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BLAKE AUED
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The Grit is known for its vegan baked goods
Pictured are a chocolate-with-mint-icing
grasshopper cake and a bowl of granola.
Athens Has Tons of Options
W hen Echo opened on Washington Street in September,
vegans throughout Athens rejoiced. After ages of
being high-maintenance diners begging waitresses
to hold the cheese and sub the sauce, Athens vegans could go
somewhere and ask no questions.
But now that our Mecca of tempeh bacon and jackfruit tuna
has closed, where are we to go? The Grit is the obvious answer
for tasty vegan food in all these categories. Fortunately,
Athens now has tons of other options, too. Flagpole surveyed
some local vegans on what they eat with the omnivores they
love.
n | |p rof* Everybody loves a good burger???
13 U l>^ tl>b?? just not always the beef kind. The
Grill, Clocked, Globe and Grindhouse all have delish bean pat
ties. The Grill, Clocked and Grindhouse also boast vegan tofu
dogs. Clocked even offers Vegenaise, Tofutti cheese, seitan and
vegan basil-jalapeno dressing. And when you just have to eat
at a burger-n-fries joint, it can be a nice break from the nine
pounds of kale in your fridge.
"I particularly enjoy an excuse to eat french fries," says
Jordan Alexander, who became a vegan a year ago. "I really
enjoy treating myself to unhealthy food or saving money by
snacking on appetizers."
O | ??? r) p ??????r- As a college-poor vegan who
13 l>l>l I rarely has more than $5 in her
wallet, Taco Stand is my jam. For around $4, you can get a
deluxe tofu burrito with guacamole instead of cheese and sour
cream. Barberitos, Moe's, Willy's and Chipotle also offer easily
vegan-ized burrito options, not to mention the possibilities for
veggie chili, salads and burrito bowls.
"They're relatively healthy fast food," Anjalie Jarret says.
n.<???<??? m Let's face it???Daiya is not cheese. "I love
I I i ti???/\?? Mellow Mushroom," says Caroline Vason. "I
don't love vegan cheese. Unless you can't remember the taste
of cheese, there just isn't a comparison."
However, Daiya's cheese-like product has its place, and
sometimes it's on your pizza. Mellow Mushroom and Your Pie
will both slap it on for you, though the 'Shroom adds an unfor
tunate upcharge. In addition, Ted's Most Best will make you a
pizza with no cheese. (Is that still a pizza?)
But if mozzarella-style tapioca goop isn't for you, have no
fear. Mellow Mushroom and Transmetropolitan both have highly
praised build-your-own salad options, and Transmet can vegan-
ize a calzone. In fact, says Transmet cook Dionnet Bhatti,
there is an underground specialty vegan pizza that is not on
the menu called "the babsie." The secret pizza has a red sauce
base, vegan kalamata pesto, blackened tofu, yellow onions,
mushrooms and green olives without cheese. Eating it will up
your cool quotient and magnify your vegan powers.
A . | Who doesn't love curry? Lots of people,
#IA\IN* I guess, but Athens has some good ones
if you're into that. Look out for the fish sauces at Thai Spoon
and Siri Thai, several vegans warned me, but Cozy Yum Yum's
curries are all safe. Get something with veggies or tofu in it
and you are all set. "I usually just look for anything stir-fry,"
Samantha McDonald says.
Yes, there are only two Vietnamese places in town???Yummy
Pho and Just Pho and More???but they are both super vegan-
friendly. Get the vegan pho at either one, and you'll be happy
and full for days. Even if you're not in the mood for pho, there
are tons of rice-y, noodle-y, broth-y options. There are even a
few milk-less bubble teas???just get the slushy option.
Taste of India has an entire vegetarian menu with all of
the vegan options indicated, and the lunch buffet is clearly
marked. "I definitely appreciate everything that I can find
labeled 'vegan' at restaurants," McDonald says.
Technically, the Middle East is in Asia, and Lebanese restau
rant The Sultan also offers vegan-friendly options.
C a a. ??? A g????d general rule for
I ANCY lOOD. nicer restaurants is to
call ahead; most are willing to accommodate reasonable dietary
requests, and many will make you something off-menu, vegan
and delicious. The Last Resort's salads are allegedly terrific,
and its black beans are the go-to option for a few vegans. The
National's "power lunch" is easily vegan-ized, and Etienne
Brasserie offers what vegan Kelly Martin declares "the best
vegetable plate ever.
"Definitely give them a five out of five," she says. "They are
totally willing to create something special for those who want
to avoid meat and/or dairy."
Other Options:
of super-spicy, mushy-but-somehow-still-good food in a no
frills setting, Kelly's Authentic Jamaican Food might be for
you. "Kelly's Jerk near Five Points is definitely a meat-centric
eatery, but they have a great veggie plate," Sam Helmey says.
"Kelly's rice and peas, collard greens, spicy squash and cabbage
make a superb vegan soul food meal at a good value." Or you
can just go for a giant sweet tea and fried plantains.
And don't forget about the tofu scrambles at Big City Bread
(which also labels its vegan breads and cookies) and Mama's
Boy. Or The Royal Peasant's turmeric cabbage and vegetar
ian curry. Or Hi-Lo, the new spot in Normaltown that features
meat-free hot dogs and Cincinnati chili. Then there's Earth
Fare's hot bar, Daily Grocery's to-go sandwiches, home.made on
Baxter Street and Heirloom Cafe and White Tiger Gourmet in
Boulevard. The latter's owner, Ken Manring, has a good reputa
tion with the Athens vegan crowd. "[He's] very vegan-friendly,"
says Janette Hill, who went vegan 18 years ago. "Ken under
stands and caters to vegans???separate grill, etc."
So when your family/girlfriend/boyfriend/subconscious just
isn't in the mood to eat soy anything, remember that there are
vegan fairies looking out for you in kitchens all over Athens.
It's always a good idea to warn the server or cook just in case,
but you need not limit yourself to side salads and the emer
gency Clif bars you keep in your bag.
Sarah Anne Perry
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