Need some trip suggestions

[Binary Dragon]

In about a month, I'm heading to a conference with a large group of people (10 or so). The conference is in a college town, so I have that going for me, but it's also in Texas, which tends to mean that everything comes with cow. Normally, I'd find myself a Chipotle and get myself food that way, but this is a bit different, partly because I'll be gone for 4 days (and Chipotle times 12 meals in a row equals no fun), and partly because the group will be eating out almost every meal, and I'll be lucky to get enough influence to make more than one of the meals at a vegan friendly place. I can probably get out of having to go to steak houses, but that's more or less the extent I'll be able to veto 10 other people.

And now, if this weren't all daunting enough for a new vegan, I also want to make sure that I don't at any point give anyone the impression, no matter how minute, that being a vegan is "hard" or that "I'm depriving myself." So that means that solutions need to not only allow me to "get by,' but they also have to look like I'm eating what I want, when I want, wherever I am.

So, with all this, what should I bring with me, and where can I go and get a decent meal? I'm already planning on an assortment of clif bars and canned pineapple for snacks, but I'm not sure what else. Also, what do I do when they invariably want to get pizza? Does anyone know which chains (if any) have pizza that can be made vegan my not having the cheese (no unvegan sugar in the dough or sauce)? Any chains that have something good vegan, but don't sound like I am wanting to go there because of the vegan option? Please, fire your suggestions away, I need them all.

[MrFalafel]

If you provide the name of the town we can provide specific suggestions.

[Shifu]

I don't live in Texas so I don't think I can help you much there. When I go out to eat to a regular restaurant, I find that my menu choices are rarely 'fancy' or elaborate, and although to ME whatever I get to eat is fine... if I am with an omni they will probably still see it as 'depriving' myself because the food I order is usually so simple. I have had fantastic meals though at more expensive places where I call in advance to state my diet, and the chef makes a real effort to be creative. That is rare in chain places though really.

I'm sure you will be able to find something but I don't know if the plates will look impressive to omnis if its just a standard meat-orientated restaurant. All I can advise is to be enthusiastic about your food and enjoy it :rockon: Also when it comes to desserts rather than saying 'I won't have any because there is nothing vegan', instead say that you're just too full to eat cake! That's my tactic because pretty much all desserts have milk/eggs/etc in them.

Good luck! :)

[Binary Dragon]

Thanks Shifu. I'm not so much concerned with it looking extra special, so much as I am that it looks more appetizing than lettuce with carrots and no dressing.

MrFalafel, I'll be in college station, saying at the corner of Texas and University (as seen on this map) http://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=36708&x=-96.3371&y=30.6261&z=3
As you can see, there is a lot there, and I can't call everywhere, so I'm hoping that perhaps some more experienced vegans know where I should begin and what is likely to be able to accommodate me well.

[shineonyou]

(and Chipotle times 12 meals in a row equals no fun)

Speak for yourself!

Mexican can be easy-ish. Be sure to ask if the rice and the beans are vegetarian. If they are, you can get a burrito or something without cheese or sour cream. If they're not, you can probably get some sort of veggie fajitas, which are good but they tend to be pricier than other things and lead to lots of leftovers.

Italian will be doable as well. If you don't trust anything else on the menu, get pasta with oil and garlic and possibly some vegetables. If this isn't on the menu, I'd be surprised if they couldn't make it for you.

Asian foods can be vegan friendly as well if you ask the right questions.

If you google vegan and the name of a chain restaurant, it will probably tell you what's vegan there.

And you can always push for Indian food.

[sleepydvdr]

I see some Indian restaurants on that map. You can usually find some vegan food at Indian places. Challenge the other people to try something new. If they don't like it, call them wusses.

As for pizza, most fast food chains can make vegan pizza - Papa John's is #1 on that list. They are very open about it. If you are not sure and they have pasta, then some marinara spaghetti would be your best bet.

And there are many fast food places that have vegan food - Subway, Quiznos, Taco Bell, Panera Bread, Moe's Southwest, Tijuana Flats and even McDonald's (granted, it's only a side salad, but you can eat there - order two of them).

The only two things on that map I avoid at all costs are American and Seafood. I doubt you will find anything vegan there. Other than that, you can find something to eat everywhere else. And if you walk away still hungry or not satisfied, go out and grab a bite to eat on your own.

[cryptoveggie]

I had a similar problem a while back and I found that taking some dry cereal and those juice box sized cartons of soymilk, Edensoy I think, helped immensely. I also brought some apples, crackers, cut veg, and hummus in a cooler and kept getting ice from the hotel.

More recently I went to visit a friend on Mackinac for a few days and took some apples and a few bags of Trader Joes multigrain pilaf. I like apples, they tend to travel well.

The other suggestions about eating out are good but sometimes it's simpler and cheaper to bring your own food. Especially for breakfast.

[ilovesabzi]

Hey Dragon... I've been down to CS a few times and my favorite place there is McAlisters Deli - they have a delicious veggie chili. Good luck! :)

[Binary Dragon]

I'm too wary of Mexican and Chinese, unless it's a chain place. Getting "special" orders right is hard enough without a language barrier, so those are out, as are seafood and steakhouses for obvious reasons. And I just don't trust McDonald's after the whole fires thing (plus, a side salad or three doesn't look good to omnis).

The Indian restaurant is a great idea though, so many thanks for that.

sleepydvdr, are these places vegan with regards to sugar as well? I find that to be the most ridiculous thing to deal with with restaurants. I'm doing as much research as I can into restaurants, so if anyone knows about some of them for a fact, that'd help a lot (I don't trust lists on the internet which are often out of date).

Any restaurants that serve breakfast type foods out there? I can't imagine ever trusting a Denny's or such place. Should I just plan on bringing my own breakfasts?

[MrFalafel]

Another option is to prepare and eat a lot of food in your hotel room. You can do Thermos cooking for your main meal in the evening and therefore when you do go out with colleagues you can stick to a green salad or something safe because you know you have piping hot veg stew or chilli or ramen or whatever waiting for you in your room. All you need is a portable electric kettle and a wide mouth Thermos to cook all sorts of things in your hotel room.

Also simple things like peanut butter, fruit and crackers don't require refridgeration and are good for easy breakfasts.