Vegan options at The Abbey are flavorful, diverse

[Guest guest]

From the Indianna Star By Traci Cumbay Star correspondent 'We know everything here is healthy because we do it all ourselves," said Moises Molina, who owns The Abbey Coffee House with his partner Mark Stiker. "We even bake our own turkey." The Abbey Coffee House Where: 825 N. Pennsylvania St. (317) 269-8426Atmosphere: Casual, kid-friendly.Entrée cost: $6.25 to $7.Hours: 9 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and

Saturday; breakfast served 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Heck, they even make their own mayonnaise, but that's a story for a different article. When The Abbey opened 11 years ago, it was with a menu of just five items. Now visitors can choose from about four dozen wraps, sandwiches and salads, many of which are vegetarian or vegan. Some have a "spa" designation which means they are the menu's extra-light options. Actually, most of the menu options qualify as light, and all of them are full of fresh, natural ingredients and Stiker's culinary expertise. A veteran of fine-dining restaurants in Los Angeles and Texas, Stiker packs a lot of flavor into his dishes. The vegan sloppy Joes are strikingly zesty.

Made up of tofu that's been boiled in red wine -- "Cabernet," Stiker said, "because it's healthier" -- roasted tomatoes, caramelized onions and basil, the sloppy Joes are served on housemade vegan focaccia. The mix made a believer out of this meat enthusiast who disdains tofu. And it's done the same for others, according to Stiker, who made me try it in the first place. "It's not your typical barbecue," Stiker said. "The great thing about tofu is that it takes on the flavor of whatever you cook it in, so boiling it in the wine gives it a lot of punch." Other feel-good fare includes the veggie roll (spinach, red onion, roasted red pepper and sprouts with pesto cream cheese and balsamic dressing), spicy white bean chili, the lowfat chicken wrap or the spa black bean burrito, jazzed up with Stiker's homemade salsa. Try any of the dishes with complete confidence: Not

only is Stiker handy in the kitchen, he and Molina also are intent on making customers happy. "We do guarantee our food because we know not everyone has the same taste buds Mark and I have," Molina said. Copyright 2006 IndyStar.com. All rights reservedPeter H

 

The all-new Mail goes wherever you go - free your email address from your Internet provider.

[Guest guest]

look nikki, fer the next time you go to indiana!!!

peter VV Jun 8, 2006 11:39 AM Re: Vegan options at The Abbey are flavorful, diverse

From the Indianna Star

By Traci Cumbay

Star correspondent

 

'We know everything here is healthy because we do it all ourselves," said Moises Molina, who owns The Abbey Coffee House with his partner Mark Stiker. "We even bake our own turkey."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Abbey Coffee House

Where: 825 N. Pennsylvania St. (317) 269-8426Atmosphere: Casual, kid-friendly.Entrée cost: $6.25 to $7.Hours: 9 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday; breakfast served 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

 

Heck, they even make their own mayonnaise, but that's a story for a different article.

When The Abbey opened 11 years ago, it was with a menu of just five items. Now visitors can choose from about four dozen wraps, sandwiches and salads, many of which are vegetarian or vegan. Some have a "spa" designation which means they are the menu's extra-light options.

Actually, most of the menu options qualify as light, and all of them are full of fresh, natural ingredients and Stiker's culinary expertise. A veteran of fine-dining restaurants in Los Angeles and Texas, Stiker packs a lot of flavor into his dishes.

The vegan sloppy Joes are strikingly zesty. Made up of tofu that's been boiled in red wine -- "Cabernet," Stiker said, "because it's healthier" -- roasted tomatoes, caramelized onions and basil, the sloppy Joes are served on housemade vegan focaccia.

The mix made a believer out of this meat enthusiast who disdains tofu. And it's done the same for others, according to Stiker, who made me try it in the first place.

"It's not your typical barbecue," Stiker said. "The great thing about tofu is that it takes on the flavor of whatever you cook it in, so boiling it in the wine gives it a lot of punch."

Other feel-good fare includes the veggie roll (spinach, red onion, roasted red pepper and sprouts with pesto cream cheese and balsamic dressing), spicy white bean chili, the lowfat chicken wrap or the spa black bean burrito, jazzed up with Stiker's homemade salsa.

Try any of the dishes with complete confidence: Not only is Stiker handy in the kitchen, he and Molina also are intent on making customers happy.

"We do guarantee our food because we know not everyone has the same taste buds Mark and I have," Molina said.

