[TheSpillmonkey]

Ok, I figured i would post this here instead of the Newbies section for the simple reason that more people might read it here in the next two hours.<br><br><br><br>
I have been strict Veg for two weeks now today. Today however is the first time im heading out w/ a bunch of my friends to go eat. (i about 2 hours or so) I assume we will be heading to a Chilis/99/TGIF level place. Probably the chilis. I would really appreciate some help on items that are now available to me other than just salad (i would never hear the end of it if i ended up ordering salad) before I have to go and sit with a menu in my hands with a puzzled look on my face while I endure this first night of almost constant ridicule for my recent decision <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> Any help would be greatly appreciated!<br><br><br><br>
thanks

 

[codemonkey]

It's not on the menu but if you ask, they'll make you veggie fajitas at chili's. They'll even put portobello mushrooms in it if you ask nicely. Also specify no sour cream and no cheese if you're not a dairy-eater.

 

[ChiKat]

I heard that Chili's has a good veggie burger...

 

[Laura_I]

No matter what you get your friends are going to ridicule you if they're that kind of people. You can always go online and look over the menus for those restaurants. I believe TGIF's has a veggie burger. Chilis used to have one a long time ago and now has nothing on their menu for vegetarians. Unless you get the 'awesome blossom' and want gas all night. I hate Chilis.<br><br><br><br>
If people I know end up dragging me a long to a restaurant like Outback Steakhouse and I have to get a salad as a result. When they say something about I usually say, "yeah well, that was all I could get, I think it's kind of rude you took me to a steakhouse."

 

[codemonkey]

Chili's has an amazing black bean burger (it has egg whites in it, just so ya know.)<br><br><br><br>
The Chili's that I go to is very good about letting you be creative with their menu. If they have the ingredients, they'll make it. Want some pasta with veggies and tomato sauce? They'll make it. Want veggie fajitas? They'll make it. Want the black bean patty on a different burger? They'll do it. Want a burger bun with lettuce, tomatoes and guacomole? They'll make that too.<br><br><br><br>
I *heart* Chili's

 

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

Chili's WILL make a veggie fajita for you if you ask. Most anywhere will make something if you ask.<br><br><br><br>
You're gonna have to sit and read the menu carefully and when your server comes, ASK, ASK, ASK no matter where you go - and yes, your friends may make fun of you (and if they do, you have to ask yourself, "<i>Why do I put up with this and are they REALLY my friends?"</i>).<br><br><br><br>
It's all part of being veg*n. You'll definitely have less trouble if you're vegetarian and not vegan, but even as a vegan, there's rarely any place where I am stuck with "just a salad" (even though I LOVE salad).

 

[codemonkey]

You can usually even eat at a steakhouse and not be stuck with just salad. You can usually get a combination of side-dishes if you ask. Once I went to a steak house/seafood place with my husband and I got the mediteranean vegetable platter from the appetizer menu and had that as my entree. It was DIVINE (and it came with hummus, so it was all good.)

 

[Aimra]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Once I went to a steak house/seafood place with my husband and I got the mediteranean vegetable platter from the appetizer menu and had that as my entree. It was DIVINE (and it came with hummus, so it was all good.)<br></div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Hummus, really? I've never been to a place that wasn't vegetarian that served hummus. Thats awesome.

 

[codemonkey]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Aimra</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Hummus, really? I've never been to a place that wasn't vegetarian that served hummus. Thats awesome.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
That's interesting. I've never even been to a vegetarian restaurant. I've been eating hummus forever.

 

[Aimra]

Although, I'm still not entirely sure what hummus is made of I like it!

 

[Michael]

Yeah, I've heard Chili's has a black bean burger (and that it's really good). So you should be fine. Most chain restaurants have something so I wouldn't worry about it too much. Plus, remember you can usually make a few dishes vegetarian by asking them to hold the meat.

 

[TheSpillmonkey]

Will they know what to put in "veggie fajitas" if i ask ?

 

[codemonkey]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>TheSpillmonkey</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Will they know what to put in "veggie fajitas" if i ask ?</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Veggie fajitas have all the stuff they put in regular fajitas without the meat. Grilled onions and bell peppers (and you can ask if they can throw some mushrooms in there) with tortillas and a plate of lettuce, fresh salsa, guacamole, sour cream and cheese (you can get it without the sour cream and cheese if you don't want it.) Also you can get a side of black beans and rice for a buck.

 

[codemonkey]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Aimra</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Although, I'm still not entirely sure what hummus is made of I like it!</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
chickpeas, olive oil, garlic and lemon juice.

 

[thebelovedtree]

This may be too late but chilis has the build your own burger thing now w/ portabello burger as an option.<br><br>
I got that last time I was there w/ a side of guac *yum*

 

[Aimra]

I swear, chickpeas are everywhere now!!

 

[codemonkey]

That's because chickpeas rock!<br><br><br><br>
My daughter has been trying to convince me that she doesn't like them but she keeps eating stuff that has chickpeas in it.

 

[GhostUser]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>KatherineLynn</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
I heard that Chili's has a good veggie burger...</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
they do...its a great veggie burger and they have pasta with marinara sauce if you are a veggie...and when i asked they said they will change whatever is on the menu to a meatless dish if i wanted...guess it depends on the Chilis.

 

[TheSpillmonkey]

TY <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""><br><br>
we actually ended up grabbing food at a subway. I found they had a "veggie patty" which i got on the Italian herb and cheese bread with lettuce, tomato and mayo. it was decent. Still miss my chicken, but i managed. A surprising low level of resistance from friends.

 

[penny79]

do not get the rice - it is made with chicken broth.