DC Dosa, DC

UPDATE: This restaurant has permanently closed.
 
If you put DC in your name, you've already won my heart over as I'm all about DC pride.  Okay, seriously, as the veracious vegan, I need to be objective in my review so I'll overlook the fact that DC Dosa is using local pride to win me over. And in case you don't know -- dosas are lentil and rice crepes/pancakes with a vegetable filling served with chutney that hail from South India. Yum.

DC Dosa offers 3 different kinds of dosas, 3 fillings and 3 chutneys to choose from. My first experience was going to the Foggy Bottom Whole Foods where owner, Priya Ammu, set up shop in 2013.  You place your order on a computer, then go pick up your dosa where it is made fresh right before your eyes.  The wait is quite long, but well worth it.

For my first one, I chose the four-lentil dosa and she let me try both the special cauliflower and pea mixture and the eggplant and sweet potatoes. I loved both of them. Of the three sauces: cilantro, tomato, and peanut, my favorite was the cilantro with the peanut a close second. I love that they fill spongy, thick pancakes with these delicious Indian fillings and serve them with chutney. It is a great idea.

My second visit was to their new location in Union Market. The menu is the same here. You can choose from a four-lentil, petite yellow lentil, or whole mung lentil dosa and fill it with your choice of curried potatoes, eggplant and sweet potatoes, and cabbage and carrots. They just had one person working the entire operation so, again, service is quite slow. This time I tried the mung bean dosa with the eggplant and sweet potato filling. This was a true winner. And we had some sort of onion tamarind chutney that made us both smile. I think I could eat these every day! I will say that the take-out container they put the dosas in is very awkward to eat out of as it barely fits the entire meal inside. I hope they find a better solution in the future.

I was disappointed to find that even though all of the dosas, fillings, and chutneys are vegan, the drink they serve is not. I hope they make their lassi vegan in the future. I've also heard that they may be coming out with a vegan sambhar stew soon. I can't wait to try it!

You'd be hard pressed to find a heartier meal in the area for just $8. All of the dosas are made with fresh ingredients -- no processed products or preservatives are used and they are cooked before your eyes. Their spices are even roasted and ground in-house. And they use organic produce, when available. I predict they'll be expanding to more locations soon. In the meantime, take advantage of their two locations and meet a friend at one for a delicious, hearty lunch.

DC Dosa
Whole Foods
2201 I Street NW
Washington, DC 20037

Nationals Stadium Vegan Fare

I am not a baseball fan, but I enjoy attending a live game once a year or so.  The Nationals Stadium surprisingly has many vegan options, which makes it a big draw for vegans.

On this particular evening, I wanted something very light so I went to the South Capitol Sushi. You'd hope that a sushi place, even one in a baseball stadium, could make all of their own food. Unfortunately, that is not the case. I ordered the one thing that was vegan there -- the avocado rolls. When I got back to my seat, I read the ingredients on the package and was horrified. I thought I was ordering fresh avocado rolls. But, they had some peanut sauce in them that was made with all kinds of artificial ingredients including modified corn starch, caramel color, acetic acid, and red no. 40. Wow. I still ate them, but reluctantly so. And I was not happy. They were filled with more lettuce, carrots, and cucumber than they were with avocado so it was more like eating a plain lettuce wrap with some chili sauce.

Of the other options I saw at the stadium, there is the Field of Greens that offers [supposedly] vegan veggie dogs, burgers, and more. Other options include vegan chili at Hard Times Cafe and Ben's Chili Bowl. But, my favorite place, hands down is Shawafel, which has vegan cauliflower and falafel sandwiches that are so good. Next time, I'm going back to Shawafel.

Play ball!

Evolution Fast Food, San Diego

Evolution Fast Food has undergone a number of changes over the years including three name changes. Once called "Nature's Express," this small, mostly take-out, vegan fast food joint is one of my best memories from my last trip to San Diego several years ago. So when I found myself in this city again with only a couple nights to eat out, I knew one of the nights would be at Evolution.

