Being vegetarian on some college campuses can be hard, but finding places to eat at MU is easier than it may seem. Almost every Campus Dining location has an assortment of vegetarian options, and there are also many ways to get creative when choosing your next meal.
Wheatstone Bistro, located in Memorial Union, is a popular dining option for students looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner during study breaks. Every vegetarian option is labeled with a green ‘V,’ so it is obvious what has or doesn’t have meat. I personally love the loaded baked potato soup, the three cheese melt with a side of avocado and the tomato mozzarella panini. You can create different combinations when ordering sandwiches, so definitely try to mix it up! Wheatstone also offers Lakota cold brew — a great pick up for anyone in need of lunch and caffeine.
Starbucks at Memorial/Southwest
Campus Dining Services’ partnership with Starbucks is something almost everyone appreciates. With your dining plan, you can buy food at Starbucks for half the price, and check out the newest cups and merchandise. For food, I enjoy the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich, which includes egg, cheese and a plant-based patty. The Spinach, Feta and Egg White Wrap is also vegetarian and great for a quick meal. I love the Egg Bites as well, which have two vegetarian options: Roasted Red Pepper and Kale Portobello Mushroom. Putting the egg bites inside a Starbucks bagel or a grilled cheese sandwich can easily make my morning.
Although Mort’s is known for its classic American food, the Black Bean Burger is a worthy comparison to a meat patty. Made of black beans and other veggies with optional cheese, the Black Bean Burger makes for a great lunch or dinner! You can find Mort’s conveniently located within the Student Center.
The MARK is a little out of the way from central campus, but for those who live in Mark Twain Hall, the location is convenient. With vegetarian options at breakfast, lunch and dinner, The MARK is great for a quick meal. I love the toasted ravioli and the veggie lo mein. The grill also has a great vegan burger, as do other dining halls like Plaza 900 and Legacy Grill. Any breakfast sandwich at The MARK can be made without meat, so an egg and cheese sandwich on a croissant is always a good breakfast choice!
Rollins Dining (for breakfast)
Normally, the only thing I can get from Rollins @Night is a pizza with green peppers. However, the breakfast menu has many more options. Rollins’ hashbrowns, blueberry pancakes and omelettes are worth the walk from wherever you’re living. I’ve woken up early just to get breakfast at Rollins, and that says a lot.
infusion is a small dining option in the Student Center, and it is one of my favorite places to grab a bite while studying. My go-to breakfast is a soy latte with a blueberry bagel, but infusion also has breakfast sandwiches, fruit smoothies, milkshakes and yogurt parfaits. With plenty of options, it’s hard to ever get bored of infusion!
Campus Dining sushi may seem a little suspicious, but it is surprisingly good! I occasionally eat fish, so Sunshine Sushi always fills the craving I may have for seafood. For those who don’t eat any kind of meat, but are still open to trying something new, Sunshine Sushi’s California rolls and edamame are perfect for a light, quick meal.
Southwest has a lot of great dining options, and Olive & Oil is one of my favorites. If you want pasta, it’s the place to go. I always get the farfalle with pesto, mozzarella and olives. There are also options like the Mediterranean bowls, where you can have your choice of vegetables and cheese, breadsticks and hummus.
Legacy Grill has (in my opinion) the best fries on campus. They also have great combo meals! My favorite thing to get is the Veggie Burger, but you also can’t go wrong with their quesadillas. Located inside Southwest Dining, Legacy is easy to find and convenient for those living close to the area.
Speaking of quesadillas, Baja Grill has a great combo for those wanting a lot of food for a low price. With your dining plan, you can get three quesadillas for a little over $3. Baja also has the option of nachos, salads, fish tacos and a dessert quesadilla filled with bananas and chocolate. Near Schurz and Hatch halls, Baja offers a decent dining option for those not wanting to walk far from home.
Sabai is a great place for a vegetarian to go. The menu includes many plant-based options such as rice bowls, lettuce wraps and noodle bowls. My favorite options at Sabai are the Tofu Red Curry and the Ramen Bowl with tofu and vegetable Miso. Make sure to also try the carbonated sodas next to the menu when you order; they are super fun to open!
Melissa Hixson • Nov 8, 2021 at 6:46 pm
thanks for the inclusivity!!