Plant-based restaurant serving food with Mid-West-meets-California flair. House specialties include Nashville hot shrooms, cast iron mac and cheese, cashew mozzarella, and different flavors of pizza. Also has a separate brunch menu with dishes like French toast, frittata, and chocolate tart. Relocated from 2949 Fifth Ave. Open Mon 5:00pm-9:00pm, Wed-Sun 11:00am-3:00pm, 5:00pm-9:00pm. Closed Tue.
-
2611 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, California, USA, 92104
-
Loading...
- Delivery
-
- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
-
-
Last update on 26 Jan 2025 by DonnaJeanSD
Update business info -
Added by westcornersville on 23 Feb 2017
-
-
247 Reviews
First Review by Mike Weinberg
AminOsama
Points +38
Amazing lasagna - Edit
I had the Harissa Cauliflower and the Lasagna, both were delicious. It was expensive, but worth it.
Read moreGuest
mallow
Points +412
Luxurious feeling - Edit
Good, kinda pricey but it comes with excellent service and elevated food so it’s worth it!
Read moreGuest
.Jlo
Points +40
Great food, ambience 🎉 - Edit
The ambience was very sweet, outside dining that felt very soothing and lovely. The food was delicious, nutritious, and the pizza was amazing. My first time eating here, will come back.
Read morePros: Good service , Pizza delicious 🤤 , Outside dinning beautiful
Guest
cwl666
Points +1438
(Was?) One the best to do it - Edit
My non veg family loves this place maybe more than I do!! First time we came we ended up sharing another bowl of spaghetti instead of dessert but have had dessert now a number of times and those are great too. Almost everything is made in house. Everything has been delicious. Staff are all great. It’s super dog friendly. A lot of carbs if you’re not into that but other than that should please everybody.
Read more**hopefully just an off day and I know they sometimes understaffed buttt food and service wasn’t as good last visit.. things I’d had before weren’t as good as remember and new dishes good but not great, and our server angel was an angel but they cramped 4 of us to small table while a big one sat unused next to us for our entire 1.5 hour meal.. guess holding for later reservation but should have welcomed to use until then as was clearly possible
Updated from previous review on 2021-03-01
Guest
ErinPetschke
Points +463
😍 - Edit
Wow, I loved this place. I came here for brunch with my vegan partner and two non vegan friends and everyone loved it and we plan on returning for dinner next time we're in SD. I love that everything is scratch made, seasonal, and they are transparent about the local farms they support and source ingredients from. My partner and I split The Widow pizza and the Spanish omelet. Everything was so delicious, I couldn't get over the smoky lentils and the sweet and spicy pizza.
Read morePros: Everything, Cute atmosphere , Locally sourced
Guest
veganqueenofqueensnyc
Points +1324
There Were Leftovers - Edit
The trip from L.A. to San Diego was easy-peasy. Negotiating subsequent travel arrangements for the coming days proved to be an almost 2-hour exercise in frustrating back-and-forth conversations, but ultimately, I won. Yeay me. Still, at that point, I was tired, and after not having had a proper meal all day, I was hungry, and it would be getting dark soon. So, immediately after getting settled into my accommodations, I hopped here on HC to see what was available and opted for Donna Jean. So glad I did. Funny, how one tends to crave a little comfort food when mentally and physically exhausted. Donna Jean delivered just what I wanted, but also what I needed, as the salad dressing on my salad - OIL FREE; the vegan cheese on my pizza: house made - from white beans; the pizza itself, with a crust that is almost paper thin (I like it like that!) OK, yes there was dessert too, but there were also leftovers. And I may just "find my way" back here for their brunch this weekend. 😋
Read morePros: Comfort(ing) Yet Healthful Food , Gracious and Attentive Staff, Indoor/Outdoor Seating/Nice Ambiance
Walktell
Wow not familiar with cheese made from white beans! Sounds yummy!!
Read moreveganqueenofqueensnyc
@Walktell neither was I before eating here....it was DEE-lish!
Read moreGuest
mohanaholloway
Points +1436
brunch!!!!! - Edit
most people probably wouldn’t think to go here for brunch, but the pancakes were unreal!!!!!!!!! tip: get the coconut topping
Read moreGuest
rankma25
Points +138
Donna Jean - Edit
Pizza (great), bolognese pasta, ceaser salad (great), homemade bread with garlic butter (Amazing!)
