Pupuseria La Macarena - New Orleans

I have given this place 3 tries. Bad experience every time. They promote that they have vegetarian vegan options and have a specific place on the menu titled this. First time: table full of vegans, they were aware far in advance. The OWNER came to our table and told us that everything on the vegetarian section of the menu could be made vegan. I ordered the stuffed yucca and portabella mushroom dumpling without cheese. I had to point it out to the waiter because I was having trouble pronouncing the correct name, so it was pointed out, talked about, and written down. Or so I thought. As all of the food comes out, I 'm starting to realize mine isn 't coming. After a while we ask them about it and the waiter tells me he doesn 't recall me ordering it, although everyone sitting around me remembers. The owner then comes up to me and tells me that that can 't be made vegan... Luckily everyone shared their food, which WAS good food. Bad attempt number 1, but let 's try again. Second time, I go in with friends, order the guacamole as it was the best thing I had last time and basically what had me interested in going back. It comes covered in cheese. I had no idea, as last time it had none on it, and despite being on the vegan vegetarian side of the menu, doesn 't note that cheese comes on it. I tell the waitress I was unaware that it came covered in cheese, she just says, yeah it does, and then asks if I want another. I say yes. I only ordered something small because I was planning on eating my fair share of guac, but she never brought it. Third times a charm? My mother and I go, and I ask for the guac and stress that I want NO CHEESE on it. The waiter asks if this is because I want it to be vegan (yay! I tell him yes and he says we also put egg in it. Weird...glad he caught it though. Egg and cheese in guacamole? And no note of it when it 's on a section of a menu that is labeled vegan vegetarian? I really think that should be noted... I ordered, I don 't recall what, but whatever it was there was no note that there was cheese on it. Low and behold, it comes covered in two types of cheese. Super! I was pretty surprised as the vegan conversation had happened when ordering the appetizer and then he had made sure to direct the vegan special to me and the nonvegan one to my mother. When I tell him he just looks at it, laughs, and says oh yeah, I forgot about that I give up on this place, but I hear other vegans have loved it... :

The only good thing I can say about the food is that it was fresh and seemingly prepared from scratch. Otherwise, the restaurant wildly overstates its vegan-friendliness and overcharges for the minuscule portion you will inevitably be served. Only half of that food will be tasty.

Awesome vegan menu, everything was served quickly and freshly! The most delicious vegan restaurant I was in.

It must be that a lot has changed since the negative reviews were written, because we tried nearly every vegan option on the menu and it was all flavorful and really beautifully prepared. It was seriously such a good meal. There was another vegan couple eating there and they were total regulars, friends with the owner.

I'd give them 5 stars if I could! You have a completely separate vegan / vegetarian menu and everything I tried the few times I was delicious. I also have to eat gluten-free and the menu is basically completely gluten-free. I have tons of options that are rare. The waiters and owners, Manny, are always so friendly and helpful with questions and create a fun atmosphere. This place is such a jewel!