all in a place where hygiene and cleanliness are kind of important. I want my food served by someone who has showered in the last two days.
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Review from Janel J.
Lake Forest, CA
2/12/2012
Our waiter was super friendly and helpful on the suggestion for the Pirate Chai
Pirate Chai........Super yummy!!!!
Pesto Portobello Sandwich............................Very flavorful and super fresh
Vegan cupcake.....OMG! super moist and the frosting was super sweet and yummy
Chicken Quesadilla.....................Nothing to special, but the salsa was awesome -
Review from Marielle R.
Newport Beach, CA
2/11/2012 2 photos
This Orange County gem is located in the heart of the Artist Village in Downtown Santa Ana. The Gypsy Den's tall walls are cloaked with artwork from local artists, eg paintings, tapestries, metal work, etc. In the back is a nice little nook furnished with a bookshelf and legit literature.
I'm sitting here and "Unchained Melody" is blasting from the speakers. You know, the song in Ghost when Patrick Swayze is reaching over Demi Moore (pre-midlife crisis) as they make sweet pottery together. Music selection ranges from bossa nova to doo-wop to indie to classics. When music isn't resonating from the speakers, they've got live performances from up-and-coming artists.
Everything I've had here is top-notch. Normally I order an americano, but their peppermint latte is outstanding. Food--I love the soyrizo burrito; it's savory, huge, and served with a plethora of fruit. Desserts--hands down they've got the best carrot cake in town, and I am mos def a carrot cake fiend!
Service is excellent, and you can actually hold conversations with people here without feeling out of place!
Wifi here has improved tremendously, as it was atrocious in the past. Great for studying, especially when it's quieter on the weekdays.
To top it off, one of the condiments they supply is Gringo Bandito "El Sabor Mas Sabroso" hot sauce. Allegedly it's the brainchild of the frontman from The Offspring, which also notably and appropriately came out with the 90s hit "Pretty Fly For a White Guy." Anyway, it's actually pretty good and tastes a lot like Cholula but with more kick.
If you're in OC and looking for a great coffee shop, stop by the Gypsy Den, my favorite little cafe in Orange County! -
Review from Ashley H.
San Clemente, CA
1/28/2012
This place has some hit and misses during their open mic nights, but little is sweeter than sipping some chai (CREAMIEST CHAI EVER OMG) from here while listening to some great sounds with great people. The guy running the open mic nights can be kinda annoying/douchey/loud sometimes, but thankfully that doesn't put too much of a damper on the really relaxed atmosphere of this cozy little cafe. Even just the decor of the place puts me at ease - a ton of paintings, books, board games all around, I just like that kinda stuff.
I've been here maybe 4-5 times, and every time, the servers are really sweet and attentive, even when it gets busy during open mic nights.
As for food, I didn't particularly like the orzo or goat cheese, but the Vegan BLT, baked mac n cheese, VEGAN CHAI CUPCAKES, and their fries are really good.
I don't really recommend this place just to eat (which is why, for me, it's okay if some of their entrees are subpar). I treat it more as a cafe, a really intimate, cozy cafe that happens to have some delicious foods. -
Review from Sarah T.
Orange County, CA
11/11/2011
The Gypsy Den and I go way back. In fact she's an old friend. She has always been there to comfort me. The calm atmosphere sort of hugs you. The old lumpy sofa tucked in the corner is my favorite. It's a great place to draw, write or listen to random people sing on open mic night.
The drinks aren't bad either. Try the Mocha Mayan. It's a Mexican Christmas in your cup. You'll hear mariachis on the first sip and get this weird craving for tamales. It's amazing. -
Review from A H.
Costa Mesa, CA
3/24/2012
I'm not really into the whole healthy food thing but I do love great tasting food! The Caprese wrap with fries was delicious! I love their miso ranch and of course I am a major fan of Paradise ice tea! I really enjoyed the lemon bar for dessert. The chain green tea cupcake was a little to sweet... I will definitely be back :)
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Review from Denise R.
Anaheim, CA
3/27/2012
Best food and service I have been coming here for five years and I'm still a happy customer.
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Review from Howie L.
Anaheim, CA
10/14/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I love this place. I usually come here at night but when I come here in the morning I get The Breakfast Burrito (no beans); simply delicious and very filling.
At night, I usually get the Baked Macaroni & Cheese or the Sandwich and Soup combination (half sandwich and a bowl of soup); Tuna sandwich (AMAZING) with a bowl of their Vegetarian Chipotle Chili (delicious).
And no matter what time of the day it is, I always get an order of their French Fried Potato Slices to go with my meal. Best damn potato slices on the planet. -
Review from Katie R.
Orange, CA
11/26/2011
I'm a vegetarian... So the news that a birthday dinner at this place was pretty exciting for me. And then, there was the service and food. Awful.
The server was missing anytime we needed something... For example: after dropping off our food (to the wrong guests) we needed silverware to eat. I ended up at the counter, looking for someone to help, and it was like a ghost town. And when we ordered, she returned 3 separate times to confirm if people wanted avocado. It became an annoying interruption.
I ordered the Brunch Burger, sub the veggie patty, add soy bacon, no tomato with sweet potato salad.
The burger patty was very oily, and the butter was dry. There was no dressing or sauce. After discovering this, I had the pleasure of waiting a few minutes while my burger became, cold for assistance. When I asked if there was supposed to be any dressing, she said "I thought you didn't want tomato?" Last time I checked, tomato was a vegetable, not a sauce. So then I was given a couple of options, of which I picked the curry sauce. It was the only good thing that o tasted all night. The sweet potato salad was edible, but I wouldn't order it again. I tried some of my neighbors potato slices... They were good.
I will not be returning. -
Review from Katie B.
1/22/2012 2 Check-ins Here
The raw vegan salted caramel pie is worth 5 stars alone! I was dumbfounded at how there wasn't anything processed about the decadent dessert. I sat at a window seat with a lovely view of Santa Ana's Art District and a soy vanilla latte and spent the afternoon working away on my laptop in a state of satisfaction.
Listed in: OC
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Review from Erin T.
11/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came here because we saw the amazing reviews for this place. Honestly...4 stars is definitely too generous for this place.
The ambiance is pretty neat I must say. It's very unique..much better than that chain coffee shop feel you get at Starbucks. All the chairs are different and it has this really artsy, cozy in the wall vibe.
They had a pretty good selection of food on their menu.. Greatly appreciated. I ordered the spinach scramble and a mocha. Others at my table ordered the chipotle chicken sandwich, French toast with fresh berries, waffles with berries, and croissant sandwich. The food was mediocre at best. I'm not saying the food was bad but it wasn't amazing. The waffle was on the dry side, my toast was burnt and my mocha was not even nearly hot enough. The potatoes were probably the best thing because they weren't too overcooked but the flavor was lacking.
Their food isn't overly expensive but it isn't cheap either. My spinach plate was a little under 8 dollars and my Mocha was almost $5.
The service was superfriendly but super slow. It may be because we sat outside. I can see how if you were just looking to catch up with a friend over coffee how this service would be accepted if not appreciated but if you're looking for a place to eat under a normal time limit this is not the place.
