Tiffany Betts, left, and Gail Doherty preparing meals for customers who showed up minutes after Wednesday’s opening. (Click to enlarge)
The much-anticipated return to Red Bank of vegan restaurateurs Gail Doherty and Tiffany Betts is complete.
Months later than they’d hoped, the pair quietly opened the doors to their new eatery, Good Karma Café, at 4p Wednesday, and quickly found themselves hustling up orders for a half-dozen hungry customers.
Betts and Doherty, who ran the once highly lauded Down to Earth Café in a basement on Broad Street, had hoped to open two months ago. But the process of getting municipal permits and OKs from safety inspectors for the tiny space at 17 East Front Street — most recently home to the Red Bank Visitors Center — took longer than expected.
“Let’s just say they keep the town nice and safe,” Doherty told redbankgreen with a laugh.
Good Karma carries a meat-free menu that features a wide range of ethnic influences, including Mexican, Indian and Thai. And this being pizza-crazy Red Bank, there’s a “live pizza,” described on the menu as “our house made raw crackers topped with sun dried tomato marinara, cashew nut cheese, marinated dark greens and shredded zucchini. Topped off with walnut sprinkle cheese.”
In addition to the appetizers, soups, entrees (priced $11 to $14) and desserts shown in the online menu, there’s a kids’ menu offering items such as almond butter and jelly sandwiches, baked tofu strips with ketchup, and a quesadilla smeared with peanut butter and mashed banana.
Hooray!
Wow!! what a meal simply great so glad to your in town.
Good luck again ladies.
All should have known it takes a little longer to open a business in red bank than any other town in the USA!
Love your logo on the outside wall of your store.
Congrats on opening! I can’t wait to try your food!! But, I’m also disappointed already with your pricing. Instead of being affordable, you’re extremely overpriced. Look at the picture above: $3 vegan cookies. A $15 veggie burger with cheese. A $14 tofu burrito.
Now before people call me out for being cheap, compared to similar establishments (Kaya’s Kitchen in Belmar, Twisted Tree in Asbury Park), Good Karma is overpriced.
I do wish you the best of luck, and I look forward to your cuisine, but I just wish you were more affordable (especially in this economy).
It is really too bad that the Red Bank Borough doesn’t even attempt to encourage, assist any new business that attempts to open in town. When a few people get together and decide to open a business at first there is excitement.
Then they come up with a business plan and they are still ready to go and then……………You have to deal with Red Bank Borough, the zoning fees, fire fees of course Parking slush fund fee and others. And if that doesn’t discourage you then you
get to wait to be heard by the zoning.
It really seems that Red Bank doesn’t
want new businesses. They really better get their act together and support, encourage any new business that attempts to open.
I drive by the cafe daily and am happy to see that these two girls perserverd.
They did not give up. For that I thank you two, one less vacancy to be added to the long list.
I was really hoping that they could have had their approvals before the
big Red Bank KABOOM! They could have had a great start of free advertising.
I am sure they could use any free perks.
Red Bank Borough…….Please wake up.
Start helping new businesses. Do you guys ever drive downtown? Do you see
what it looks like? Are you happy with it?
passed the cafe last night at 7pm, and was pleased to see the place was packed with a couple waiting outside. looking forward to trying it out. congrats and best of luck to you!
As a vegetarian, I was so excited to hear this place was coming. Now that they’re here, will I spend ten bucks for a SANDWICH??? The answer: no. I can grab a similar sandwich at Dean’s, down the street, for $3.50 (pre-made) or $6 (made fresh that day). And as Avocado pointed out, sandwiches at Twisted Tree are 8 bucks (priciest menu item: $8.50).
Sorry, Good Karma. Your prices are Bad Karma.
I know quite a few vegetarians and vegans that feel the same way as Laura does. The overpricing is turning away what could have become a large loyal following.
