People observing meat-free Fridays during Lent, vegetarians or anyone trying to reduce their environmental impact by eating fewer animal products may suffer the classic issue of scanning the menu fruitlessly for interesting meat-free meals. Plain cheese quesadillas or french fries, though tasty, do not always measure up in comparison to the other dishes on the table. Avoid this issue when you go out to a meal with friends or family by suggesting one of these five restaurants where you can find delicious meals, minus the meat.
Cafe Berlin
The cafe, located on North 10th Street, offers traditional breakfast fare, such as French toast, pancakes and eggs, but also serves 19 additional vegetarian-friendly entrees including biscuits and gravy, a tofu scramble and a tempeh Reuben sandwich. Many of Cafe Berlin’s menu items include fresh veggies, such as sauteed red and green peppers, fresh spinach and thick slices of tomato. The cafe sources its bread from the local Uprise Bakery. These high-quality ingredients elevate the meals from good cooking to good food. The vegetarian menu items are flavorful, yet fresh, and encapsulate the warm familiarity of a family-owned diner. With such a wide variety of menu items, everyone at the table is sure to find something to their liking.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Your first thought when you imagine Buffalo Wild Wings is probably sports or chicken on the bone, but the chain also offers cauliflower wings that are deliciously deep-fried and tossed in your sauce of choice. My personal favorite is the medium buffalo sauce, which is spicy but not so hot you can’t appreciate the taste of the cauliflower and its crispy coating.
Something to be aware of is that the allergen and preparation guide on Buffalo Wild Wings’ website says the cauliflower wings are fried in beef shortening, which while technically not meat, is an animal product some vegetarians avoid. Each person’s definition of “meatless” is a little different, but strict vegetarians may want to avoid this menu item. However, if the beef shortening doesn’t bother you, and you’re missing the experience of eating wings on a Friday night, this sports-centered chain might offer the perfect meal.
Seoul Taco
If you’re a tofu lover, Seoul Taco is heaven. Almost all of the entrees have a choose-your-own protein option, which includes a flavorful baked tofu. The small cubes of soft, slightly spicy tofu can be the protein for items including a quesadilla served with dipping options, tacos with spicy Seoul sauce or, my personal favorite, the Gogi bowl.
The bowl has a base of rice alongside a mix of carrots and arugula tossed in a simple vinaigrette. The main flavor comes from the tofu but also a fresh fried egg and gochujang, a fermented Korean red pepper paste. The yolk of the egg acts as a creamy sauce and adds a richness to the simple ingredients. The default white rice in the Gogi bowl can also be substituted for fried rice, which contains shrimp paste — something you might be mindful of if you are a vegetarian.
Seoul Taco is located on the corner of Hitt Street and Broadway, just a short walk from MU’s campus. Stop by on your way to a show at Ragtag Cinema or before heading downtown for a night out.
Chipotle
With 2,954 locations nationwide and three in Columbia, Chipotle is a fan-favorite and a go-to for convenient vegetarian meals. The chain’s sofritas protein is one of my all-time favorite vegetarian protein options. The sofritas are crumbled pieces of tofu flavored with poblano pepper, garlic and cumin. This plant-based protein mixes seamlessly with the other ingredients in the entrees. If you prefer veggies over meat substitutes, the chain also offers an option with guacamole and a mix of grilled peppers and onions.
Besides protein and veggie options, the slew of different add-ons allows for this meal to be exactly what you want in both flavor and size. Chipotle is probably not a new suggestion to most students, but it is a reliable and filling option with fresh flavors that offer easy vegetarian customization.
Thai Express
Columbia is host to a number of Thai food restaurants, including Thai Express, located downtown in the Ninth Street Lofts building. Thai Express serves a variety of meatless options. At least one item from each section of its menu, ranging from soups to appetizers to noodles, can be vegetarian, either by nature or with tofu as your chosen protein.
Its different sauces are the key to this scrumptious equation. Peanut sauce, sweet and sour sauce and soy sauce give the delicious noodles and proteins their interest. The pad thai is doused in a tangy, peanut-based sauce with tofu, noodles and a lime garnish. The crispy fried tofu is served with sweet and sour dipping sauce and provides a delightful crunch.
The spice level on each dish is customizable, so you can experience what Thai Express calls “Thai spice.” You could also go for more simple, relaxed flavors. Whether you want to stick with classic fried rice, spring rolls or try something different, Thai Express will have a vegetarian option for you.
Edited by Lucy Valeski, lvaleski@themaneater.com