Raleigh Area Vegetarian and Vegan Info

The Diner - American Diner Food - Downtown Raleigh

2010-01-07T20:08:00.001-05:00

Veggie or Black Bean burger offered

http://www.thedinerraleigh.com/menus/Burgers.pdf

Bosphorus - Turkish Restaurant - Cary

2009-10-12T11:04:00.003-04:00

Bosphorus Restaurant
www.bosphorus-nc.com

329 N Harrison Ave # A
Cary, NC 27513-4560

Great little place with some veg. options. We like the sampler (hummus, baba ghannouj, those sorts of things). Phenomenally good bread that just keeps on coming!

Butternut Squash - All Veg - Chapel Hill

2009-10-12T10:59:00.002-04:00

There's an all-vegetarian restuarant in Chapel Hill, right at University Square on Franklin Street!

Butternut Squash
133E West Franklin Street
www.butternutsquashrestaurant.com

They post their daily specials to Facebook.

One of the reviews: http://www.megabeth.net/?p=2812

Vegan Cake/Bakery Products (some Gluten Free) - Area Wide

2009-05-15T09:26:00.004-04:00

Twin Cakes
A dedicated wheat, gluten free, egg, dairy, and peanut free facility. Everyone, including vegans and allergy sensitive people can enjoy our delectable desserts. We use organic, fair trade, and local ingredients when possible. Additional options are corn free, soy free, casein free, no refined sugar and RAW items. We bake things from cookies, cakes, cupcakes, brownies, pies, breads, pizza crust, and much more. Everything is homemade and made in small batches to ensure quality.

http://www.twinskitchen.com/bakery.php
Contact: Michelle Corso
919) 306-5304

Bittycakes
We work with any dietary restrictions our customers may have. We have a variety of vegan cupcakes available and many gluten-free desserts too! All-organic cupcakes are also available.

http://www.bittycakes.com/
Contact: Kim
(919) 395-8848

Flutterbye Cakes
(704) 258-8439. E-mail: flutterbyecakes@hotmail.com
http://www.flutterbyecakes.com/main.php

Once in a Blue Moon Bakery & Cafe
Downtown Cary
VEGAN - Available only in chocolate, our vegan cake contains no egg or dairy products. Can be frosted with either vanilla or chocolate vegan icing.

Bliss Boutique Bakery
www.blissboutiquebakery.com
The Courtyard on Franklin Street
They always have one vegan cupcake everyday

Whole Foods
Carries Vegan Cookies/Muffins in the bakery case
Sometimes has vegan cherry or apple pies available
Have heard they will bake a vegan cake, upon request

EarthFare
Carries Vegan Cookies/Muffins in the bakery case
Has take and bake vegan cookie dough in the bakery section

Weaver Street Market
Carries Vegan Cookies/Muffins/Cake in the bakery case

Chinese - Five Star - Downtown Raleigh

2009-04-30T15:24:00.001-04:00

*Most Entrees Can Be Prepared Vegetarian

http://www.heatseekershrimp.com/
511 W Hargett St.
(919) 324-6597

Serving Dinner:
Monday thru Sunday 5:30pm-12:00am

Evos - "Healthy" Fast Food - Chapel Hill

2009-04-30T15:18:00.003-04:00

Healthy and environmentally sound fast food chain, featuring soy, veggie, turkey, and salmon burgers, baked fries, and fruit smoothies.

I haven't eaten here but happened to see it last weekend while we were out. They have a veggie burger and some other veg. items on the menu, plus "healthier" fries.

http://www.evos.com/
1800 E Franklin St
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 929-5867
(Next to Trader Joe's)
11am - 10 pm 7 Days a Week

The Remedy Diner - American - Downtown Raleigh

2009-03-12T10:31:00.002-04:00

Menu has a specific vegetarian section as well as vegetarian bacon and sausage available at request for the breakfast items and you can add tofu to your salad as an option. They do mention vegan chicken salad a sandwich option, but I am not sure how much of the menu can be made vegan. For dessert, the offer vegan brownies and vegan cookies.

We are trying this restaurant this weekend and will update after that.

The Remedy Diner
137 E Hargett St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 835-3553
http://www.theremedydiner.com/
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11:00am-10pm, Friday & Saturday 11:00am-12am

Trader Joe's new faux-chicken products

2009-03-12T09:18:00.003-04:00

Trader Joe's (Cary location) has been carrying some of their own brand of vegan "chicken strips" and "beef strips", and they are both very good - comparable to the Morningstar Meal-Starters.

They have also introduced BBQ Pulled "chicken". I found it to be rubbery, a little slimy, and not very tasty. A Trader Joe's employee insisted that it is really good if you smother it in their own brand of BBQ sauce, but I just didn't like the texture. I think I'd rather spring for the Delight Soy version at the Whole Foods deli counter.

They also have a new Stuffed "Chicken" Breast product, which we liked a lot. The "Chicken" part of it is disturbingly convincing, it has a nice stuffing of corn and black beans, and a tomato-based sauce that is surprisingly spicy. We'll definitely get those again.

PF Changs Will Substitute Tofu

2009-03-12T09:13:00.003-04:00

PF Chang's already has some good veggie options, but if you ask your waiter, they will substitute tofu into most of their other dishes too. We tried Kung Pao ~~Chicken~~ Tofu, which was extraordinary, and Sesame ~~Chicken~~, which was good but not great.

They asked if we'd prefer the soft tofu or the textured kind. I asked for textured, and got the soft kind anyway, but it is still nice to have a choice if they get it right next time. This was at the SouthPoint location, but I think is available nationwide.

New Veg Parents MeetUp in the Triangle

2009-02-27T12:38:00.003-05:00

Sangeeta Godbole and Dilip Barman of the Triangle Vegetarian Society have started a veg. parents MeetUp group!

You don't have to be vegan or even vegetarian to join, just interested in veg. parenting. They hope to meet monthly for outings, restaurant dinners, potlucks, playdates and whatever else might come up in town of interest.

http://www.meetup.com/trianglevegparents/

Alladin's Eatery - Mediterranean - Raleigh

2009-01-09T18:14:00.001-05:00

Large selection of veg. options. The service was excellent and the waiter was very helpful at helping us choose vegetarian options from the menu.

http://www.aladdinseatery.com/

Men's shoes at Rack Room Shoes

2008-10-06T13:32:00.006-04:00

For vegan casual and athletic shoes, there are plenty of options (such as many of the New Balance styles).

For men's dress shoes, though, it is a lot harder to find non-leather choices. I was happy to find some snazzy, all man-made material shoes at Rack Room in Cary yesterday: Borelli Mason shoes.

They are pretty nice looking, reasonably comfortable, and - hey - cheap too! I particularly like the brown ones.

Also, see the posts about women's shoes here and here.

Simply Thai - Durham/RTP

2008-10-01T16:35:00.004-04:00

This little restaurant opened in the always-depressing Big Lots strip at NC-54 & 55 near RTP. It was "Simply Thai and Sushi", but has since dropped the Sushi part. The menu at lunchtime had a lot of options in the $6-$7 dollar range, and almost all of them let you pick Beef, Chicken, Shrimp, Tofu, or Vegetables. So there are lots of vegetarian options! The waitress was careful to point out that one of the soups had chicken stock when she realized that several people were ordering tofu dishes. I tried Drunken Noodles with Tofu and it was very spicy (but not TOO spicy) and delicious.

