I am a new vegan, wondering what to eat at non-vegan restaurant? Help much appreciated? ?

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I'm vegan and eat at "regular" restaurants quite often. I will admit I'm not fanatical about ingredients, when it comes to non-vegan restaurants. I just use my experience and ingredient knowledge to decipher whether or not that dish is likely to be vegan, or if it can be made vegan.

Here's an example...although I did have to ask (something I hate to do, because I dislike actually bringing up the subject of veganism)... My husband's favourite Thai restaurant has a number of seemingly vegetarian dishes. I saw his ginger chicken dish, and could tell the chicken is added to the ginger sauce after the fact (because the chicken is slightly browned). I asked about the ingredients in the sauce (all vegan), and if the chicken is, in fact, added to the sauce later (it is). That's when the server caught-on, and let me know that many vegans buy the sauce as a take out item; the restaurant puts some sauce aside for ths purpose, before they add the chicken. They just don't advertise it. You have to ask. Their Ginger (no)Chicken with rice is one of he best dishes I'll likely ever eat. But I had to ask.

That said, I eat regular stuff, too. A week or so ago, my husband wanted to go to a pub, so I had a veggie burger with tomato, lettuce, onion, pickle, and mustard, with a side of sweet potato fries, and a cranberry juice (no cochineal). That was fine.

Just the other day, I went to a popular, local, fast food burger chain for a quick bite, and was pleasantly surprised that all 10 people ahead of me in line ordered their very popular veggie burger. When I remarked about that to the cashier (since I rarely eat at this place), she said it's because their veggie burgers are so delicious...then leaned in and said, "I think they're all vegan." I ordered mine without the cheese or mayo most of the clearly non-vegans did before me, and added the Coney fries, with the vegetarian chili. Delish! (The man after me broke the streak by ordering a chicken dish.)

We went to a Mexican restaurant recently, and I had the cream-free guacamole, a spectacular burrito with (vegan) refried beans, guac., pico de gallo, rice, hot sauce, and fresh cilantro. It was literally one of the best burritos I've ever had.

My local pizza joint makes great vegan pizza. The dough and the sauce are vegan for all pizzas. I just get it loaded with my fav. toppoings, but no cheese.

It's super-rare for me to request special treatment. My husband was more likely to do that on my behalf, until I asked him to stop. But, when I have done it, I can get all kinds of delicious surprises. I remember one chef making me a pasta with just garlic and herbs, and I've been killing myself trying to replicate that seemingly simple dish. It was awesome. Another local restaurant advertises a vegan boxed lunch, so I asked if they could whip up a breakfast for me, when my husband took me there early one morning. "No problem," said the chef. A few minutes later, out came this delicious melange of tofu and root vegetables. ...Better than oatmeal for breakfast, that's for sure.

Edamame is pretty common. Soy is a complete protein, and you could do worse than having an extra helping.

Get a salad with nuts in it, but skip any animal products. That can be filling. Or, opt for a primavera pasta (without any meat, of course). Just confirm it's a tomato sauce, and no cheese. (Parmesan isn't even vegetarian, much less vegan.)

Well, I hope some of that helps. Good luck! :-)

EDIT:

Seeing the menu, the obvious choice is the hummus and guacamole, sans any animal products.

But a quesadilla can also be delicious without cheese. Get them to include all the veggies, but add a tomato salsa inside the quesadilla. If they don't have that, use guacamole. Fold it up and cook it like they would with cheese. Skip the sour cream. It'll be delicious.

But why aren't you going to Chicago Diner??? :-) They were ranked 4th best diner in America...and they're veg'n! Many meat eaters say their (vegan) Reuben sandwich is the best they've ever had, meat or no. Well, it's an option for the future.

EDIT #2:

If you're from down south, consider 'Soul Vegetarian East' while you're in town. I haven't been there (I used to live in Chicago, but not anymore), but WILL be checking it out the next time I visit! I've heard awesome things!!...Show more

If the falafel burger is vegan (and I would guess it is) you can request they cook it a different way than frying. Also, ask what comes on it because it may have a sauce that isn't vegan.

Tell the waiter/waitress you are vegan and ask what they recommend. They often have things that can be made without the meat. I have had waitresses go read ingredients in the freezer for me.

They area there to wait on you. The chefs are there to cook for you. Be polite. They will work with you.

In the future, there is a site to help find places to eat. Also, if you have a good experience there and they have something veggie, you can post it at the site to help others who go to that restaurant.

Good luck...Show more

Just ask the waiter. See if you can modify something to be made without cheese, or get the chef to be creative and make something for you. If all else fails...I'd get a salad and eat a Pb sandwich at home for protein.

Give a linky link for the menu and we can tell you what to modify.

EDIT: hummus, guac, sales, chips if not in lard
the carriage or blvd salads.minus the non vegan ingredients
falafel sandwich if you're sure it's vegan if you leave out the sauce or replace with hummus...make sure veggies are vegan ...some veggies are cooked in chicken broth
Pb from.the kids meal...once you're sure the bread is vegan...oh, check for this also for.the buns above.
no desserts ...maybe coffee?
You can be creative and make a hummus sandwich, or have salad with hummus and bread on the side.

Looks decent, actually. Woerdon gave an awesome answer though....Show more

Hummous and Guac
Sauteed mushrooms and avocado and mash potato- ask them to midify some bangers and mash.
Falafel sandwich no cheese
PBJ


**** me that skillet cookie looks fantastic, what a shame they've ruined it with a dairy version. SOme people just don't know quality!

It sounds like you could ask tehm to make a taco salad with corn avocado, guac, black beans sauteed onions and mushrooms, spinach and tomatoes. YOu should mention "hey where's the MORE VEGAN choices?" They won't mind, they probably get ten asks a day, and they've got to make more choices some point....Show more

Salad. Sandwich with just vegetables and mustard. Plain pasta with NO_MEAT sauce. Side of fruit. Side of veggies.

*why the thumbs down?

See if the restaurant is on this list: http://godsdirectcontact.us/com/vegetarian/abc/veganeatinginanyrestanrants.htm...Show more