The Farmer and The Cook

Stopped in at the suggestion of a friend.
Happy we did.
The wife and I shared a veggie burger and mixed green salad. Super fresh. Super flavorful. Super wonderful.
The salad was refreshing. Simple yet bold. The pear was a great touch.
The burger was really interesting. Almost reminded me of a great Indian food dish with some of the flavors.
Only a 4 star because I’m cheap and thought at $ 12 it was a little pricey.
I know that I was paying for fresh quality… but at $ 10 I personally would have been a little happier.
Again…not on them. I know I’m cheap.

Delicious vegan tofu scramble and apple cranberry muffin. Feels like a co-​op with lots of hands in the kitchen and local ingredients and organic vegetables and fruits.

Underwhelmed. Perhaps because this reminds me of what vegetarian restaurants used to be like 20 years ago, when just the fact that the place was vegetarian inspired rabid devotion. I am 100% for farm to table and vegetarian fare, I even worked at a similar restaurant for 8 years. Except that the one I worked at, eventually they moved on beyond plain rice and beans as the foundation for everything. This place hasn’t quite gotten there yet. I went out of my way to eat here while in Ojai after hearing about it over and over again. Visited on a Saturday with a group of ladies and we didn’t know the dress code was extreme casual. We were mocked and stared at by other patrons… I quote «Oh my God, what are they doing?! Why are they all wearing skirts?». I don’t know, maybe because it’s 90 degrees out and it’s Saturday evening and skirts are comfortable? Service was extremely disdainful. So rude of us to choose your restuarant, I know. Maybe we looked like a patch of LA housewives running around the store picking things up saying «OMG SO CUTE». We weren’t doing that but I suppose it’s easy to make a quick passing judgment. I mean, I guess I would be annoyed too if someone came into my vegetarian restaurant and tried to give me money in exchange for my food but they weren’t sweaty and wearing hemp pants. God forbid anyone should try to be respectful of my business and other diners and shower and put on a skirt for dinner. That’s soooo weird. Yes, one of us was wearing heels but she works her ass off running a nursery and never gets to wear anything that isn’t covered in dirt, so she wanted to dress up. What a whore though, right? I thought places like this were all about acceptance. This one only accepts you if you’re a Malloy, or dress like one.
But on to the food. After the intense eye rolling of the cashier and servers, we received our pizzas, vegetable tacos, masa cakes (I don’t remember what they were called on the menu), and kale salad. The pizza was fine, they were all soggy but not bad. The vegetable tacos were good. It’s the kind of tacos I make at home when I need to use up vegetables and happen to have tortillas handy. The kale Caesar was very bitter kale, guess the kale had bolted but they were still trying to force it down people’s throats, sprinkled with rock hard croutons and some powdered parmesan. MMMMM yummy. One of my friends was so angry about the salad but she didn’t want to waste it so she was stabbing it with her fork and jamming it into her mouth with anger because let’s face it, it sucks when you spend hard earned money on food that tastes bad. Oh the dressing was… olive oil. Some might say kale is bitter but it really shouldn’t be. At least if it’s gotten to that point, it’s no longer salad fodder.
So in summary, aside from soaking up the Ojai disdain for tourists, the only good thing about our visit was the memories and the company. Not so much the food, customer service, or clientele. Two girls came in after us, who may have actually run to the restaurant (I respect that), dripping in sweat in tiny booty running shorts, ordered their food, and stood on the restaurant patio stretching, but nobody batted an eyelash. But the skirts… those are SO weird! Also this place is not good for groups, the people that have to wait in line to buy their groceries behind a large party will want to stab you with lemongrass spears.

This place is super healthy and lovely. We ordered at the counter inside next to the organic market, and enjoyed our meal comfortably outside on the front patio with lots of other hungry families who were enjoying the feel good food make with love. Vegan and gluten free pizzas made from scratch with the highest quality ingredients. Count me in! The kale salad is a must.

Wonderful place, delicious food! Mr. Sprinkle even gave us a quick tour and shared with us the community supported agriculture system! Thanks for the fresh garlic clove souvenir ;)

Ordered the sopes and tamales, also the almond and cocoa nib smoothie. The was very delish and enjoyed it. I cannot wait to bring my girlfriend here.

Absolutely amazing smoothies and juices! Try the Figgy Stardust or Scarrot Cake! The prices are reasonable, the food is fresh and made with love. Another plus, the staff was very friendly offered good recommendations. Oh, and there is a neat little shop inside as well. Can’t wait to revisit!

One of the best meals I have ever had. If you are like me and you don’t know a ton about this yummy food lifestyle, bring a food sherpa like I did to navigate the menu. Wonderful owners. Successful for a reason: great product.

