Calling all Vegetarians

[noid]

Vegetarians, I need some assistance here. Friend of mine falls into the non-meat-eating camp and asked me about Vegas and vegetarian food. Being an omnivore, I have no ideas for him. I would imagine its a real bitch to stay vegetarian in a town renowned for its 99c steak and eggs and all you can eat hotdog buffets.

So, want to share your war-stories and successes here?

[Voltage Spike]

Re: Calling all Vegetarians

I would imagine its a real bitch to stay vegetarian in a town renowned for its 99c steak and eggs and all you can eat hotdog buffets.

I am vegetarian except when at conferences, but I can tell you that your perception is pretty much on the money: Vegas isn't very metropolitan in this respect. Your best bets are going to be Indian eateries (which are fairly plentiful) and large name restaurants (e.g., Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen). Even the Chinese restaurants aren't particularly veggie-friendly, and their vegetarian options aren't to my liking.

[signcarver]

Re: Calling all Vegetarians

vegetarian or vegan? I'm not a vegetarian but I have lots of vegetarian friends. Some of the biggest problems are "hidden" animal products such as egg wash or honey on breads, meat stocks that add flavor, lard and sour cream with mexican food and cheeses sprinkled on everything.

For many "vegetarians" I know a veggie pizza will be fine as almost any Italian but if cheese isn't an option it does become harder (though I have heard of them ordering pizza with no cheese). When I go into one of the finer restaurants usually they have at least one or two vegetarian entrees and I often end up ordering them however often there is something that makes it not vegan or even truly vegetarian.

I have heard great things about some of the veggie dishes at the sushi places.

I also came across a blog from "the vegas vegan"... She even has an entry about attending a BBQ that I think some ideas might work for the toxic BBQ and I do know several vegetarians do attend.

I know one of my friends makes sure to attend a breakfast buffet and gets cereal, fruits, breads and juices and lives off beer and margaritas the rest of the day while in vegas.

It has been a while since I've been to Komol Restaurant but when I was there the food was great but the latest review on yelp mirrored another that it wasn't as good as it was. However most are still favorable 4 or 5 stars. I mention it because its fairly close to the riv.

I also agree with Voltage Spike that many of the Chinese restaurants are not to friendly as they almost always use chicken stock in their woks regardless of the dish.

[TheCotMan]

Re: Calling all Vegetarians

Thai, Indian, and *some* Chinese food places really do have many dishes that are vegetarian. However, with Thai and Chinese, there is risk of soups being made with Fish Sauce.

If eggs and cheese are ok, Subway does have a veggie sandwich for quick-cheap food.

Sushi is also an option, as there are usually some rolls that are veggie. However, nearly all the Miso isn't, and after having tried several kinds of vegan miso, I don't suggest looking for any, or trying any.

Another one is a Greek or Turkish Deli or eating place, as they have many options, like pita bread "sandwich" made with falafel, tahini, lettuce and tomato.

Another (expensive) option is the buffet, but you totally get taken advantage of when you don't eat any meat. A hint on this though... if you manage to go in just near the end of breakfast, but before lunch, then you pay breakfast prices for lunch menu items. Same with lunch to dinner.

Best option has been the Grocery store. Some specialty stores will sell vegan bread (made without eggs) but I'm no Vegan, so, I don't look for it.

Almost all places that serve soup have soup with chicken or beef stock based. Grocery stored that sell Progresso Soup are another option if soup-in-the-hotel-room is desired, but not all their vegetarian soups are void of chicken or beef stock. (Just because they are, "meat free," doesn't mean they are vegetarian.

Best bet is to go to the grocery store, as you have many more options that way. They should have a veggie section, and Quorn products as "fake chicken" are very, very good. After that, MorningStar makes several meat-free products (though some have egg.) After that, there are Boca Burgers (which are easy to get tired of) and then Garden Burger, which are just as easy to get tired of.

Hope this helps.

{Edit: Added]
Oh yeah, and Taco Bell. I think their bean and cheese burrito satisfied egg-and-cheese vegetarian diet.
http://www.tacobell.com/nutrition/ingredient-statement/

[noid]

Re: Calling all Vegetarians

My buddy is a vegetarian, not vegan. I wouldnt even want to imagine the pain in the ass it would be to try and maintain a super restrictive diet in a city that wants you to stuff your face with crap.

I appreciate the answers posted here so far, I will pass along to my friend

[valkyrie]

Re: Calling all Vegetarians

My buddy is a vegetarian, not vegan. I wouldnt even want to imagine the pain in the ass it would be to try and maintain a super restrictive diet in a city that wants you to stuff your face with crap.