Address: 4731 N.C. Hwy. 55, Durham
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtplunch/380926658/
(Much nicer on the inside that in looks from the outside)

CLOSED: All Vegetarian Asian Restaurant - Bright Palace - Cary, NC

2008-09-23T20:08:00.004-04:00

Bright Palace
1207-J Kildaire Farm Road
Cary, NC
919-468-7238

I ate here with friends tonight. It is an ALL veg. Asian restaurant. It is huge, nicely decorated and the menu has so many selections that it's a little overwhelming. They have faux meat and sushi, but also a large selection of vegetable dishes.

They are so new that they don't have a website yet. They will also eventually have dim sum, but do not offer that at this time either.

Abyssinia - Ethiopian - Raleigh

2008-09-12T14:59:00.003-04:00

Pretty much the only Ethiopian restaurant in the Triangle, and certainly rated as the best, according to people I've talked to.

Get the Vegetarian Combo. It gives you a taste of everything.

http://abyssiniarestaurant.net/vegetarian.html

Vegan Ranch Dip - In the Store!

2008-08-28T12:19:00.002-04:00

This isn't a restaurant post, but I stumbled upon a vegan ranch dip mix and had to share it with other vegans looking for a decent ranch!

Lipton makes a vegan ranch powder that is in the Kosher section of the grocery store. I take a tub of Tofutti Sour Cream and mix in the packet of ranch. I found you only need about 1/2 a packet. You can adjust it to suit your taste, but I found that you don't need much of the ranch powder to make a flavorful dip.

Anyway, easy vegan ranch dip/dressing is not only a dream anymore! Yay!!!

P.S. Lipton makes several powdered soups that are vegan and can make great dips. The French Onion and even Beefy Onion are vegan. I believe most of the "Recipe Secrets" packets they have are vegan, but check the labels. Again, just dump it into a tub of Tofutti Sour Cream and you're on your way to easy party dips! No one will even notice they are vegan!

Belted Goat - Fearrington Village - Pittsboro

2008-07-16T14:01:00.002-04:00

I will give them credit for offering a veggie wrap sandwich in their cafe (plus, they have cute cows, goats and a donkey to visit with at the village entrance).

I am surprised over and over again by the number of restaurants here in NC (even "rural" farming towns) that accomodate vegetarians and vegans....

It's a good sign for the future of dining in this area!

http://www.fearrington.com/village/beltedgoat.asp

Carolina Brewery - Pittsboro and Chapel Hill

2008-07-16T13:55:00.003-04:00

We went for a brewery tour and stayed for lunch.

They offer a black bean veggie burger as well as a good selection of other veggie items, all marked clearly with a carrot icon to signify that it is vegetarian.

http://www.carolinabrewery.com/downloads/CB_menu.pdf

General Store Cafe - Pittsboro

2008-07-16T13:49:00.004-04:00

Who would have thought that in a little town like Pittsboro you can find a decent vegan meal? I was surprised and happy to find the General Store Cafe, which does have a nice variety of vegetarian and vegan items on their menu. (We tried them for dinner before a trip to the Carnivore Preservation Trust, which is another place I recommend in Pittsboro).

The General Store Cafe even offers tempeh in place of meat in any of their burritos! They also have a veggie BLT, but it is vegetarian and not vegan. (They sub smoked mozzarella in place of the bacon).

http://www.thegeneralstorecafe.com/home.html

Serena Restaurant & Bar - Durham

2008-07-16T13:32:00.002-04:00

Has several vegetarian options, including the "TAG" - Tomato, Avocado, Gardenburger

http://www.serena-rtp.com/menus/Serena_Dinner.pdf

HOURS
Open Monday - Friday
NOW OPEN ALL DAY! Come join us for an off-site meeting with the team, a late-late lunch or early break on the way home.
Lunch: 11 AM - 4 PM
Evening: 4 PM - 9:00 PM

FEATURES
Always Smoke-Free Dining
Outdoor patio dining (weather permitting)
Free Wireless Internet Access
A location central to Chapel Hill, Durham AND Raleigh guests within 1/4 mile of interstate 40.
Wheelchair accessable - no stairs or obvious obstacles for those with limited mobility.

LOCATION
Serena Restaurant and Bar is located at 5311 South Miami Blvd, Durham, NC 27703. Our location is within 1/4 mile of interstate 40. We're on the very southeast edge of Durham, the northern tip of Morrisville and the eastern edge of Research Triangle Park.

Abbey Road - Hamburgers etc. - Cary

2008-07-02T18:45:00.002-04:00

Offers a few vegetarian (not vegan) menu items. A veggie burger can be substituted for any of their burgers.

http://www.abbeyroadgrill.com/cary.bar.grill.restaurant/abbey.road.to.go.menu.for.pdf.conversion.htm

Little Caesars Pizza - Nationwide

2008-07-02T18:10:00.001-04:00

From their website: http://www.littlecaesars.com/

Vegetarian Options at Little CaesarsLittle Caesars wants to help meet the growing needs of our vegetarian customers and offers them many appropriate menu choices. Vegetarian diets that allow dairy products can easily be planned to meet nutritional adequacy using any of the Little Caesars vegetarian-style pizzas. Little Caesars pizzas can be ordered with cheese-only or with any of our fresh vegetable toppings including onions, green peppers, and tomato slices. Mushrooms, ripe olives, and pineapples are also available toppings. Banana pepper rings can be added to give some "zip" to any vegetable-topped pizza.

Please note: Topping selection varies by location. Visit your local Little Caesars Pizza restaurant for topping availability.

For the Strict Vegetarian Diet (Vegan Diet) A strict vegetarian diet requires a little more planning for nutritional adequacy because it may require special conditions such as no animal by-products. Little Caesars' pizza crust is made with a quality, high-protein flour and contains no animal products or by-products. The sauce is made from crushed tomatoes and is seasoned with a special blend of herbs and spices - it also is made without animal by-products. This means that customers who are strict vegetarians can order a Little Caesars vegetable pizza, without cheese, and still fulfill their needs.

There are other items that can be special-ordered from our menu that are acceptable for a strict vegetarian diet. For example, Crazy Bread® can be ordered without Parmesan cheese along with an order of Crazy Sauce® on the side.

Announcing VegAsheville!

2008-07-02T13:29:00.002-04:00

Everyone that is veg in NC knows that Asheville and surrounding areas are very veg friendly, but in trying to plan my own trip I found that there is no single dedicated website of vegetarian/vegan listings.

So that is why I've created VegAsheville - to aide other veg*ns in their travels to the mountains. This new blog will encompass all of Western North Carolina, as I dig up more info.

I hope everyone finds it helpful!

Blue Corn Cafe - Latin American - Durham (Ninth Street)

2008-06-30T14:08:00.002-04:00

Too full from Twisted Noodles and Soy Cream from Francessca's, we were unable to try Blue Corn Cafe, but strolled by it and stopped to read the menu and were intrigued.

They have a separate Vegetarian section on the Dinner Menu, with the disclaimer that the items are not vegan, but that they can be prepared vegan. A few appetizers appear to vegan also, and any place with fresh Guacamole is worth a try to me.

It may just be a contender for our next Date Night.

http://www.bluecorn-tosca.com/bc_home.asp

Thai Spices & Sushi - Thai - Cary

2008-06-30T13:54:00.003-04:00

This restaurant is the one that has gone into the space where Mama Wok was once located.

It looks like they've expanded the Vegetarian menu item selection since they first posted a basic menu before they opened.

