VegOut Awards Issue 2022 by vegoutmagazine

THE

AWARDS BEST VEGAN BURGERS IN AMERICA

ISSUE

PLUS:

Top Spots for Vegan Pizza, Tacos, Fried Chicken, & More!

AFI’S

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DISPLAY UNTIL OCT 3, 2022

DAVEY HAVOK

on Veganism, Blaqk Audio, and His Punk Legacy

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THE

AWARDS

ISSUE

THE 2022 VEGOUT AWARDS WINNERS

AFI’S DAVEY HAVOK ON VEGANISM, BLAQK AUDIO, AND HIS PUNK LEGACY

We asked, you voted! Here are our 2022 VegOut Awards winners.

We chatted with Davey Havok to learn more about his music career and vegan lifestyle.

10 Letter from the Founder 11 Meet the Team 12 Contributors 18 In the News

The scoop on the latest restaurant openings and product launches.

26 The 5 Best Vegan Restaurants in the US

From the food and drinks to the service and ambience, these five restaurants were voted the best of the best.

28 Meditation 101: Which Style is Right for You?

Learn about some of our favorite forms of meditation.

30 The Top 5 Spots for

Vegan Ice Cream Nationwide Whether you’ve been vegan for years or are just starting to venture into dairy alternatives, there’s never been a better time for vegan ice cream!

33 Vegans on the Street

We checked in with vegans from across the country to gain insight on how they navigate meatcentric menus!

34 24 Hours in New Orleans Make the most of your 24 hours in The Big Easy, vegan style.

38 The Best Vegan

Pizza Joints Across the US

Whatever your preferred style or slice, these top five VegOut award-winning pizza spots are worth the trip!

40 The Best Vegan Tacos in America

We tour the best vegan spots across the United States.

42 Recipes

Get cooking with author and blogger Lauren Toyota.

46 The Best New Vegan Restaurants

With the growing popularity of plant-based eating comes many new vegan restaurants. Here are the top five winners!

CONTENTS

48 An Interview with Ian Theasby of BOSH!

We spoke with Ian Theasby to learn more about the origins, growth, and plans of BOSH!.

50 Highlight on Baltimore

ON THE COVER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIMBERLY TRAN

54 The Best Vegan Burgers in the US

These plant based burgers are the best in the nation.

64 Sustainable Apparel Essentials

From sustainable sunglasses and shorts to totes and crop tops, we’ve got your summer look covered.

66 Products We Love

Peep the latest and greatest vegan products!

Come along as we explore Baltimore’s vegan restaurants and bakeries!

68 The Best Vegan Bakeries

59 Summer Beauty Must-Haves

These top five bakeries will make all your pastry dreams come true.

You’re going to want these beauty products in your bag this summer.

60 The Best Vegan Donuts in America Check out the top vegan and vegan-friendly donut shops across the country!

62 The Best Vegan Fried Chicken in the US

These spots supply all the heart, crunch, and soul that put vegan fried chicken on the map.

Across America

70 4 Walmart Grocery Hauls

This season, we’re shopping Walmart for all of our summertime essentials.

74 What We’re Reading, Listening to, and Watching

These books, movies, and songs are perfect for summer.

76 Where Should I Eat?

Fast-Food Restaurant Edition

Use this flowchart to help you decide where to grab a quick bite.

ARE NEW YORK BODEGAS GOING VEGAN? HOW ONE COMPANY IS MAKING VEGAN FOOD ACCESSIBLE TO ALL

Q&A WITH DR. VANESSA MÉNDEZ

Plantega brings affordable plant-based food to the Big Apple.

This plant-based doc talks gut health, bloating, and diet culture.

You have the Grammys, the Oscars, the Emmys, and then—you have the VegOut Awards! Each year, we open up the polls to let our readers vote on their favorite restaurants across the country. From best pizza, burgers, and fried chicken to ice cream, donuts, and more, the results are in! In this issue, we spotlight the top overall winners and highlight the leaders in select categories. Hungry for more? Head to VegOutMag.com. You’ll also find all of our regular features, including wellness tips and recipes, sustainable apparel essentials, the latest vegan news, and Products We Love! Special for this issue, I interviewed AFI’s Davey Havok (page 20). I’ve been a fan of Havok since high school and couldn’t pass up the chance to chat with him. I find his compassion and dedication to the vegan movement inspiring. The VegOut team also spoke with plant-based doctor Vanessa Méndez (page 56) and Ian Theasby of BOSH! (page 48). And don’t miss our spotlight on Plantega, a business in NYC bringing accessible vegan food options to bodegas across the Big Apple (page 24). When I first went vegan 10 years ago, I never would have imagined the options we have today. Heck, you can even get a vegan Whopper at Burger King! The fact that we now have enough vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants to create an entire awards program around them is incredible. And we’ve only just covered the highlights here. Happy reading!

Maggie Ortlieb, Founder (she/her) @maggieeortlieb

10 | VEGOUTMAG.COM

LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER

And the winners are…

Meet the Team SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR & STAFF WRITER

MANAGING EDITOR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

DESIGNER

(she/her) @TAMMIEORTLIEB

(she/her) @KILLAXKIM

(he/him) @JERRYMANDERNG

STAFF WRITER

BRAND PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER

Tammie Ortlieb

STAFF WRITER

Anja Grommons

(she/her) @VEGCENTRICDIETITIAN

Kimberly Tran

Cayla White

(she/they) @CAYLA__WHITE

Jerry Ng

Laurie Chin Sayres

(she/her) @ROCKYMOUNTAINDREAMIN

Allie Mitchell (she/her) @ALLIEMITCH

MARKETING ASSISTANT

Tina Gibbs

(she/her) @TINATINANOELLE

SUBSCRIPTIONS VEGOUTMAG.COM ADVERTISING ADVERTISING@VEGOUTMAG.COM QUESTIONS HELLO@VEGOUTMAG.COM

VEGOUTMAGAZINE VEGOUTMAG

PO BOX 34682, LOS ANGELES, CA 90034 VEGOUTMAG.COM | 11

s r o t u b i r t n o C (she/her) Lauren is the author of two bestselling

LAUREN TOYOTA

cookbooks Vegan Comfort Classics: 101 Recipes to Feed Your Face and hot for food all day. She’s been named one of Canada’s Most Influential Vegans (Impact Magazine) and has appeared on many national television programs sharing her expertise for making vegan food fast and fun. Lauren’s YouTube channel, Instagram, and website have amassed millions of views and devoted fans. @laurentoyota

NATALIE BROWN (he/him) Jared’s passion for travel and culture

are fueled by his upbringing near the MexicanAmerican border in San Diego. He is in constant pursuit of ways to reduce his carbon footprint, and dreams of owning a cocktail bar. @crossjared

JARED CROSS

(she/her) Natalie, a recent UCLA grad, moved to LA from Ontario, Canada, and now considers herself a fullfledged Southern Californian, loading up on tacos and guac, tanning at the beach, and blasting YG’s discography any opportunity she gets. When not writing for VegOut, she can be found strolling the farmers markets or binge-watching the latest Netflix docuseries. @naataliebrown

(she/her) Rebecca lives in Metro Detroit and is the

REBECCA GADE SAWICKI

creator of the vegan travel blog Veggies Abroad. Born of her love for travel and the curiosity of others about her plant-based lifestyle, the blog addresses the question, “What in the world did you eat?” When she isn’t checking out new vegan hot spots, you can find her strategizing ways to amplify the voices of vegan businesses and nonprofits in an effort to build a kinder world. @veggiesabroad

(she/her) Melissa has been vegan since 2017 and is

a self-proclaimed pizza and doughnut enthusiast. A public relations executive by day—when she’s not scouring New York City and beyond for the next great vegan food and beauty finds—she donates her time to supporting animal rescues, traveling, and spoiling her cat, Waffles. @extra.vegan

MELISSA NOWAKOWSKI 12 | VEGOUTMAG.COM

KAYLA PASKO (she/her) Kayla is a freelance writer based in NYC. When she’s not scoping out the newest vegan restaurants, you can catch her getting her flow on at yoga class, checking out hot new products at Trader Joe’s, and brushing up on the latest sustainable fashion trends. @kaylapasko

THE

20 22

Vegout AWARDS WINNERS

WE ASKED, YOU VOTED!

HERE ARE OUR 2022 VEGOUT AWARDS WINNERS. BY ALLIE MITCHELL

BEST VEGAN RESTAURANT

CROSSROADS KITCHEN LOS ANGELES, CA

Crossroads Kitchen’s head chef and owner, Tal Ronnen, has curated a menu of outstanding upscale dishes, including Artichoke Oysters, Calamari Fritti, and Spaghetti Carbonara.

BEST VEGAN-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

BEST FOOD TRUCK

WORD OF MOUTH

chicago diner

LOS ANGELES, CA

CHICAGO, IL

This iconic vegan food truck is a Los Angeles staple. Serving up burgers, fries, mac ‘n’ cheese bites, and cupcakes, Word of Mouth doesn’t hold back on the flavor.

Chicago Diner serves up vegan versions of classic diner dishes like Reuben sandwiches, breakfast platters, and milkshakes, to name a few.

BEST POP-UP

CENA VEGAN

LOS ANGELES, CA

vedge

PHILADELPHIA, PA At Vedge, vegetables are number one! With a menu curated by Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby, this high-end restaurant showcases seasonal produce in some of the most elegant dishes.

Cena Vegan has captured the essence of Mexican street food with its nacho boats, oversized burritos, and street tacos (loaded with all the spices!).

Photo Credit: @wholesomecupoftea

BEST UPSCALE RESTAURANT

BEST COFFEE SHOP

BATTER & CRUMBS PHILADELPHIA, PA

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

OBON SHOKUDO PORTLAND, OR From onigiri, noodles, and soups to curries, bento boxes, and even a katsu burger, Portland’s Obon Shokudo is proof that vegan food is more than just veggie burgers and fries.

Known as “The Vegan Starbucks,” Batter & Crumbs offers a full drink menu of classic and seasonal beverages, as well as food and pastries from local spots around town.

BEST BAKERY

PIE, PIE MY DARLING CHICAGO, IL

Pie, Pie My Darling—a queer woman-owned bakery—stocks six-layer rainbow cakes coated in sprinkles, heart-shaped cookies frosted with expletives, and vegan Butterfinger pies.