Read moreGuest
KokoChacon
Points +26
Decent but overrated - Edit
We had the fried mushrooms, pizza and pasta. Everything was good but not amazing. Definitely over priced. Good place to try if you’re in the area but as a vegan of 9 years I don’t think I’ll come back. Favorite was the pizza with dipping sauces. I have nothing bad to say about the pizza, it was really good. Just didn’t blow me away and for the price and hype my expectations were high.
Read moreGuest
RachaelG
Points +20
Great meal and atmosphere - Edit
Atmosphere and service were top notch.
Read moreThis place seems wonderful as long as you know what to order. I got the fried oyster mushroom app, mushroom pizza, and lasagna. I was most excited about the mushroom app, but it was way too oily (straight soaking in oil) and I couldn’t eat it. The mushroom pizza was delicious, but needed a crispier crust (had to be eaten with a fork and knife). The ranch was very good but didn’t taste like ranch at all. The lasagna was absolute perfection. Seriously, the most delicious lasagna I’ve ever had. Could not recommend more highly with that dish!
Guest
RafaelFontes
Points +95
Ultimate Vegan Experiy in Bankers Hill SD - Edit
From the plants to the ingredients, to the food, you can taste the passion served here. A solid wine/beer selection accompanies the expansive menu of delectable and savory adventures awaiting all who enter this garden of goodness.
Read morePros: Environment, Quality of ingredients , Everything on the menu
Cons: Limited hours , Parking, Limited outdoor seating
Guest
Banangela97
Points +2795
Great! - Edit
Such a pretty place and nice service!
Read morePros: All vegan, Cute date
Guest
NicoleParks
Points +2597
absolutely incredible - Edit
i was SO blown away, everything i tried was completely delicious. their house made vegan cheese is really really creamy and tasty. the house bread with pesto, cast iron mac and cheese, #1 crush pizza, lasagna, and fungazi pizza were SO good i can’t stop thinking about them
Read moreGuest
QuisVaughn
Points +593
Great Brunch & THE BEST Pizza! - Edit
I've been going to Donna Jean for a few years now. The brunch is killer, and the widow pizza is in the top 3 of THE BEST pizzas I've ever had in this life! I always start with their house bread and garlic butter crust dip paired with the sensationally battered Hot mushrooms & pickles.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2020-08-28
Pros: Widow Pizza, Hot Shrooms, Garlic Butter
Guest
kcolb203
Points +143
Delicious pizza - Edit
We were impressed with their mushroom pizza, the Fungazi, and their Salad Days salad. Also the hot shrooms were amazing. The atmosphere is very cute. We sat outside on the patio. The staff is also very friendly and has quick service.
Read moreGuest
EliyahAvrutin
Points +120
Overrated - Edit
We came hungry and ordered 4 dishes: mcncheese, fried mushrooms, pizza and the salad. Non of them was outstanding. Mushroom dish was given no love just a bunch thrown into the fryer, pizza barely had any cheese and their red sauce reminds of rotten tomatoes, mcncheese was over cooked yet watery. Salad was actually flavorful. Have no idea what the hype is about. Dish presentation is fast food style,
Read moreIndoors feels like a barn, dirty bathrooms with no soap. You can enjoy this if you’re not picky, but far from 5 star caliber.
Guest
CuddlyKitten
Points +284
Relaxing & Savory - Edit
The experience here was not unpleasant at all. In fact, it was paradisiacal! All of the staff were warm and friendly, and the surrounding patrons were obviously as happy and relaxed as I was (I chose to sit outside, though I am sure indoors is nice too) . The decor and vibe and victuals were ideal!
Read moreI had the main salad and then a pizza. I don’t recall the exact names of either, just that each was obviously the result of a labor of love. The pizza was both crispy yet creamy, and the herbal basil topping was exquisite.
The cabernet went perfectly with it all.
Pros: Food, Decor, Service
Guest
avokari
Points +206
Phenomenal Italian dining! - Edit
This place definitely exceeded my expectations ! Quality food, kind and friendly staff. I ordered a pizza and my partner ordered the lasagna, both were incredible. We returned for brunch and loved it just as much! We would've tasted the entire menu if we could. This was definitely our favorite restaurant during our trip to San Diego and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for delicious, authentic Italian plant-based cuisine. You can't go wrong with Donna Jean.
