Why don't I just bring lunch? I do sometimes, but (obviously) I like to eat out. So I have a new mission - contact all the restaurants on the street and ask if they have vegan options and if not, whether they're willing to add them. If you have any experience with restaurants I haven't mentioned please comment below.
Lula, Finn McCools, & Library Alehouse - VEGAN FRIENDLY!
I spoke to the owner of Lula (mexican) and Finn McCool's Irish Pub and she said the following: "Here are the vegetarian option menus for both restaurants – Most are available Vegan style (no separate cooking facilities) order without dairy and eggs. Our pastas are eggless." (click to enlarge the photos below)
Here's my video review of Lula:
Had an AMAZING meal at Finn McCool's! Geraldine, the owner, brought me out 6 dishes to try, 3 of which are currently not on the menu. However, Geraldine would be happy to include all the dishes, plus vegan cheese (Daiya?) if there is a demand - so demand it!
Library Alehouse responded: "Our vegan options are Arugula salad, beet and arugula salad, grilled veggie salad, all without the cheeses we put on them. The mushroom and spinach enchilada sans cheese, or our Boca burger. In addition, our kitchen is happy to accomodate your requests." Their menu features a lot of local and organic ingredients, and they serve some delicious vegan beer (like New Belgium) Note: the cook their french fries in the same oil as fish, so they're not vegan.
The Galley, 212 Pier, Victorian - SOME VEGAN OPTIONS
I was surprised when The Galley, a steak and seafood restaurant, responded with the following: "we do have a great pasta prima vera and a homemade spinach/mushroom ravioli- the sauce does have a touch of cream". Nice to know they have some options.
A new cafe is opening right across from my office called 212Pier and apparently they will have vegan options - I feel like my wish is coming true! Here's what the owner said: "Yes we will have soy milk, almond milk, rice milk etc for you tea/ coffee. We will also have a few vegan options on our menu"
The Victorian is happy to cater to vegans if you have an event in their building (they are no longer a restaurant).
Holy Guacamole, Red Mango - NOT VEGAN:
I recently went to Holy Guacamole, a small mexican joint. I was excited to see that they not only had a vegan-friendly burrito, but they clearly state on their menu that their rice and beans do not contain any animal products. However, while I was waiting for my burrito I saw them make it, and realized that it was hardly vegetarian friendly. While the ingredients are vegetarian (rice, beans, tomatoes, lettuce, guacamole), they heat the tortilla on the same area as the meat. When I asked them if they could give me a cold tortilla instead, they had no problem doing so, but then put the tortilla on the same cutting board as the meat. And then I realized that the beans and rice containers were close to the meat, and imagined that must cross-contaminate too. I am going to write the company and see if they'll consider having a separate vegetarian area, but I'm not too hopeful (and I can't seem to find an email address for them)... Another downside is that I don't think their ingredients are organic and their prices are really high ($7.40 for a regular size burrito) : (
Unfortunately yogurt stop Red Mango doesn't have any vegan options (didn't expect them to), and this is what they replied: "While we don't currently have plans in the near future to offer a vegan version of our yogurt, we greatly appreciate your feedback. Please be assured that I will forward your suggestion on to the appropriate person for review." Maybe if enough people email them asking for vegan yogurt they'll change their minds!