Newbie Questions - Restaurants Suggestions

[Guest guest]

I've been a Vegetarian all my life and I'm not intimidated at all about asking

certain things about menu items and the preparation. It is just part of the

life of a vegetarian. I've asked them to check the contents of an item on the

box it came in, to make sure it doesn't contain meat products. This always

includes stock too.

 

When we eat at places, where a grill is used to prepare the food, whether it is

a grill cheese sandwich, veggie burgers or grilled veggies, I always ask them to

clean that part of the grill prior to cooking my food. I always ask them to

wash off the knife they cut the pizza with, before cutting my pizza and I have

them change their gloves and wash the knife at the Sub shop. I tell them I am

vegetarian and haven't gotten any grief for this request. I think it makes them

actually think maybe. At a salad buffet, sometimes they put chopped up meat

behind the chopped Veggies and some meat invariably drops in the Veggies. I

always ask for a fresh container of Veggies and let them know I am vegetarian.

I suggest they move the meat in the front, where this won't be a problem. Most

have never even thought about it, but it has been changed several times, after

my requesting it. I always ask at Mexican Restaurants if they cook the rice

with a meat stock or meat or if the Refried beans have lard. Don't forget to

ask about the flour tortilla's too. If you aren't sure if they understand you,

then don't order anything that possibly might. In Chinese Restaurants ask them

not to put oyster sauce or other meat stock on your Veggies. Most will.

 

Taco Bell does NOT contain lard in their beans or flour tortillas. I confirmed

this again this morning on the phone with them, since someone posted on her the

other day that they did have lard. Pizza places will make pizza's without

cheese, upon request. When Pizza Hut has the Buffet out, I always ask for them

to prepare a Thin Crust Veggie Lovers Pizza with Pinapple. It is not problem.

They all will, especially once you let them know you are vegetarian and others

in your group want it also. Many times they have brought the whole pizza to our

table instead of the Buffet, so we could have our fill.

 

Don't be afraid to ask if they can prepare something special if you don't find

what you want on the menu. At the Olive Garden, their Alfredo sauce, DOES NOT

have a meat stock, so I get that and ask them for a medley of steamed veggies to

be added to it. No problem and they don't even charge extra for it. Their

Minestrone Soup is vegetarian and they have several pasta dishes that are vegan

too. We love middle eastern restaurants. You can get falafels, spinach and

cheese stuffed pastries, lentil soups, Greek salads, etc. Indian Rest. usually

have a wonderful selection of Vegetarian items. We like Buffets, like Golden

Corral, Fire Mountain or Barnhill's. Always ask which veggies are cooked in

meat stock though. The folk behind the counter usually know or can find out.

There is always plenty to eat at those places. Hope this helps you.

 

Judy

-

Vicki Becker

Friday, June 16, 2006 9:24 AM

Newbie Questions

 

 

I have only been a vegetarian a short time with an occasional slip

when nothing else was available to eat. Apple B's has nothing

vegetarian that I could see and that's where everyone wanted to eat so

I choose the grilled salmon I need some restaurant tips for sure!

 

We ate out at a very nice Japanese restaurant a week or so ago and I

had a very nice meal. I felt almost attacked by the other people

around the table, however. I didn't make an issue of what I ordered

but was questioned by people. One lady asked " So you don't eat ANY

meat? " I said no I don't..... and then she said " So you just ate

vegetables grilled on the same grill as meat was cooked! " I really

didn't know what to say as I am a fairly new vegetarian and haven't

read up enough yet I guess????? I said to her I was eating vegetarian

for health reasons not political reasons. My vegetable were actually

grilled almost first. The chef cooked the shrimp and then my

vegetables. I really didn't know what to say..... I have actually

decided to go Vegan after reading The China Study recently. This same

lady also stated she didn't eat meat that had 4 legs.... she eats fish

and chicken.

 

My question is or request actually..... Can anyone recommend any good

books for becoming a vegan? How to respond to people, recipes, ect.... People

(including relatives)are making me feel like I am doing something

strange and they are making this very difficult for me.