We have yet to try it but it looks like they did a nice renovation to the interior and if they are as good as their website claims, hopefully we'll have a new favorite place in Cary for takeout (although it's still not Chinese and we're still, still searching - suggestions welcome!).

http://www.thaispicesandsushi.com/ThaiSpice_Test/vegetarian.php

986 High House Rd.
Cary, NC
(919) 319-1818‎

Francesca'ss Dessert Caffe - Durham

2008-06-30T13:49:00.002-04:00

Fun place to visit on Durham's 9th Street, with vegan soy ice cream. We tried the hazelnut and chocolate flavors, with some tasty decaf to go with it.

http://francescasdessertcaffe.com/

Saladelia Cafe - Breakfast/Sandwiches/Salads - Durham

2008-06-30T13:20:00.005-04:00

We didn't try this place but saw it on our way into Twisted Noodles - it's in the same shopping center. I noticed the "Vegemeaty" logo truck in the parking lot and was curious. They even have a Vegetarian Resource Group sticker on their door by the entrance.

We grabbed a menu and peeked inside. It looked to hold a fairly large amount of tables and the atmosphere was nice. It was almost completely empty though since it was about 8pm on a Saturday night and I'm guessing this is more of a lunch spot. They also do catering.

According to the menu:
-They use free range eggs and claim to use "fresh/homemade/Organic" ingredients
-They always have a Vegetarian Soup option on the menu
-You can get Soy Milk in your coffee (I know it's not THAT exciting, but not every place offers this - Panera and Bruegger's and other cafes like it usually don't, so it's something at least)
-Juices on the menu, like the Orange Juice, are always squeezed fresh
-They offer Free Wireless in the cafe

From what I can tell, they are very Vegetarian Friendly, but if you are a strict Vegan you might have trouble finding too much. Although, they do have a Greek Sampler platter that you could easily pick 3 vegan items to include in the platter.

* My suggestion to the Owner would be to add Scrambled Tofu to the Breakfast Menu. Anyone in NC is hard pressed to find a breakfast place if they are vegan and a cute cafe to have a leisurely breakfast or brunch is a much-needed niche to fill.

I'd be all over any place I could get a vegan breakfast burrito and a soy espresso drink on a lazy Sunday morning (when I'm too lazy to make it all myself!)

4201 University Dr # 100
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 489-5776

http://www.saladelia.com/home/

Twisted Noodles - Thai - Durham

2008-06-30T12:55:00.008-04:00

We tried this place for "date night" and found ourselves at a run down strip mall, a little overdressed and left with too much time on our hands due to the insanely quick service, but hey, who's complaining? We had a nice time (in the 30 minutes we were there!)

They do have a beautiful fish tank with pretty blue and yellow tropical fish, and fast service is a good thing. We were just hoping for a little more I guess. It is lacking in decor and ambiance though and we noticed they weren't playing any music either.

But despite all that, I give this place a high rating. The location doesn't matter, the food was tasty and it's good to know it's a casual place we can grab a quick bite at in the future.

The menu used the words "vegetarian" and "vegan", which is a HUGE plus. The menu also says most dishes can be prepared with tofu or vegetables subsituted for meat.

We tried the "Vegan Delight" and "Potato Corn Cake" for appetizers. Both items are deep fried and much like a tempura. I suggest getting one or the other, otherwise it's too heavy before your meal.

For entrees we tried the Thai Spicy Salad (with Tofu instead of chicken)and the
Tom Yum Chili Oil Noodles (served as an entree and not a soup and with Tofu for the "meat") - Rice noodles, bean sprouts, cilantro and scallion in lemon grass and chili oil soup broth with your choice of meat or summer style with no soup

I suggest giving this place a try for a dinner out with friends you need to catch up with or lunch on the run. If you ARE planning a date night here, make sure you either have a LOT to talk about or a Plan B as to where to go next, or the date might over with in the same time it normally takes you to get through the Drive-Thru at Taco Bell. :-)

4201 University Dr
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 489-9888
www.twistednoodles.com

P.S. We went to Francesca's Dessert Cafe afterwards (review posted as a separate entry - http://francescasdessertcaffe.com/)

Raleigh Times Bar - American Menu - Downtown Raleigh

2008-06-09T12:45:00.002-04:00

We haven't tried this place, but I just thought I'd note that if you are Downtown, but away from Glenwood (by the Imax/Moore Square area), this place at least has a veggie burger (but not much else on the menu for veggie people).

http://www.raleightimesbar.com/

Satisfaction Restaurant - Burgers/Pizza - Durham

2008-06-09T12:41:00.002-04:00

Sports Bar/Restaurant with Pizza, Burgers, Salads etc. and a separate vegetarian menu.

http://www.satisfactionrestaurant.com/NEW%20DINNER%20MENU%20FINAL_files/page0006.htm

Spinner's - Veggie Burger - Wake Forest

2008-06-05T11:57:00.002-04:00

A reader named Laura wrote us:

Hey,
I love your blog. Thank you so much for the great info! I just wanted to let you know that Spinner's in Wake Forest will let you substitute a veggie burger for any of their burgers (8? choices).

There have been a couple of times that I have gone and they were out, so people might want to call ahead and ask if they have veggie burgers ready. It's great to have a local place to grab a burger. :)

Do you happen to know of any way (website, local store) to purchase Worthington products? (Wham, Chickettes, Fripats,etc)

Thanks,
Laura

Thanks, Laura! We'll have to give Spinners a try!

I haven't seen Worthington products in local stores. I think we bought some Skallops in Wilmington, but that isn't exactly local. I searched online and found them at Amazon. You might also check Pangea or VegeFood.

Lotus Leaf Cafe - New Menu! - Cary

2008-05-16T22:12:00.004-04:00

Lotus Leaf Cafe now has an expanded vegetarian menu!

http://lotusleafcafe.com/

*Update: I believe they are now closed all day Sunday and don't appear to have dim sum anymore :(

Red Bowl - Asian/Sushi - Cary

2008-05-16T22:04:00.003-04:00

This restaurant is in same shopping center as ZPizza is in Cary. I went there with some co-workers today. I had the sesame tofu and vegetable spring roll lunch special. The sesame tofu was good and spring roll was about what you'd expect (greasy and yummy).

I thought it was more of a fast food place, but it turns out it's actually a sit-down restaurant with waiters.

They also have vegetable sushi (a vegetable roll and an avocado roll)as well as a few other veggie items.

I will definitely go back and try out more of the menu.

http://www.redbowlcary.com/

Gregory's - Brunch/Lunch - Cary

2008-05-16T22:03:00.001-04:00

I haven't been here yet, but I found the menu online

http://www.gogoraleigh.com/uploads/GregorysMenu.pdf

Looks like they have a veggie burger at least and a vegetable stir fry.

Ming Garden - Chinese - Chapel Hill

2008-04-25T13:32:00.002-04:00

Sit-down Chinese restaurant in a strip mall setting.

Impressive Vegetarian selection.

Just a warning - although very delicious the Eggplant Salad is not an appetizer like I mistakenly thought it was, but an ENTIRE salad topped with lightly breaded pieces of eggplant. We ended up getting 3 entrees without meaning to but enjoyed having the leftovers!

Unlike many Chinese restaurants in the area, this one actually features mock meats and not just tofu as a vegetarian option. The food was fresh and flavorful and not too heavy or greasy.

Ming Garden is one of the best places for Chinese food we've found since Mama Wok closed. As always, if only it were closer to Cary maybe we could let the memory of Mama R.I.P. Until then, the search continues...

http://www.theminggarden.com/dinner.html

CLOSED - Pao Lim - Indo Chinese - Durham

2008-04-25T10:50:00.004-04:00

According to a user comment this restaurant is now closed. It's a shame too, this was a nice place with good food.
---------------------------------------
Indo Chinese restaurant with classy decor and a nice ambiance and a separate vegetarian menu.

We tried the Chili Tofu and Lemongrass Tofu, Fresh Mint Rolls and Tofu Lettuce Wraps.

