You’re walking down Thalia Street, the salt air is thick, and honestly, you're probably starving after a surf or a long walk on the sand. If you’ve spent any time in Laguna, you know the drill—everything is expensive, everything is shiny, and everything feels just a little bit curated for a postcard. Then there is The Stand Laguna Beach. It’s this tiny, weathered wooden shack that looks like it hasn't changed since the 1970s because, well, it hasn't. It is a time capsule.
While the rest of the world obsessed over keto and then paleo and then whatever TikTok trend came next, The Stand just kept serving plant-based food without making a big deal out of it. It’s been 100% vegan since 1975. That’s decades before "plant-based" became a marketing buzzword.
The Reality of Eating at The Stand Laguna Beach
Don’t come here expecting a white tablecloth or a waiter who knows your name. You’re going to stand on a sidewalk. You’re going to order through a window. You’re probably going to wait a bit because they make things to order and the kitchen is roughly the size of a walk-in closet. But that’s the charm. It’s located at 1332 South Coast Highway, tucked away just enough that if you aren't looking for it, you might drive right past the best veggie burger of your life.
The menu is a literal wall of text. It’s handwritten, slightly chaotic, and covers everything from "The Standard" pita to tamales that people travel miles for.
Most people get it wrong when they think vegan food has to be "fake meat." The Stand doesn't do that. They use real vegetables, sprouts, seeds, and nuts. It’s dense. It’s filling. It’s the kind of food that makes you feel like you could hike a mountain afterward rather than needing a three-hour nap.
What to actually order when you get to the window
If it’s your first time, the pressure at the window is real. People are waiting behind you. You’re squinting at the sun. Just get the Standard. It’s a whole-wheat pita stuffed with hummus, alfalfa sprouts, tomatoes, and their signature dressing. It sounds simple. It is simple. But the proportions are what make it.
- The Hummus: It’s thick, nutty, and serves as the structural integrity of the sandwich.
- The Sprouts: They don't skimp. You’re getting a forest of greens in there.
- The Dressing: This is the secret sauce. Don't ask for it on the side. Just let them do their thing.
Maybe you aren't a pita person. Fine. The tamales are legendary for a reason. They are corn-husk wrapped bundles of actual flavor, usually served with a side of beans and salsa that actually has a kick. It’s not "Laguna spicy," which usually means "mild." It’s real.
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Why The Stand Laguna Beach has survived the gentrification of Orange County
Laguna Beach has changed. A lot. We’ve seen local favorites close down to make room for high-end boutiques and "concept" restaurants that last two years and then vanish. The Stand stays because it doesn't try to be anything else. It is owned by Edward "Ed" Jones, a guy who has become a local fixture for his commitment to the philosophy of the place.
There’s no indoor seating. You sit on a bench. You might end up sharing that bench with a billionaire in a designer tracksuit or a kid who just finished a shift at a local shop. It’s the great equalizer of the South Coast Highway.
The food is also remarkably consistent. I’ve talked to people who ate here in 1985 and say the "Guacamole Delight" tastes exactly the same today. That kind of reliability is rare. In a world of "disruption" and constant rebranding, The Stand is a rock.
The "Secret" Menu and Customizations
Technically, everything is customizable, but the regulars know how to tweak things.
- Add sunflower seeds to almost any sandwich for that extra crunch.
- The Smoothies: They are made with real fruit. No syrups. If you want it sweeter, ask for extra dates.
- The Soft Serve: It’s dairy-free, obviously. Usually, it’s a fruit-based blend like banana or strawberry. On a hot July afternoon, it is basically a requirement for survival.
The soft-serve isn't like the creamy, chemical-filled stuff from a fast-food chain. It’s icy, refreshing, and tastes like the fruit it actually came from. It’s a bit of a shock if you’re used to processed sugar, but once you adjust, you can’t go back.
Addressing the "Wait Time" Critics
If you check Yelp or Google reviews, the one complaint you see is about the wait. "I waited 20 minutes for a sandwich!" Yeah, you did. Because they are chopping the vegetables and mashing the avocado right now.
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This isn't fast food. It’s "slow food" served through a window. If you’re in a rush to get to a meeting or catch a flight, maybe skip it. But if you’re on "Laguna time," the wait is part of the experience. You stand there, you smell the ocean, you watch the traffic go by, and you realize that maybe waiting 15 minutes for a healthy meal isn't the end of the world.
The Nutritional Side of Things
We should talk about the "health" aspect. A lot of people assume vegan equals low-calorie. That’s not necessarily true at The Stand Laguna Beach. These portions are massive. The nut-based dressings and avocado-heavy dishes are calorie-dense. It’s fuel. It’s designed for people who are active—surfers, hikers, people living a coastal lifestyle.
But it’s good calories. No cholesterol. High fiber. Everything is organic whenever possible. It’s the kind of food that clears your head.
A Legacy of Sustainability Before it was Cool
Long before California started banning plastic straws, The Stand was using compostable packaging and focusing on a low-impact footprint. They’ve always been ahead of the curve, not because they wanted to win an award, but because it aligned with the owner's ethics.
There’s something deeply authentic about a business that sticks to its guns for fifty years. They’ve faced challenges—rising rents, the pandemic, the general difficulty of running a small business in a high-rent district. Yet, the window stays open.
Parking: The Ultimate Challenge
Let’s be real for a second. Parking near The Stand sucks. It’s on the PCH. There are a few spots, but they are almost always full.
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Pro Tip: Park a few blocks away in the residential areas (check the signs for permits!) and walk over. Or better yet, take the free Laguna Beach trolley. It stops nearby, and it saves you the headache of circling the block six times while your hunger levels reach "angry" status.
Why You Should Care
You should care about The Stand because it represents the soul of Laguna Beach. It’s a reminder of the town’s bohemian roots—the artists, the surfers, and the seekers who moved here before it became a hotspot for luxury real estate. When you buy a sandwich here, you aren't just getting lunch. You’re supporting a piece of local history.
It’s also just damn good food.
In 2026, we’re surrounded by AI-generated menus and corporate chains that pretend to be "local." The Stand is the opposite of that. It’s messy, it’s cramped, it’s a little bit loud, and it’s perfect.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
- Check the hours: They generally close around 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM depending on the season. This is a lunch and early dinner spot, not a late-night haunt.
- Bring a friend: The portions are big enough to share if you aren't starving. Split a pita and a tamale to get the best of both worlds.
- The Cash Situation: They take cards now, but having some cash is always a nice gesture for the tip jar. The staff works hard in a very small space.
- Take it to go: While the benches are fine, the best way to eat The Stand is to walk across the street, find a spot on the cliffs, and watch the waves while you eat. Just watch out for the seagulls—they know the menu as well as the locals do.
The next time you’re in South OC, skip the trendy "bistro" with the $25 avocado toast. Go to the wooden shack. Get the sprouts. Get the dressing. Experience The Stand Laguna Beach for what it is: an unapologetic, plant-based institution that has outlasted every trend thrown its way.
Actionable Next Steps
- Map it out: Save 1332 S Coast Hwy in your GPS so you don't miss the turn.
- Download the Trolley App: Use the "Laguna Beach Trolley" app to track the free shuttle so you don't have to deal with PCH parking.
- Go early: Aim for 11:30 AM to beat the mid-day rush and ensure they haven't run out of the daily tamale special.
- Prepare for the weather: You’ll be standing outside to order. Bring a hat or some sunscreen if it’s a typical California day.