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Apparently I'm a regular at Chopsticks Inn. Though we do not know each others name, the main waiter knows not to serve me the non-vegan Fried Wonton and that I do not want egg in my Moo Shu Vegetable ($12.25)—which I order almost every time I'm here. While I like this dish for what it is—sautéed strings of cabbage, carrot, snow pea, water chestnut, and so on—I love the majesty of the service even more. While the kitschy door maybe worn, and the carpet stained black from years of foot traffic, the performance of artfully swaddling vegetables in a translucent flat bread by two sliver spoons captivates. Honed through years of grace, the food and service hark back to a time of formality—when to dine out was a treat—that has become muddled and lost to the middle class consumer in today's fast causal world. ____________________________________ #VeganChineseFoodinSanDiego #MooShuVegetable #VeganChineseFood

Currently, none of the salads at @madisononpark are vegan—but two were easily modified. First came the Watermelon Stack ($12) layered with cocktail sensibilities. Thick cuts of pink, not too sweet, watermelon marinaded in lime and jalapeño with sheets of radish, a hunk of avocado, and a touch of mint. • Next came the Smashed Persian Cucumber (It was on the special menu... I think it was $10). Crisp cues muddled in aromatic za'atar (traditionally dried thyme, sumac, oregano, marjoram, and sesame seeds) chili, garlic chips, and mint with pea tendril antenna. ______________________________________________ #VeganSaladinSanDiego #MadisononPark #Watermelon

There has been a lot of buzz around @nativefoodscafe Double Cheeseburger ($12)—and the number one comment I've heard is to get the BBQ sauce on the side. • I did not get the BBQ sauce on the side. • I did not think the BBQ was overwhelming. But in conversation after with @brianturnerofficial, @dasheye, and @carlyisvegan it became pretty clear that there is a diversity of options regarding "good" burger sauces—luckily, all are encompassed within veganism. So, in addition to the BBQ sauce and thousand island dressing which you may or may not like, this wheat bun is stuffed with two Native seitan patties stacked with melted @followyourheart American cheese, house-made pickles, red onions, and shredded lettuce with a side of fries. ____________________________________________ #VeganBurgerinSanDiego #NativeFoods #NativeFoodsLab

Crisp panko coats thick cuts of mushroom caps in @madisononpark's Portabella Fries ($10). Supple shrooms—thankfully devoid of the muddy funk that haunts most fungi—are served with an avocado cilantro aioli (basically guacamole), a thin yet punchy chipotle lime sauce, a fresh lime wedge, and a little tuft of microgreens. My non-vegan waiter claimed these were one of his favorite dishes. After trying them, I believe he was telling me the truth. __________________________________________________ #Portabella #FriedMushrooms #MadisononPark

The Heavenly Salad ($8.95) at Loving Hut is one of my life standards. Sweetly dressed shreds of cabbage and carrots with herbs, tofu, and soy chicken slices. Mountain high under a snowfall of crushed peanuts. _______________________________________ #LovingHutSanDiego #HeavenlySalad #VeganSaladinSanDiego

Light cornstarch chrysalis encase the cubes of the Sweet Chili Tofu ($10). Enameled in a sweet sauce plated besides a julienned yasai itame(vegetable stir fry) and a dome of white rice. The few gummy clumsy of all-batter barely distracted from the creamy warmth of silken soy. ______________________________________________ #VeganJapaneseinSanDiego #SweetChiliTofu #TheWhetNoodle

You know those times when you are so hungry and you are sitting there stewing for 30+ minutes waiting for the food you already paid for so you can't leave? You know, watching the people all around who got there after you receive, scrap clean, and leave behind their plates while you are still waiting? Becoming so hangry that you are determined to hate-eat your food and snark about it later? Well, everything but that last sentence happened at @greendoorcafe. I sincerely wanted to hate this food because of the wait, but I couldn't, because it was pretty wonderful. • At the forefront is the Walnut & Chive Pate ($unknown - it wasn't printed on the menu but based on my bill was probably about $10) over @pragerbrothers multi-seed bread with avocado, smoked paprika, kale chip, and a scattering of blueberries. In the back is the Full Tank Hummus Sandwich ($14) where more perfectly grilled @pragerbrothers walnut bread is neatly layered with hummus, vegan mayo, lettuce, tomato, avocado, shredded carrots, crisp jimica, and smoked paprika which until this meal I had forgotten how magical of a spice it is. Served with a young salad topped with beets, pea tendrils, blushing radish sprouts, and a scattering of roasted seeds—sesame, sunflower, and fennel—besides a cup of black bean soup with a vivid green dollop of herb oil that I couldn't help but love. ___________________________________________________ #GreenDoorCafe #LaJolla #VeganPate

Yes, technically, San Diego has vegan Bahn Mi. But so many simply fill baguettes with dry, bland life choices. Often, a thin slice of pedigreeless—and usually not vegan—veggie loaf is on offer to punish those who dare order chay (vegetarian). Occasionally, root veggie and bean floss filling can be found (such as at K's) and rarer still a mock meat (such as Purple Mint and Kim's). It just seems, in this place at this time, we should be tripping over competently made tofu Banh Mis in San Diego. But, we are not. • I'd head lot of love thrown at Oceanside's ND Banh Mi so made the jump off the 5 on my drive between SD and LA. Honestly, I probably shouldn't have. While the dry Organic Tofu Banh Mi ($4.95) is made passable with a side of soy sauce sauce (which I doubled down on), this is clearly a local's place. You know, fast, friendly, and cheap if you happen to be near by, but not offering quite enough flavor to be a destination itself. _____________________________________ #VeganBanhMiinSanDiego #VeganBanhMi #BanhMiChay

TheVegFoodie Twitter

@amanda_eats_slc Sounds like user error 5 hours ago
When I die please bury me in a vat of BBQ sauce 5 hours ago
@obey_little @UrbanRemedy @EaterSanDiego That's why it's opening in North County... 10 hours ago

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