BEST BAR

BLACK WATER PORTLAND, OR

Whether you’re a cocktail person or prefer beer on tap, Black Water has it all, including vegan renditions of iconic bar food— think loaded fries, soft pretzels, burgers, patty melts, and more!

BEST VEGAN-FRIENDLY FAST FOOD

BEST ICE CREAM

BEST DONUTS

CHIPOTLE

BEN & JERRY'S

VOODOO DOUGHNUT

Chipotle offers a host of vegan options, making it great for a road trip stop or work lunch alike. Go for the Sofritas or vegetables with a scoop of guac in a burrito or burrito bowl.

In addition to its retail presence, Ben & Jerry’s has several scoop shops scattered throughout the US and offers at least one vegan option on the menu at all times.

This vegan-friendly donut shop is known for its iconic voodoo dollshaped donut, which comes filled with raspberry jelly and topped with chocolate frosting and a pretzel.

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

BEST BRUNCH

BEST PIZZA

CHAMPS DINER

VIRTUOUS PIE

NEW YORK, NY

PORTLAND, OR

Virtuous Pie makes its pizza entirely from scratch! Choose Margherita pizzas loaded with housemade Italian sausage, or go for pepperoni, Buffalo cauliflower, or mac ‘n’ cheese.

French toast, açai bowls, chick’n & waffles, omelets— you name it, Champs Diner has it! Based in New York, you can bet they offer a vegan bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich as well.

BEST FRIED CHICKEN

DIRTY LETTUCE

BEST BURGER

PORTLAND, OR

slutty vegan

Portland’s Dirty Lettuce deserves a shoutout for its growth. With a crispy, golden outside and a chewy meat-like inside, this seitan-based vegan fried chicken hits the spot every time!

ATLANTA, GA

This Black-owned burger joint offers burgers like the One Night Stand—an Impossible burger patty with bacon, cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, and Slut Sauce on a Hawaiian bun.

BEST TACOS

BEST SUSHI

LOS ANGELES, CA

NEW YORK, NY

CENA VEGAN With homemade tortillas, plant-based meats, and fresh scoops of guac, Cena Vegan’s tacos are the real deal! Order yours with chipotle cashew crema, salsa, and a side of rice and beans.

BEYOND SUSHI Filled with vegan tuna, spicy jackfruit crab, orange seaweed caviar, and more, the vegan rolls at Beyond Sushi are unmatched. Try the Mighty Mushroom, Spicy Mang, and Sweet Tree.

BEST SANDWICH Some of Vtopia’s highlights include the B.L.T. (with PORTLAND, OR shiitake bacon), Grilled Mac & Cheese Sandwich, and the Buffalo Berry (stuffed with Buffalo tofu, garlic dill aioli, and grape jam).

VTOPIA

BEST BREAKFAST SANDWICH

crossroads kitchen LOS ANGELES, CA

Crossroads Kitchen pulls out all the stops with its weekend brunch! The Impossible Breakfast Sausage Sandwich comes with a vegan egg patty, slice of cheese, and side of potatoes or fruit.

In the News by Cayla White

Crossroads to Open Three New Locations This Year

Vegan Babybel Cheese Now Available at Costco, Whole Foods, Sam’s Club, and Fresh Thyme

The “Best Vegan Restaurant” winner in the 2022 VegOut Awards is expanding! The Los Angelesbased upscale vegan restaurant will have debuted three new locations in 2022. Crossroads Las Vegas—a full-service experience similar to the Los Angeles location—opened May 28 at Resorts World Las Vegas. Crossroads Burgers—a fast-casual concept serving up burgers, milkshakes, and fries—also opened May 28 at Resorts World. This fall, Crossroads is slated to open its third new spot, and second LA location, at The Commons at Calabasas (a Mediterranean-inspired outdoor shopping center and entertainment complex).

The nostalgic mozzarella cheese wheels coated in red wax are now available in a vegan version! Babybel Plant-Based was crafted to look, feel, and taste just like the classic mozzarella cheese wheels and are coated in green wax instead of red to easily differentiate between the vegan and dairy versions. Babybel Plant-Based was launched in February of this year, and the brand is now available at retailers nationwide. You can find the cheese in six-count bags at Whole Foods and Fresh Thyme and 32-count bags at Sam’s Club and select Costco locations in the Southeast.

Cole Haan Releases Its First Sustainable Vegan Shoe The Generation ZERØGRAND II by Cole Haan is 100% vegan and features an upper made with vegan microfiber suede and an outsole made of natural dandelion rubber. The laces and fabric topsheet are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, while the footbed is made with 5% recycled rubber and 15% production waste foam. The launch of this shoe coincides with the company’s Change Forward sustainability initiative, which states that Cole Haan will strive to use naturally derived or recycled materials in its products, packaging materials, and shipping cartons. The shoes are available in men’s and women’s sizes and retail for $130.

Beyond Meat Launches Vegan Beef Jerky In March, vegan alternative meat company Beyond Meat launched its first shelf-stable product in the form of beef jerky. Beyond Meat Jerky is vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and non-GMO. Made from protein-packed ingredients such as mung beans and peas, this vegan jerky contains 10g of protein and 0g of cholesterol per serving. Currently, Beyond Meat Jerky is available in three flavors: Original, Hot & Spicy, and Teriyaki. All flavors are available in three different-sized packs and can be found at grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies, and club stores nationwide.

Amazon Fresh Debuts Plant-Based Product Line In March, Amazon announced its Fresh Plant-Based product line, which features 15 vegan meat and dairy alternatives at affordable prices. The plant-based milk portfolio includes 64oz cartons of original, vanilla, and chocolate almond milk for under $3, while the plant-based meat line includes vegan meatballs, sausages, burger patties, and chicken nuggets. In an effort to provide accessibility to plant-based foods, all of the products in the Fresh Plant-Based product line are SNAP EBT eligible. These products can be purchased at Amazon Fresh store locations and online in select areas, and Amazon has announced plans to expand its vegan offerings in the near future.

Wolfie’s Hot Chicken Makes History as First Fully Vegan Restaurant at Banc of California Stadium In February, popular LA-based vegan fried chicken concept Wolfie’s became the first vegan restaurant to open at Banc of California Stadium, the home of both the MLS’ Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and the NWSL’s Angel City Football Club. While several other sports stadiums offer vegan options, this marks the first time that a 100% vegan restaurant has launched at a Major League Soccer stadium in the country. Wolfie’s is serving up a menu of fried chicken sandwiches, burgers, fries, and chicken tenders to vegans and omnivores alike at its new location, and its sales surpassed many of the other Banc of California vendors in its first two weeks of service.

IHOP Adds Vegan Breakfast Sandwich to Menu at NYC Location Flip’d by IHOP, the new fast-casual branch of the popular diner, announced its first fully vegan option in February. The Plant-Based Cali Sandwich—made with a Sweet Earth sausage patty, JUST Egg, arugula, roasted tomatoes, and avocado on a vegan bun—is available for $7.49, while its non-vegan counterpart sells for $1 more. The vegan breakfast sandwich is available at Flip’d by IHOP’s location in the Flatiron District of New York. VEGOUTMAG.COM | 19

AFI’s

DAVEY HAVOK

ON VEGANISM, BLAQK AUDIO, AND HIS PUNK LEGACY

Lead singer of punk rock band AFI, Davey Havok is no stranger to veganism— having been vegan for over two decades. As part of the straight edge community in the 90s, he was heavily influenced by its members, who also abstained from the use of animal products. In 2021, AFI released their new album, Bodies. I chatted with Havok to learn more about his music career and vegan lifestyle. INTERVIEW BY MAGGIE ORTLIEB VEGOUTMAG.COM | 21

Maggie Ortlieb (MO): When did you first go vegan, and why?

“ With every act I’ve

Davey Havok (DH): I went vegan 24 years ago. In the ‘90s, the straight edge movement was largely vegan. Being a part of it, I was surrounded by many animal rights activists and thus educated on both the perils of factory farms and the healthfulness of a plant-based diet. I was vegetarian for two years before reading Diet for a New America. After that, I did the right thing. MO: Wow, so you were vegan “before it was cool.” What was that like? And did you find it difficult to find options while eating out and touring? DH: To be fair, it was very trendy to be vegan in the community in which I was raised. In fact, there was heavy pressure to be vegan. This was part of the reason it took me so long to make the move to a plant-based diet. I saw people using the lifestyle as an identity (long before social media!)—going vegan for the wrong reason. I didn’t want to be a part of that. However, I soon realized that I couldn’t reconcile consuming animals and celebrated anyone who went vegan despite their motivation. The more of us there are, the better the planet is. Eating on tour was very difficult back then. Aside from only having a five to seven dollar per diem for food, there simply weren’t options. Gas stations provided nuts and Grandma’s cookies (a default vegan treat). We’d stop at grocery stores to get soy milk and cereal, which we often poured directly into our mouths—little one-two hits we’d munch while sitting on the curbs of the parking lots between cities. Taco Bell was an oasis of affordable, animal-free bean burritos, but back then, the chain wasn't nationwide. We’d often reroute our drives to find one of the rare fast-food spots. Europe and Japan offered just as little, if not less. MO: How have you seen the vegan scene change over the years? DH: My brother and I constantly take pause to appreciate how far the cuisine has come, how much awareness has spread, and how many people embrace animal compassion. That we live in a world where mainstream food chains offer vegan items, and designers like Vivienne Westwood and Rick Owens create pieces with vegans and animals in mind, is surreal. It’s wonderful.

22 | VEGOUTMAG.COM

been a part of, my goal has been to create something that is interesting and meaningful to me. This has resulted in many differentsounding albums from different acts over the decades. ” MO: What are your go-to vegan restaurants in Los Angeles? DH: Crossroads, Pura Vita, Shojin, Plant Food + Wine, and Monty’s Good Burger. MO: You’ve also been in the music industry a long time. I remember driving around my hometown listening to Decemberunderground on repeat in high school in the early 2000s. It really defined my personality back then, and I’m sure a lot of other people my age can relate. How has the music industry and your personal music style changed over the years? DH: In an attempt to succinctly answer, I will say that technology vastly and permanently changed music. Music suddenly became free. This closed records stores, which were cultural hubs. It changed how music was written, recorded, and performed. It changed music’s perceived value for all post-internet generations. As for my own musical style … with every act I’ve been a part of, my goal has been to create something that is interesting and meaningful to me. This has resulted in many different-sounding albums from different acts over the decades. MO: How did your music duo Blaqk Audio come about, and will you be releasing new music anytime soon? DH: Blaqk Audio was formed around 2000 out of our love for industrial music and our desire to create vocal-focused electronic music that leaned into pop structures. Touring obligations with AFI prevented us from recording and releasing our first record ‘til ‘07. Our sixth record should drop this year.