I’m not vegetarian, but I was looking forward to walking over with the kids to try it out. However, I can’t see plunking down $14 for something my kids might well find distasteful (since they weren’t raised on tempeh and nut chesse). The pricing makes it less likely I’ll ever try the place out, and makes it certain I won’t be a regular. But obviously, I’m not their target customer. I wish them well. Any new restaurant that is outside the norm is a plus, whether I go there or not.
Dan - took the wife kids last night and those prices do not reflect their “Kid’s menu” prices which were in the 5 to 8 dollar range - having 4 children I found that quite reasonable -plus we took it out and ate in the park - very nice - But my kid’s haven’t been raised on the GMO McDonald’s 1.25 burger diet - so they are a little more open to eating Good Healthy Foods and lack the chance Obesity or the Possibility of Juvenile Diabetes - But I love my kids and it’s worth it for them to eat Great Healthy Food. (maybe you should love your kids too!)
welcome to the neighborhood! good luck!
wow - I just read the other comments - what a bunch of shallow people - “Turning away?” they have been open for 1 day - we ordered take out because the place was full - and the 10.00 Bar-B-Q tempe sandwich I had was awesome 3 times the size of anything Dean’s serves - whether pre-manufactured off site or not, and as for Twisted Tree their “Tempe” sandwich is closer to 12.00 so why the Hatchet Job? - Just saying the amount of work and sweat and toil these folks have put into to getting this place open, and all you can do is throw Negative BS Karma - pretty sad from where I sit - guess you miss Ashe’s too.
Did anyone try their juice bar yet? Any prices on that? I can’t wait to walk over there & try some.
I Actually Double check - Twisted Tree has 8 sandwiches on the menu (no dinner menu) - they don’t serve Tempeh (at all) and they are not an Organic Vegan Restaurant have Dairy and Fish on the menu - Kaya’s Kitchen is almost Comparable to the costs at Good Karma Cafe - except their entrees cost more - So maybe instead of you “acting” Jealous - you should do some research (I’m sure the menu’s are on the counter in front of you) although I know Omar would never make posting like the ones above - and Wish them “Good Luck” It would seem that the world could use more Organic Vegan Restaurants and less McDonald’s (but my guess is that those of you who have children have no problem feeding them McDonald’s)
Any new place I can walk to will get some initial business from me - I look forward strolling by and grabbing something.
As for the product pricing - of course all establishments here in town have to pay for the “privilege” of doing business in RB and these costs are ultimately passed on to us customers. Let’s face it, in general RB shoppers are not price sensitive, if they were, the town would have far fewer high end shops and far more generic peddlers. The uniqueness that is our town brings with it niche products and services with higher prices. Now, whether or not this is a premium we the public are willing to continue paying depends on the quality, not the mass market.
I wish these ladies the very best of luck!
RiverRat, just a sampling of Twisted Tree’s menu:
Tofu meatball wrap: $8.50, soy chicken salad sandwich: $8.00, hummus sandwich: $8.00, big garden salad: $8.00. And Twisted Tree is the same as Good Karma in that they are both “cafes” serving one menu throughtout lunch & dinner.
And actually, Omar does not charge $15 for a veggie Burger with cheese at Kaya’s.
I’m not throwing negative BS, only stating the obvious. Personally, I’m excited for Good Karma, but I was hoping for a place I could afford 4-5 days a week. At these prices I can’t. If you can afford taking your wife and 4 children there frequently, more power to you.
I’m sure their food is awesomene, and ill be eating it 2-3 a month.
I’ve been looking forward to this opening for a while! Cinnamon Snail for brunch on Sundays, Good Karma for dinner and no dishes/cooking/driving for me…now that’s a virtuous and delicious day of rest!
And by “turning away”, I have spoken with several vegetarians & vegans who have looked at their online menu. And have remarked that they’re disappointed in the pricing and wont be going as often as initially hoping for.