Definitely worth a try if you are looking for something different for an evening out.

http://www.paolim.net/

Boba House - Eclectic - Greensboro, NC

2008-02-24T10:35:00.003-05:00

If ever find yourself in the Triad, please, please try Boba House. We can't believe this place or a place like it is not in Raleigh. An all vegetarian restaurant with excellent food.

It's near the college and is in a tiny strip mall, but it is a gem.

The lemongrass "chicken" is so good and everything on the menu that is vegan is clearly marked. The "chicken drumsticks" are oddly realistic, but very good if you aren't afraid of faux meat.

There aren't enough good things to say about this place. Check it out if you are ever in the area.

http://www.bobahouse.com/

Make Veggie Friends - MeetUp - Triangle Area

2008-02-24T10:31:00.002-05:00

We finally went to a MeetUp and are glad we did. It's free to join and a fun way to try new restaurants and activities while making new veggie friends. How nice to go to dinner without having to explain why you don't eat meat...

If you live in the Triangle and are vegetarian/vegan, definitely join this group and make some new friends!

http://vegetarian.meetup.com/98/

Sushi Blues - Sushi - Downtown Raleigh

2008-02-24T10:13:00.002-05:00

We've been meaning to try this place for literally 2 years now and finally did when our friends invited us to go last night. We'd put it off due to bad reviews of poor service, but found it was nothing like that.

Good service, cool atmosphere and great food is all we found. We went at 6pm on a Saturday night, and it did start to fill up once we were there, so it's probably better to get their earlier than later. I have a feeling most of the bad reviews are from people out late, trying to get a table.

The menu has many vegan options for a sushi place. Before you order you are given a little bowl of spicy cold noodles, which are vegan and very tasty.

For dinner we tried the Veggie Hosomaki Combo (ask for no mayo on the crunch roll if you are vegan). The combo comes with a miso soup and a salad and consists of:
One crunchy roll, one veggie roll, and one avocado roll. We also added the seaweed salad, which was excellent. We split this between 2 people and it was a LOT of food. Our friends got the veggie tempura, a Veggie Hosamaki Combo and an noodle entree that was a HUGE portion for one person.

I highly recommend this place and we hope to go back sooner than later. It's nice enough that it would make a good date spot and laid back enough that it's a fun place to go with friends.

http://www.sushibluescafe.com/index.php

Crisp - Salads/Wraps - Crabtree Valley Mall Food Court

2008-02-24T10:05:00.002-05:00

This is a new place we discovered at the mall food court.

It's a salad/wrap place that does made-to-order salads and wraps. They also have soup. The special of the day was veggie chili, but I got them to make me a Santa Fe salad wrap, substituting tofu for the chicken. Tofu on a food court menu is rare and an exciting change, so that's why we gave this place a shot. Another exciting thing we found at the register was a basket of The Alternative Baking Company vegan cookies! So we bought one of those too.

The fact that this place offered tofu AND had specifically vegan labelled cookies made this place stand out. It's a very new chain so please check it out if you're at the food court.

http://www.crispsalad.com/our_menu.php

http://www.alternativebaking.com/

Trilussa - Italian - Chapel Hill

2008-02-15T12:41:00.002-05:00

Dilip mentioned this restaurant on the Independent Weekly comment section of the recent article they did on area veg. restauants in the Triangle.

Article:
http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A173336

Haven't been here yet either but an Italian restaurant with a separate vegan section is exciting!

http://www.ibiblio.org/finedine/Trilussa/menu.html

Twisted Noodles - Thai - Durham

2008-02-15T12:36:00.002-05:00

Have yet to eat here, but can't wait to try! It says right on the main page that all entrees can be made either vegan or vegetarian! Yay! Looks good.

http://www.twistednoodles.com/menu.html

Veggie "Hamburger" Options - Nationwide

2008-01-01T20:23:00.000-05:00

I thought I had posted about veggie hamburgers on here, but writing about Gardenburger in my last post made me think of it and look it up, and I don't think I have.

I'm sure most people searching already know of the places serving veggie burgers, but just in case, I thought I'd post the ones I know of. Most are NOT vegan, but if you are not vegan or are in a pinch, these places will work if you have to avoid the "portobello burger" or the "pasta primavera" (or other random "vegetarian menu items" and just feel like a burger).

PETA has "the best" restuarant burgers listed at this site: http://www.vegcooking.com/gb_vegburgers_chain.asp

And "best of the rest" (veggie burgers at all other restaurants) at this site:
http://www.vegcooking.com/gb_vegburgers_bestrest_chain.asp

*I'd also like to note Hamburger Hamlet (which is a chain, at least in the DC area, if anyone makes a road trip). They let you sub the veggie burger for any of their burgers, and they specialize in gourmet topped burgers, so you can have a nice selection.

Also, I'm pretty sure any place serving a veggie burger will let you put that patty on any specialty burger on the menu, so try that too...even at Burger King, if you just have to have that Whopper, but don't eat meat and don't want what they put on the regular "veggie burger".

I just wish (and hope...and pray) that a chain restaurant or fast food place will put the Boca or Gardenburger Vegan Chik'n patty on the menu. They are SO much better than any "veggie burger" and I know it would be a hit. Oh well, I can dream. It WILL happen, I just have to be patient (and make suggestions at local chains).

New Restaurant - Mimi's Cafe - Cary

2008-01-01T20:02:00.000-05:00

I don't even know if they are open yet, but a new building has popped up on Walnut (really?) next to Cary Towne Center. It's called Mimi's Cafe and of course I've Goggle'd it already. Here is the website http://www.mimiscafe.com/
I've looked over the menu items and while there are no vegan items on the menu, there are several VEGETARIAN items, even on the kids menu, which is kind of exciting. Interestingly enough, they have a menu by "Lifestyle" section and only list "Carb Concious" and "Low Fat". Maybe we all need to march over there and demand our lifestyle be on there...or maybe not.

It's just nice to know that there is a new place that *might* accommodate us veg*ns. There are a few salads and wraps that look good if you leave off the chicken and cheese. Hey, sometimes I have to eat with my non-veg parents and co-workers so it's good to know.

At least by making some substitutions "our" voice might be heard. (Actually, I think that worked at Fuddrucker's about 10 years ago because I clearly remember ordering a "bun with fries" and getting a suspicious eye from the guy at the counter and now they have Gardenburger on the menu...so I know it wasn't just me, but I'd like to think I contributed anyway) :-)

Women's Shoes - Manmade Non-Leather - Hudson Belk

2008-01-01T19:58:00.001-05:00

I was in Belk looking over clearance items when I saw some cute shoes. No way they were vegan, righ? I was wrong! Yay! Plus, they were half off, so I only paid $25 for them. Anyway, the brand name is Kim Rogers in case anyone wants to look it up. They look like "quality-made" leather shoes (i.e., more expensive than PayLess)and are very comfy too. Good find!

Peking Garden - Chinese - Raleigh, NC

2007-12-12T13:35:00.001-05:00

It's been a few months since we last ate at Peking Garden, but I had to write a post on this restaurant because I keep forgetting to and this restaurant should NOT be forgotten!

This is a beautiful restaurant inside, with many vegetarian options on the menu. They also have a sister restaurant in Downtown Raleigh called Cody's, which we have not tried.

By far the best dish we've tried at Peking Garden is the Tender Crispy Tofu. It's fried, but not overly greasy or heavy. All the food at Peking Garden is fresh and light like this.

They also have vegetable egg rolls, spring rolls and dumplings.

Defintely worht a vist if you haven't tried it already! There's even a movie theater in the same shopping center if you want to make it a "date night".

