Vegetarian peeve

SoxFan777 · Jul 2nd, 2008, 11:44 PM

I agree. Boston has always been great for veggie options, at least in my experience.

thithi · Jul 3rd, 2008, 12:32 AM

My DH is veggie born and raised, and we live in LA which I think some consider a mecca of vegetarian food... He still gets frustrated by the restaurants though - we prefer ethnic cuisine and most places don't even understand what we mean when we say no meat. For example, Vietnamese, Korean, and Mexican very rarely have a veggie dish with protein available. Sometimes they'll have tofu, but then they use lard, fish sauce, or seafood seasoning. Or else it is a vegetarian dish with cheese or dairy, and he doesn't do dairy very well. It's really frustrating for me, a non veggie, because we can't eat at those places due to his dietary restriction. I haven't eaten at a steakhouse or seafood restaurant in ages either, and I love seafood!!

I almost wish there was a law or rule that restaurants have to provide at least two vegetarian choices, preferably with protein(ie tofu, seitan, tempe, etc).

sari_luna · Jul 4th, 2008, 02:47 AM

Thought I share a story about a Vegetarian I met for the first time, face-to-face. And the poor service she got at a particular restaurant during a very nice vacation:

My parents and I brought a couple (who are friends with my parents) to a wonderful Cruise vacation last year. It was one of the Carnival ships, I don't remember which one. The Carnival line requires my parents to pick a particular restaurant to eat at every dinner hour. But when we found out that the wife of the couple was in fact, a veggie, she unfortunately got the bad end of the stick.

She was forced to eat either fruit salad or just plain old salad for the whole week during our vacation. She would force herself (or tries to) to eat the meatier dishes, but she would end up getting sick. I felt so sorry for her.

Minnie05 · Jul 4th, 2008, 02:09 PM

it doesn't really bother me, i try not to make a big deal out of it.

but come on people...a salad is not a meal! sorry! vegetarians don't just eat lettuce and carrots

agreenst · Jul 4th, 2008, 04:32 PM

That's why whenever i go out with friends or family we go to a place that i know isn't a "meat and potatoes" kinda place. Thai, Chinese, Pizza, Middle Eastern, etc.
Think outside the box and it'll be easier to find veggie food, as well as introducing your friends to some new foods and restaurants.

^^Agreed! It frustrates me to no end when people think all vegetarians are anorexics and are content eating leaves for dinner

ilovehoneybleu · Jul 6th, 2008, 03:30 PM

I think what the OP is saying is that the UK does not have veggie options available to them like we have in the states. I spent A LOT of my youth in the UK, and it is VERY difficult to eat there as a vegetarian. They don't just make veggies options for you there like restaurants do here. Unless I wanted to eat Indian food everyday in England (which I didn't), I found it extremely difficult to eat there as well. Sez...I feel your pain!

surferchick2 · Jul 6th, 2008, 05:51 PM

I'm not completely veggie, but will only eat sushi as far as meat goes since it kind of falls under a raw food diet and easier to digest. I'm lucky, in my small town there are great restaurants. Even one that, although they serve meats (healthy, natural and/or organic), they're voted best vegetarian restaurant because of it's options. Some of the harder places are pubs. You can get veggie options, but they're usually fries, deep fried...basically appetizers, no entrees. The salads are usually a mound of iceberg and tomatoes with dressing. I usually find something though...and if I need to, eat in advance since we and our friends like to go to places like that at times. I also travel alot, and seem to find more and more airport eateries with real vegetarian/vegan items (seitan, tofu, etc)...like the boston airport has tofu burritos!

It's so much easier than it was 10 years ago when you couldnt even buy frozen veggie burgers at the grocery store where now, our local chain grocery has organic, raw and veggie products that you could only get at stores like whole foods before. This shows a good percentage of heart healthy diets (veggie or not) are rising with natural food stores and hopefully will move overseas and more options for vegetarians.

lovinalotofbags · Jul 7th, 2008, 02:57 PM

A lot of the restaurants here serve vegetarian. There is a big need for it.

Danica · Jul 7th, 2008, 09:34 PM

I'm used to little variety by now...actually I wonder what it's like to have the choice of everything on the menu... 30 choices? I can't even imagine. lol Must be nice.

