Good Karma in downtown San Jose offers quality vegan cuisine

By David Wonpu

Located in downtown San Jose on First Street, Good Karma is a vegan deli/cafe with an eye on great-tasting, inexpensive food served in heaping portions.

"The deli business model keeps prices extremely low," said owner Ryan Summers. "We don't have nearly as much overhead as other restaurants."

Most of that overhead involves paying cooks and waiters, something Good Karma doesn't have to worry about because Summers does the majority of the cooking himself.

"I get (to the restaurant) at seven in the morning, seven days a week," he said, though he quickly added that "the staff I do have helps me out tremendously."

Summers became a vegan over a decade ago.

The catalyst which triggered this lifestyle change was, of all things, a wayward chicken sandwich.

"I was just sick for over a week," Summers recalled. "After that, I just decided to make a change in my diet."

Of the food, Summers declares, "I don't serve anything that I don't personally think is delicious."

One of Good Karma's specialties is its variety of hummus, from spicy fire-roasted red pepper to mint. The hummus is always freshly prepared and available for $3 each. They are absolutely fantastic and can be used as a dip for pita chips or a spread on sandwiches.

Summer says that he and his staff each have a favorite flavor and debate their respective merits constantly.

Other standouts include the teriyaki chicken, which is a combination of faux chicken and tofu in a flavorful yet not overpowering sauce.

There is also the Thai curry, which is a masterful rendition of the dish that includes tofu, as well as a sauce well adjusted for curry fiends and novices alike.

The mashed potatoes come in a prodigious, slightly intimidating mountain, and are very likely to be the best one will ever consume.

The same is true of the unbelievably flavorful potato salad, which is a recipe belonging to the owner's mother.

All entrees are available in one- to three-item combination plates, with rice or salad included, which range from $4.50 to $6.50, or in a sandwich or wrap for $6.

They are also available in to-go tubs for $4 and $6. They are sized such that a single $4 tub is all one person needs for a satisfying meal.

Good Karma also offers fantastic finger foods.

The large vegan pork bun is loaded with flavorful vegetables and tofu for $2 each, and the chicken skewers are fried faux chicken drumsticks for $1 each. The skewers are almost too good to be true, delicious and incredibly chicken-like in texture.

In addition to the delicious, inexpensive food, Good Karma also offers acoustic performances every Thursday, as well as an art showing which draws customers every first Friday of the month.

The deli also offers its patrons free Wi-Fi internet.

"I really wanted a place where people could just hang out," Summers said. "I want people to feel comfortable here."

Good Karma offers delicious eats at college-friendly prices, and one certainly needs not be vegan to appreciate that ethic.

"Honestly," Summers said during a cigarette break, "a lot of people who aren't vegan get hooked on the food, too."

As he put his cigarette out and turned to head back into the restaurant, he added, "Now, if only I could stop smoking."

Contact David Wonpu at (408) 551-1918 or dwonpu@scu.edu.