 

I joined this list because I think I need some education on the life

style that I have choosen.

 

--

Best regards,

Vicki vickisdesigns

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Judy

Where do you live? I had similar experiences when I lived in Atlanta.

Now that I live in NW Florida, I never truly trust a server or

waiter. I have been told that it is illegal to wash the grill between

orders (New Orleans) and I was asked to leave Quizno's when I

requested the grill and knife be cleaned. (I had no problem in

Atlanta where Quizno's was created.)

 

In Mobile,AL Applebee's would make be the best vegetarian pasta

primavera. In Atlanta, they were very helpful to vegetarians and

vegans alike. I am now vegan and cannot eat at the local Applebee's

(NW FL)because they will not stray from their written menu in any

way. They made it very plain they have no desire to serve me.I can

get plain steamed veggies from the Applebee's in MS though.

 

I cannot get any confirmation from the people at the local Pizza Hut.

(Some of their crusts have dairy.) However, in Gainesville, FL they

were very happy to point out which crusts were dairy-free at that

time.

 

I have had luck with Ruby Tuesday's recent vegetarian burger,

throughout the southeast. It is vegan if you leave off the mayo. When

I ordered it here, I made it clear to the server that I was ordering

it because it has no dairy or whey in the bread, etc, etc. When it

arrived, the bread had been substituted and had been buttered as

well. They then told me they could not accomodate my diet. I ended up

with iceberg lettuce, a few green peas and a few olives since

everything else on the salad bar was contaminated and they weren't in

any hurry to change it.

 

Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville in New Orleans used to have 2 or 3

vegan and vegetarian menu items at all times. But the one in Orlando

had a difficult time finding just one vegan item to serve me.

 

We enjoy a quick bite at Moe's in Atlanta and throughout the

southeast. The one 30 minutes from here makes fresh tofu as soon as

they see us come in. The local one is owned by the same people. But,

they don't always cook tofu and they won't make fresh tofu if it is

contaminated. Same owner but different manager.

 

At a very clean, nice Olive Garden in Mobile, Al, a friend had the

minestrone and had an anaphylatic reaction. She is allergic to

shellfish. In Tampa, FL, I found beef in the Minestrone. But this was

a dirty looking location. Golden Corral and Firehill's could care

less to answer my questions about the veggies. And the Middle Eastern

place serves pita bread with whey.

 

This doesn't mean that I don't eat out. I do and I follow all the

guidlelines you mentioned previously. But I have found that it really

matters what city you are in at the time. I miss living in a bigger

city.

 

Even though it is difficut to eat out here as a vegetarian or a

vegan, I made my conversion from vegetariansim to veganism here. I

usually take a spare Cliff bar or such in my purse. I have learned

that you can't have the same level of trust between establishments or

even on successive trips to the same place. I always question each

and every time. And, if I get that untrusting feeling, I don't eat.

In the meantime, we have found two wonderful strictly vegan places

amongst all the attitude here.

 

I don't mean to paint a bleak picture for Vicki. I just wanted to say

that it cn be difficult in some places, but not impossible.

Peace,

Robin

 

 

, " wwjd " <jtwigg wrote:

I always ask them to clean that part of the grill prior to cooking my

food. I always ask them to wash off the knife they cut the pizza

with, before cutting my pizza and I have them change their gloves and

wash the knife at the Sub shop. I tell them I am vegetarian and

haven't gotten any grief for this request.