This is another restaurant that we wish was closer to Cary - definitely worth repeat visits.

http://www.pekinggardenraleigh.com/

Shanghai - Chinese - Durham, NC

2007-12-12T13:14:00.000-05:00

Due to the unfortunate closing of Mama Wok in Cary, we have begun yet another search for a truly good Chinese restaurant. Shanghai is out of the way for takeout if you live in Cary, but if you are in the Durham area it is definitely worth the trip.

I have to admit I had low expectations since every other Chinese place we've tried with high hopes turned out to be disappointing or just average.

Shanghai is a real, sit-down Chinese restaurant, the kind that gives you hot tea free (not common in NC in my experience). It's very close to the Chinese restaurants I remember from the MD/DC area and not just a hole in the wall with pictures of food on the wall behind the register with 2 tables to sit at if you decide to eat there.

We only tried 2 dishes - the Szechuan Tofu and the Curry Tofu, but both were very good. We also had the vegetable egg rolls (not spring rolls, egg rolls - it's so hard to find veggie ones in restaurants so I was excited) and the vegetable dumplings. The dumplings were the only in NC that I've tried so far that were anywhere close to the ones I had in the DC area. The dough is fresh and you can tell the dumplings do not come frozen from a bag. Again, I was very excited.

We will definitely be back to Shanghai restaurant to try more vegetarian dishes. They have a good selection on the menu, and even some included in the daily specials.
They even have lettuce wraps with a tofu option, so now there is another option besides PF Chang's if you want to try it somewhere else.

I only wish they were closer to Cary so that they could become our new takeout place, because I know they would.

http://shanghai.ypguides.net/page/o4ce/Select_Vegetable_Tofu_Dishes.html

Eden's Vegetarian - Eclectic - Smithfield, NC

2007-12-03T15:57:00.000-05:00

We saw this place on Happy Cow and thought we'd take a Sunday drive to check it out. The owner, Alex, who is originally from St. Lucia, and has been a vegetarian himself for about 30 years, is on a mission to create healty, vegetarian/vegan food that tastes great. Being located in Smithfield, his goals are admirable.

I highly reccomend a drive out to eat at this restaurant. It's not too far from the Triangle, it took us about 45 minutes from Cary. I suggest calling first, as his hours depend on the expected business that day, although he is open at the hours listed at the end of this post. He also does a Thanksgiving dinner for those who'd rather let someone else cook.

The restaurant is in a beautiful Victorian house and Alex and his wife were very friendly. It was a very intimate dining experience, as we were the only guests in there, but it gave us time to talk to Alex and learn more about his cooking and background. Before our meal was over, a large church group showed up - so he does not lack business, but being in Smithfield, I guess it's not the first place to eat on most people's minds.

My husband and I shared plates and tried some of everything. Alex featured 2 meals that day: Curry "chicken" and chickpeas with choice of sides or "BBQ ribs" with choice of sides. Sides were spinach brown rice, beans and rice, sweet potatoes, broccoli and carrots and collards and onions. Each person gets an entree, a rice, a vegetable and salad comes with the meal.

We also tried his vegetable soup as a starter and his homemade foccacia with garlic, sea salt and olives was delicious. He also made his own iced tea which had rosemary in it, which was also very good.

He warned us not to eat too fast or fill up too much on tea and bread and we assured him we wouldn't - but he was right, by the time our meal came we were stuffed halfway through and couldn't finish. I felt bad because he had created such a lovely meal for us and we were't able to take it to go. Next time we'll have to pace ourselves better. The meal was reasonably priced for all that food and wasn't more than around $12-$15 for each of us.

Granted, it's not a trendy nightspot or a place for a quick bite, but for a catered event, lazy Sunday meal with good friends or a romantic dinner, this place is perfect. The fact that this place exists at all, let alone Smithfield, NC is amazing. Please support his efforts to promote vegetarian lifestyle.

Eden's Vegetarian Dining
709 S 3rd St, Smithfield, NC 27577 (at Holt, inside the Dupree House)
919-938-3880
Vegetarian, Vegan-friendly, Organic, International, Catering

Accept credit cards.
Open Tue-Fri lunch 11am-2pm
Sun 11am-7pm
Tue-Thur dinner 5:30-8:30pm by appointment only

http://www.edensvegetarian.com

Area Vegan Events - Thanksgiving - Triangle Vegetarian Society

2007-11-25T18:07:00.000-05:00

For those new to the area, there is a local Triangle Vegetarian Society that hosts events, potlucks etc.

They also host the country's largest all vegan Thanksgiving Event, which is held at an upscale restaurant in Durham. Tickets are purchased ahead of time for a specified time slot. Food is served buffet style, but is both delicious and displayed elegantly. They also sell raffle tickets for an array of vegan goods.

We went this year for the first time and were very impressed. It was a nice experience to be surrounded by compassionate, like-minded people. We highly recommend going with your family, vegan or not, for a break from cooking and for some wonderful food.

http://www.trianglevegsociety.org/thanksgiving07/index.html

Penang - Malaysian & Thai - Chapel Hill

2007-11-09T13:35:00.000-05:00

Good food in a clean and artistic atmosphere.

It clearly says on the menu that almost every dish can be made "vegetarian or vegan", which usually means substituting tofu.

http://www.penangnc.com/

We have tried the:

(Appetizer) Satay Tofu - Crispy fried tofu stuffed with cucumber and bean sprouts with peanut sauce.

Thai Lemongrass Chicken (Substituted Tofu) - Sauteed chicken with lemongrass, fresh pepper, tumeric, chili, lime juice and coconut milk.

Basil Eggplant - Eggplant with pepper chili in tasty Thai basil sauce.

By far the Thai Lemongrass Tofu (Not Chicken) was the best, but everything was very good.

Fiesta Mexicana - Multiple Locations

2007-11-03T15:43:00.000-04:00

We ate at the one in Wakefield -

Here is the chain's website:
http://www.fiestamexicanarestaurante.com/raleigh.wake.forest.clayton/index.php?&MMN_position=1:1

Standard Raleigh area Mexican food, but we were impressed that when we clarified we didn't want cheese or dairy on anything, the waiter did make sure to inform us that they do use sour cream in the guacamole. So they win vegan points for that.

Rosetta's Kitchen - Asheville

2007-10-11T15:22:00.000-04:00

We've had some road-trips lately, and had some terrific food in Asheville. Even though it is about 4 hours from Raleigh, we still wanted to mention some of the great vegetarian stuff for anyone headed out that way.

Our first stop (literally, our first stop right off the highway getting into Asheville) was at Rosetta's Kitchen. This place is fantastic! The dingy/artsy atmosphere and the pierced & tattooed workers all fit right into the Asheville cultural vibe, and the menu of vegan options was impressive. We had a smoky tofu sandwich that was delicious - highly recommended. We also tried the mock-chicken salad sandwich. It was OK, but didn't measure up to our favorite (the one Jeremy makes at the Cary Whole Foods). We also wanted to try the Tempeh-lo Wings, but they were sold out! The old people at the next table were eating the last of them. We SO wanted to steal a few, but managed to contain ourselves. Maybe next time. And there WILL be a next time, because there were so many other things on the menu that we still want to try.

Their web site is here: http://rosettaskitchen.com/index.html

And the menu is here: http://www.blueridgetogo.com/vendors/43.pdf

Compassionate Living Festival - Durham

2007-10-04T22:09:00.000-04:00

http://www.animalsandsociety.org/conference07.htm

October 5-7, 2007 Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center4700 Emperor Boulevard, Durham, North Carolina 27703

Please join us for the 22nd annual International Compassionate Living Festival, featuring esteemed authors, academics, activists and artists united for positive change on behalf of animals worldwide. The conference will feature leaders from many areas of animal activism, from grassroots to national campaigns, focusing on how everyone can “become the change” the world’s animals urgently need.

