Souley Vegan, Oakland CA

It's Friday night, soul, jazz & funk vibrate from the backroom, muffled conversations fill the hall, and fresh hot soul food smells delectably good. My mouth waters over the menu. Greens, yams, black eyed peas, grits, cornbread, biscuits and gravy, sandwiches, cup cakes, cinnamon rolls, pies the list goes on. My first encounter with Souley Vegan was a year ago, not too long after the restaurants opening. Impressed with the concept, more than your average vegan, if there is such a thing, dines here. At the joint there are all kinds of people from families feeding children to the younger hipsters enjoying the organic ales, Souley is popping with doors open & filled until 12:30am. Phone orders can take a 1/2 hour to prepare, but the waits for a table are surprisingly fast & worth it.