VegWeek is upon us (April 22-28) and we’re celebrating with a special VegWeek offer! Enjoy a vegan meal at a restaurant this week and show us the receipt, and get $5 off your next daytime service or $10 off an overnight.
Now you’re wondering: “Where do vegans eat?” Below, you’ll find a list of some of our favorite spots in the South Bay and what we like to eat when we’re there. Try them out and be sure to let us know what you think!
This list is definitely not all-inclusive – you can also find delicious vegan veggie burgers at The Counter, Johnny Rocket’s, and Denny’s, and your meal at Chipotle can be made vegan if you order black beans and ditch the sour cream and cheese (which also cuts about 220 calories and 18.5 grams of fat)! The prepared food section at Whole Foods also keeps us fed and happy when we don’t have time to cook – try a slice of their vegan pizza or a vegan chicken salad sandwich. If you have any questions about dining out beyond this list, feel free to send me an email or check out a free copy of COK’s Vegetarian Guide to Los Angeles.
Torrance
Veggie Grill | 2533 Pacific Coast Highway
From burgers to salads and desserts, VG never disappoints! Burgers can be made kale style or wrap style, and with so many customizable options, there’s always something new to try. After 3+ years I just had my first wrap, the Buffalo Bomber, and it was amazing! Another new favorite is the Baja Fiesta Salad, with the addition of their meatless carne asada. Voted Best American Restaurant in the Los Angeles Times 2012 Reader’s Choice Awards – everybody loves Veggie Grill!
Babycakes Baking Company | 24205 Hawthorne Boulevard
We were first introduced to Babycakes by a client, and now we stop by whenever we want a sweet treat! They usually have 1-2 kinds of vegan cupcakes each day, and my favorites (so far) are Oreo and chocolate raspberry.
Redondo Beach
Fresh Brothers | 407 N. Pacific Coast Highway
Not only is there great vegan food in the South Bay, there’s great vegan pizza you can get delivered to your house! Just order with vegan cheese (they use Daiya brand), and ask for no butter in the pan if you go deep dish. I also love the Farmer’s Market Salad with raspberry vinaigrette. Make sure to follow them on Facebook for great deals and coupon codes to save some dough. (Did you like that dough pun, or was it too cheesy?)
Happy Veggie | 709 N. Pacific Coast Highway
I’ve loved Happy Veggie since before I was vegan. Lately I’ve been ordering the pho, but their curries, broccoli beef, and Szechuan chicken are also favorites. They serve big portions, but start with the chicken drumsticks or Vietnamese chicken salad if you’re really hungry.
Hermosa Beach
The Spot | 110 2nd Street
My absolute favorite thing to order at The Spot is the Garden Burrito with tofu added, and half red sauce/half savory sauce. If you want to keep your ordering a little less complicated (but just as yummy), try the blue plate or tamale combo plate.
Manhattan Beach
Fresh Brothers | 2008 Sepulveda Boulevard
El Segundo
Veggie Grill | 720 Allied Way
Long Beach
Zephyr | 340 E 4th Street
I wish I lived close enough to spend more time at Zephyr! Delicious food, free WiFi, plus great coffee or kombucha make this the perfect spot to hang out, study, and grab a meal. My favorites are the BLT, seitan bowl, and MF burger. I also love their soups, daily specials, and friendly staff.
Veggie Grill | 6451 E Pacific Coast Highway
Inglewood
Stuff I Eat | 114 N. Market Street
I saved the best for last! Stuff I Eat is my favorite vegan restaurant, even though I’ve only ordered two things off the menu. The soul food platter is SO good that I have trouble ordering anything else, but after seeing pictures of friends’ orders, I am determined to try the Kilamanjaro Quesadilla and Nacho Salad ASAP. “If you don’t want meat, try the Stuff I Eat!”
Be sure to check out USVegWeek.com for more information, tips and tools. Have a great week!
The Vegan Petsitter 