Support Local Farmers and Humane Treatment of Farm Animals

2007-09-24T10:05:00.000-04:00

This weekend we went on the local Farm Tours. We went to the ones this past spring as well. Last time they were the Chapel Hill area and this time we went to Holly Springs and Louisburg.

http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/

Buttons are sold at Whole Foods (and other places). For $30 the button gets you access to the farms for both days or you can pay $10 per farm.

It's a great way to buy fresh produce and support local farmers. If you eat eggs, it's a sure way of buying humane eggs.

Last spring we went to Fickle Creek Farm and this time the two that stood out were Amazing Acres and Mae Farm.

Amazing Acres is more of an educational farm geared toward children. They have potbellied pigs, turkeys, chickens, ducks and a goat. http://www.getoutsideandlearn.com/

Mae Farm is primarily a hog farm, but I have to respect the owner, Mike Jones for providing a true free-range home for his pigs. Their food is all natural, no pesticides and the animals appear happy. I know they still have a horrible fate, but if you had to pick the lesser of two evils, this would be it. Encourage meat-eating friends and family to purchase from farmers like this (while still encouraging vegetarian diet).

http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A160706

http://www.maefarmmeats.com/index.shtml

At the end of the Mae Farm tour I was even able to hand a couple of vegetarian brochures to a man and his mother who were on the tour. I could tell by the questions he asked the farmer that he wanted to know more about factory farming. I gave him these privately after the tour (I don't recommend harassing the farmers).

All in all, these tours are informative and fun. It's always a joy to watch the piglets play and the chickens dust-bathe and also to remind myself why I don't eat meat.

Keep an eye out for the tour schedules every year and bring a group to go. It's a good way to get your foot in the door to introduce to your friends and family issues like factory farming, organic farming etc.

Taste of Thai - Raleigh (Falls of Neuse)

2007-09-24T09:39:00.000-04:00

Tried this place over the weekend. Nice sit-down restaurant, friendly waitress, good presentation.

We ordered:
Appetizer - Vegetarian Fresh Rolls
PAD MAKUA - Sauteed fresh eggplant with sweet basil,carrot and bell pepper.
CHOO CHEE - Thick & strong flavorful curry with broccoli ,kaffir lime and coconut milk.

There is a separate menu with faux meats on it, but the appetizer we tried to order wasn't available, but the waitress did say that the other entrees with faux meats were available. Maybe if we go back will will try one.

http://www.tasteofthairestaurant.net/nc/index.php?&MMN_position=1:1

Greek Fiesta - Multiple Locations

2007-09-04T14:04:00.000-04:00

Another great place for hummus etc. Be sure to sign up on the pad at the register with your e-mail and birthdate. They will e-mail you free coupons for food on holidays and your birthday. We just had a lunch feast over the weekend with our coupons. A vegetarian platter, drink and two extra plates of hummus and pita for only $7.99. It was way more that we should have eaten but we had a coupon!

http://www.greekfiesta.com/

Brixx Pizza - Brier Creek, Raleigh

2007-09-04T13:59:00.000-04:00

Update: We've eaten the soy cheese pizzas here and they are very good.

We tried the Margherita Pizza and the Wild Mushroom Pizza and just substituted soy cheese for regular.

The Wild Mushroom Pizza comes with a full bed of arugula salad on the top of it, so I had to ask for a side of balsamic dressing on the side, otherwise it was too dry.

http://www.brixxpizza.com/dine-in-menu.pdf

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Brixx Pizza is now open! The staff assured me that they DO have soy cheese as an option for their pizzas! http://www.brixx.com/

From their site:

*** Veggie Pizza ***
Any pizza can be prepared with veggie cheese, a soy based cheese that is lactose free and has no animal fat. Best of all, it tastes great! No extra charge!
------------------------------------------------------------

So now we have 5 options that I know of in the Triangle... ZPizza, Brixx, Mellow Mushroom, Moonlight Pizza and Lilly's.

Please buy from them to show our support for vegan pizza!

Dalat - Vietnamese/Chinese - Raleigh

2007-08-31T21:02:00.000-04:00

We ate here tonight with some friends. The reviews out there that the restaurant is filthy and waiters are rude are untrue. I saw no ants or roaches and everyone was really helpful. Our waiter seemed a bit confused, but he promptly got the owner to be our waitress. She was very helpful in helping us choose vegan dishes. She was very friendly, upbeat and quite frankly, hilarious. She was the highlight of our evening. She also let us know that the "tofu crepes" on the menu are made with rice flour, and that the only thing eggy about them was the egg color. So they are vegan. We did not try them though.

We all shared the dalat rolls with tofu, Tofu with Lemongrass on Vermicelli, Tofu with Chili and Lemongrass, Grilled tofu with vermicelli and the famous tofu sub. I think we got the grilled tofu sub when what we should have gotten was the marinated tofu sub, but it was still very good, and had a chicken-like consistency as did the grilled tofu with vermicelli. Overall, the concensus was that the Tofu with Chili and Lemongrass was the best dish. I would definitely go back to try more entrees.

NOTE: They are closed Sundays

http://dalatrestaurant.com/

Certified Humane Eggs

2007-08-30T21:41:00.000-04:00

For those vegetarians who eat eggs, Whole Foods carries "Certified Humane" eggs. Only "Certified Humane" eggs are truly cage free.

Humane Society has a description of what the egg carton labeling means.

http://www.hsus.org/farm/resources/pubs/animal_welfare_claims_on_egg_cartons.html

For the most cage free eggs Weaver Street Market in Carrboro carries eggs from Fickle Creek Farm. We saw these chickens on a farm tour and they are definitely allowed to dust bathe, run free and have access to shelter with nests when they want it. Weaver Street Market usually stocks these on Thursdays, and they go very fast!

http://home.mebtel.net/~ficklecreek/fcfproducts07.htm

India Mahal (Raleigh)

2007-08-28T13:02:00.000-04:00

We tried out their lunch buffet this weekend. Not bad! It was a little disturbing to see the sign "Daily Special - Goat Meat (Every day)", but I guess that comes with the territory.

Their buffet wasn't huge, but it had some good stuff on it, and was clearly marked "Veg" on one side and "Meet" on the other. Yeah, "Meet".

The naan was a little greasier than I would have liked, but still delicious. There were probably 6 or 7 vegetarian options - the usual suspects like Saag Paneer, Curry Vegetables, and that Chickpea/tomato thing.

It's over on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh (3212 Hillsborough St)

Toreros - Cary & other locations

2007-08-22T13:57:00.000-04:00

We haven't been too thrilled with the Mexican food in this area. So much of it seems heavy, salty, and not-so-fresh. Most of the time it is buried in so much cheese that you forget what you ordered.

Toreros isn't perfect either, but it is better than El Dorado or Tres Magueyes at least. They have a decent Mexi-Vegi selection , and their chips & salsa are pretty good. I got the Fajitas de Vegetables and really liked it. The veggies were nicely cooked and served piping hot, and there was plenty of guacamole (my favorite). The cheese, sour cream, etc. were all off to the side, so I could avoid the stuff I didn't want. It came with beans and rice, but I filled up on the fajitas and never got to them!

Toreros has locations around the triangle. We recently ate at the Cary location on Harrison. The Atlantic Ave. location in Raleigh was a good experience too. If you know of a particularly good Mexican restaurants for veg*n stuff, post a comment!

http://www.torerosmexicanfood.com/dinner_menu_mexican_food.php

Panzanella - Vegan Breakfast - Carrboro/Chapel Hill Area

2007-08-17T10:13:00.000-04:00

Panzanella is technically an Italian restaurant, but for brunch they offer tofu scramble:

Tofu Scramble: Tofu, Sweet Onion, Roasted Tomatoes, Potatoes and Portabella Mushrooms with Gimme-Lean Breakfast Patties (V)
$8.50

I have never been there, but this is the only restaurant that I know of in the area that serves tofu scramble as a breakfast option.