MO: Do you think veganism is punk rock? DH: I think veganism is strong in the punk community because punks have long stood against meretricious social standards. Punks ask “why” even when the question is uncomfortable. For instance. “Why is it okay for us to torture and murder innocent creatures for our own enjoyment?” Despite global moral dissonance, it’s not. MO: You teamed up with Monty’s Good Burger in Los Angeles to launch a limitededition shake. What was that experience like, and do you have additional food collabs in the pipeline you can share? DH: I became friends with the founders of Monty’s through the straight edge community. I love their burgers, aesthetic, and intention and was thrilled when they approached me to collaborate on a shake. Though there are no plans for anything new in the future, I believe the Havok Harvest [milkshake] will return again this fall. MO: It’s gotten significantly better over the years, but I remember when my younger brother went vegan back in the day, he was stereotyped pretty hard and made fun of. He was into punk music, a little more sensitive than his male peers, and dressed differently. Can you speak on your experience? DH: Luckily, I had a huge support system, having come from the [straight edge] community. The perception and reaction to veganism has greatly changed for the better in the past years, but occasionally we’re still confronted with ignorance and aggressive selfconsciousness from parts of the mainstream. Most of my ethics have long opposed those of the mainstream, so I’ve never let it get me down. Today, we have so much great food and fashion to celebrate. MO: Besides being a musician and being vegan, what else are you into? DH: I love film, fine art, theater, literature, fashion … am very much a music fan …. and have an arguably obsessive relationship with fitness. MO: Okay, last question: For our readers who are new to veganism, what advice would you give? DH: I’d just like to say welcome, and thank you for coming along. You’re doing great.

Havok with his favorite brunch menu items at Crossroads in Los Angeles. PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIMBERLY TRAN HAIR & MAKEUP BY LEAH CARMICHAEL

VEGOUTMAG.COM | 23

Are New York Bodegas Going Vegan?

How One Company Is Making Vegan Food Accessible to All Walk down any street in New York City, and you’ll be overwhelmed by the number of slice shops, hot dog carts, and bodegas offering meals for $5 or less. Although the city is loaded with vegan restaurants, their dishes typically come at a higher price. Some passionate herbivores don’t mind spending extra cash supporting these all-vegan spots, but not everyone has the money, time, or knowledge to do so. Many non-vegans, unfamiliar with the benefits of going plant-based, don’t feel the need to buy a vegan meal when it’s more costly. This inaccessibility creates a gap in New York’s plant-based movement—one Plantega is working to close with their inspiring program.

WRITTEN BY ALLIE MITCHELL PHOTOS COURTESY OF PLANTEGA 24 | VEGOUTMAG.COM

MAKING PLANT-BASED FOOD INCLUSIVE In the fall of 2020, vegan New Yorker Nil Zacharias noticed the faults in the traditional food system, a system that positioned higher quality options such as local, organic, and regeneratively grown produce in a more expensive cost bracket, making it difficult for those with a lower socioeconomic status to make healthful dietary choices. “Current trends in the plant-based food market inevitably end up excluding people that are most affected by the inequity embedded in our current food system. For years, we keep framing the story of sustainable and healthy food as a story of choice, but choice is not a privilege all Americans share,” Zacharias told VegOut. Motivated to seek change, Zacharias founded Plantega.

PARTNERING WITH LOCAL BODEGAS TO ROLL OUT VEGAN OPTIONS With the primary goal of democratizing access to vegan food, Zacharias had to look beyond the typical format of opening a brick-andmortar restaurant. Instead, he envisioned the idea of partnering with local bodegas across the city to help them roll out vegan options. Not only would this concept help make vegan food more accessible to all New Yorkers, but it would also support small businesses owned by locals— and teach them about plant-based food. “New York City has a thriving network of around 14,000 independent corner stores or bodegas, and nearly 8,000 of them are equipped with deli counters and grills that feature deli sandwiches that New Yorkers of all walks of life turn to for a quick and affordable breakfast, lunch, or late-night snack,” shared Zacharias. With a solidified business model, the Plantega team began connecting with local bodegas and delis that matched the below criteria: 1. Location: Positioned in a heavily trafficked area near subway stops, shopping centers, office buildings, tourist attractions, etc. 2. Sales: Successful deli sales—with over 200 items sold per day. 3. Quality: Clean store, great customer service, and enthusiasm about collaborating with Plantega.

PLANTEGA’S MENU OF VEGANIZED DELI CLASSICS From there, the Plantega team reached out to JUST Egg, Beyond Meat, OmniFoods, Miyoko’s Creamery, and other leading vegan food brands to get products at a wholesale price. With those ingredients, they created a menu of veganized deli classics, including a breakfast burrito; sausage, egg, & cheese sandwich; chopped cheese sandwich; deli slice sandwich; classic cheeseburger; buttered roll; and more.

The prices of these items range from $2 to $10. “We want to make choosing plant-based the easy and convenient choice everywhere, so price is definitely an important factor. Keeping in mind that our plant-based menu sits alongside deli menus across New York City where meat-based sandwiches can be sold for as low as $5, we have gone out of our way to create a pricing structure that keeps all our menu items in stores under $10,” shared Zacharias.

HOW PLANTEGA HELPS ITS PARTNERS In addition to curating the menu and providing the ingredients, Plantega also helps manage inventory, design and make in-store signage, and host promotional events. Upon igniting a new partnership with a store, the Plantega team shows the employees how to make each menu item. They also provide ingredient lists and instructions on how to store and prepare the vegan items separately. “We’ve found a way to make this a win-win-win for all involved. From the perspective of plantbased brands, we offer a unique distribution and marketing channel that taps into a diverse set of new consumers and helps build brand awareness. From the store’s standpoint, we offer them a turnkey plug-and-play solution to sell plant-based foods. And for consumers, we offer tasty, convenient plant-based food at a competitive price point,” said Zacharias.

PLANTEGA SOLD OVER 30,000 PLANT-BASED SANDWICHES IN NINE MONTHS Since its launch in the fall of 2020, Plantega has received rave reviews and expanded its reach immensely. New York City’s mayor, Eric Adams, even stopped by for a vegan breakfast the morning after his election win in November 2021! In its first nine months of operation, Plantega launched at 14 locations and sold over 30,000 plant-based sandwiches to people who would have otherwise ordered meat and dairy items. Many of the bodegas that work with Plantega have reported their vegan menu makes up 2560% of deli counter sales—which is HUGE. When asked about plans to expand Plantega beyond New York, Zacharias told us, “For the moment, we are laser-focused on New York City. But we are simultaneously exploring ideas on how our concept could be taken to retail stores, event venues, and transit hubs in other parts of the country. We are on a mission to make plant-based food easier to access EVERYWHERE, and New York City and its bodegas are definitely just the beginning.” VEGOUTMAG.COM | 25

THE FIVE BEST

VEGAN RESTAURANTS IN THE US

From the food and drinks to the service and ambience, these five restaurants were voted "Best Vegan Restaurant" by herbivores across the country in the 2022 VegOut Awards. Grab a pen and paper or open up the notes app on your iPhone, because you’ll want to add these spots to your bucket list.

BY ALLIE MITCHELL

26 | VEGOUTMAG.COM

CROSSROADS KITCHEN Los Angeles, CA & Las Vegas, NV For the second year in a row, Crossroads Kitchen took home the title of the “Best Vegan Restaurant.” Since opening in 2013, this eatery has been at the forefront of vegan innovation with its sophisticated dishes created by head chef Tal Ronnen. The menu, primarily influenced by Mediterranean gastronomy, features vegan versions of calamari, oysters, scallops, fresh pasta, and more. With a full-service vegan bar and an impeccable experience from beginning to end, Crossroads Kitchen is a must-try for all foodies.

KALE MY NAME Chicago, IL & Los Angeles, CA From long-time vegans to veg-curious omnivores, Kale My Name is a welcoming place for all! This upbeat restaurant was founded in Chicago by Nemanja Golubović in 2020. When vegan TikTok icon Tabitha Brown visited Kale My Name, she loved it so much that she decided to open one in Los Angeles. With a menu chock-full of drool-worthy vegan dishes, including the most amazing Tequeños (Venezuelan cheese sticks), Kale My Name definitely passes the vibe check.

PURA VITA Los Angeles, CA

If we could eat dinner at Pura Vita every day, we would—and it seems like our voters would too! Owned by the talented and inspiring Chef Tara Punzone, Pura Vita is the ultimate destination for vegan Italian food. The restaurant is reminiscent of a classic Brooklyn-style Italian spot—from the lighting and decor to the food. Customers can choose from a glorious selection of fresh pasta, pizza, salads, appetizers, desserts, biodynamic wines, and other beverages. Our top picks have to be the Baked Ricotta, Carbonara, and Zeppole.

BLOSSOMING LOTUS Portland, OR The Pacific Northwest’s vegan scene is booming! With a full-service vegan restaurant and fast-casual cafe in Portland, Blossoming Lotus is one of the best in class. The food is made using fresh, nutrient-dense ingredients with love and outstanding attention to detail behind each and every plate. For first-timers, we’d suggest trying the Thai Wrap, Lotus Benedict, BBQ Bowl, and Live Nachos.

5 PLANT Asheville, NC

Plant is putting North Carolina on the vegan hot spot map! This highly acclaimed establishment was founded in 2011 with vegetables, fruits, and active foods as the leading players on the menu. The amount of time, technique, and precision that goes into each dish is apparent at first bite. So the next time you want to dive head first into an elevated, chef-driven, flavor-packed dining experience that just happens to be vegan, make a reservation at Plant!

Meditation 101: Which Style Is Right for You? by Cayla White

editation means a lot of different things to different people, but the root of it is this: to be present. There are many ways to do this, but the most accessible way to start meditating is to focus on your breath, which helps you quiet your mind and exist in the present. That may sound impossible, but it’s a skill that develops over time.

Here are a few of our favorite methods of meditation. 28 | VEGOUTMAG.COM

Guided Meditation If you feel like you’d benefit from some guidance in your meditation practice, there are plenty of free and affordable online resources to help you out. Apps like Liberate, Calm, and Headspace offer guided meditations on a variety of topics and range from just a few minutes to an hour in length, while YouTube offers free guided meditations for whatever topic you’re looking for. These meditations will provide guidance on everything from the number of breaths you take to what to focus on to help clear your mind. Start with a short one. Don’t get discouraged if you can only do a few minutes at a time; that’s how we all start!

