Here are reviews of restaurants around Los Angeles that have good vegetarian options. They are listed in roughly increasing radius from Caltech.
Pita Pita
927 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. (626)
356-0106
Truthfully I haven't investigated much of the menu because Their
falafel is the best I've had, and I order it every time I go there. At
$3.95 their falafel wrap is a steal. The veggie combo plate is good
too, though large enough to feed you and your neighbor as well.
Orean Health Express
817 N. Lake Ave. Pasadena
(626) 794-0861
Only in southern California can one find a vegetarian drive-thru. The
food is by no means gourmet, but it is good for fast food and an
enjoyable mess to eat. (They don't use dairy products, but I'm not
sure that their cheese is vegan.)
Happy Family
608 N. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park. (626)
282-8986
Vegetarian Chinese food in Monterey Park. Pretty good overall,
though some dishes were better than others (My favorites were all
deep-fried). They're big into the fake-meat meat thing, fake fish,
fake squid, fake chicken, fake pork... I reccomend ordering the
all-you-can-eat, a great way to try a bunch of different dishes,
especially if there are many of you.
California Vegan
7300 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. 323-874-9079
Probably my favorite restaurant in LA, California Vegan features a
menu of traditional Thai dishes with various meat substitutes (tofu,
seitan, soy chicken, and soy fish) and some American cuisine as well,
which I've never actually tried. I particularly recommend the tropical
iced tea and the spicy eggplant. The spring roll, miso soup, and salad
with peanut dressing make the lunch or dinner specials well worth it.
On the subject of restaurants in LA you might want to check out Vegetarians in Paradise a Los Angeles internet magazine that has many veggie restaurant listings and reviews.