My favorite thing about Hugo’s Restaurant is the huge selection of vegan options.  For an omnivorous restaurant, they certainly cater to vegans.  Even a lot of their non-vegan menu items can be made vegan.  Another great thing about Hugo’s is their monthly specials.  This trip to Hugo’s was no exception.

I was in the mood for pancakes one sunny afternoon in December, but didn’t know where to go.  I knew I wasn’t in the mood for any of the pancakes served at the infamous vegan thai places in LA and most other restaurants serving vegan breakfast foods weren’t cooking them this late in the day.  Luckily Hugo’s serves breakfast items until 4pm.  I ordered a December special: Orange Cranberry Pancakes.  This consisted of three fluffy pancakes infused with almond, orange, ginger & cranberries and topped with toasted slivered almonds and organic powdered sugar. Also served with a chunky agave sweetened ginger-orange cranberry compote.  I love how nice and thick Hugo’s can make their pancakes without leaving the center of the pancake mushy and uncooked.  The pancakes were delicious and very filling.  I wasn’t too thrilled with the compote, though.  I’m a girl who loves her pancakes covered in maple syrup and I thought the agave in the compote clashed with the flavor of the maple syrup.

Orange Cranberry Pancakes – $11.50

My vegan guy (not into the sweet stuff) got a veggie burger.  The Hugo’s veggie burger comes with onion, lettuce, tomato and Vegenaise.  It is served with a choice of crispy fries, house made potato chips, house salad or caesar salad. You can also choose three additional toppings.  My vegan guy opted for sauteed mushrooms, avocado, and ranch (on the side) and a side of fries.  I had a bite and thought it was wonderful (especially to curb the sweetness of my pancakes).  My vegan guy thought he’d had better veggie burgers on prior visits to Hugo’s.  Maybe there was a new cook?  The one thing we both agreed on was the ranch.  We thought it was too runny.  It barely stayed on the burger.  It was definitely more of a dressing for a salad (if that) than a spread for a burger.

Veggie Burger with sauteed mushrooms, avocado, and ranch – $12.50

All in all, though, Hugo’s Restaurant is a must visit for those who don’t mind eating at an omnivorous restaurant.  You can check out their monthly specials and recurring items on their menu (vegan and vegan-options are clearly marked).  You can choose from their two locations: each with a small parking lot adjacent to the building.

Hugo’s Restaurant West Hollywood
8401 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 654-3993

Hugo’s Restaurant Studio City
12851 Riverside Dr
Studio City, CA 91607
(818) 761-8985