They also mark their menu with a V on vegan menu items. There are 3 options on the Dinner Menu and 1 vegan salad on the Lunch Menu.

They are in the same building as the Weaver Street Market, on the back side of the building. Parking lot parking. Closed for Dinner on Mondays. Accepts reservations.

Their Website is:

http://www.panzanella.com/about.php

Moonlight Pizza - Downtown Raleigh

2007-08-13T14:50:00.001-04:00

Offer a pizza called "Greenhouse Effect" that can be ordered with no cheese. Other vegetarian (not vegan) options on the menu as well.

Menu:

http://www.zspotlight.com/~libraries/popuppages/Cients%20K-O/ml_menu.pdf

Website:

http://www.zspotlight.com/establishment.asp?EstID=8309&EstSub=profile

Moe's - Burritos - Multiple Locations

2007-08-13T14:29:00.000-04:00

Moes' menu allows you to substitute tofu for any meat in a burrtito. Leave off cheese and sour cream to make them vegan.

One of the best spots in the area for burritos, chips and salsa - even better than most sit-down restaurants (in my opinion).

http://www.moes.com/menu.pdf

Sage Cafe - Eclectic Menu - Chapel Hill

2007-08-13T14:24:00.000-04:00

In the same shopping center as Margaret's Cantina. All vegetarian menu. Very small restaurant, but a cute and cozy place.

http://triangle.citysearch.com/profile/41719355

Margaret's Cantina - Southwestern - Chapel Hill

2007-08-13T14:20:00.000-04:00

Offers tempeh and tofu in some of it's Mexican style dishes.

http://www.margaretscantina.com/

CLOSEd: Hard Times Cafe - Chili, Burgers etc. - Downtown Raleigh

2007-08-13T10:39:00.001-04:00

Hard Times Cafe has a veggie chili with veggie "meat" in it on the menu. I like to get it over spaghetti.

They also offer a veggie burger but it is not vegan.

Their website is:

http://www.hardtimes.com/

Substituting at Restaurants - Don't be Afraid to Ask!

2007-08-12T09:54:00.000-04:00

I've found over the years of being vegetarian that most restaurants will leave off non-vegan items such as cheese and meat etc. if you ask with no problem.

This seems like common sense, but many people feel shy about asking their server. Don't be afraid to ask, it lets the restaurant know that there is a vegetarian population out there that demands more than a menu with chicken in every salad and a piece of meat or cheese in every sandwich. Their menus might change if enough requests are made.

I've found that it makes lunch meetings/holiday events at work and dinners out with non-vegetarians less stressful. I can eat almost anywhere by doing this.

Even establishments that don't have ANYTHING vegetarian on the menu have been willing to make me something special if I ask, even if it's something as simple as a salad or a vegetarian pasta.

Places I have done this (among many) around here are:

-Stonewood Grille in Cary
-Bonefish Grill

The Loop Pizza Grill - American - Multiple Locations

2007-08-12T09:50:00.000-04:00

Varied menu of standard American favorites. Vegetarian items on the menu, include:

Pizza, Spicy Black Bean Burger, Veggie Melt Foccacia, Portabello Mushroom Sandwich, Grilled Vegetable Sandwich and Salads.

http://www.looppizzagrill.com/menu/documents/PrintableMenuFeb2006.pdf

Thai Lanna - Thai Restaurant - Durham

2007-08-12T09:43:00.000-04:00

Good selection of vegetarian dishes. Most entrees can be subsituted with tofu or extra vegetables.

Good menu items tried include:

Summer Rolls, Tofu Tod appetizers

Kaeng Matsaman Entree (Spicy) -
Matsaman curry cooked with coconut milk, potatoes, onions and peanuts made with extra tofu and vegetables

Pad Khing Tour (Ginger Peanut)
Special homemade ginger dressing tossed with broccoli, onions and carrots.

Pad Kra Prao Makua (Basil Eggplant)
Stir fried with eggplants, bell pepper, onions, green beans, basil leaves, in light garlic sauce.

http://www.thailannarestaurant.com/

Papa John's Pizza Chain

2007-08-12T09:37:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure if most vegetarians know this or not, but I'll put it up just in case.

Papa John's cheese does not contain animal rennet, which is a stomach enzyme used to cultivate normal cheeses. It is not vegan, but is still a better choice than most cheeses since it does not contain animal rennet. I also believe their crust and sauce is vegan. They have a FAQ on their website that clarifies this.

So, Papa John's is a good choice if you are vegetarian, not vegan since it uses a more "humane" cheese. They will also do a vegetable pizza with no cheese, which would make the pizza vegan.

http://www.papajohns.com/menu/index.htm

Bamboo Garden - Indo Chinese Restaurant - Morrisville

2007-08-11T14:39:00.000-04:00

Recommended by a coworker, this restaurant was a nice surprise. Many vegetarian menu items and everthing is clearly marked, spice levels can be adjusted to taste. A must try for any vegetarian in the area.

http://www.bamboo-gardens.com/

EarthFare - Grocery - Raleigh

2007-08-10T16:44:00.000-04:00

Located in Brier Creek, this is another large grocery store with many vegan items.

This is the only place I've been able to find Nasoya refrigerated salad dressings, which flavors include Wasabi Ranch and my favorite, Blue Cheese.

http://www.nasoya.com/nasoya/dressings_index.html

http://www.earthfare.com/

Whole Foods - Grocery - Cary

2007-08-10T16:40:00.000-04:00

Almost anyone vegetarian in Cary finds this place pretty quickly. Large selection of anything vegan.

Some surprises - Vegan chocolate chip cookies fresh baked and in the bakery case, mock "crabcakes", "chicken salad" and "BBQ chicken salad" as well as vegan quesadillas and occassionally whole vegan apple and cherry pies. Hot/Cold bar with vegan options as well as breakfast items on the weekend.

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/cary/index.html

Lotus Leaf Cafe - Vietnamese French Fusion - Cary

2007-08-10T16:30:00.000-04:00

Separate Vegetarian menu section. Live music sometimes. Great date spot. I met my husband there on our first date!

The waitress told me that unless it says egg or dairy, the vegetarian dishes are vegan. She actually said the word 'vegan' without us bringing it up. That's always a good sign!

My favorite dish is Vegetarian Vermicelli. I also like the Vegetarian Summer Rolls appetizer. They were able to substitute the textured tofu that they use in the Vermicelli dish in the Lemograss Chicken entree. The waitress wasn't sure if they could, but she asked and they made it for us.

At the table next to us, a man asked for a soup to have the meat substituted with the textured tofu (but he said to leave the beef stock, so I'm guessing he wasn't vegetarian, but every little substitution helps make the veggie dishes popular). Knowing they can adjust the menu, I'm looking forward to experimenting with substitutions there now.

Definitely give this place a try. It's a one-of-a-kind place in Cary with genuine Vietnamese chefs.

http://www.lotusleafcafe.com/

Mellow Mushroom - Pizza/Subs - Raleigh

2007-08-10T16:23:00.000-04:00

Nice sit down pizza place on Glenwood. Menu items offer tofu, tempeh and soy cheese on the pizza.

http://www.mellowmushroom.com/

Udipi - Indian Restaurant - Cary

2007-08-10T16:12:00.000-04:00

All vegetarian restaurant, not everything is vegan, but there are no eggs used, only dairy.