Many, myself included, were hopingfor a great place to get affordable healthy takeout, on a regular basis, after work.
wait you have spoken to “several vegetarians & vegans who have looked at their online menu.” I’ll ask around since I pretty much know every Vegetarian in Red Bank area (been one for 15 years) - for 2 Dollars less your going to drive 15 Miles via Parkway (30 miles round trip to Kaya’s) that’s 2 dollars + will be spent in Fuel cost - so obviously that makes you a fairly un-green person - and as far as Twisted Tree it’s no comparison - they have 8 sandwiches on there menu - aren’t vegan - nor organic and don’t serve tempeh - so you get what you pay for. will ask around about what the “other” vegetarians think - should be easy
Good luck,ladies. We had dinner last nite. GOOD STUFF!!!
Wow, you know every vegetarian in Red Bank, really?
Anyways, for less I’ll continue cooking for myself on weeknights. And on occasion visiting Good Karma, just not on the regular basis I was hoping for.
And please do ask around what your vegetarian “friends” think of the pricing. And let us know what they say, and be honest…
Since folks are airing their complaints about prices owing for a desire to get healthy food locally rather than cook so much, maybe the disappointed parties could hook up for a regular potluck dinner? ‘Cheaper way to do less cooking, try new things and meet some more cool locals.
RiverRat,
Nice. I say I won’t be taking my kids to this restaurant, and you tell me I don’t love my kids.
If the kids menu is cheaper, maybe we’ll give it a shot.
By the way, Type I diabetes, often called “juvenile diabetes,” is an autoimmune disease, and not related to diet.
“cool local and Avocado” is an oxymoronic statement - and yes I’m pretty confident that I know the majority of the Locals - being a native with no “Hidden agenda” it’s amazing how calloused some people can act - Hopefully Avocado, I don’t know you, since I have no desire to ever do so. drive your escalade down to Belmar why don’t you , stop at MickeyD’s along the way and get your kids some “Happy Meals” - maybe the line at “Karma” will be shorted with your “type” not in town - again Best Of Luck to “Good Karma” it’s what Red Bank needs a Vegan Organic Restaurant . (end of message)
I don’t own an escalade. I haven’t eaten “fast food” in over 10 years. And I can’t afford to frequent Good Karma on a regular basis. What exactly do you mean by my “type”? You are the one coming off as arrogant with a “holier than though” complex
oops,, posted under Stiv, but it’s me, Avocado.
(end of message)
u asshats will even argue about this? How about you take a walk or read a book and stop your constant online harping and bickering
I think RiverRat has a point and I seldom agree with them, you came on this board and made negative comments regarding a new restaurant that has been opened for one day? It is pretty calloused, my guess is that “Avocado” hasn’t eaten there and is upset because it isn’t in their price bracket, But to drive down to Belmar from Red Bank to save 2.00 dollars that is ridiculous to me. and does smell of a Hidden Agenda. my husband and I were planning to go on Saturday Night and can’t wait - Good Luck to you all.
Good luck to the women at Good Karma Cafe. Loved Down to Earth, can’t wait to try this place. I own a retail store in Red Bank and went through the same bs from the town in trying to get open. Hey Avocado, I am a vegetarian. Give these nice people a chance. If it’s not for you that’s fine, but why be so negative? Ever heard of the saying if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it. Perhaps you need to look up the word karma to see what it means. Also, I just saw an ad for Taco Bell. They have an $.89 bean & cheese burrito. Maybe you could stop by there every night after work. Good luck ladies! See you soon.
md,
Go back and read what Avocado actually wrote. S/he said s/he was excited to have the cafe open, and plans to visit a couple of times a month, but found the prices too high to make it a frequent stop. And that some other people felt the same way.
In response, s/he’s called “shallow,” “callous,” “negative” and told to go to McDonalds and Taco Bell in her Escalade.
Lighten up, people. Not everyone can regularly squeeze a $10 sandwich into the budget.
And not wanting to spend $15 on a tofu burger doesn’t make me a bad parent.
