
We don’t just eat leaves.
Vegetarian combo at La Shish Kabob
Hummus, tabbouleh, salad, baba ghannouj, falafel and yalanji served with pita ($7.99)
Black bean burger on a pretzel roll at VBGB
The buttery pretzel roll is a game changer. You’ll never eat another sad, sorry bun. Unfortunately, doesn’t come with a side so definitely order sweet potato fries. ($8)
Tofu You at Rhino Market
BBQ tofu, pickled veggies, lettuce and vegannaise on sourdough. Even Andrew, lover of meat, likes it. ($7.49)
Tofu wings at Seoul Food Meat Company
Go with the soy garlic sauce. Fried tofu is fried tofu but I love that Seoul offers this option so vegetarians can fully participate in the shareable small plate experience. Don’t skip the potato tornado.
The Dale Jr. at Fūd at Salud
The vegan version of The Intimidator features vegan pimento cheese, tempeh bacon and tomatoes pressed on sourdough. ($8.50)

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Manicotti at Living Kitchen
They retired the Lunasagna but the raw, vegan manicotti has a similar flavor profile with thin zucchini ribbons stuffed with creamy ricotta cashew cheese. ($13)
Meatless loaf at The Diamond
A hearty meal served with veggie gravy, rice milk mashed potatoes, cornbread and a side. ($8.95)

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Chia Bagel at Owen’s Bagel
Veggie cream cheese, swiss cheese, avocado, lettuce and sprouts on a sesame bagel. Vegan? Drop the swiss and swap in vegan cream cheese. ($4.25)

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Cauliflower Po’boy at Namastay Kitchen
Y2 Yoga’s on-site restaurant offers a number of veg-friendly dishes, including this creative take on a po’boy with maple Sriracha-glazed cauliflower, lettuce, tomatoes, chopped pickles and smoked paprika aioli. ($12)

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South Indian thali at Woodlands
A tray of rice, dal (lentils), rice, vegetables, yogurt and chutney. One of my absolute favorite meals. ($18.95)
Chili mac at Lupie’s
Spicy vegetarian chili served over your choice of spaghetti noodles or macaroni and cheese
Tofu banh mi at Yummi Banh Mi
Several banh mi spots offer meat-free menu options, but Yummi’s version with pan-fried tofu is one of my favorites. ($7)

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Redneck Parm at Pinky’s Westside Grill
A straight mess. Fried squash topped with pimento cheese and veggie chili served on a hoagie roll. ($7.25)

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Fried cauliflower steak at Haberdish
People definitely come here for the fried chicken, but they’re missing out on this perfectly crispy slab of cauliflower topped with herbaceous chimichurri. The art is in the brine. ($11)

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The Mediterranean at Pure Pizza
Spinach, olives, tomatoes and pickled onion topped with feta (or sub vegan cheese). ($12 – $21)

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Vegan cinnamon rolls at Fern
Listen. I know cinnamon rolls are, by definition, meat free. But it’s worth pointing out that these at Fern, an all-vegetarian restaurant, are also vegan. Go get you a skillet. Available at weekend brunch only. ($10)

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Niwa ramen at Futo Buta
A vegan version with roasted organic mushrooms, bok choy, leeks and arugula ($12)

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Quinoa-stuffed avocado at Viva Chicken
The way a “salad” should be — a whole avocado stuffed with organic quinoa and topped with rocoto mayo and balsamic vinaigrette

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Veggie dog at JJ’s Red Hots
You can sub a veggie dog for any of their signature hot dogs. I like the Chicago-style Joliet Jake with tomatoes, sport peppers, diced onions, pickle relish, mustard, celery salt and a pickle spear. No ketchup, you maniac. ($3.99)
Spinach burek at Intermezzo
A traditional Serbian dish with house-made phyllo dough stuffed with spinach and cheese

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Build Your Own Bowl at Yafo
They have tons of meat-free options. I like to go with a 1/2 hummus, 1/2 rice bowl topped with assorted salads and falafel. ($10.99)
Vegan cheesesteak at Zizi’s Awesome Vegan 2 Go
An animal-free impossibility is realized with this variation featuring chopped seitan, vegan cheese and grilled onions ($7.25)

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Lemongrass tofu at Ben Thanh
A generous pile of rice noodles, fresh veggies and fried tofu. I eat this about once a week.
Black bean burger at Bang Bang Burgers
One of my favorite veggie burgers in the city. I appreciate that it’s a thin, manageable patty rather than a two-inch brick of black beans, as is the case for many others.
Cowboy Burger at Bean Vegan
Honestly, anything at Bean is a must try. They have a way of making impossible dishes meat free — like their meatless fish filet. The Cowboy Burger is stacked high with seitan Bacon, Daiya cheddar, onion rings, pickles, BBQ sauce and ranch dressing.

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Header photo by Poprock Photography via Facebook