Question for Vegans Only

bjshields
bjshields Posts: 677 Member
edited November 8 in Food and Nutrition
Okay, kids. I am asking for advice, NOT permission, so please non-vegans don't post why I'm crazy, this is extreme dieting, etc.

For all those vegans out there: how do you handle eating at restaurants? Hubby was determined to go out for breakfast today (which I did not want to do), which traditionally has been our "thing" on Saturday mornings. The only available option for me was a cold veggie sandwich, which turned out to be better than I expected, but I really wanted hot food. I asked if they would grill veggies for me, but they said no. Any tips? Thanks! :drinker:

Replies

  • theflyingartist
    theflyingartist Posts: 385 Member
    To be quite honest, I look for the restaurants via websites and online menus. It never hurts to call and ask about allergens/dietary restrictions and how the facility handles them.
    From there, I've created my "safe list" that my other half and I can choose from.

    Maybe this will help!
  • theflyingartist
    theflyingartist Posts: 385 Member
    We also go to cafes on Sunday mornings, and since I've had to restrict my diet, it took a little work to find restaurants but once I did, and he saw there was more than 2 options, we've been able to have fun with our "thing." :) Good luck!
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    Maybe ask them to toast the sandwich, like a panini? I don't know if that is still vegan or not.
  • vaughny
    vaughny Posts: 145
    i am new at being a vegan , but could you have just gotten a bowl of hot oats? i guess it depends if they use butter or not
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    Maybe next time you could go to a restaurant that cares about its customers.
  • campuschef
    campuschef Posts: 10 Member
    Hi, I will answer this from the other side as an executive chef who is not a vegan, but has had many instances when vegan customers have visited my restaurants needing something off of the regular menu.

    The first thing to remember is; is this a chain restaurant with set recipes and under trained cooks?, or is this a restaurant whose kitchen has the freedom to go off of the set menu and create some very tasty and wholesome items. The other thing to ask is; Does the chef even really understand what a vegan lifestyle is all about, or do they think that handing you a bowl of boiled mixed vegetables is sufficient?

    In the past, menu items like curried apples and onions over cous cous, fire roasted root vegetables with a spicy peanut dipping sauce, mashed cauliflower patties served in lieu of a hamburger patty, chickpea sausage with marinara over homemade gnocchi, etc are all items that someone in the kitchen can make if they are given the freedom.

    Good luck to you on your lifestyle. Food service professionals have long stopped thinking of vegan as something strange. Some of us have even converted in one level or another.
  • Alisi1234
    Alisi1234 Posts: 131 Member
    I was a vegan but still incorporate it into my life style often.
    If we go out for breakfast we get fruit plates, cora's has a great one-minus the cheese.
  • bjshields
    bjshields Posts: 677 Member
    Thanks for the tips! FYI, this was a family-owned restaurant. They totally could have grilled me veggies and put it on a panini. However, I do think there may have been a language barrier between me and the lady taking my order, so maybe that was part of it. I will look online & see if I can find places.
  • lookpretty
    lookpretty Posts: 276 Member
    call ahead is the best piece of advice, I have a small son and we usually call his order in ahead of time but also we tip generously and connect with the server, there are 4 ot 5 restaraunts here that we know the servers schedules and get really great food because they actually like us. Our favorite place as we walk through the door my sons plate hits the table so he is immediately occupied and when our food comes its so fresh and you can tell care went into it
  • lkenn67
    lkenn67 Posts: 215 Member
    I have one daughter who is vegan and one vegetartian. My vegan daughter has researched a number of resturants to discover what is vegan on their menu. So she has a list of easy go to resturants. We have also found that many ethnic resturants have more vegan options (Indian, Thai, etc..). Breakfast really has been the most difficult to find vegan options, so we usually skip it. And will make a vegan brunch at home. The traditional breakfast foods are easy to make vegetarian but not vegan.

    Also don't be afraid to ask for what you want and specify your food preferences. My niece went out for breakfast once and ordered the vegetarian omelet, but then the cook used the same spatula for the meat and omelets on the griddle. She wouldn't eat it then. I have found most resturants to be understanding. Also I have found it easier to talk to the staff when you don't go at a super busy time.

    The main thing is to find out all you can about where you are going and to be willing to ask for what you want. If a resturant is not meeting your needs then find another place to go.
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