At a salad buffet I always ask for a fresh container of Veggies

When Pizza Hut has the Buffet out, I always ask for them to prepare

a Thin Crust Veggie Lovers Pizza with Pinapple. > Don't be afraid to

ask if they can prepare something special if you don't find what you

want on the menu. At the Olive Garden, their Alfredo sauce, DOES NOT

have a meat stock, so I get that and ask them for a medley of steamed

veggies to be added to it. No problem and they don't even charge

extra for it. Their Minestrone Soup is vegetarian and they have

several pasta dishes that are vegan too. We love middle eastern

restaurants. You can get falafels, spinach and cheese stuffed

pastries, lentil soups, Greek salads, etc. Indian Rest. usually

have a wonderful selection of Vegetarian items. We like Buffets,

like Golden Corral, Fire Mountain or Barnhill's. Always ask which

veggies are cooked in meat stock though. The folk behind the counter

usually know or can find out. > Judy

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Robin! I appreciate the information and I'm not giving up! My

family thinks I am going through a mid-life crisis or going crazy : )

I am here to learn and do better at the path I've chosen.

 

--

Best regards,

Vicki vickisdesigns

 

 

Friday, June 16, 2006, 3:28:58 PM, you wrote:

>

> I don't mean to paint a bleak picture for Vicki. I just wanted to say

> that it cn be difficult in some places, but not impossible.

> Peace,

> Robin

>

>

[Guest guest]

LOL now we really have a lot in common, because I used to live in Atlanta also

and have dearly missed it. I really love all the things there were to do there.

I'm going by Atlanta soon and we can't wait to pop into the Dekalb International

Farmers Market to shop and eat at the cafe. Love their food. We also want to

try and go to the Lazer Show on the side of Stone Mt. that they have every night

during the summer. That lawn in front of Stone Mountain is a wonderful place to

have a picnic before that incredible coregraphic lazer show. Have you been to

it? We Love Stone Mountain Park, don't you????

 

I live north of you now. We've only been to the Applebee's in Mobile once,

because we couldn't find to much on their menu to eat, HOWEVER Jersulum Cafe, is

a great Middle Eastern Cafe, as is Jericho Cafe over by the University.

 

Can't believe someone would tell you that it is illegal to wash a grill? That

is a place I would leave quick. Cleanliness is important. Wonder what the

Health Dept. would say about that comment of theirs. Hope they would set them

straight. I've not been into a Quizno's before, though I have seen them. That

was just rude and shocking of them to ask you to leave for such a simple

request. I think you need to call the cooperate office and complain. I never

hesitate to call Cooperate Office and let them know if I am getting bad service

at a location. They don't know if you don't tell them. We are their eyes and

ears. LOL

 

I've never had anything but delicious soup, meat free when I ordered the

Minestrone Soup at the Olive Garden.

 

I'm a ova lacto vegetarian, so some of things you mentioned aren't things that I

have looked into asking about before.

 

Judy

[Guest guest]

That lawn in front of Stone Mountain is a wonderful place to have a

picnic before that incredible coregraphic lazer show. Have you been

to it? We Love Stone Mountain Park, don't you????

 

I've been once - to picnic at the laser show. We really enjoyed it

and have been talking about going back soon. In fact, we are talking

about going on vacation to Atlanta this summer for a week rather than

some vacation spot. We miss so much of it.

>

HOWEVER Jersulum Cafe, is a great Middle Eastern Cafe, as is Jericho

Cafe over by the University.

 

I've heard great things about these two places but haven't had a

chance to visit. Can you recommend something from the menu?

 

They don't know if you don't tell them. We are their eyes and ears.

LOL

Exactly. Sometimes I call and sometimes I don't - usually not if we

are traveling, it all gets lost in the process of getting home. I

have had some nice conversations but don't recall any real results.

Have you noticed anything in particular that changed after you called

a corporate office?

 

> I've never had anything but delicious soup, meat free when I

ordered the Minestrone Soup at the Olive Garden.

 

I'm sure my problems were isolated due to location and the staff

those days. That's why I always ask, even if I have eaten there

before.

 

Too bad you don't live closer. Do you have veg meetings there? I had

an ovo-lacto friend move to a rural area north of Atlanta some years

back. Her family made the transition back to omnivore because she

couldn't buy enough vegetables and grains at the market to sustain

them for the week. Doesn't make sense - you would think that a rural

area had a lot of farms, but they didn't. Have you had any problems

like that (non-restaurant) where you are?

 

 

Robin