I love getting smoothies when I’m on the road for work and this was the BEST SMOOTHIE I have ever had. I got the chai smoothie which was so refreshing, filling and delicious. After my work meeting, I went back and got the veggie tacos with homemade corn tortillas and they were also out of this world. I hope I’m back in Ojai soon because this place is a gem.

The cashier was very friendly.
I tried the Vegan Burger everyone raved about in the reviews and was a little underwhelmed. The patty is tasty with a chutney flavor, but it wasn’t the best combination for a burger. The sourdough toast was way too dense and hard (seemingly stale).
It would’ve been nice if it had avocado inside but all it had was a couple tiny slices of red onion, tomato slice and some greens and melted cheese.
It would taste better if it had more to it… avocado (you can add it for an extra $ 1) and it needs a softer bun.
For $ 15 after tax, I would’ve liked a bit more.
There’s plenty of parking. wifi access. Lots of indoor and outdoor seating.
Inside is a little market with some organic produce as well as pastries.

I have been baffled by the occasional one star reviews of this otherwise five star experience. Until I had one of my own.
I know the smoothie line closes at 4:30pm and arrive before 4:30pm. Uh, oh. I find myself in a line with just one cashier. I finally make my way to the counter. The guy with dark hair and glasses turns away and heads into the kitchen without a word. As he returns, I announce i’ll take your last smoothie of the day— thinking I got there before 4:30pm. Sorry, smoothies are closed, I am told. The clock to my right and on the wall says 4:30pm. After some back and forth about time and my arrival, I slowly walk out. My cell phone is in the car. It’s 4:32pm.
I get that smoothies stop at 4:30pm, but if a place is operating on a razor distinction that is good to know. Kinda like the no shoes, no service sign. EXACTLY at 4:30pm may have alerted me to yell after the guy before he disappears in the kitchen.
And who has been at the grocery store checkout line when the clock moves to 9:00pm or whenever they close and been told, sorry, we close the registers at 9:00pm and been turned away after the person in front of you runs through the line at 8:59pm followed by a mini break by the cashier.
My daily stop at F&C hits the skids, and I finally return after 1 – 2 weeks to ask what their policy is and talk with a familiar face. I hear things both ways. I would have made you a smoothie smiles a familiar face before she encourages me to see things from the pov of someone else. You’ve worked all day and are exhausted she tells me and repeats herself. I wrongly guess we’ve moved past my question and are gaving an exchange and tell her a manager at another (and busier) restaurant was shocked they didn’t serve me a smoothie. Terrible, he tells me. I repeat this to the once cheery face who is quickly no longer interested in the pov of others and interrupts to say, that’s a different place, and abruptly turns away after having the final word and motioning left and right with her hands signaling, «4:30pm. That’s it.»
I do remember working hard, too. I unloaded trucks for UPS my freshman year in college. My shirt was drenched with sweat, but we worked until we were done. Same with closing a restaurant in my prior job.
I never thought I had the option to decide what face to show the public or to make decisions on what was best for me vs. right for business. As a small business owner I have lived the passion. And worked crazy and long hours.
The same once smiling face also pointed out how successful and busy the place is and that the owner doesn’t care about one star Unilocal reviews, she announces. We’re busy, she tells me.
Somehow I thought success in my business was affirmation of my values and my passion and not a place of arrival or entitlement that asks customers to see how hard I work. And to rethink my fathoming with less interest toward reasonableness and reasonable views of how things appear to work elsewhere like grocery stores— and announce we’re different.
F&C is still a unique place. Lovely menu. Special twists on their smoothies. Sprouted breads. Warm and gracious folks who like working there. And with an occasional extra helping of millenial entitlement, sadly.

Expensive, strange people, hippies.
Food is so so, the only good dish we had was the veggie burger, rest weren’t that great.
Long line to order, no waitress, all self serve.
Dated table and dining area furniture but i think that’s the vibe.
Place is not kid friendly at all.
Supermarket entry area has good home made dressings for sale…
Will not return.

Came for a late breakfast after a hike. Very Ojai. Vegetarian, some vegan options, low-​key, and crowded. You order at a counter and then they bring it to you, but no «waiter service» like the LA crowd might be use to. Dogs wandering off-​leash on the patio, kids playing tag, seriously low-​key. People may or may not be wearing shoes inside. Like I said, very Ojai. Come for the laid-​back atmosphere and earth-​friendly menu.

