photo from Viva Vegan Tacos

The Vegetarian Resource Group maintains an online Guide to Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants in the USA and Canada. Here are some recent vegan restaurant additions. The entire guide can be found here: www.vrg.org/restaurant

To support the updating of this online restaurant guide, please donate at: www.vrg.org/donate

Here are some new additions to VRG’s guide:

Cinnaholic, 4103 Faudree Rd., Ste. 160, Odessa, TX 79765

Cinnaholic offers over 30 flavors of gourmet cinnamon rolls — and they are all vegan! Some include Almond, Blackberry, Butterscotch, Caramel, Cream Soda, Key Lime, Root Beer, & Pomegranate. Toppings range from Cookie Dough Chunks to Shredded Coconut and everything in between. They offer other sweet treats including cookies.

Feed Me, 3407 W. Amarillo Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106

The café has quickly become a favorite spot in the city, known particularly for its vegan burgers, created with a unique blend of plant-based ingredients that closely mimic the taste and texture of traditional beef. It also places a strong emphasis on coffee, sourcing high-quality beans from local roasters, as well as their own ice cream, and a whipped treat for pets, too. The café fosters a warm and friendly environment, where patrons can feel comfortable exploring plant-based options. They offer senior and military discounts, along with a loyalty program that rewards regular customers, welcoming everyone who is interested in their food choices. Adding a more fun, quirky element to the café, their mascot, Boris the Venus flytrap serves as a playful reminder of the benefits of exploring veganism. Instead of sticking to his carnivorous roots, Boris embodies the idea of trying new things and encourages visitors to discover the delicious world of plant-based cuisine. At Feed Me, the goal is not only to serve great food but also to inspire an open-minded approach to vegan options.

Gigi’s Vegan Kitchen, 543 N. Noble St., Chicago, IL 60642

Gigi’s Vegan Kitchen began as an idea for a food truck but evolved into the vibrant brick-and-mortar restaurant it is today. The menu is comprised of a fusion between American and Mexican offerings, but it is set apart from typical vegan restaurants by the focus on plant-based ingredients standing out as themselves instead of relying on “fake meat.” This restaurant also has unique drink options like a Mango Pineapple Smoothie. Its ambiance is as remarkable as its food, with large floral displays on the interior to replicate the feeling of entering a jungle.

Greens and Grains, 5000 Wellington Ave. Pad 2B, Ventnor, NJ 08406

Greens and Grains banishes the misconception that no meat means no flavor. Their menu features a variety of vegan style favorites like breakfast tacos, panini, meatless meatballs, falafel, stuffed grape leaves, sesame crunch salad, nutritious smoothies, and so much more!

Mama Cheá Café, 8220 Griffin Rd., Davie, FL 33328

Mama Cheá Café is dedicated to promoting a healthy, eco-conscious vegan lifestyle through delicious, innovative dishes. Founded by Nicole Lopez, the café was made to honor her grandmother’s culinary legacy, infusing traditional flavors with modern plant-based techniques, which is illustrated in the restaurant making its plant-based meats in-house. The menu is diverse and enticing, featuring a range of lunch options from hearty burgers and savory empanadas to satisfying breakfast items and delightful desserts, like French Hazelnut Croissants, Sweet Almond Latte Macarons, and Pecan Danish Fluffs. This menu ensures that there will always be something new for visitors to try, whether they are in the mood for something richer or just want something quick during the day.

Viva Vegan Diner, 1490 E. Foothill Blvd. Ste. D, Upland, CA 91786; Viva Vegan Tacos, 299 W. Olive St., Ste. C, Colton, CA 92324; and Viva Vegan Taqueria (in Echo Park Eats), 1411 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026

With 3 Southern California locations and robust menus that include burritos, birria, tortas, and even fishless Baja tacos, Viva Vegan is the answer to anyone’s question about how to get authentic Mexican food as a vegan. With some variations in the menus and the experience at each location—noting that the Taqueria in Echo Park Eats offers take-out and delivery only—you will not be lacking in options in any case. You can go classic with the OG Burrito (made with a flour tortilla, pinto beans, rice, onion and cilantro, and your choice of protein), or spice it up with the Chilaquiles Burrito. And birria gets a new look, with dishes like the Birria Pizza (flour tortillas with vegan cheese, jackfruit birria, onion, and cilantro, served with a side of consommé) and the Birria Melt (jackfruit birria and vegan mozzarella on two slices of sourdough bread). Taco options include the Vampiro (corn tortilla, vegan cheese, choice of protein, with cilantro and onion topping) and the Oyster Mushroom (oyster mushroom carnitas with onion, cilantro, and avocado sauce). Protein options include Vegan Asada, Vegan Al Pastor, Birria, and Oyster Mushroom Carnitas. Whatever you end up choosing, Viva Vegan will remind you how delicious vegan living can be.

World Party Pizza, 930 North Coit Rd., #140, Richardson, TX 75080

World Party Pizza aims to create in house, vegan, American Italian sauces and cheeses with a cruelty-free, environmentally friendly focus. Besides other selections, Pizzas include Sausage and Mushroom featuring house seasoned Impossible Italian sausage, nut-and-soy-free vegan Mozzarella, Shiitake mushrooms, parmesan, and fresh roasted tomato sauce on thin, rectangular crust, as well as Texas Bar-B-Q Chick-N Pizza with house made Chipotle Bar-B-Q sauce, nut-and-soy-free vegan Mozzarella, soy chicken, and red onions. There’s also multi-layered, Impossibly Cheesy Lasagna with house made ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan, stuffed with Italian seasoned Impossible crumble, roasted tomato sauce, spinach, and zucchini. A couple of Salad selections are The Holy Bowler boasting spinach, organic Pear tomatoes, Quinoa salad, broccoli, grilled mushroom medley, toasted walnuts, toasted pumpkin seeds, bacon bits, Sweety Drop Peppers, and a side of Balsamic Vinaigrette, or Rabbit Fuel offering fresh strawberries, pears, spinach, arugula, toasted almonds, and a side of Strawberry Vinaigrette. Both are served with Citrus Pickled Red Onions. Check out their Weekly Specials too. Thirsty? How about Strawberry Basil, Ginger Turmeric or Hibiscus Lemonades? Decadent Desserts tempt with Fresh Strawberry Cake, Bananas Foster Bread Pudding which features caramelized bananas in warm whiskey sauce, sweet, yellow Buttery Cream Cake topped with butter cream icing and a whisky sauce drizzle, or house made, gluten-free Gooey Chocolate Pecan Cake, topped with chocolate sauce, chocolate butter cream icing, whiskey caramel sauce, and pecans.