Irishgal · Jul 7th, 2008, 09:39 PM

There are a number of vegetarian places in the city where I live. One place in particular is so good people drive hours to get there.

Now I might go there right now...

herstaticcity · Jul 7th, 2008, 10:06 PM

I normally ask for restaurants to just make me plain pasta with butter and cheese, simple and usually doable

but I also am allergic to nuts so that with the combination of vegetarianism makes it difficult to eat out

bagaholic85 · Jul 8th, 2008, 02:59 PM

id say 99% of restaurants let people order off the menu, so i dont see how it would be a huge deal

Danica · Jul 8th, 2008, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irishgal

There are a number of vegetarian places in the city where I live. One place in particular is so good people drive hours to get there.

Now I might go there right now...

that sounds good! haha We don't have a single veggie restaurant here, that I know of anyways. So that's lame, but I have enough variety to be happy. I feel bad for those who live in small towns with only chain restaurants to go to...that used to be me. Let's see..I'll get the french fries... haha *ugh

Leelee · Jul 9th, 2008, 11:07 AM

My friend and I just had this conversation over the weekend. She's a vegetarian and she commented that every time she's invited to someone's home for dinner they make her a portabella mushroom. She said they just assume that's what vegetarians like the best.

cfred · Jul 9th, 2008, 11:00 PM

I cook at a restaurant and we have a few vegetarian appetizers and two vegetarian entrees. We always encourage people to ask for something if they have a specific want, or a dietary need.
In general though, if I were to dine with a vegetarian friend, I would not go to a place like the one where I work-- instead, I would choose a more vegetarian friendly place. I think it is easiest to pick a place that caters to the most specific requirement and then let everyone else eat off the menu provided.
I think the problem does boil down to money and catering to the majority.

Jul 3rd, 2008, 12:32 AM	#17
thithi Official Post Whore Location: My LA ghetto palace	My DH is veggie born and raised, and we live in LA which I think some consider a mecca of vegetarian food... He still gets frustrated by the restaurants though - we prefer ethnic cuisine and most places don't even understand what we mean when we say no meat. For example, Vietnamese, Korean, and Mexican very rarely have a veggie dish with protein available. Sometimes they'll have tofu, but then they use lard, fish sauce, or seafood seasoning. Or else it is a vegetarian dish with cheese or dairy, and he doesn't do dairy very well. It's really frustrating for me, a non veggie, because we can't eat at those places due to his dietary restriction. I haven't eaten at a steakhouse or seafood restaurant in ages either, and I love seafood!! I almost wish there was a law or rule that restaurants have to provide at least two vegetarian choices, preferably with protein(ie tofu, seitan, tempe, etc). __________________ Super Sales = Sofa King Broke

Jul 6th, 2008, 03:30 PM	#21
ilovehoneybleu Honey & Bleu's Mama! Location: Hell-Ay!	I think what the OP is saying is that the UK does not have veggie options available to them like we have in the states. I spent A LOT of my youth in the UK, and it is VERY difficult to eat there as a vegetarian. They don't just make veggies options for you there like restaurants do here. Unless I wanted to eat Indian food everyday in England (which I didn't), I found it extremely difficult to eat there as well. Sez...I feel your pain! Last edited by ilovehoneybleu; Jul 6th, 2008 at 03:32 PM. Reason: =)

Jul 7th, 2008, 02:57 PM	#23
lovinalotofbags In for the long haul Location: South Carolina	A lot of the restaurants here serve vegetarian. There is a big need for it. __________________ Always forgive your enemies. Nothing annoys them so much.

Jul 7th, 2008, 09:34 PM	#24
Danica Mijn boter boontje Location: TN	I'm used to little variety by now...actually I wonder what it's like to have the choice of everything on the menu... 30 choices? I can't even imagine. lol Must be nice. __________________ Cheerleader for love

Jul 7th, 2008, 09:39 PM	#25
Irishgal I run with scissors Location: In a Bell Jet Ranger	There are a number of vegetarian places in the city where I live. One place in particular is so good people drive hours to get there. Now I might go there right now... __________________ Ten thousand blessings to all of our furry friends who are in need of prayers. May they be comfortable, healthy, and blessed with joy and companionship. May their eyes shine brightly and may they know that they are loved.