Read morePros: Delicious meals, Nice decor , Friendly staff
Guest
Paigecs
Points +659
One of the best vegan restaurants in the country - Edit
Stopped in at this verdant, birdsong filled restaurant two mornings in a row on a San Diego trip. In total, I was able to try the French toast, chicken fried shrooms, widow pizza, and breakfast in bread. Hard to say which was the best—I recommend you try as many as possible. The cheeses are made in house, the employees are knowledgeable, and the overall experience is polished.
Read moreThe only sour note of the experience was a footnote in the menu that lets you know a surcharge will fund health insurance for the employees, and you can opt out if you wish.
Guest
andrewthebaker
Points +77
Local, seasonal food whipped up with all-natural love - Edit
My girl and I were in S.D. for the weekend and had to stop by this gem that we’ve heard so much about. Walking in, you’re immediately greeted with planters full of fruiting plants, a killer playlist of fusion flavor, and the friendliest of staff. My girl and I ordered the Thunderkiss ‘65 pizza (the perfect ‘light’ choice), the chicken fried shrooms (which was better than any real fried chicken I’ve ever tasted), a seasonal kombucha and a fresh-squeezed orange juice. Everything was lovely and I wish I could have spent more time here. Genuinely just a pleasant experience in every regard.
Read morePros: The flavor and quality of the food , The inviting atmosphere, The price
Cons: Small dining area so make a reservation!
Guest
KrishnaNayak
Points +120
Excellent, but small portions. - Edit
Quality, flavor, and service were outstanding. The cast iron max and cheese was perfect (and my favorite!). Cesar salad was also great. The lasagna eggplant was very creamy and tasty, but I found the portion size to be small. We also enjoyed two pizzas. Again delicious, but the portion sizes felt small. The only reason I’m giving less than 5 stars is the small portion sizes.
Read moreGuest
EliFields
Points +34
Always phenomenal - Edit
Love this place for lunch and dinner. The brunch is also awesome. Make sure to try and make a reservation. They are often busy but the wait is never too too long. The pizzas are my favorite. The drink here are delicious too. The food is both unique but not to complicated. Very delicious.
Read morePros: Pizzas , Desserts , Patio seating
Guest
FabricioPassos17
Points +50
Surpreendente! - Edit
Bebidas e entradas muito boas, pratos principais adequados.
Read morePros: Bebidas, Entradas
Cons: Pratos principais
Guest
Kaseyfrench
Points +329
Pizza Perfection - Edit
So many choices, all creative and delicious. Great little patio and ambience too!
Read morePros: Many options, Creative menu , Ambience
Guest
Gaijingeorge
Points +502
Vegan Paradise in San Diego! - Edit
Visited San Diego and fell in LOVE with Donna Jean! I went with a group for brunch so we were able to swap and share dishes, I ordered the “really good salad” (10/10) my mates had the “hot shrooms,” “caesar salad” and “biscuits and gravy” every dish we had was incredible and I ended up polishing up my friends leftover hot shrooms - looked like fried chicken and tasted so delicious! The food was very reasonably priced for the portion sizes so our food total came out to $57 but we also each enjoyed a drink (I had their mimosa wirh farm fresh orange juice 10/10) so our bill was around $180 inclusive of tip! Well worth it for the food, drinks, service and ambiance! Wish I lived in San Diego and could frequent this restaurant 🤎
Read morePros: Food and beverage options, Beautiful ambiance (we saw a hummingbird), Lovely staff/service
Guest
LucieDoughty
Points +100
Cozy spot for some great food - Edit
I had taken a vegan cheese making class here and wanted to come back and try dinner.
Read moreThe pasta was out of this world! We also tried the salad and beet hummus - wonderful
Service was great, a very friendly and welcoming place.
Would recommend.
Pros: Service, Food, Atmosphere
Guest
lilylil!
Points +545
really good - Edit
The food is reaaally good : you’ll be wanting more! The place is super cute, clean, and although you’re next to the road, thanks to the bushes and fence it doesn’t feel like it. But, the service was really slow, and the prices are high! The do not have a lot of dishes, especially pastas (like 3), although it’s an italian place, BUT, the brocoli pastas that i had were truly delicious. The pizzas were really good too, the crust is really thin but real tasty.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-07-31
Pros: 100% vegan , pretty place , delicious
Cons: expensive , slow service
Guest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business
See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 0 times.