Good luck it is great to see something new besides a Pizza place!
so glad to see they are open. can’t wait to go. this type of food is notoriously expensive. what we are missing here, for some of you, is that it’s “in our backyard”. it accessible and good for you. enjoy!
Hmmmm, maybe they are NOT open. I walked by today, a Friday, around 2PM, and the place was as closed as closed gets. Should have been prime lunch hour, esp. with the RB Sidewalk Sale in full swing. The posted hours are 11:30 to 9, Monday - Saturday. ???
Such a needed addition to this town!! Had dinner opening night & was amazingly delicious! Having organic, healthy & freshly made food is worth the “high” price!! Yumm!
Hey Dan, Did you read Avocodo’s first post? In a nice article about Good Karma Cafe, he/she has to mention competitors? No class at all. As far as you go, I just saw you got reamed in another article for just always having to post, even when it doesn’t involve you in anyway, shape or form (Rumson officials and police unions). I guess some of us just always like to see ourselves in print. Get a hobby.
I just want to say that my boyfriend took me there for dinner last night and it was wonderful, we live in Middletown and usually drive to Belmar, but the food was so good at Good Karma that we will be eating there more often, also it was about 15.00 less at the end of the night, I checked paid 46.00 for the two of us at Good Karma Cafe and the last time we went “Kaya’s” was nearly 58.00 for just the two of us, so I don’t know why that lady was mentioning price, I can’t wait to good there again.
Thanks for the support everyone. Good Karma is built on pure love. We love what we do and we don’t do it for the money ! If that’s all we were after we would be in the wrong business. Organic food cost more money we can’t change that. We are doing are best to keep the prices as low as we can.
Well, thank you for finally opening ladies! Once again, Red Bank had us on the edge of our seats wondering if we would ever see you actually open! Needless to say, I was happy to learn that after this week’s soft opening hours 400pm-930pm that you will be opening earlier for regular hours very soon..11am or 1130am? Either way, looking forward to trying the juice bar next time. Enjoyed my dinner and decided on the Tofu Burrito which was served with blue corn chips and a side of salsa. While I was hoping to see some of the Down to Earth menu faves on Good Karma’s menu, I had to swallow the fact that this is a new and different establishment…Either way, the atmosphere was charming and the waitstaff was friendly and efficient. The dessert was a true surprising delight. Took home the raw key lime pie with strawberries on the side and enjoyed it over the course of two days since it was so filling. Looking forward to enjoying more of your delectable dishes and relaxing atmosphere. While I still miss Down to Earth very much, I am grateful that we have at least one organic restaurant in a town that claims to be a Hip City…Where do we live again?!
So happy that Good Karma is open! The community really needed this for a long time, and I am glad Gail and Tiffany stepped up to the plate. I have been there twice now and the food is awesome. I was delighted with my whole experience there.
Sort of silly that when a vegan restaurant opens in town, the community turns to the internet to hate each other and quarrel online. A waste of time and energy, no?
Anyway, as someone who also serves 100% organic vegan food, I wanted to put in my 2 cents about the pricing.
I have done a bit of traveling in my day, and I have been in third world countries that grow a lot of what ends up on the table in “conventional” food. For you to get a bag of cashews 50 cents cheaper than organic ones, someone’s kids in south India get to grow up with birth defects because Planters Peanuts and Conagra can get away with using DDT in India.
There are whole regions of the world where the environmental and humanitarian impact of “conventional” agriculture is devastating. Families living in poverty and watching their kids get sick, so that restaurants and food manufacturers can get low quality ingredients cheaper, and reap wider profit margins.
It’s not that organic food is all that expensive, but rather that the food most of us are used to is made by largely unethical means. Someone else bears the real cost of non-organic food.
I am willing to pay an extra couple of dollars per meal to know that no one has to grow up deformed or starving or in a factory farm for me to eat something nourishing.
Personally, I think the pricing at Good Karma is very fair for what you get. AND THE FOOD IS AWESOME!
Don’t get mad or anything if you disagree with me. I still love you.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128849908