photo from Golden West Cafe

By Danielle Choma, VRG Intern

I went to Golden West Café for brunch recently and enjoyed breakfast with three of my friends. We were seated right away by a friendly host and were thrilled with the minimum wait time because the place was packed! Inside of Golden West Café, there are plants everywhere, combined with lively colors and interesting Western artwork, creating an alive atmosphere. Golden West has been in Hampden section of Baltimore Maryland since 1997! Their motto, which stands true is, “Something for Everyone,” meaning they have food options for all different kinds of diets. They pride themselves in this fact, and the entire menu is properly and effectively labeled to show where and when meat, dairy, gluten, or fish is used, and when such can be subbed out for different options. Golden West Café was even voted best vegetarian dishes in the Baltimore magazine in 2022! Their menu includes American comfort food, featuring southwestern touches, and offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

I ordered vegan sausage, which was delicious. You can also request vegan pancakes. Other dishes offered on their menu include a vegan hot honay chick’n and waffle, cauliflower wings, pumpkin curry soup, a vegan spring chick’n sandwich, a vegan hangover burger, a vegan breakfast burrito, Little Fig kale Caesar salad, and so much more! Golden West Café does offer a kid’s menu, as well as a dessert menu. Some of their desserts include vegan, gluten-free banana cupcakes, vegan pumpkin cookies, and even vegan milkshakes!

Conveniently, when you go online to their menu, there is a separate section for gluten-free foods, for those who have celiac or a gluten allergy. And, best for last…coffee! They have over twelve different coffee options to choose from. I ordered an iced mocha with oat milk, and it was exactly what I wanted. Ten out of ten coffee. They do offer some kinds of alcoholic beverages as well, from beers to cocktails.

You can order food online through their website and schedule a pickup time or go in and sit down for a meal. They also serve private parties, as well as provide catering services. Sunday through Thursday they are open from 9am to 9pm, and Friday and Saturday they open from 9am to 10pm. You will definitely want to check out Golden West Café, as it is something you don’t want to miss!

Visit their website here; https://www.goldenwestcafe.com/home or order online at; https://order.toasttab.com/online/golden-west-cafe

For information on other vegetarian and vegan restaurants, check out this restaurant guide through The Vegetarian Resource group; https://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php