Moving Meditation For some of us, our minds are so active that it’s easier to calm ourselves when our bodies are engaged. This could be through attending a yoga session or tai chi class, getting into flow on a swim or run, or matching our breaths to our footsteps as we go for a hike. Try to notice how your mind feels as you exert your body. Are you holding your breath? Can you find a breathing pattern that makes you feel grounded? However you decide to try a moving meditation, make sure your physical body is safe before you move your focus inward.

Silent Meditation or Meditation with Music If the thought of someone talking while you’re trying to calm your mind doesn’t sound appealing, maybe you’d enjoy a silent meditation or a meditation with music. Grab some headphones and an eye mask to minimize distractions, and just focus on your breath. A popular method of counting breaths is inhaling for four seconds, holding for four seconds, exhaling for four seconds, and holding for four seconds again. Play around with what pace works for you, but focusing on your breath helps calm the body’s stress response and allows you to connect to your body without outside stimulation. If you don’t enjoy the method of counting breaths, try simply sitting back and noticing how your body breathes on its own. How does your breath make you feel? Does your natural breathing pace make you feel calm? If not, can you inhale more deeply or take slower breaths? You don’t need to do this for hours every day to see the benefits. Start with a few minutes at a time and see how you feel.

Whatever method of meditation you choose, remember these things: - There’s no such thing as bad meditation. - Be kind to yourself as you’re learning this new skill. - No one can tell you what the best practice is for you. You get to decide that all on your own. - Above all, have fun!

Scan this QR code for a calming meditation playlist curated by the VegOut team.

Disclosure: Material presented here is intended to serve informational purposes regarding the topic of wellness. This content is not meant to substitute for medical advice or diagnosis. If therapeutic attention is warranted, alert your care team.

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The

Top 5 Spots for

Vegan Ice Cream in the US

by Cayla White

hether you’ve been vegan for years or are just starting to venture into dairy alternatives, there’s never been a better time for vegan ice cream! There’s coconut ice cream, cashew ice cream, oat milk ice cream, soy-free and gluten-free ice cream, and every vegan variation you can imagine. Here are the top five spots for vegan ice cream nationwide.

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1. Ben & Jerry’s

KATE’S ICE CREAM VEGAN-FRIENDLY

Multiple Locations

Taking home the #1 spot on this list for the second year in a row, Ben & Jerry’s is the most widely accessible option for vegan ice cream in the country. Whether you’re looking for a pint at your local grocery store or are in search of a vegan option at a scoop shop, Ben & Jerry’s has you covered. With more than 20 vegan flavors available in pints and at least one vegan flavor available at most scoop shops, Ben & Jerry’s makes it easy to find vegan ice cream no matter where you are.

2. Van Leeuwen Multiple Locations

HUG LIFE

VEGAN-FRIENDLY

Van Leeuwen started out as a food truck selling small-batch craft ice cream in New York in 2008. Since then, the brand has expanded into retail spaces and has dozens of scoop shops scattered across the country. Van Leeuwen focuses on making ice cream with whole ingredients and minimal preservatives, and their vegan options are made from a base of coconuts, cashews, or oats. Van Leeuwen is available at select retailers nationwide, where you can find popular flavors like Passion Fruit Layer Cake, Churros & Fudge, and Sicilian Pistachio.

3. Hug Life

Southern California This fully-vegan scoop shop dubs itself the antidairy ice cream shop and has three locations in the greater Los Angeles area. All shops offer rotating flavors, milkshakes, root beer floats, brownie sundaes, and cookie sandwiches filled with your flavor of choice. Customer favorites include unique flavors like Thai Tea, Mango Chamoy, and Cookie Butter. Hug Life offers a variety of ice cream toppings, including vegan marshmallows and a vegan chocolate shell.

KULA ICE CREAM

4. Kate’s Ice Cream Portland, OR

Kate’s Ice Cream started out as a small pop-up in the Portland area and has since expanded into a brand new brick-and-mortar location in the Boise neighborhood. Kate’s Ice Cream shop is 100% vegan and gluten-free and focuses on creating flavors using local ingredients. The shop frequently collaborates with other local businesses to create new flavors and products, and you can find pints of the vegan ice cream at several local retailers.

5. Kula Ice Cream San Diego, CA

In 2021, Kula Ice Cream became San Diego’s first vegan ice cream shop and wasted no time in winning “San Diego’s Best Ice Cream” later that year. The scoop shop is fully vegan and gluten-free and offers ice cream sandwiches; milkshakes topped with house-made whipped cream; floats with root beer, kombucha, or cold brew; and even dog-friendly ice cream. Pints of Kula Ice Cream can be found at various retailers in San Diego and the Inland Empire.

The perfect gift for everyone on your list! SHOP ONLINE www.MayasCookies.com FOLLOW US @MayasCookiesSanDiego

Vegans Street on the

by Jared Cross

Veganism is growing in popularity, but not all restaurants have caught on. We checked in with vegans from across the country to gain some insight on how they navigate meat-centric menus while dining out!

VegOut:

How do you navigate meat-heavy menus when dining out?

Tatum Monaco

Ashley Castellanos @vegan_ventures Vegan 5 years · Portland, Oregon

@veganbrigitte Vegan 5 years · Boston, Massachusetts

My personal favorite go-to is to swap any salad with meat as the protein with avocado. If salads are not your cup of tea, you can also create your meal using sides. Think cooked or steamed veggies, and pair it with a grain or side of rice! This could look like Brussels sprouts and steamed carrots, served with quinoa, on a bed of greens—drizzled in olive oil! Express your dietary needs to your waiter, and more often than not, they are happy to help you find something that not only works for your vegan diet but is tasty as well.

When at non-fully vegan locations, I always look at the menu and see if there’s a vegan option—or if there are dishes that can be made vegan. Most of the time, people are kind enough to be able to make a vegan option, but I always ask if it’s possible. Sometimes, the only dishes that can be made vegan are the appetizers—I’ll make a meal with those dishes. Living in Portland, because it is such a vegan-friendly city, it is much easier to find great vegan options at omni establishments.

This is definitely a tricky one! I’ll look at the menu ahead of time to see if something can easily be customized to make it vegan (e.g. a salad and grains, [something] off the sides menu, etc.). If it’s unclear online, I’ll call or message the place to inquire if anything can be made vegan. If I’m going somewhere I know will have limited options, I’ll eat a snack beforehand or pack a meal bar with me. I’ve personally found that some planning helps me with navigating these types of scenarios!

@tatumnicolee Vegan 7 years · Los Angeles, California

Brigitte Gil

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Hours in New Orleans by Rebecca Gade Sawicki

New Orleans is known for many things—rhythm and blues, a non-stop Mardi Gras celebration, and a special nutty coffee … but vegan food? Absolutely! Visitors can indulge in Southern classics like mac ‘n’ cheese, collard greens, and even vegan ribs! If a trip to The Big Easy wasn’t already on your radar, it should be, and if you only have 24 hours, this is how you should spend it.

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Throw Some Beads (Or Don’t) In the French Quarter If this is your first trip to New Orleans, you’ll want to wander through the city’s famous French Quarter at least once, even if you’re not into the all-night party scene. The vibrant neighborhood is full of bead-slinging and daiquiris, but there are quieter streets filled with antique shops, the beautiful Jackson Square, and the history of Voodoo. If American Horror Story: Coven had you intrigued by mystical Voodoo, then there is no better place to stop in the French Quarter than Voodoo Authentica. Here you can learn all about its roots with Marie Laveau, including dispelling the myth that Voodoo has anything to do with dark magic; its name means pure light.

Rise & Shine Start your day with all the cool cats in the Warehouse District at the hip Bearcat Café—with a name like that, how can you not want to check it out? The super-vegan-friendly menu is filled with amazing options no matter what time of day you visit, but we think breakfast is the cat’s pajamas! Live it up with a zesty Mex-inspired ranchero bowl topped with tantalizing cashew cream. But, make sure you leave just a little room for our next stop. Before making your way to the French Quarter, you’ll need a little caffeine boost to keep you buzzing and maybe a sweet treat to go along with it, and there’s only one place to go—Breads On Oak. New Orleans’ only vegan bakery is the best place for a donut, baguette, or chai— whatever you’re craving, they’ve got you covered, and it’s in close proximity to our next stop!

Mardi Gras Magic Once you’ve had your fill of the French Quarter, head to Mardi Gras World to see where over 50 parades and 1,000 floats are created each year, bringing the city’s carnival celebration to life. Here, you get a little history of the celebration along with a behind-the-scenes look into what it takes to create this annual event, but the best part is seeing the floats up close and personal! VEGOUTMAG.COM | 35

Lunchtime Decisions After all of that exploration, it’s time to refuel. Indulge in New Orleans’ best soul cuisine at I-Tal Garden. We suggest you don’t skip the fried oyster mushrooms, and remember to ask the chef for his favorite sauces to pair it with. After you’ve stuffed yourself with those amazing ‘shrooms (plus other deliciousness), you gotta get ready for some shopping!

Dinner & Music

Shop Through the Garden We’re getting out of downtown and heading to the trendy Garden District. This area is famous for jaw-dropping homes, plenty of chic boutiques, and a vibe to slow down and enjoy that sweet tea. Make sure you wander through the neighborhood to marvel at the gorgeous architecture. You may even have a celebrity sighting during your visit. Many celebrities, like John Goodman and Sandra Bullock, call the area home from time to time. Afterward, head over to Magazine Street for miles of shopping. The area is full of unique, independent boutiques—the perfect spot to grab a souvenir. 36 | VEGOUTMAG.COM

Rounding out the day, you have another choose-your-own eating adventure. Either stay in the Garden District and relax at the vegan-friendly Daily Beet for a mix of inventive salads, bowls, cold-pressed juices, and smoothies (if you need a pick-me-up, don’t miss their Starbuxx smoothie) or check out one last area of New Orleans—Bywater. There, you’ll find the eclectic Sneaky Pickle with a vegan-friendly lineup of tacos, mac ‘n’ cheese, and more. The end of any New Orleans adventure isn’t complete without a bit of music, and one unique spot for that is Bacchanal Wine. Right in the heart of the Bywater neighborhood, this funky spot has a great wine store that specializes in natural wines and offers many vegan options. They also recently began stocking cheese from Rebel Cheese in Austin—is there a better pairing? Once you grab your adult beverage, head to their backyard patio and enjoy live music under the stars.