I appreciate the answers posted here so far, I will pass along to my friend

hey Noid? Depending on how restrictive your friend is regarding their diet? there is VeganLasVegas which is a good resource. I was veggie for years, but have always brought much of my own mainstay to Vegas (except for Almond Milk, which I have to buy or make}. Again, many of the places that are celiac friendly are veggie friendly as well. Have your friend try the sites I posted for the celiac. Also, many Asian places use a separate wok for veggie dishes, thus no cross contamination.

Regards,

valkyrie
__________________________________________________ ______
sapere aude

[valkyrie]

Re: Calling all Vegetarians

Thai, Indian, and *some* Chinese food places really do have many dishes that are vegetarian. However, with Thai and Chinese, there is risk of soups being made with Fish Sauce.

If eggs and cheese are ok, Subway does have a veggie sandwich for quick-cheap food.

Sushi is also an option, as there are usually some rolls that are veggie. However, nearly all the Miso isn't, and after having tried several kinds of vegan miso, I don't suggest looking for any, or trying any.

Another one is a Greek or Turkish Deli or eating place, as they have many options, like pita bread "sandwich" made with falafel, tahini, lettuce and tomato.

Another (expensive) option is the buffet, but you totally get taken advantage of when you don't eat any meat. A hint on this though... if you manage to go in just near the end of breakfast, but before lunch, then you pay breakfast prices for lunch menu items. Same with lunch to dinner.

Best option has been the Grocery store. Some specialty stores will sell vegan bread (made without eggs) but I'm no Vegan, so, I don't look for it.

Almost all places that serve soup have soup with chicken or beef stock based. Grocery stored that sell Progresso Soup are another option if soup-in-the-hotel-room is desired, but not all their vegetarian soups are void of chicken or beef stock. (Just because they are, "meat free," doesn't mean they are vegetarian.

Best bet is to go to the grocery store, as you have many more options that way. They should have a veggie section, and Quorn products as "fake chicken" are very, very good. After that, MorningStar makes several meat-free products (though some have egg.) After that, there are Boca Burgers (which are easy to get tired of) and then Garden Burger, which are just as easy to get tired of.

Hope this helps.

{Edit: Added]
Oh yeah, and Taco Bell. I think their bean and cheese burrito satisfied egg-and-cheese vegetarian diet.
http://www.tacobell.com/nutrition/ingredient-statement/

tempeh, grilled on a cleaned portion of the grill and topped with salsa is the bomb, with grilled romaine, mushrooms and onions. The yum! :-)

[Thorn]

Re: Calling all Vegetarians

... I was veggie for years, ...

In TEXAS? Isn't that a felony there?

[valanx]

Re: Calling all Vegetarians

Sushi is also an option, as there are usually some rolls that are veggie. However, nearly all the Miso isn't, and after having tried several kinds of vegan miso, I don't suggest looking for any, or trying any.

Forgive my ignorance here, but what isn't vegan about miso?

Or were you talking about miso soup(?), because yeah, without dashi its going to be pretty un-tasty.

[valkyrie]

Re: Calling all Vegetarians

In TEXAS? Isn't that a felony there?

shhhhhh! Don't tell anyone. :-D


Regards,

valkyrie
_______________________________________
sapere aude

[TheCotMan]

Re: Calling all Vegetarians

Forgive my ignorance here, but what isn't vegan about miso?

Or were you talking about miso soup(?), because yeah, without dashi its going to be pretty un-tasty.

Yep. Miso soup.

[big chopper]

Re: Calling all Vegetarians

Best vegetarian option: The Buffet
--bc,

[kallahar]

Re: Calling all Vegetarians

At the Riv I mostly ate cheese pizza from pizza hut (yuk) or any of the food at the mexican place in the food court, sans meat.

Kady's also has the usual breakfast stuff which is vegetarian.

Kallahar

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: Calling all Vegetarians

Best vegetarian option: The Buffet

best for variety of options perhaps but not likely best for economy. the only way to make a really good return on investment at some buffets is to load up on the steak and shimp, etc.

[Voltage Spike]

Re: Calling all Vegetarians

best for variety of options perhaps but not likely best for economy. the only way to make a really good return on investment at some buffets is to load up on the steak and shimp, etc.

I suppose the value depends on the eater. If I pay money and can eat from a wide variety of items until food squishes up against the back of my eyeballs, then it would seem that I am just as satisfied as the omnivore. That, and one good buffet trip can easily satisfy my hunger for a day-and-a-half.

That being said, the reason I didn't suggest the buffet is that I have found it difficult to determine what is in the food you are eating. I still get tripped up in Spanish when asking if the tortillas are made using lard...