Loving Hut

The first Loving Hut restaurant was in Taiwan, and international interest grew quickly. There are now more than 120 Loving Hut restaurants worldwide with 18 in the United States. When deciding on a location for San Diego, the owners chose El Cajon Boulevard because the surrounding communities are wonderfully diverse, health conscious and take pride in their surroundings.

In May, 2009 Loving Hut hosted a grand opening event. Even with rain, the participation was astounding and the staff was happy to see many customers arriving by bicycle and on foot. Councilman Todd Gloria attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and Loving Hut catered a free meal for the community.

Linda, who works at the restaurant, describes Loving Hut as “A whole lot of LOVIN!,” which would explain why they have become so friendly with their regular customers, and are familiar with them on a first name basis. The staff takes pride in developing an atmosphere that encourages friendly conversation between the staff and customers.

There are only a handful of vegetarian restaurants in San Diego, but Loving Hut has pushed the limits by serving only vegan food. Vegan food is not only meat free, but does not include animal bi-products, such as dairy, eggs or honey. Whether you are vegetarian, vegan or an omnivore; the menu is a delicious fusion of Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese flavors. There are also western dishes, such as hamburgers and pasta as well as a great selection of vegan deserts. Loving Hut receives a lot of praise for its ability to specialize in so many different flavors.

Linda says embracing vegan food is not just a health conscience decision; it’s a formula for improving one’s self and the lives of others, which is why their motto is: “Be Veg, Go Green, Save the Planet.” This philosophy is shared by the Supreme Master Ching Hai, who is the inspiration for the growth of the Loving Hut chain.

It takes over 2,000 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef, and forests are continually being destroyed to accommodate space for meat production. It is evident that resources are suffering and Loving Hut is doing its part by reaching out to others to improve our intake of food, and offer education on the environmental impacts of the meat industry.

Loving Hut participated in this year’s Taste of University Heights and welcome community activities into their restaurant. In fact, Vegan San Diego hosts a cooking class at Loving Hut once a month. Details are at vegansandiego.com. According to Linda, as more and more people around the world adopt a plant-based diet, Loving Hut is a beacon for an alternative way of living. It’s healthier, compassionate, peaceful and a great way to help sustain our planet.