ENDLESS

VEGGIE

PASTA-BILITIES FIND OUR PRODUCTS NOW www.veggiecraftfarms.com

The Best

VEGAN PIZZA JOINTS Across the US Do you like your pizza from the East Coast—thin, foldable, crispy, good for enjoying while walking and exploring the sights of Manhattan? Or do you prefer deep-dish, a hearty meal packed with layers of cheese, toppings, a robust sauce, and of course, more cheese? Does pineapple belong on your pizza? No? Whatever your preferred style or slice, these top five VegOut award-winning pizza spots are worth the trip! By Melissa Nowakowski

Virtuous Pie

Portland, OR

Virtuous Pie—a vegan pizza chain headquartered in Canada—leads the pack with its 10-inch in-house pies made with artisanal nut-based cheese and handstretched dough. From the house Margherita-style pizza (topped with San Marzano tomatoes, cashew mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil, parmesan, and basil) to more inventive pizza options like the Kats-You Later (which includes Katsu curry, curried tofu, cashew mozzarella, Tonkatsu sauce, crispy-fried shallots, pickled carrot, and onions), you can’t go wrong at this Rose City spot. 38 | VEGOUTMAG.COM

screamer’s pizzeria

New York, NY

If you’re based in—or have traveled to—New York City, it’s likely Screamer’s was on your must-try list. This fully vegan spot offers a slew of pizza toppings and styles! With two locations in Brooklyn (Crown Heights and Greenpoint), this latenight staple has some of the best full pies and slices around. Choose either a New York-style thin-crust or a Grandma-style thick-crust pizza. Try the National Treasure, Clean Side, Vampire, Fancy Kale, or Old School.

purgatory pizza

Los Angeles, CA

secret vegan pizza Santa Ana, CA

Founded by a pair of Southern California’s most beloved vegan foodies—AJ Miller (@VeganFoodPlug) and Skyler Tanksley (founder of Munchies Diner)—Secret Vegan Pizza operates as a pop-up throughout SoCal. Pop-up schedules are posted on the spot’s Instagram page, and if you’re lucky enough to catch a pop-up near you, you’ll have slice options that include Cheese, Pepperoni, Pineapple Bacon, White Garlic Shiitake, BBQ Luau, Buffalo Chicken, and a rotating chef’s special.

#4 donna jean San Diego, CA

Based in San Diego, Donna Jean is the first and only spot on our list that isn’t entirely a pizzeria. The pizza here is made with 72-hour dough, and choices range from Killer Queen (the spot’s elevated take on a classic Margheritastyle pie) to The Widow (topped with black garlic date purée, ricotta, red onions, Calabrian chilis, and kale). Other hits include The Bronx, Four Horsemen, I Believe in a Thing Called Spuds, and Fungazi, all with creative flavor combos that will keep you coming back for more.

Rounding out this year’s top spots is another LA favorite, Purgatory Pizza. While not fully vegan, it’s one of the most veganfriendly spots around. Vegan pizzas come as 14- or 18-inch pies and are crafted with house-made cashew mozzarella (nut-free upon request). Choose from Thor’s BBQ (vegan chicken, BBQ sauce, red onion, and grilled pineapple), the Vegan & Sara, Buffalo Bill, White Reaper, Jersey Devil, and Goodbye Weekend.

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Tacos America

n a Veg

The Best

by Jared Cross

Being credited with inventing tacos would be the crowning achievement for any country and its culinary legacy. What began as a staple within the working class in Mexico has become an anthem for mid-week happy hour, a regular on plates across the Southwest, and a savory reminder that some of the greatest gifts come from humble beginnings. You won’t need a fork and knife as we tour the best vegan tacos across the United States. So grab a napkin and come along!

Cena Vegan Los Angeles, CA

! r e n n i W 1 #

Pop-ups have an x-factor that makes them enchanting and alluring, but what is it? Could it be that they’re “here today and gone tomorrow,” or maybe they help you feel like you have classified information? Regardless of what it is, Cena Vegan has it! Your tacos will be served with seitan-based al pastor, carne asada, or pollo asado proteins, and you can enhance them by adding marinated red onions, pico de gallo, onion & cilantro, and mild, medium, or hot sauces. 40 | VEGOUTMAG.COM

Vegan Street Food Chicago, IL

Photo Credit: Foster Wilson & Brian Leahy for Vegan Street Fair

Vegan Street Food out of the Windy City was quick to build a reputation for its fullflavored and fully vegan Mexican bites. To discover what helped this pop-up build a loyal following, order the Tacos Dorados (“golden tacos” that come deep-fried and filled with mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes). Follow that up with the Setas Encebolladas con Chimichurri (mushroom tacos with sweet & smoky shishito peppers, grilled onions, and chimichurri sauce).

El Cocinero

Los Angeles, CA

Pop-up turned brick-and-mortar, El Cocinero brings vegan tacos to LA’s San Fernando Valley in a county that beats with a strong pulse of Mexican American culture. They take immense pride in their selections of house-made vegan proteins, which include chikin, jackfruit carnitas, al pastor, chicharron, and suadero.

The Vegan Nom Austin, TX

In 2011, Chris Rios bid farewell to animal products, deciding to become vegan for a trifecta of reasons: his health, the environment, and an everpresent compassion for animals. While he may have divorced himself from a life of eating meat, his cravings for authentic, south-of-the-border tacos never subsided, which led him down the path to concocting his recipes. Fast forward nearly a decade to where The Vegan Nom brand and their Korean BBQ, double-decker crunchy beef, and assortment of breakfast tacos have staked a permanent claim in Austin’s rich Tex-Mex history.

Jajaja Mexicana New York, NY

Jajaja Mexicana’s NYC restaurants sport carefully curated beer and tequila lists which assist in ushering in the feelings of a tropical beach vacation. The crisp effervescence of Mexican-style lagers makes the perfect pairing with their almost entirely gluten-free street taco menu, featuring hemp & flax-battered chayote squash—a reimagined take on the classic fish taco. You can also order tacos filled with jackfruit, tempura cauliflower, coconut, or mushrooms.

By Lauren Toyota I’ll never get tired of eating mac and cheese or developing new ways to make it! It’s my absolute favorite comfort food. This version is made using vegan smoked gouda, which makes a rich, creamy sauce when blended with cashews.

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

POTATO CHIP TOPPING - 2 cups salted kettle chips - 1 tsp garlic salt - ¼ tsp chili powder

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

SMOKED GOUDA MAC AND CHEESE - ½ cup raw cashews (soaked for 20 minutes in hot water) - 1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk - 1 block (7.1oz) vegan smoked gouda, cut into cubes - 1 Tbsp lemon juice - 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast - 1 tsp garlic powder - 1 tsp onion powder - ½ tsp ground black pepper - 2 cups elbow macaroni

I used an 8 x 4-inch glass loaf pan, but you could also use an 8-inch square glass dish—it just won’t fill to the top. PREP TIME: 15 minutes

2. To make the potato chip topping, crush the potato chips in a large bowl with the bottom of a measuring cup or use a mortar and pestle. The crumbs should be fairly small and crushed but don’t need to be uniform. Stir the crushed chips with the garlic salt and chili powder and set aside. 3. To make the smoked gouda sauce, add drained soaked cashews to a high-powered blender with non-dairy milk, smoked gouda, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground pepper. Blend on high until very very smooth. 4. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once at a rolling boil, generously salt the water and cook macaroni for 6 to 7 minutes or until just before the al dente stage. Drain the pasta but do not rinse. Add the pasta back to the pot you cooked it in and combine it with all of the sauce from the blender. Stir well. 5. Add this to the baking dish and top with an even layer of the potato chip topping. Bake uncovered on the middle rack of the oven for 15 minutes. Then broil on high for 4 to 5 minutes to get a darker browning on the topping if you want. Watch closely so it doesn’t burn. Serve immediately.

M a a d c a u nd C o G d h e k o

COOK TIME: 27 minutes

e ees

SERVINGS: 4

HOT TIP! If you want to green up your mac, you can add broccoli, peas, or other greens to the pasta water with the macaroni at the last minute just to blanch them.

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By Lauren Toyota This creamy eggless salad sandwich is just like the original but better! That’s because it’s made with one of my favorite ingredients … tofu!

PREP TIME: 15 minutes COOK TIME: 15 minutes

Eggless Salad Sandwich

SERVINGS: 4 sandwiches

INGREDIENTS: EGGLESS SALAD - 2 cups crumbled medium-firm tofu - 2 green onions, finely chopped - ½ cup finely chopped celery - 1 garlic clove, minced - 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast - ¼ tsp turmeric - ¼ tsp paprika - ⅛ tsp cayenne, optional or to taste - 1 tsp Dijon mustard - ⅓ cup vegan mayonnaise - Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste - Kala namak/black salt, optional SANDWICH - 4 cups kale, stemmed and ribboned - Squeeze lemon juice - Pinch sea salt - 8 slices sprouted bread - 1 tomato, sliced - ½ an English cucumber, ribboned or thinly sliced - 4 Tbsp vegan mayonnaise DIRECTIONS: 1. Combine all of the eggless salad ingredients together in a bowl. Refrigerate. 2. Stack this sandwich however you please, but I added massaged kale with lemon juice and sea salt. I also added sliced tomato, ribboned cucumber, extra vegan mayonnaise, and piled it all between lightly toasted sprouted grain bread. NOTE: If your tofu is especially watery, squeeze out excess water through a sieve or nut milk bag. It doesn’t need to be completely dried out but if there’s too much water, definitely strain some out.