Copyright 2006 IndyStar.com. All rights reserved

Peter H

 

 

 

The all-new Mail goes wherever you go - free your email address from your Internet provider.

I don't wanna be no war hero

Don't want a movie made about me

I don't wanna be no war hero

Just get away from the madness I see

[Guest guest]

Yes, but where in IN? LOL

They have an address but no city

 

 

Right now I am hooked on Veggie Bites. They opened their first IL

store about 15 minutes from me and I am in love!

 

I think that they started in CA - Fraggle do you have one by you?

 

I cannot believe how amazing all of their food tastes! And it is all

100% Vegan! They have burgers and hot dogs and ice cream, all kinds

of cakes (even German Choc, my fav) and lemon merangue (spelling?)

pie and hot wings and BBQ wings and Gyros, and chicken nuggets,

tacos, soy burgers and tofu burgers, and beef sandwiches and and and

and um um um, OH! chili cheese fries and, uh, some other stuff.

 

And Fraggle, please don't tell me that I cannot buy from there

because of something. Because you always find all the dirt on

everyone and I am really worried about this.

 

I know and like the owners very much and this poor little place is

struggling a bit and if you tell me that I cannot go there anymore I

will be crushed...

 

Especially since it is my new Friday night place for food!

 

Nikki

 

 

Re: Vegan options at The Abbey are flavorful, diverse

 

 

look nikki, fer the next time you go to indiana!!!

 

 

 

 

peter VV

Jun 8, 2006 11:39 AM

 

Re: Vegan options at The Abbey are flavorful,

diverse

 

 

From the Indianna Star

By Traci Cumbay

Star correspondent

'We know everything here is healthy because we do it all ourselves, "

said Moises Molina, who owns The Abbey Coffee House with his partner

Mark Stiker. " We even bake our own turkey. "

[Guest guest]

all i know about veggie bite is they are veggie fast food....

sorry, can't ruin yer meal

if you like tho, i can make something up!

 

AFAIK, they are only in yer neck o da woods....

 

 

 

>earthstrm <earthstorm

>Jun 9, 2006 12:50 PM

>

> Re: Vegan options at The Abbey are flavorful, diverse

>

>Yes, but where in IN? LOL

>They have an address but no city

>

>

>

>Right now I am hooked on Veggie Bites. They opened their first IL

>store about 15 minutes from me and I am in love!

>

>I think that they started in CA - Fraggle do you have one by you?

>

>I cannot believe how amazing all of their food tastes! And it is all

>100% Vegan! They have burgers and hot dogs and ice cream, all kinds

>of cakes (even German Choc, my fav) and lemon merangue (spelling?)

>pie and hot wings and BBQ wings and Gyros, and chicken nuggets,

>tacos, soy burgers and tofu burgers, and beef sandwiches and and and

>and um um um, OH! chili cheese fries and, uh, some other stuff.

>

>And Fraggle, please don't tell me that I cannot buy from there

>because of something. Because you always find all the dirt on

>everyone and I am really worried about this.

>

>I know and like the owners very much and this poor little place is

>struggling a bit and if you tell me that I cannot go there anymore I

>will be crushed...

>

>Especially since it is my new Friday night place for food!

>

>Nikki

>

>

>Re: Vegan options at The Abbey are flavorful, diverse

>

>

>look nikki, fer the next time you go to indiana!!!

>

>

>

>

>

>peter VV

>Jun 8, 2006 11:39 AM

>

>Re: Vegan options at The Abbey are flavorful,

>diverse

>

>

>From the Indianna Star

>By Traci Cumbay

>Star correspondent

>'We know everything here is healthy because we do it all ourselves, "

>said Moises Molina, who owns The Abbey Coffee House with his partner

>Mark Stiker. " We even bake our own turkey. "

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>To send an email to -

>

[Guest guest]

lazy!

 

The Abbey Coffeehouse See All Indianapolis Journals

 

 

771 Massachusetts Avenue

Indianapolis, IN

Type of Dining: Specialty Dining

Type of Cuisine: Other

 

Member Recommendation:

Highly Recommended

Price Range: Less than US$10

Attire: Very Casual

Reservations: No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Abbey has been an Indianapolis subculture institution since the early 90s,

and I've been a regular there for the last eight years. That period even

includes a brief stint as an Abbey employee.

 

Don't be put off by The Abbey's run-down facade when approaching it at the

intersection of Mass and College Avenues in Indy's off-downtown Old Northside.