Evolution is located just outside of the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego. It is a very small restaurant with a drive-thru and seating for just a few inside at the counter with additional seating outside. What I loved the most about Evolution the last time I was here was that they made nearly everything in house. So, I was a little disappointed to see that they were now serving Gardein burgers along with their housemade burgers. Well, at least they still have the housemade burger. I placed my order and took at a seat at the counter.

This place hasn't changed much. They offer fresh salads, raw food, and drinks in the refrigerated case up front and desserts in another case. Their menu consists of burgers, sandwiches, small meals, fries, and sides as well as fresh juices and smoothies.

Their juices and smoothies are one of my favorite things here so I ordered an Israel's tonic, which had apple, beet, carrot, cayenne, garlic, and lemon. It was delish.

I grabbed a fresh salad out of the case that was filled with cucumbers, cabbage, spinach, carrots, tomatoes, sprouts, and sunflower seeds and paired it with a raw cilantro dressing. I love their fresh salads.

Then, my burger came out. I went against my gut and instead of ordering my favorite bacon cheeseburger, I decided to try something new -- the Mushroom Swiss. I opted for their housemade black bean burger that had fresh sauteed mushrooms, Veganaise, Daiya cheese, lettuce and tomato on a fresh, whole wheat bun. It was pretty good.

After scarfing all of that down, I decided to take a raw chocolate mousse to go. The raw chocolate mousse was in a nut crust with shredded coconut on top. It was very rich and decadent.

Evolution uses mostly organic whole foods in its meals without refined sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, GMO ingredients, artificial additives, flavors, preservatives or colors so it is good food that is good for you. They say their mission is to improve the world with delicious, nutritious fast food that is good for you and good for the earth. I like it. Recommended.

Evolution Fast Food
2965 5th Avenue (at Quince)
San Diego, CA 92013
(619) 550-1818

Blue Burrito Grille, Phoenix Airport

With a quick layover in Phoenix, I did some research and found there was a vegan-friendly Mexican eatery right in the airport. Blue Burrito Grille is its name and lard-free beans are its game.

It offered a limited menu in the airport that included breakfast, burritos, favorites, and salads. I went with the vegetarian burrito with no-lard black beans, grilled peppers & onions, lettuce, and guacamole. I added the guacamole and asked them to hold the cheese. With it, they gave me some of the Tappato "hot" sauce.

The burrito really wasn't that good, but I was happy to have a real meal. The beans and veggies were pretty flavorless and the hot sauce wasn't that great either. And there was so little guacamole that it didn't add much to the meal. That said, if I'm ever in this airport again, I'd eat here again because the options are limited and this sure was better than nothing.

Blue Burrito Grille
Phoenix Airport
Terminals 3 & 4

HipCityVeg, Philadelphia

When I think of Philly, I think of cool, funky shops on South Street and hip, yet down-to-earth people in an industrial city. Thoughts of great vegan food aren't one of the first things to come to mind. But, when I heard about a new vegan cafe that had opened up just a few months ago, I knew it was time to schedule a day trip. Plus, I hadn't visited my friends there in over two years! So, to Philly we go!

My friends who lived in the area had heard of the new HipCityVeg, but had not yet been there so Zach and I met up with them and we headed downtown to Rittenhouse Square. From all that I had read, I expected two things -- limited seating and awesome food. HipCityVeg did not disappoint.

HipCityVeg was opened by Nicole Marquis who was formerly the Manager at the now-closed Horizons, an excellent vegan restaurant. Horizons was closed to make way for the new Vedge venture and from what I hear, the owner is very supportive of Nicole and HipCityVeg. In fact, it has been noted that the owners continue to serve as a mentor to Marquis even though they have no stake in her cafe.

Nicole wanted to offer the city fresh and fast high-quality vegan food. They offer delivery via bicycle, source locally, and serve the meals in compostable packaging. The interior is even made of recycled and energy-efficient materials. How's that for being eco-friendly?! 

When my friends and I arrived, it was only 10:45 a.m., but we were already ready for lunch. I guess you could call that brunch! The menu listed so many appetizing items such as a Jerk Caesar Salad, Ziggy Burger with smoked tempeh, and Bistro Bella with herb glazed portobella.