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Peach Cobbler This cobbler is made for gatherings and could easily be altered with other stone fruits, berries, cherries, or apples. Choose your fruit, but I personally always crave peaches! And don’t forget to serve this with vegan vanilla ice cream … total perfection! By Lauren Toyota

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PREP TIME: 50 minutes COOK TIME: 35 minutes SERVINGS: 8-10

INGREDIENTS: BISCUITS - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting - ¼ cup granulated sugar - 1 Tbsp baking powder - ½ tsp sea salt - ½ cup vegan butter, cold and cubed - 1 cup cold non-dairy milk PEACH FILLING - 8 yellow peaches, thinly sliced (9 to 10 cups sliced) - ¼ cup granulated sugar - 3 Tbsp cornstarch - 2 Tbsp lemon juice (about 1 lemon) - 1 tsp ground cinnamon - ½ tsp ground ginger - ½ tsp ground nutmeg TOPPING - 2 Tbsp melted vegan butter - 1 ½ Tbsp demerara sugar

DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly flour a large baking sheet. You will set the prepared biscuits on this. 2. To make the biscuits, in a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Use a pastry blender to cut in the cold cubed butter until you have a crumbly mixture with pea-sized pieces of butter coated in flour. Create a well in the middle of the ingredients, and pour in the non-dairy milk. Use a spatula to fold together until the dough is mixed together but still looks ragged. 3. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and flour your hands. Bring the dough together into a ball. Flatten to a rectangle that’s about 1-inch thick. Fold the rectangle in half, flatten out again with your hands to a rectangle that’s about 1-inch thick, and fold in half again. Use a floured rolling pin to roll out the dough to about ½-inch thick. Use a 2 ¼-inch round cookie cutter to punch out biscuits as close together as you can. Bring together the excess dough, roll it out to ½-inch thick, and punch out more. You should get about 14 biscuits of this size. Bring excess scraps together again, roll out to ½-inch thick, and use a 1 ½-inch round cookie cutter to cut out about another 10 smaller biscuits. Do this until there is no dough left, or until there’s just a small scrap not large enough to form a whole biscuit (discard this). Place all the biscuits slightly spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet and refrigerate while you prepare the peaches. 4. To make the peach filling, add the sliced peaches, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg to a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the mixture has a thick sauce around it and the peaches look juicier, about 5 minutes. There shouldn’t be any thin liquid juice; it should be thickened from the cornstarch. 5. Brush a small amount of the melted butter from the topping onto the bottom and sides of an 8 x 11-inch or 9 x 13inch glass baking dish. Pour the peach filling into the dish and even it out. Arrange the biscuits snugly together on top. I arranged the large ones first and then filled the gaps with the smaller ones. Brush the tops of the biscuits with the remaining melted butter and sprinkle with demerara sugar. Bake for 30 minutes until the biscuits are risen and golden brown and the sides are bubbling.

The Best New Vegan Restaurants by Allie Mitchell

bon Shokudo erve Pie rban Vegan a-Kin Vegan EG'D

With the growing popularity of plant-based eating comes many new vegan restaurants. From fast-food joints and cafes to fine dining restaurants, so many amazing new spots have opened. In the 2022 VegOut Awards, we let our readers decide the “Best New Vegan Restaurants” of the year. Here are the top five winners!

Verve Pie

2. Verve Pie San Antonio, TX

Obon Shokudo

Obon Shokudo 1. Obon Shokudo Portland, OR

Obon Shokudo has already made its mark on Portland’s vegan community with its menu of Japanese comfort food. From classics like tempura udon, onigiri, and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes) to cutting-edge specials such as katsu burgers, open-faced sandwiches on fried rice buns, and sushi for dogs, Obon Shokudo’s menu will never bore you—no matter how many times you visit during the week. And trust us, if you live close by, that number will be very high.

Ma-Kin Vegan

4. Ma-Kin Vegan Los Angeles, CA

On the outskirts of San Antonio lies a glorious vegan spot that specializes in two of the best food groups—pizza and ice cream. Verve Pie was founded on the belief that vegan food can be delicious, nourishing, and sustainable all at the same time. Verve Pie’s modern interior and menu of craft cocktails, party-starting appetizers, artisan pizzas, and scoops of creamy ice cream make this place a great destination for business lunches, date nights, and everything in between.

Avocado and cucumber are a nice option to have, but who wouldn’t want to roll up to an all-vegan restaurant that serves sushi, sashimi, and hand rolls filled with vegan salmon, tuna, and king oyster mushrooms? Ma-Kin Vegan is winning over Southern California foodies with its innovative menu of organic, vegan, and non-GMO Japanese fare. Whether you order the Shrimp Katsu Curry, Salmon Avocado Hand Roll, Spider Roll, Fried Gyoza, or all of the above, get ready for a wickedly flavorful experience.

Urban Vegan

VEG'D

3. Urban Vegan

5. VEG'D

This Black-owned vegan restaurant is serving up the three B’s—burgers, biscuits, and bowls. Each dish is made in-house using sustainable, high-quality ingredients, with an emphasis on approachability. From flaky vegan buttermilk country biscuit sandwiches and loaded burgers to nutrient-dense power bowls and refreshing smoothies, Urban Vegan is here for all customers—no matter your background or flavor preference.

VEG’D is one of Matthew Kenney’s newest restaurant ventures. With a mission of making nourishing, convenient vegan fast food, this trendy spot has become a staple for herbivores in Orange County. The menu features a variety of bowls, sandwiches, sides, drinks, and desserts that are made with sustainably sourced vegan ingredients free from preservatives, refined sugars, and artificial colors and flavors.

Newark, NJ

Costa Mesa, CA

AN INTERVIEW WITH

IAN THEASBY

BOSH! HENRY FIRTH IAN THEASBY

48 | VEGOUTMAG.COM

Looking to spice things up in the kitchen? Allow us to introduce you to Henry Firth and Ian Theasby of BOSH!. The lively pair of plant-based besties started making vegan cooking videos on Facebook and YouTube to help people cook delicious vegan dishes at home. Over the years, BOSH! has expanded to cookbooks, TV, and most recently, retail products! We spoke with Theasby to learn more about the origins, growth, and plans of BOSH!. Here’s what he had to say. INTERVIEW BY ALLIE MITCHELL

VegOut (VO): Can you share your vegan origin story with us? Ian Theasby (IT): At the end of 2014, I decided to go vegetarian for three months. I found it difficult because I did not know what to cook or eat. There weren’t many plant-based options at that point, so I thought, “I'm going to have to do some research.” The more I read, the more I realized eating this way is really good for the environment, personal health, and animal welfare. As I got further into my research, the word “vegan” kept popping up, and I decided to give that more attention. I watched Cowspiracy and thought, “Oh my God, I had no idea animal agriculture was so bad for the environment, and the practices used were so horrible for the animals.” I went vegan on March 1, 2015. VO: How did you meet Henry Firth? And what led you to create BOSH!? IT: Henry and I were roommates. We had been friends since we were 11 years old. After about six weeks of my veganism, he asked me about it. I encouraged him to watch Cowspiracy, and that night he went vegan. BOSH! came about a year later. Henry started working on a company that would deliver vegan meals to people across London. The further he got into the development of the company, the more he realized how difficult it was going to be. So, he decided to pivot. He asked himself, “What’s another way to show people that vegan food is good?” The obvious answer was videos on the internet. Once he had the idea of making this channel, he invited me to be the co-founder. VO: What platform did you choose to launch your videos on and why? IT: We launched on Facebook first. We realized how many people were using their phones as their main media to consume content—and videos were increasing in popularity. We started writing recipes, filming videos, setting up social media accounts—and, from day

PHOTO COURTESY OF NICKY JOHNSTON

one, [viewers] went absolutely crazy. We knew video content would never go backward—it would only get better and is undoubtedly the best way to show someone how to do something like cooking. VO: You’ve published several cookbooks, hosted a vegan cooking show on ITV, and just launched a line of vegan products. What inspired each of these ventures? IT: With our first cookbook, our audience inspired us to do it—our DMs and comments were filled with people asking for a physical format of our recipes. We were lucky to get signed by HarperCollins, [a company that] has been fantastic to work with. The cookbooks have done extremely well, and their success gave us the opportunity to make the TV show. The products were also due to our success on social media. We started with cakes, then cupboard essentials, and now ready-to-eat meals. We’re about to launch frozen food next.

gives a great cheesy, umami flavor to everything, plus it’s super healthy. And then, of course, onion, garlic, and other aromatics become the foundation of flavor in hundreds of dishes. Last but not least, olive oil. These are the building blocks and can take you almost anywhere. VO: Out of all of your cookbooks, which do you recommend for those trying vegan cooking for the first time? IT: Given all the global economic uncertainty, the BOSH! on a Budget book is a great place to start—and I always suggest people start with a stirfry. You can take almost anything in your refrigerator, practice your chopping skills, and make something delicious, healthy, and satisfying. VO: What’s next for BOSH!? IT: We’re coming to America! We’re super excited to be launching our book and doing a press tour, visiting cities all around the country.

VO: What is the R&D process like for curating your recipes? What’s the most challenging recipe you’ve made to date? IT: We begin with the concept. In our latest book, BOSH! on a Budget, all of the recipes had to be reasonably wellpriced. That theme became our guiding light. Naturally, [we needed] starters, mains, desserts, snacks, and hearty meals, so we broke the book down to 100 recipes and organized them into chapters. From there, Henry and I brainstormed separately—keeping notes of the dishes we might want to include. Then, we came together, voted on which sounded the best, and began testing. VO: What top five ingredients do you think every vegan needs in their pantry and why? IT: Start with some dried pasta, canned tomatoes, and nutritional yeast—which VEGOUTMAG.COM | 49

LIORA

HIGHLIGHT ON

BALTIMORE Known for its museums, art, sports, and fresh cuisine, Baltimore is a city with a rich history and culture, including a thriving vegan scene. Over the past few years, the city has seen an influx of vegan restaurants opening in and around the Baltimore area. From mouthwatering BBQ ribs to health-forward pizzas made with quality plant-based ingredients, this East Coast city has something for everyone. Come along as we explore Baltimore’s vegan restaurants and bakeries! By Kayla Pasko

50 | VEGOUTMAG.COM

THE LAND OF KUSH

REFOCUSED VEGAN

Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Chef Gregory Brown and Naijha WrightBrown, The Land of Kush adds a plant-based twist to Baltimore’s soul food scene. The restaurant offers a fully plant-based menu, which features classic soul food bites like BBQ ribs, baked mac ‘n’ cheese, candied yams, jollof rice, black-eyed pea fritters, and more. Guests can also stop by the eatery for Sunday brunch, where they’ll find breakfast dishes like fruit-filled pancakes in blueberry, banana, and strawberry flavors with a choice of veggie scramble, potatoes, or veggie sausage.

Ever had a vegan shrimp quesadilla? You can try one at Refocused Vegan. This Black-owned spot has been serving up vegan eats in Baltimore since April 2019. The eatery offers comfort food bites like vegan bacon cheeseburgers, loaded mac ‘n’ cheese, crispy chick’n sandwiches, and more. Guests can also chow down on vegan quesadillas stuffed with choice of shrimp, steak, mushroom, or crab, as well as wings in fried, BBQ, Buffalo, or Thai chili varieties.

