[eat] Vegetarian in Kansas – It’s not Easy Being Green
At the end of September, I got my PETA-dues-paying, liberal heart in a whirl and decided to walk the walk. I pledged to go vegetarian.
I didn’t feel like I could realistically commit to being a vegan. I can’t survive without cereal. I’m in college. It’s a staple.
As my adventures in a meatless world began, I noticed something: it’s really hard to be a vegetarian in the Midwest. Your food decisions aside, people think you’re un-American if you decline meat. While the dining options are limited, it’s not impossible to support an animal friendly diet in the ICT.
While many restaurants offer a small selection of vegetarian and vegan friendly dishes, I did find one strictly vegetarian joint in town, Zen Vegetarian Cuisine. It’s also kosher (and that’s pretty much impossible to come by here).
I am a huge fan of Zen. It has a very tranquil atmosphere and is college-budget-friendly. Plus, my veg virgin taste buds thought the food was scrumptious.
Other favorites to satisfy vegetarians: O’Naturals, Passage to India, and Café Asia. If you’re hardcore, you can get your ingredients at the farmer’s market in Old Town. If you’re hip, you can grab a vegan doughnut at The Donut Whole on Wednesdays. It’s tough in the beginning. You’re hungry a lot. You live in Kansas, so you forget that chicken and fish are meat and then you eat it and you’re pissed at yourself. You often think “No wonder vegetarians are so damn skinny, there is nothing to eat.” Once you get the hang of it though, you wonder how you ever ate meat in the first place. Sometimes the smell of it makes you nauseated.
If you are a vegetarian, you’re probably happy finding anything when you go out to dinner with friends. I was eating a lot of shredded lettuce in October, but eventually discovered there is more to life as a vegetarian than salad. (Also note that croutons are not a protein replacement). At home, Peta’s Vegan College Cookbook helped me all the time. Recipe to try: Sloppy Joel’s. “Just as meaty as the original Joe’s, except… well… there’s no meat.”
Making this lifestyle shift was a huge challenge. If I really wanted to see the changes I envisioned for animal rights, I had to take a personal stand. The easy road and the $1 McDouble are right there, but progress is an unprocessed path and it was beckoning to me. Every day that I say “no” to meat, it’s like saying “yes” to personal empowerment. Yes, you can call me cheesy – I’m not a vegan yet.
Being a vegetarian is super rewarding though. You’re doing yourself a favor, the environment a favor, and you can drive down a highway lined with fields with cattle and say, “Hey, I’m doing you a favor, I don’t eat you guys.”
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Sweet article! I’ve been a vegetarian for three years now, and I can definitely relate to being happy finding something other than mozzarella sticks or artichoke dip when I go out to eat with my meat-eating friends. We make a ton of food at home and will have potlucks and dinner parties to keep ourselves from being hermits.
I love Zen and love to pig out at The Anchor (they have an awesome veggie-friendly menu). Asian/Japanese/Thai restaurants are usually a good bet, too. Sumo can make some really tasty non-meat sushi, and we love going to Thai Tradition and Hana Cafe.
And, if I’m on the run and just can’t make time to cook something up, Freddy’s Frozen Custard has a kick ass black bean burger. And Burger King’s veggie pattie isn’t too bad either.
Whoa! Thank you for the Freddy’s/BK tip, Jenny. Have been looking for quick, lunch-hour alternatives to the Subway Veggie Delite sandwich or Jimmy John’s Gourmet Veggie (a personal fave – get a pickle on the side!). This is awesome. And I can second Thai Tradition as a great pick.
Welcome to the veggie world. I’ve been a vegetarian over 20 years now…whoa, that made me feel old, am I really old enough to say I’ve been anything for 20 years? Anyway, I becam a vegetarian when I was barely in my teens and none of my friends or family jumped on the wagon with me.
You gave some great suggestions and while almost every restaurant has at least one item without meat in it, don’t forget to be creative with their menus. Is there a pasta dish listed that sounds yummy but has chicken in it? Ask them to leave it out. Sometimes dishes are pre-made and this is not an option but most restaurants are willing to make changes for you. I’ve often asked a server (at higher end places) what they would suggest as a meatless dish and had a special entree made just for me that doesn’t appear on the menu.
There are lots of options out there and I’ve never had any problem finding something to eat at almost any restaurant. Sometimes you just have to be creative.
Here are a few more options for a meatless burger: Harry’s Uptown, Chili’s, Louie’s, The Anchor and Red Robin. And don’t forget Let’s Be Frank for a veggie dog!
Thanks for all your help! It’s tough being a leaf eater out there.
I’ve been a Wichitan my whole life and a vegetarian for about 10 yrs. now. My whole family is on board with it (husband included) and that makes life way easier. Any family get-togethers are veg-centered. 10 yrs. ago it was near impossible to go out to eat with friends and actually eat healthy and meat-free. That’s changed quite a bit, though I do still avoid ever going to Chili’s or Applebee’s. I agree though that many places are willing, and often asked, to change around a menu item to leave out the meat. Can’t hurt to ask nicely.
Try the Muse Cafe at WAM. They don’t have a lot, but they do have some things and all freshly made. Thai Tradition and PTI have been faves for a long time. My husband frequently has work lunches at Promise Thai on Greenwich Rd. It’s a little cheaper than and more casual than Thai Trad., but just as yummy and very friendly. His meat-eating co-workers are happy to go there and he always gets the Pad Thai with Tofu and eggs.
Good luck and keep experimenting with the lifestyle…you’ll get it to work well for you soon. It’s worth it!
Vegetarian for 10 years here. Don’t forget GreenAcres Market at 21st and Rock Rd – they have a Deli in the back of the store that they are expanding. They cater to all kinds of special diets and always have something that is not only veg friendly, but also organic.
I also enjoy going to N&J Bakery on Lincoln for Falafels.
Thanks for a great article and good luck with your new diet.
Any burger or sandwich on the Dolci & Joe’s delicious menu can be converted to a veggie option by subbing the patty/meat with grilled portobella mushrooms, and ask to take off the Bacon if need be. The Bada Bing sandwich is especially tasty this way!
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