When I inquired as to which items were good, the woman at the counter remarked that everything was good. Hmmm. Well, that didn't make the choice any easier. After debating between a crispy chick'n, portobella sandwich, and Philly steak, I ultimately felt that I was somewhat obligated to try the steak sub since I was in Philly.

I started off with a green lemonade, which was made of freshly squeezed lemons and organic kale juice, lightly sweetened with raw organic agave nectar. It was like a boosted lemonade.

Zach started with The Groothie, which I realized must be their most popular drink because everyone was buying it. This was a delicious green smoothie made of organic apples, leafy greens, bananas, and seasonal fruit. I'd liken it to a lighter version of a Naked Green Machine.

The food was served in this funky compostable packaging that fit the burgers like a glove and when unwrapped sort of looked like a burger diaper. My sub, however, was just wrapped normally as it was too large to have that sort of wrapping. I must admit I was pretty nervous about this one. The Philly Steak, as they called it, was not a cheesesteak and I was wondering if it would be flavorful enough without the cheese. One bite and my worries immediately dissipated. The steak sub was made of thinly sliced seitan with grilled onions and mushrooms, lettuce and tomato on a fresh, toasted roll topped with ketchup and vegan mayonnaise. Was I in vegan heaven? Words can't describe just how good this steak sub was. After having been disappointed with a vegan cheesesteak here in this same city several years ago, nothing could have prepared me for the richness of seitan coupled with the perfect accompaniments on fresh bread that was to die for. Oh my goodness.

Zach's sandwich was incredibly good as well. He ordered the Crispy HipCity Ranch, which was battered chick'n (I think it was gardein), lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, and peppercorn ranch. So fresh and so flavorful.

He also ordered the sweet potato fries that came with a cilantro-black bean dip. Yum! They were crispy, but not overly so with a mayonnaise-based dip with cilantro and black beans -- a great pairing.

Believe it or not, I ate that entire sub. I really just couldn't stop -- it was that good. And afterwards, we had to wonder if the cupcakes, and other sweets were made in-house or imported from one of the local vegan bakeries. When they told us they were made in-house, we had to try one. So, we all, very responsibly, shared a single vanilla cupcake. And it was damn good.

The owner, Nicole, and head chef, Lauren Hooks should be commended for their venture into the wonderful world of casual vegan food.  With sandwiches priced around $8.50 each, the prices are right, the cafe is hip, and the food is outstanding. Although there is limited seating, if you can't score a seat, you can always take your food out and enjoy it in Rittenhouse Square. But, no matter where you eat it, I am fairly certain you will enjoy your meal. I know we did.

There is a statement on the website that really rings true: "Yes, HipcityVeg is about health and compassion for living things and the earth, but the food is about tasting good. It’s as simple as that." They hit the nail on the head with this one.

HipCityVeg
127 S. 18th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 278-7605

Julia's Empanadas, DC

When you are coming out of the club at 3 a.m., what is the first thing you do?  Go to Julia's Empanadas, of course! I can't think of anything I'd want more at 3 a.m. than a filling empanada, which is why two of their four locations are open until 4 a.m. Yum! But, this time, thanks to a coupon from Scoutmob, I enjoyed one of their empanadas for dinner for free!

Julia's Empanadas is the only carry-out restaurant chain in DC that specializes in empanadas, which are handmade, mildly spiced, freshly baked sandwiches. The best part is that they carry a vegan flavor every day!  Today, their vegan filling consisted of lentils, carrots, broccoli, chickpeas, and potatoes stuffed in dough made with curry and squash. Delish!

They are very filling and if you pair it with one of their fresh salads like the tomato or beet salad, you have a complete meal!  I've always been a big fan of this dive. And, hey for $3.49 each, you really can't go wrong.

Julia's Empanadas
1221 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 861-8828

VG Burgers, Boulder

UPDATE: This restaurant has permanently closed.

On my last day in Boulder, I was seeking a low-key lunch so my friend, Corey suggested we go to VG Burgers, a 100% vegan fast food restaurant. I had dined at VG Burgers last year and wasn’t particularly impressed. Again, this experience was similar.

