Here’s a question I get a lot and I am finally getting around to writing about. Eating out as a vegan – especially a new vegan – can be intimidating. There’s always a chance that the restaurant will properly label items vegan (and man, do we love when restaurants do that) but odds are, the menu will cater more to vegetarians than vegans (or possible, none at all). Whether you are just going out yourself or heading out with a group of people, you’ll feel much more comfortable going into the restaurant prepared.
I’ve picked up my own habits and tips along the way to get by over the years… especially when a friend picks the restaurant and I know it isn’t exactly vegan-friendly. If this is the case for you, I hope these tips will help.
#1: Call ahead. It is much less embarrassing and you won’t be put on the spot in front of your friends/family if you call ahead of time. You can ask if there are any dishes that can be made vegan or if the chef is familiar with veganism. I have to say, most restaurants and chefs can make it work! They just need a heads up.
#2: Build your own meal… with sides. If there is absolutely nothing on the entrée menu, turn to the trusty sides. I have put together a meal by ordering plain rice, steamed veggies (with oil, not butter), and fries. It’s not the best vegan meal you’ll have but it is sustenance and honestly… veggies, rice, and fries rock.
#3: Always ask about butter. Piggy-backing off the last tip, it is important to ask if the chef cooks with butter vs. oil. It is an easy request to make.
#4: Make modifications. Sometimes, a dish may not LOOK vegan because of the cheese or dairy, but if it can easily be modified, you may be in luck. Don’t overlook anything!
#5: Try pasta. If the restaurant serves pasta, it is probably your best bet. Always ask if the pasta has eggs, but if not, you could always ask for some pasta with olive oil. Or maybe their marinara is vegan. I almost always have luck with a pasta dish.
#6: If worst comes to worst and all else fails… eat beforehand. This can happen from time to time… especially if the choice of restaurant is 100% out of your hands. If you have called and looked over the menu and there is no such luck, eat a decent meal before you go and just order a side of fries. Fries are friends.
The number one thing to remember is to NOT be afraid to ask. Your diet, your rules. As long as you are courteous about it, servers almost always do not mind working with you. If they do… probably need to stay away from that restaurant establishment in the future, right?
I hope these tips help a bit. Share your tips with me in the comments! xx bianca