Lovely, welcoming, and laid back atmosphere.
Kind staff.
Best Chai I’ve ever had — it’s the real deal, not powder or syrup.
Delicious food that made me feel good, warm, comforted.
I love this gem~

I am a gluten-​free vegan, and found this restaurant and market very charming.
VEGAN FOOD: LOTS of vegan options here, including pastries.
GLUTEN-​FREE FOOD: LOTS of gluten-​free/​vegan options. I ate the veggie burger served in greens instead of bread. It was good, but not thrilling.
SMOOTHIES: I got the Chai On smoothie (coconut milk, chai spices, banana, cashew, date). This sounds magical, but in reality, was not good. My mom and I both ordered one, and both had the same problem: so much chai spice dumped in that I grossed myself out trying to drink it.
GLUTEN-​FREE/​VEGAN DESSERTS/​PASTRIES: This place def tries to accomodate gf/​v. Unfortunately, I couldn’t eat any of the really yummy stuff, e.g., muffins and cookies. I was able to eat a coconut macaroon and almond-​joy candy. Both were decent but not exciting.
All in all this place is adorable and has options, but I did not eat anything incredible. I do regret ordering the burger and not pizza, since the pizza menu seems to be on-​point. I will update my review as I continue through the menu in the future.

AMAZING! That is the only word to describe The Farmer and The Cook. Their smoothies are delicious and their dishes are creative! I love the fresh and local ingredients!
I had the huarache. The thick corn tortilla was so tasty and flavorful! It added the perfect texture to the potatoes and veggies.
The green smoothie was also delicious and not too sweet! I would definitely order it again.
Overall, The Farmer and The Cook is a gem in Ojai! It is a great casual spot to stop at for a tasty snack, drink, or meal.

A cute, hip, casual and sprawling affair. Healthy farm to table café and grocery. Young, cool and friendly staff. You order at the counter, take a number, sit inside or outside and the waitstaff brings the food to your table. We arrived around 10am on a Saturday, before the rush apparently, and it was pretty quiet. Locals bring their dogs and babies.
Amidst Mexican and hearty new American cuisine there were some solid healthy vegan options which is what I’m after. Decadent gluten free, vegan and/​or raw desserts in the case, pressed juice, tons of imaginative smoothie options.
I decided on the DIY pay per weight salad bar– I piled spring greens, a marinated kale/​onions/​cranberry salad, grilled zucchini, shredded purple cabbage, baked sweet potatoes, quinoa and roasted pepitas onto a plate (or you can do a takeaway box) plus a tahini dressing which totaled around $ 15. Also got the cashew cacao smoothie. The hubs ordered the breakfast burrito with tofu and avocado.
The salad was yummy. Fresh, clean and satisfying. The vegan dressing option was good, a bit too sweet and not quite savory enough, but good. The smoothie was stellar. Rich, creamy and dessert-​like. My husband reported that his breakfast burrito tasted healthy but rather bland, even with the accompanying salsa, so he ran inside to fetch some hot sauce to liven it up.
We sat outside, which was lovely. Each table is garnished with a salt shaker full of pink Himalayan salt– fancy. The patrons are friendly and chatty. We were a bit uneasy about the flies that were nagging us while we ate. Overall a very pleasant experience, and seemingly a great place for groups and people with conflicting dietary preferences. The smoothie was the standout and for that alone I would come back.

Cute, cute, cute market. Delish food both prepared and sold. The bakery items are incredible. Meant to photo the birdseed cookie, for people of course, and ate it too fast! Trust me, it’s very unique, healthy and vegan.
They had a sign up to help ourselves to an eggplant for our Labor Day BBQ. Thank you, the eggplant was incredible as is the kindness of the staff working at your wonderful market.
Can’t wait to return!

Everyone I met and chatted with in Ojai recommended this place and so I went.
The Farmer & The Cook is interesting because it’s a grocery store/​restaurant. It’s a fast casual restaurant where you give your order at the counter. I came here on a Sunday around…1−2? And it was still super crowded.
I had their fresh corn tamale which had carrots, onions, and topped with cheese. It came with Spanish brown rice and fermented Latin cabbage and pinto beans. I thought the tamale was great being that it was a vegetarian option and without the aid of heavy flavors. It tasted really clean and was helped along with a healthy dose of hot sauce. I also had bites of the burrito which had a filling of beans, rice, grilled onions, peppers, fermented cabby, and cheese. I would definitely order this next time because it was hearty and flavorful.
On a whole, i immensely enjoyed my dining experience here because it captured everything that Ojai is about: untapped by commercialism, clean eating, the appreciation of dining al fresco, and just a good, positive vibe that should be carried back to LA. These qualities alone warrant the 4 stars.

Yes it’s the epitome of Ojai California. Vegan, raw and vegetarian. The menu consists of raw tacos, smoothies and juices. A great example is the farmers plate, a bowl of beams topped with jack cheese or cashew cheese (vegan) with 2 corn tortillas. If I had not just had lunch I would have loved to have gotten something healthy.
The Have BULK nuts. Produce and a salad bar. The reason we stopped was to get some of the famous hot sauce. It’s really good, worth stopping just to pick up some of that.
The bathroom is clean, but why those 2 were they in the bathroom together in the first place is beyond me. On the high side they have a baby changing table in the bathroom.