Excellent buffet on Sunday morning/afternoon. Dishes are well marked. The waiters will know what on the menu is vegan if you ask.

http://triangle.citysearch.com/profile/35709280/

Vegan Shoes - Women's

2007-08-10T15:59:00.000-04:00

Rack Room Shoes - Carries a few brands of shoes that are all manmade. One is Fabulaire. They make trendy, strappy cute shoes.

DSW Shoe Warehouse - Carries a pretty big selection of LifeStride shoes, the majority of which are manmade. This brand emphasizes comfort and style. Lots of good options for work shoes, sandals, loafers etc.

Burlington Coat Factory - Usually has manmade shoes if you have time to look around. I've found several pairs of shoes there that I really like.

Online sources -

Bedford Fair - Reasonably priced sandals, work shoes (I recommend anything HushPuppies that is manmade, very comfy)
http://www.bedfordfair.com/pagebuilder/Search?category=SHOES

LifeStride Shoes http://www.lifestride.com/

Zappos.com (Vegetarian Section of shoes)

Trader Joe's - Cary

2007-08-10T15:31:00.000-04:00

Carries an assortment of veggie items. Trader Joe's Website: http://www.traderjoes.com/

Notable things to consider buying:

-Vegan Chicken Nuggets

-Amazingly fresh Bruschetta in the refrigerated section

-Very "dairy" tasting soy ice cream in Mango/Vanilla and Cherry Chocolate chip flavors by Double Rainboy Ice Cream (I wish they'd stock ALL the soy flavors, they sound great!)
http://www.doublerainbow.com/products/index.html

-Gardenburger Riblets

-Indian Veggie Burger

The people at Trader Joe's do take requests for products, so feel free to ask an employee to stock something if you don't see it.

Spotted Dog Restaurant - Carrboro

2007-08-10T15:27:00.000-04:00

This place is great for their veggie BBQ sandwiches and "Buffalo Wings", both of which are vegan. Lots of other vegetarian/vegan options and across from the Weaver Street Market which sells many natural/veggie products.

Spotted Dog Website:
http://www.spotteddog.biz/

Weaver Street Market Website:
http://www.weaverstreetmarket.coop/article/display.php?id=495

Baba Ghannouj - Greek - Multiple Locations

2007-08-10T15:17:00.000-04:00

Fantastic hummus wraps for under $5. Everything is very flavorful and fresh.

Website: http://www.babaghannouj.net/

Tofutti Cheese Slices

2007-08-10T15:11:00.000-04:00

I've only found them at Harmony Farms in Raleigh. They are cheese slices like any you would find in the grocery store, except they are vegan.

Two Guys Grille - Burgers etc. - Morrisville

2007-08-10T15:04:00.000-04:00

Two Guys Grille in Morrisville has a Black Bean Burger on the menu, which you can get as a burger or as a Philly Cheesesteak. The cheesesteak is not vegan, but comes with cheese and mayo. A great option for the vegetarian.

The manager at the Morrisville location confirmed that the Black Bean Burger they use does not contain eggs or dairy so I am assuming it is vegan, although he did not use that word.

The french fry choices are skinny fries, thick fries and sweet potato fries. I only tried the skinny ones. They were not very good, but I was just happy to have found a place to have a veggie burger option.

Their website is:

http://www.twoguysgrille.com/

But...all of our vegan items have cheese (Cafe Capistrano in Raleigh)

2007-08-10T15:03:00.000-04:00

CitySearch had this to say about the restaurant - Know Before You Go "Vegetarians and vegans alike can request that almost any of the menu items be served to accommodate their needs". When I got there the word *vegan* was even on the menu! I was so hopeful...so excited. But when I ordered my vegan burrito (I said the word 'vegan'), I was brought a tortilla oooooozing with melted cheese. When I explained this to my waiter, he looked so confused (poor kid) and he actually said to me with a straight face - "But...all of our vegan items have cheese in them"

I nicely explained to him the difference between vegan and vegetarian and he apologized and did not charge me for my meal (he didn't give me anything else to eat either, but that was yet another miscommunication). What I learned (or knew and was reminded of again) - Always SAY "no dairy, no eggs" when ordering vegan. Don't just trust that because the word is ON the menu, that the staff has ANY idea what that word means. Our waiter even said that the General Manager HIMSELF had no idea that vegan was not just vegetarian, but he did say the chef knew what it meant. I saw my bill and the waiter had written "veg burrito" on the order, so it was not the chef's fault, since he could have taken that to mean 'vegetarian', HOWEVER, any and all staff should be made aware of what *vegan* means, if it is printed right on their menu, otherwise, what is the point? Any restaurant putting "vegan" on the menu and not educating it's staff of what that actually means, can't get a recommendation.

Oriental Garden - Chinese Restaurant - Chapel Hill

2007-08-10T15:01:00.001-04:00

Oriental Garden is another sit down Chinese restaurant. The owner is very aware of "vegetarian" and even told me that a dish was in fact "vegan" without me asking. Big bonus points.

This restaurant has a Chinese and a Thai menu, both with a separate vegetarian section.

The wonton soup is always vegan, no matter who orders it - it just comes that way. Very exciting. They also have vegetable dumplings.

They do not have a website but CitySearch has them listed at:

http://triangle.citysearch.com/profile/6158353/chapel_hill_nc/oriental_garden.html

Mama Wok - Chinese Restaurant - Cary

2007-08-10T14:41:00.000-04:00

UPDATE: MAMA WOK IS NOW CLOSED!

A friend of ours informed us that the owners had to sell and will now be re-opening as a
Thai/Japanese/Sushi. We will continue the search for another worthy Chinese restaurant to recommend but as we have noted previously, the choices are slim to none around here and Mama Wok was the best to date.

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Mama Wok is one of the few sit down Chinese restaurants in the Triangle area that is remotely reminiscent of the ones I went to in MD/DC. They have a good selection of vegetarian menu items and a "secret Chinese menu" that you have to ask for with more traditional Chinese items on it. Both menus are excellent.

"Mama" or the lady usually at the counter, knows what vegetarian really means and if you ask her what on the menu is vegetarian she can tell you. The tofu vegetable soup is not made with chicken broth as it usually is. This is one of the only places I've found that has vegetable dumplings. A must for me if I'm eating Chinese.

Favorite menu items include: Egglplant with Basil, Yellowbird, Braised Tofu

Mama Wok is located off of High House Road and Cary Parkway in the Preston area. They don't have a website but CitySearch does have them listed:

http://triangle.citysearch.com/profile/40050850/cary_nc/mama_wok.html

Z Pizza - Restaurant Pizza

2007-08-10T14:38:00.000-04:00

Z Pizza is a pizza chain that has just opened in Cary. I was happy to find out that they have a soy cheese pizza with veggie sausage on it called the Berkley Soy Cheese Veggie.

You can find the menu and location etc. of ZPizza Cary at their website:

http://www.zpizza.com/zpizza.php?page=menu_pizza&mID=14

Tofutti Pizza

2007-08-10T14:29:00.000-04:00

I found these while I was living in the DC area and hadn't been able to find them around Raleigh until I stumbled upon them at Harmony Farms. They resemble those rectangular pizzas you'd get in a school cafeteria.

You can find details about Tofutti Pizza and their other products on their website:

http://www.tofutti.com/frozenfoods.shtml

Not everything Tofutti makes is vegan, but many are and among my favorites are the pizza, cream cheese, sour cream subsitute and the ice creams.

Welcome

2007-08-10T14:17:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Raleigh Area Vegetarian and Vegan Info blog! This is a forum where we can all share information about Veg*n dining and shopping in the greater Raleigh, NC area. We'll post restaurant reviews, grocery store updates, and other related fun & useful information.