Jul 2nd, 2008, 11:44 PM	#16
SoxFan777 j'adore dior Location: Boston	I agree. Boston has always been great for veggie options, at least in my experience.

Jul 4th, 2008, 02:47 AM	#18
sari_luna Sofa King Banned	Thought I share a story about a Vegetarian I met for the first time, face-to-face. And the poor service she got at a particular restaurant during a very nice vacation: My parents and I brought a couple (who are friends with my parents) to a wonderful Cruise vacation last year. It was one of the Carnival ships, I don't remember which one. The Carnival line requires my parents to pick a particular restaurant to eat at every dinner hour. But when we found out that the wife of the couple was in fact, a veggie, she unfortunately got the bad end of the stick. She was forced to eat either fruit salad or just plain old salad for the whole week during our vacation. She would force herself (or tries to) to eat the meatier dishes, but she would end up getting sick. I felt so sorry for her.

Jul 4th, 2008, 02:09 PM	#19
Minnie05 BagsBagsBagsBags!!! Location: NY	it doesn't really bother me, i try not to make a big deal out of it. but come on people...a salad is not a meal! sorry! vegetarians don't just eat lettuce and carrots

Jul 4th, 2008, 04:32 PM	#20
agreenst <3s LAMB Location: New Orleans	That's why whenever i go out with friends or family we go to a place that i know isn't a "meat and potatoes" kinda place. Thai, Chinese, Pizza, Middle Eastern, etc. Think outside the box and it'll be easier to find veggie food, as well as introducing your friends to some new foods and restaurants. ^^Agreed! It frustrates me to no end when people think all vegetarians are anorexics and are content eating leaves for dinner

Jul 6th, 2008, 05:51 PM	#22
surferchick2 Member	I'm not completely veggie, but will only eat sushi as far as meat goes since it kind of falls under a raw food diet and easier to digest. I'm lucky, in my small town there are great restaurants. Even one that, although they serve meats (healthy, natural and/or organic), they're voted best vegetarian restaurant because of it's options. Some of the harder places are pubs. You can get veggie options, but they're usually fries, deep fried...basically appetizers, no entrees. The salads are usually a mound of iceberg and tomatoes with dressing. I usually find something though...and if I need to, eat in advance since we and our friends like to go to places like that at times. I also travel alot, and seem to find more and more airport eateries with real vegetarian/vegan items (seitan, tofu, etc)...like the boston airport has tofu burritos! It's so much easier than it was 10 years ago when you couldnt even buy frozen veggie burgers at the grocery store where now, our local chain grocery has organic, raw and veggie products that you could only get at stores like whole foods before. This shows a good percentage of heart healthy diets (veggie or not) are rising with natural food stores and hopefully will move overseas and more options for vegetarians.

Jul 7th, 2008, 10:06 PM	#26
herstaticcity Member Location: Florida (still in New England at heart)	I normally ask for restaurants to just make me plain pasta with butter and cheese, simple and usually doable but I also am allergic to nuts so that with the combination of vegetarianism makes it difficult to eat out __________________ w i s h l i s t : black chanel caviar tote valentino couture bag goldenbleu carson tote

Jul 8th, 2008, 02:59 PM	#27
bagaholic85 Member Location: i <3 ny	id say 99% of restaurants let people order off the menu, so i dont see how it would be a huge deal

Jul 9th, 2008, 11:07 AM	#29
Leelee Up On My Toes! Location: Highland, Maryland	My friend and I just had this conversation over the weekend. She's a vegetarian and she commented that every time she's invited to someone's home for dinner they make her a portabella mushroom. She said they just assume that's what vegetarians like the best.

Jul 9th, 2008, 11:00 PM	#30
cfred not humored	I cook at a restaurant and we have a few vegetarian appetizers and two vegetarian entrees. We always encourage people to ask for something if they have a specific want, or a dietary need. In general though, if I were to dine with a vegetarian friend, I would not go to a place like the one where I work-- instead, I would choose a more vegetarian friendly place. I think it is easiest to pick a place that caters to the most specific requirement and then let everyone else eat off the menu provided. I think the problem does boil down to money and catering to the majority.