Vegan delight at Merit Vegetarian in Sunnyvale

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at-Merit-Vegetarian-in-Sunnyvale

Tucked away between Lawrence Expressway and the industrial center of Silicon

Valley sits a restaurant where vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores can all enjoy

some good grub. Merit Vegetarian opened in the fall of 2007 and has since become

a staple for many from around the Bay Area.

 

Even though it has " vegetarian " in it's name, it's in fact mostly vegan with the

exception of a couple beverages and desserts where you have the option of

regular dairy or vegan. Prices are good with lunch specials of small entree and

two scoops of white or brown rice at $7 and regular full entrees ranging from

$8.50-$11

 

Exotic flavors are the game here with a multitude of options from cuisines as

varied as Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, Thai, and even veggie burgers and fries

at certain times. This examiner has tried many of the dishes here and I'm a

regular by all means.

 

Below is a rating system that I use to describe what you should definitely try

and others to avoid.

 

Must-haves:

• Fried wonton (appetizer)

? crispy morsels of deliciousness served with light ginger dip

• Imperial roll (appetizer)

? spring rolls are always fantastic

• Drumsticks (appetizer)

? you won't even know it's vegan

• Spicy Mongolian Delight

? tasty vegan " beef " strips with veggies in a delightful sauce

• Sesame Eggplant tofu

? tofu fried to perfection with eggplant in a savory sauce

• Curry Vegetable

? perfectly spiced dish that is simple and not overpowering

• Spicy " chicken "

? fried bits of sunshine with just a hint of spice

• Caramelized " chicken "

? strips of faux chicken that are at the same time sweet and savory

 

Other dishes that I would deem good but not worthy of a first visit:

• Spicy garlic green beans

• Broccoli beef

• Vietnamese crêpe

• Chow mein and fried rice dishes

• Salads

 

Meals to avoid (although others may find it delicious):

• Orange nuggets

• Sweet and sour nuggets

 

They even have veggie fish meals and seitan dishes that I haven't even gotten to

try yet. The fact is, Merit Vegetarian has a large selection to choose from.

Desserts include vegan chocolate cakes from Black China bakery in Santa Cruz and

regular or vegan caramel flan.

 

Merit Vegetarian

548 Lawrence Expwy.

Sunnyvale, CA 94086

t. 408-245-8988

 

Website: meritvegetarian.com