I ordered the black bean burger, which was $8 plus a $3 combo that included a side salad and natural soda. Corey ordered the “bacon cheeseburger” with the combo as well. The bacon cheeseburger is the most expensive item on the menu at $10.  It is a very pricey fast food establishment.

We ordered at the counter, then sat down and waited for our food.  I chose a Blue Sky soda in black cherry, which was really tasty. When our food arrived, I was pretty disappointed at the presentation. I mean, I realize this is a fast food establishment, but at $11 - $13 per plate, I expect a gourmet burger. Instead, I got a black bean burger on a bun topped with salsa, avocado, and iceburg lettuce. In fact, iceburg lettuce was strewn all over the plate and was  even the main ingredient of the salad. So disappointing.  The burger was nothing special and the salsa really wasn’t that good.

The last time I was here, I had ordered the bacon cheeseburger and was not at all impressed with it. I gave it another shot as I tried Corey’s meal. I did not feel any different – it really wasn’t anything special and it really was not worth $10.

Afterwards, I ordered the soft serve ice cream in a cup with a vegan hot fudge that they recommended. Now, this was really good. It is a coconut milk-based ice cream with a locally made fudge and I thought it was delicious.

So, while I am glad to see there is a vegan restaurant in the area, I think they could really step up their game. It is one thing to serve these sandwiches and charge $5. It is a whole other ball game when you start charging $10 for a sandwich at a fast food joint. The expectation of exceptional food is set by charging high prices, then the consumer is disappointed when it isn’t exceptional. I would recommend coming here to try the soft serve ice cream, but the burgers alone aren’t worth the trip.

Sababa Market, DC

Last Saturday, Zach and I were perusing Eastern Market in Washington, DC in the 100-degree heat desperately searching for a bite to eat. Amongst all of the meat-based vendors was a stand selling falafel. My first thought was "ugh, another falafel place," but as I began to walk away, I caught a glimpse of their toppings. The toppings looked very gourmet and immediately I realized that this place was a hidden gem within the market. I asked the woman working the booth if I could take pictures and she immediately asked me if I was from the health department! She had a funny sarcasm about her, which I found amusing.











So, we ordered a falafel sandwich to share and she kindly offered to split the pita for us to create two sandwiches. After handing us the falafel sandwiches, she walked us through the different toppings, all of which were 100% vegan. I topped mine with cucumber and tomato salad, picked baby eggplant, Israeli pickles, and purple cabbage salad. There was also an array of delicious homemade hot sauces and Amba sauce (pickled mango and cumin).

When I finally tasted it, I thought it was absolutely delicious! The falafel was not overfried or greasy.  The bread had been freshly made and delivered that morning and was incredibly soft, yet thick. And the toppings and sauces were very good. I especially liked the hot chili sauce (you only need a little!) and the green sauce. At $8, these falafel sandwiches are a bit pricey, but it seems you get what you pay for in the falafel world. If you are at Eastern Market and looking for good eats, you should definitely stop by Sababa!

Foodswings, Brooklyn

UPDATE: This restaurant has permanently closed.

Saturday started off at Foodswings in Brooklyn, a vegan fast food joint.  As you walk in you notice the tables and chairs that appear to be randomly placed in a do-whatever-you'd-like here kind of way. The menu is on the blackboard and the woman behind the counter seems nice enough. I assume she's vegan as she looks like "post-punk kitchen."


I ordered the ham and cheese cuban style, which meant it had mustard and pickles.
Zach ordered the tempeh reuben.  I think this joint stays true to its mission of providing vegan comfort food. Aside from that, I think they could improve on otherwise great dishes.
The ham and cheese was satisfying, but definitely would be better on an artisian bread that is toasted in the same way that Sticky Fingers steps up their grilled cheese.

The tempeh reuben had the same feel...it needed something else. We also ordered the big sampler plate with broccoli salad and buffalo wings. The buffalo wings were pretty good...the salad was okay. All in all, it is a satisfying place, but not anything to write home about. They do a good job of providing vegan comfort food, but I wouldn't go out of my way to hit this restaurant.

Foodswings
295 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 388-1919