CAJOU CREAMERY

THE LAND OF KUSH

REFOCUSED VEGAN GANGSTER VEGAN

Gangster Vegan is located on South Charles Street and offers a menu full of colorful salads, bowls, juices, burgers, and more. Feast on taco salads loaded with walnut taco meat, cashew nacho cheese, pickled jalapeño, and avocado, or nosh on beet burgers topped with red onion, pickled cabbage, homemade BBQ sauce, and cashew nacho cheese on dehydrated onion bread. Those with a sweet tooth can also indulge in plant-based pies, cheesecakes, and superfood balls, including banana chocolate pie, caramel apple cheesecake, and goji superfood balls.

CAJOU CREAMERY

Located in the Bromo Arts District, Cajou Creamery serves as Baltimore’s one-stop shop for 100% vegan ice cream. The creamery specializes in globally inspired plant-based ice cream, which is made from scratch using simple, responsibly sourced vegan ingredients. Enjoy flavors like Baklava, Horchata, Kulfi, Cortadito, Mexican Cacao, Blueberry Cheesecake, and Sweet Potato Pie. Those who live in the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia) can also pick up Cajou ice cream pints at select retail locations.

GANGSTER VEGAN

MY MAMA’S VEGAN

PLNT BURGER Ideal for a quick lunch stop, PLNT Burger offers fast-food classics like burgers, fried chick’n sandwiches, chick’n nuggets, milkshakes, and chili cheese fries, all of which are 100% vegan. Located inside Whole Foods in Silver Spring, Maryland, PLNT offers fully loaded mushroom bacon cheeseburgers, steakhouse burgers, spicy chick’n sandwiches, and Lil’ Dippers, which are crispy chick’n nuggets accompanied by one of the eatery’s signature dipping sauces. Be sure to grab a creamy vegan milkshake, which comes in vanilla, chocolate, swirl, mint cookies, and s’mores flavors.

MY MAMA’S VEGAN

HARMONY BAKERY For a sweet treat in the Baltimore area, stop by Harmony Bakery, where you’ll find everything from freshly baked cookies to colorful frosted cupcakes. The bakery also offers a variety of savory bites, such as chickpea tarts, quiche, and flatbreads, as well as pizzas, quinoa burgers, mock crab cakes, and salads. In addition to being vegan, everything at Harmony Bakery is also 100% gluten-free.

HARMONY BAKERY

DODAH’S KITCHEN

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Owned by vegan celebrity chef Matthew Kenney, LIORA offers delicious plant-based cuisine inspired by the history, charm, and spirit of Baltimore. Start your meal with an Artisanal Cheese Plate served with pickles, jam, and seedy crackers, or opt for Barbacoa Tacos, filled with the flavors of oyster mushrooms, avocado, pepitas, and pico de gallo. For mains, enjoy their Kung Pao Cauliflower or Risotto topped with cashew parmesan. End on a sweet note with a slice of LIORA’s Frozen Coconut & Banana Cream Pie or their Lemon Cheesecake with a berry compote.

DOUBLE ZERO PLNT BURGER

DODAH’S KITCHEN This vegan soul food spot has been serving Baltimore since 2017. The restaurant offers soul food favorites like fried fish, fried shrimp, BBQ ribs, mac ‘n’ cheese, and collard greens, as well as fried chick’n sandwiches, Philly cheesesteaks, and crab cakes. In addition, guests can stop by Dodah’s Kitchen for Sunday brunch, which includes dishes like chick’n & waffles, tofu scramble, French toast sticks, grits, and fried apples, to name a few. We also recommend taking a peek at the dessert menu, which features cakes, cupcakes, banana bread, and cheesecakes in blueberry, cookies ‘n’ cream, strawberry, and sweet potato flavors.

LIORA

Also a Matthew Kenney spot and located on the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, Double Zero features health-forward plant-based pizzas complete with a list of organic, sustainable wines. Satisfy your palate with a Margherita pizza and a glass of bubbly, or dig into a meatball calzone accompanied by a glass of fruity red.

LIORA

DOUBLE ZERO

Whether you’re in the mood for a juicy vegan burger or a plate of fried chick’n tacos, you can find it all here at My Mama’s Vegan. This Baltimore-based eatery serves a variety of 100% plant-based burgers, tacos, cheesesteaks, sandwiches, and more. Grab a Big Daddy Burger topped with grilled onions, tomato, pickles, cheddar cheese, jalapeños, and special sauce piled high on a toasted brioche bun, or enjoy a plate of Sweet Chili Fried Chick’n Tacos topped with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and sweet chili sauce.

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VEGAN BURGERS The

Best

by Melissa Nowakowski

Nothing satisfies better than a great burger after a long week … or a short week … or a lazy afternoon—okay, nothing satisfies better than a great burger. Period. Add that fact to the array of amazing vegan burger spots around the country from which to choose, and wow-o-wow it was a close race! These are your winners for Best Burgers for the 2022 VegOut Awards.

Slutty Vegan

Atlanta, GA

Founded by Aisha “Pinky” Cole, Slutty Vegan started with a single Atlanta location and quickly exploded into a vegan empire. Currently operating five locations throughout the Atlanta area (in addition to maintaining a food truck!), the Slutty Vegan brand has been seen coast to coast. With burgers named as risqué as the spot’s name would imply, you can choose from a One Night Stand, Ménage à Trois, Fussy Hussy, Sloppy Toppy, or Super Slut, just to name a few. Indecisive? Try the Ménage à Trois with its three different vegan meats—a patty, vegan bacon, and vegan shrimp.

in the US

2. Monty’s Good Burger Los Angeles, CA

Monty’s is an LA staple that could fool anyone with its amazing taste, which is so similar to the “real thing” you may just do a double-take. The spot captures the feeling of an old-school burger joint with a modern twist. Grab a single or double (or more!) with vegan cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, house-made pickles, and of course, house spread. The spot frequently hosts special promotions and celebrity collabs, the latest of which includes a Travis Barker Oat Matcha Latte Shake.

3. Next Level Burger Multiple Locations

With locations in Oregon, Washington, California, Texas, and New York, this coast-to-coast spot holds a place in vegan history as Next Level Burger was America’s first 100% plant-based burger chain. With 13+ burgers on the menu, not including chicken or fish burgers, these options truly are “next level.” Whether you prefer house-made, veggie-style, or Beyond, this spot hits all the marks, offering spicy, sweet, and everything in between.

4. Stand-Up Burgers Multiple Locations

Stand-Up Burgers joins our list with busy shops in Chicago and California and comes with one of the best deals around. For only $10, you can enjoy a fully vegan happy hour. At Stand-Up, this includes an OG Burger, house-made potato chips, and your choice of happy hour beer or a fountain soda. Running from 3-6pm Monday-Thursday, it’s the perfect post-work hang. Not able to make it to happy hour? Don’t fret. The spot has more than half a dozen burger varieties—ranging from classic to steakhouse to BBQ bacon—to satisfy your appetite at any time of day.

5.Plant Power Fast Food Multiple Locations

With ten locations and counting in California, one in Las Vegas (hello, rising vegan destination!), and a food truck hitting the streets of LA daily, Plant Power Fast Food has been making its mark in the vegan food scene—and of course, they offer an incredible vegan burger. With three classic-style burgers (including a hamburger, cheeseburger, and bacon cheeseburger) and four signature burgers (including the Iconic Burger, Holy Guacamole, Rambler, and Big Zac), there’s something to please everyone.

DR.

Q&A WITH

VANESSA MÉNDEZ

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Dr. Vanessa Méndez is a triple-board certified gastroenterologist, internist, and lifestyle medicine physician. Following her studies at Harvard University, Dr. Méndez completed medical training, residency, and fellowship along with education in epidemiology and nutrition. Although Méndez grew up in a Cuban American household where meat was always part of the meal, she began independent plant-based nutritional research, later completing training on the concept through Cornell University. Méndez is the founder of Planted Forward, a telemedicine practice that provides accessible, specialized care to patients with nutrition-based disorders and gastrointestinal conditions.

Q&A with Dr. Vanessa Méndez By Anja Grommons TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY TO BECOMING A GASTROENTEROLOGIST. AT WHAT POINT DID PLANT-BASED NUTRITION COME INTO PLAY? When I was in high school, I suffered from cystic acne and had many rounds of antibiotics and Accutane (a powerful vitamin A derivative). While my symptoms would temporarily subside, they would come back as soon as the medications stopped. I thought what was happening on my face might be related to inflammation, so I went in search of an antiinflammatory diet and soon after stopped eating red meat, dairy, and refined sugar. My acne went away completely and never came back. I went back to my old ways during college and medical training, but it was always in the back of my mind. The tipping point came when I was in my final year of fellowship in New Orleans, Louisiana. The rich Southern food had me and my husband feeling ill and weighed down. We started digging into the evidence behind different diets. No matter what we looked at, we always came to the same conclusion: a whole-food, plant-based diet! We gave it a try and had more energy, drive, and focus within days. I implemented these strategies in my digestive diseases clinic and saw many of my patients come off medications, lose weight, and feel energized for the first time.

WHAT ARE THE TOP BENEFITS OF FOLLOWING A PLANT-BASED DIET IN TERMS OF GUT HEALTH? Our gut microbiome uses fiber as its energy source to perform immune system, digestive system, and metabolism functions. Across the Western world, dietary fiber intake is decreasing. This is reflected in the decreased diversity of our gut microbiome, which leaves us susceptible to diseases and future pandemics! This also parallels the decrease in our planet’s soil diversity. What is happening on the planet is also happening in our bodies—it’s all connected. FOR OUR READERS WHO WANT TO IMPROVE THEIR GUT HEALTH, WHAT ARE YOUR TOP RECOMMENDATIONS? WHAT ARE THE BEST FOODS TO EAT? Eat a diversity of whole plant foods every week and cut out processed meats, animal proteins, and dairy. Get 7-8 hours of restful sleep every night and at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. Be mindful of your stress and actively reduce it. [Lastly], get out in nature!

