Restaurants??

[*veggie4life*]

Any one know of any restaurants that actually provide veg*n options and/or offer a lot of foods suitable for veg*ns?? My family is the type to go out a lot but I usually end up having to get just a salad or sides or a meat free appetizer if they have one. Or else I just ask them to not put meat in it. I know at some restaurants you can specifically ask for something for them make up specially for you but I would like to know if there is a restaurant out there that actually has foods made for veg*ns.

Thanks!

[karenlovessnow]

If you do a google search for "Vegetarian Restaurants in Pennsylvania" you may be able to find something in your area.

Here's one, for example, but I don't know if any of them are near enough to where you live:

http://www.vegetarianusa.com/city/Pennsylvania.html

[danakscully64]

www.happycow.net

For PA: http://www.happycow.net/north_america/usa/pennsylvania/index.html

I know, salads, baked potatoes, fries and other unhealthy sides get old fast!

Update: Just to clarify, I'm not saying that salad and baked potatoes are unhealthy (although they can be). I was talking about the fries and "other" when using the word unhealthy. Other meaning onion rings, fried zucchini, cheese sticks, and other fried foods.

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

Baked potatos and salads are rather healthy sides actually...

That said, GO ETHINC!!

Most Indian, Thai or Vietnamese places will easily accomodate a vegetarian and usually have a section of the menu with vegetarian dishes listed. (Ask about fish sauce in the Thai or Viet curries, or chicken broth in Chinese foods).

Mongolian Grill-type restaurants have a whole selection of vegetarian options and will make sure the grill is wiped down before doing your order. (If they don't, make sure to mention that you want your order cooked on a clean space on the grill if that matters to you).

Most sushi places have several vegetable sushi's, as well as seaweed salads, miso soup and edamame.


Italian usually is a good bet as well. If the pasta is "fresh made" it may have eggs (are you vegan or vegetarian?). But there's still usually other items - no-cheese pizzas or bruschettas, salads, etc.

Mexican places can be good. Ask about lard in the beans. Bean tacos, burritos, enchiladas, stuffed sopapillas, veggie faitas - all good.

A couple other points:
1.) If you know where your family is headed, call ahead and ASK. Then you will have a better idea what to order or sometimes the chef will make something special. (Or at least look them up online.)

2.) Remember you can't expect your omni family to cater to you and go to an all-vegetarian place every time they go out. You are the minority. If this is your family's lifestyle and you want to socialize with them, get used to it and learn how to work with the menus at different restaurnats.

3.) Why do people here complain that they couldn't find a veg*n appetizer, entree, bread, soup, salad, and dessert?
We don't usually eat that way at home. (at least I don't). Be happy if you DO find a salad, appetizer and or/ entree that you can eat. That's probably still a LOT of food and more than you might eat if you made yourself dinner at home.

4.) Going out to eat is not always about the food! It's about the time spent with family - relaxing and talking and enjoying each other's company. Eat before you go if you feel you really will die of starvation (you won't) and just order a fancy drink and enjoy being with people who love you. That in itself is WAY WAY WAY more than many people have.

[danakscully64]

No, the baked potato and salad are not what I was talking about. The unhealthy sides are the fries and "other" I didn't list (example, onion rings, fried zucchini, etc).

[sally429]

You could also go to the United States forum and ask people in the Pennsylvania thread.

[danakscully64]

I definately think it's important to be optimistic when ordering at a restaurant, even if they're not vegetarian friendly. I learned this from other's on the VB's. I definately think your family should take your diet into consideration when picking a spot (not every time, but compromising is always good).

My family goes out to lunch every friday and sometimes we get into it about the spot. Not because of me, but if I say the only thing for me to have there is a dinner salad, they freak out on me and say I'm picky, even though I have a list of 13 omni restaurants that THEY turned down. We're learning to compromise now (or I just don't go). It's gotten pretty ridiculous... "Heather, why aren't you ordering anything?" "We had this discussion when picking the location." "Oh, I thought you were exaggerating when you said they had nothing." :furious: :evil: :sign: :brood: (Sorry, I just love these icons!)

I also recommend getting creative with items a restaurant serves. Sometimes I add things to my salad at work like sauteed mushrooms, grilled onions, fresh tomato, olives, etc.

Worse case, eat before you go out and just get a dessert or drink. :)

[*veggie4life*]

Thanks for your help everyone!


You could also go to the United States forum and ask people in the Pennsylvania thread.

Yea I forgot about that. I'm still rather new...

Doing a google search I found some restaurants so I will hopefully try them sometime!

[Fenguin]

You just have to look around and take some chances. I prefer going to good restaurants that serve vegetarian dishes to vegetarian restaurants that may or may not serve good dishes. With some notable exceptions it seems like most 'vegetarian' restaurants I've been to don't seem to place an emphasis on the cuisine.

[sally429]

You just have to look around and take some chances. I prefer going to good restaurants that serve vegetarian dishes to vegetarian restaurants that may or may not serve good dishes. With some notable exceptions it seems like most 'vegetarian' restaurants I've been to don't seem to place an emphasis on the cuisine.

I've had similar experiences with Veg*an restaurants

[TabbyR]

I agree, it's trial and error. Like tonight I went to Ihop and asked if they had vegetarian meat options because I was craving a burger. She said nothing vegetarian was there. Well, I was there so had to look for alternatives and found a "Vegetarian Black Bean" burrito. Good thing I'm lacto-ovo for now because it was packed with eggs and cheese, but the point was that I adjusted around the restaurant. I may not have got a burger but I still got a veggie meal. :)

[danakscully64]

IHop has good chocolate chip pancakes! Yum!