Upon entering the establishment, you'll be pleasantly surprised at the

furnishings. The ceiling is famous, with its blocky-artsy clouds painted by

local artist Carl Fogg, Jr. The walls have been refinished since an unfortunate

incident in 2002 resulted in a car driving through the Abbey's main room; they

are now decorated in a faux pink finish with arabesque green diamonds. The

furniture is artfully mismatched (and unfortunately a little threadbare) and

heralds the old shabby-chic coffeehouse feel. The Abbey has great hours, as

well. SU-TH: 10a to 12midnight; FR & SA: 10a to 1a.

 

The menu is varied and eclectic and reasonably priced (average entrée is $5-7),

featuring a very large selection of vegetarian dishes (some are even fully

vegan). Cultural cuisine fusion is popular here, offering such peculiar dishes

as Thai burritos (glass noodles and veggies in a delicious peanut sauce, wrapped

in a spinach tortilla), a hardy foccacia sandwich (mixed field greens, veggies,

buffalo mozzarella, and pesto aioli on thick slabs of Italian herb foccacia),

and the famous Moises' Black Bean Burrito (TRY IT!). Don't worry, meat-eaters,

the Abbey also features a good number of wraps and sandwiches that feature

chicken and fish.

 

Be wary when ordering drinks at the Abbey. Despite its name, the Abbey is not a

very good spot for coffee. The daily brew is too strong (even for this hardy

coffee drinker) and tastes burnt. The baristas are barely trained in the use of

the espresso machine and as often as not scorch the milk or soy for espresso

beverages, and know virtually nothing about pulling a good shot of espresso. I

usually stick to Diet Coke with lemon, just to be safe.

 

If nothing else, try the Abbey's desserts! Any and every thing in the bake case

is worth sampling. I especially recommend the tiramisu (drenched in Frangelico),

the German chocolate cake, or the vegan chocolate cake!

 

One warning to visitors - the Abbey has an adjoining smoking room (good for

those of us with such destructive proclivities), but the interim door does

little to prevent second-hand smoke from filtering into the main room. If you

are sensitive to smoke, caution at the Abbey would be advisable.

 

The Abbey is a fascinating stop at any time! Grab a sandwich and a drink and a

slab of rich, wonderful dessert and watch the social circumnambulations happen!

Check it out for a change of pace during any Indy visit.

 

 

 

1 out of 1 reader found this review helpful.

 

 

 

 

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>earthstrm <earthstorm

>Jun 9, 2006 12:50 PM

>

> Re: Vegan options at The Abbey are flavorful, diverse

>

>Yes, but where in IN? LOL

>They have an address but no city

>

 

 

I don't wanna be no war hero

Don't want a movie made about me

I don't wanna be no war hero

Just get away from the madness I see

[Guest guest]

Hi Fraggle / Nikki

 

>all i know about veggie bite is they are veggie fast food....

>sorry, can't ruin yer meal

>if you like tho, i can make something up!

 

Ooooh - this sounds fun... OK, I'll lead with a " the owner once trod on an

ant in a fit of pique " :-)

 

BB

Peter

[Guest guest]

No - not necessary, but thank you! LOL

 

The one here has its own site: http://veggiebite.net/

But there is not much on it right now.

 

But I could have sworn that they started in CA. I know that they are

a franchise. Perhaps the main is under another name. I'll ask my

local Vegan Meet-Up group or even ask the owners tonight. The Meet-

up group is how I found out about them in the first place.

 

Nikki

 

 

, fraggle <EBbrewpunx wrote:

>

> all i know about veggie bite is they are veggie fast food....

> sorry, can't ruin yer meal

> if you like tho, i can make something up!

>

> AFAIK, they are only in yer neck o da woods....

>

>

>

> >earthstrm <earthstorm

> >Jun 9, 2006 12:50 PM

> >

> > Re: Vegan options at The Abbey are

flavorful, diverse

> >

> >Yes, but where in IN? LOL

> >They have an address but no city

> >

> >

> >

> >Right now I am hooked on Veggie Bites. They opened their first IL

> >store about 15 minutes from me and I am in love!

> >

[Guest guest]

hmmmm..

not that i know of....bu maybe....

the only chains i know of, are that one the guy who owns stonyfield dairy crap

started back east, healthy bites in florida, and...umm..thats prolly about

it...hahahahah

there use to be a buffet type place that served more health conscious stuff,

(but still, chicken and all that murder), but i haven't seen one of those in

years and years...they had em all over the place at one point..

 

 

>earthstrm <earthstorm

>Jun 9, 2006 3:33 PM

>

> Re: Vegan options at The Abbey are flavorful, diverse

>

>No - not necessary, but thank you! LOL

>

>The one here has its own site: http://veggiebite.net/

>But there is not much on it right now.

>

>But I could have sworn that they started in CA. I know that they are

>a franchise. Perhaps the main is under another name. I'll ask my

>local Vegan Meet-Up group or even ask the owners tonight. The Meet-

>up group is how I found out about them in the first place.

>

>Nikki

>

>

 

I don't wanna be no war hero

Don't want a movie made about me

I don't wanna be no war hero

Just get away from the madness I see

[Guest guest]

Hi Peter

 

> >all i know about veggie bite is they are veggie fast food....

> >sorry, can't ruin yer meal

> >if you like tho, i can make something up!

> Ooooh - this sounds fun... OK, I'll lead with a " the owner once trod

on an

> ant in a fit of pique " :-)

 

 

ROFL! You better watch it, Sylvia can kick yer arse!

 

BB

Nikki

[Guest guest]

Hi Nikki

 

> > Ooooh - this sounds fun... OK, I'll lead with a " the owner once trod on

an

> > ant in a fit of pique " :-)

>ROFL! You better watch it, Sylvia can kick yer arse!

 

Well, that certainly wouldn't be a very animal friendly act, so we'll add

that to the list of bad points too ;-)

 

BB

Peter

[Guest guest]

Hi Fraggle

 

Maybe it is not near you. I asked tonight when I was there, but I

forgot where it was already. I was too busy concentrating on my

cheese fries, chili and bbq chickn nuggets.

 

I did invite Sylvia to join the group tho!

 

Nikki

 

 

, fraggle <EBbrewpunx wrote:

>

> hmmmm..

> not that i know of....bu maybe....

> the only chains i know of, are that one the guy who owns

stonyfield dairy crap started back east, healthy bites in florida,

and...umm..thats prolly about it...hahahahah

> there use to be a buffet type place that served more health

conscious stuff, (but still, chicken and all that murder), but i

haven't seen one of those in years and years...they had em all over

the place at one point..

>

>

> >earthstrm <earthstorm

> >Jun 9, 2006 3:33 PM

> >

> > Re: Vegan options at The Abbey are

flavorful, diverse

> >

> >No - not necessary, but thank you! LOL

> >

> >The one here has its own site: http://veggiebite.net/

> >But there is not much on it right now.

> >

> >But I could have sworn that they started in CA. I know that they

are

> >a franchise. Perhaps the main is under another name. I'll ask my

> >local Vegan Meet-Up group or even ask the owners tonight. The

Meet-

> >up group is how I found out about them in the first place.

> >

> >Nikki

> >

[Guest guest]

*rolls eyes*

 

 

>earthstrm <earthstorm

>Jun 9, 2006 7:03 PM

>

> Re: Vegan options at The Abbey are flavorful, diverse

>

>Hi Fraggle

>

>Maybe it is not near you. I asked tonight when I was there, but I

>forgot where it was already. I was too busy concentrating on my

>cheese fries, chili and bbq chickn nuggets.

>

>I did invite Sylvia to join the group tho!

>

>Nikki

>

>

> , fraggle <EBbrewpunx wrote:

>>

>> hmmmm..

>> not that i know of....bu maybe....

>> the only chains i know of, are that one the guy who owns

>stonyfield dairy crap started back east, healthy bites in florida,

>and...umm..thats prolly about it...hahahahah

>> there use to be a buffet type place that served more health

>conscious stuff, (but still, chicken and all that murder), but i

>haven't seen one of those in years and years...they had em all over

>the place at one point..

>>

>>

>> >earthstrm <earthstorm

>> >Jun 9, 2006 3:33 PM

>> >

>> > Re: Vegan options at The Abbey are

>flavorful, diverse

>> >

>> >No - not necessary, but thank you! LOL

>> >

>> >The one here has its own site: http://veggiebite.net/

>> >But there is not much on it right now.

>> >

>> >But I could have sworn that they started in CA. I know that they

>are

>> >a franchise. Perhaps the main is under another name. I'll ask my

>> >local Vegan Meet-Up group or even ask the owners tonight. The

>Meet-

>> >up group is how I found out about them in the first place.

>> >

>> >Nikki

>> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>To send an email to -

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Peter

 

> Well, that certainly wouldn't be a very animal friendly act, so

we'll add

> that to the list of bad points too ;-)

 

Hey, just cause yer new playmate Michael has gone off to his class

does not mean you can redirect to me.

 

And I invited them to the group so you better play nice!

 

BB

Nikki