ABDOMINAL BLOATING IS A HOT TOPIC THESE DAYS! WHAT CAUSES BLOATING, AND WHAT ARE YOUR EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS TO ALLEVIATE IT? Bloating and abdominal distension are two of the most common gastrointestinal symptoms. Common causes include constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), food intolerances, a nutrient-poor diet high in salt, sugar, and saturated fat, malabsorption, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). My tips to alleviate bloating are to keep a food diary, avoid processed foods, drink plenty of water, cut out dairy, cook with herbs and spices, eat mindfully, choose probiotic-rich foods, walk, stretch, do yoga, and try abdominal massage and intermittent fasting.

AS A LATINA, WHAT IS IT LIKE PRACTICING IN A WHITE MALE-DOMINATED FIELD? I take pride in having immigrated to this country. I worked my way to a top Ivy League school and was matched into one of the most competitive medical specialties. This hasn’t come without sacrifice—when we arrived from Cuba, my parents worked multiple jobs, and I was left home alone from a young age. I sourced those feelings of loneliness and inadequacy to fuel my studies, which drove me to the top of my classes. It’s worth it when a patient switches their care over to me from a traditional, paternalistic gastroenterologist, or when a Latinx person thanks me on social media for my bilingual posts that have empowered them to change their lifestyle.

THE MEDIA HAS BECOME A SATURATED SOURCE OF NUTRITION INFORMATION. WHILE THERE IS A LOT OF ACCURATE NUTRITION DATA TO BE FOUND, NOT ALL OF IT IS FACTUAL. WHICH WELLNESS TREND OR MYTH WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE DISAPPEAR AND WHY? We should cancel diet culture. A new study showed that restrictive diets may lead to a disease-promoting microbiome. Diets like low carb, paleo, juicing, and countless others [omit] essential whole plantbased foods. This means your gut microbes won’t get a wide variety of fiber and prebiotics, resulting in compromised immune, metabolic, and digestive health!

Visit drvanessamendez.com or follow @plantbasedgutdoc on Instagram for more from Dr. Méndez.

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Vegan Donuts America The Best in

by Cayla White

inding a vegan donut used to be almost as difficult as explaining to your server what the word “vegan” meant, but no more! There are hundreds of vegan and vegan-friendly donut shops across the country now, and you helped us vote on your favorites. Here are the top five spots for vegan donuts in the US. #1 WINNER

Voodoo Doughnut Los Angeles, CA

The results are in, and you voted Voodoo Doughnut as the best donut shop for the second year in a row. Voodoo Doughnut started as a small shop in Portland and has since expanded to a total of 12 locations in Oregon, Colorado, Texas, Florida, and California. Voodoo isn’t an exclusively vegan shop, but almost all of their donuts can be made vegan upon request. They have a dedicated vegan menu available daily, which includes flavors like Maple Cream, Chocolate Ring, Raised Glazed, and Voodoo Doll. 60 | VEGOUTMAG.COM

Doe Donuts

Portland, OR

Doe Donuts is a woman-owned donut shop in Portland that specializes in small-batch and unique donut flavors. Everything at Doe Donuts is vegan, from the whipped cream on their signature Portland Fog Earl Grey Donut to the homemade ice cream that they use for ice cream sandwiches. Doe Donuts offers a year-round menu alongside a rotating seasonal menu with unique donut flavors such as Apricot Rose, Nashville Hot Chicken, and Lavender Cookie Dough.

Devi’s Donuts

Long Beach, CA

Devi’s Donuts is a small family business that started as a pop-up and now has its own brick-and-mortar in Long Beach. The allvegan shop offers dozens of flavors to choose from, including a variety of cream-filled donuts, several gluten-free options, and all the classics like chocolate sprinkles and cookies & cream. Devi’s Donuts can still be found at various vegan events across LA and is open daily at their Long Beach shop.

Donut Friend

Los Angeles, CA

If you live in LA, chances are you’ve tried a donut from Donut Friend … even if you’re not vegan! As one of LA’s first vegan donut shops, Donut Friend has been perfecting its craft for years and its impressive menu attracts vegans and non-vegans alike. With their multiple locations in LA, you’re never too far from an oldfashioned maple donut or an apple fritter when the craving for something sweet hits.

Dottie’s Donuts Philadelphia, PA

This all-vegan donut shop in Philly has something of a cult following, and for good reason. The menu at Dottie’s Donuts changes daily, and you’ll need to show up early if you want to try one of their famed donuts before they sell out! Their daily specials include creations like Cookie Butter Cookie Dough, Chocolate Tahini Butter Cup, and the Hot Wing Donut. Dottie’s Donuts’ three Philly locations are open for walk-in and takeout orders only, and the shops close as soon as they sell out. VEGOUTMAG.COM | 61

d e i r F n a g n e e V Chick t s e B e h T

S U e in th

by Jared Cross

1. Dirty Lettuce Portland, OR

Growing up plant-based in the heart of the meat-centric South fueled Alkebulan Moroski with enough inspiration to become a chef and open their ode to soul food, Dirty Lettuce. When deciding to transport the flavors of the Mississippi Delta to the pine-lined streets of Portland, Oregon, Moroski made an enduring commitment to sourcing 100% vegan ingredients that are the closest substitute for their non-vegan counterparts. This care outside of the kitchen translates to vegan chicken that’s succulent, juicy, crispy, and everything in between.

If we were inducting food into a culinary hall of fame, fried chicken would receive unanimously high marks for its legendary contributions to the world of comfort food. What’s profound about fried chicken’s evolution is the point we have arrived at in the present day in which people are coming to the collective realization that the hallmarks of stellar fried chicken can be enjoyed as a 100% plant-based option. Bring your appetite, and the following five locations will supply all the crunch, heart, and soul that put fried chicken on the map.

2. Lettuce Feast Los Angeles, CA

In a sprawling metropolis, you will come to find that food trucks often house some of the most authentic and highly desired bites a city has to offer. Los Angeles-based food truck Lettuce Feast is hardly the exception, with a menu that attracts a line regardless if it’s parked in Manhattan Beach or North Hollywood. Try their Nashville Sando, a Southern fried chick’n patty served on a buttery bun with cabbage slaw, or perhaps pick up a 6-piece marinated chick’n strip combo for some on-the-go snacking.

3. Monty’s Good Burger

4. Original Herbivore Los Angeles, CA

If a food truck was ever the brainchild of someone whose appetite is devoted to all things vegan fried chicken, this would be it. The Original Herbivore’s menu covers the spectrum to include Buffalo chick’n mac ‘n’ cheese, chick’n & waffles, and even a sweet & spicy Korean-flavored chick’n served on buttery buns with arugula, pickles, and cabbage slaw.

Los Angeles, CA

5. Winter Park Biscuit Company

At the forefront of LA’s explosive vegan dining revolution is Monty’s Good Burger, which explores the duality of being a brand and a restaurant. Their niche is counter-style service, where they have perfected items like the Charlie’s Chicken Sandwich, which features crispened chicken hugged between two artisan buns, slathered with vegan mayo, and adorned with house-made pickles. Monty’s is constantly expanding their presence across Los Angeles County and can currently be found in neighborhoods like Culver City, Echo Park, and Koreatown.

Orlando’s two-story food hall in the East End Market is where food, art, and culture combine to attract consistently lively crowds. Here’s where you’ll find Winter Park Biscuit Company, whose signature oat buttermilk biscuits make the ideal pairing with whatever you select from their menu. Depending on what attracts your eye, this may include their dry-spiced crispy chik cutlet on a brioche bun or the classic chik cutlet assembled with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo.

Orlando, FL

VEGOUTMAG.COM | 63

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Tolerant Foods We’re having this proteinpacked legume pasta for dinner on repeat! The new Chickpea Spaghetti is a favorite.

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66 | VEGOUTMAG.COM

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VEGOUTMAG.COM | 67

The Best Vegan Bakeries Across America by Jared Cross

Visiting a bakery is one of the most pleasant activities. Like a kid, you dream of ordering one of everything under the display glass! You leave with your box of desserts, feeling the equivalent of having won a golden ticket. The scent of cinnamon sugar fills your car, and with each approaching stoplight, the temptation to sneak a morsel of sugary glazed goodness becomes almost too much to bear—so you decide to enjoy just a bite! But where to go for these tasty treats? No worries. We’re here for you, friend—here are the best vegan bakeries across the US to make all of your pastry dreams come true.

68 | VEGOUTMAG.COM

ZUCCHINI KILL BAKERY PIE, PIE MY DARLING #1

Pie, Pie My Darling Chicago, IL

Chicago is known just as much for its illustrious dining culture as for its professional sports teams and glacial winters, so it was only a matter of time before the city became retrofitted with a world-class vegan bakery. In addition to offering classic Key lime pies and peanut butter moussefilled chocolate cookie crusts, their menu caters to those with an interest in a larger-format 6’’ or 8’’ cake, the latter of which serves up to sixteen people!

Zucchini Kill Bakery Austin, TX

Zucchini Kill Bakery was created to pay homage to the feminist punk pioneers of the ‘90s. You will find that many of the menu’s items are named after bands and musicians, and in the spirit of inclusivity, all items are also gluten- and soy-free and come in 100% compostable packaging. Lavender matcha cupcakes, cinnamon roll donuts, and oatmeal cream pies are the optimal size for sampling multiple goodies at once, but you can always custom order a full-size cake to show you mean business.

Karma Baker Los Angeles, CA

It’s one thing to adopt trending marketing terms like “plantbased,” “gluten-free,” and “non-GMO,” but it’s another to do that and produce delicious vegan sweets at the same time. You can pay a visit to Karma Baker’s LA storefront, or even opt for nationwide shipping, to indulge in creamfilled Easter eggs during the s p r i n g , s n o w f l a ke - s h a p e d white chocolate sugar cookies during the winter holidays, and banana cream & nutella cake whenever dessert sounds like a good idea.

Maya's Cookies

San Diego, CA

Vegan Treats Bethlehem, PA

Fine art meets beautifully brûléed marshmallows and multi-tiered strawberry cakes with vanilla bean mousse at Vegan Treats, roughly 70 miles outside of Philadelphia. The constant evolution in their product offerings is a testament to their abundance of creativity and affection for their confections. Is chocolate the key to satisfying your sweet tooth? Hazelnut praline cheesecake coated in Belgian chocolate should do the trick.

KARMA BAKER

VEGAN TREATS

MAYA'S COOKIES

San Diego’s blossoming plant-based food scene is spearheaded by Blackand woman-owned brands like Maya’s Cookies. Unlike Oreos, Maya’s treats are not accidentally vegan but were instead born to fill a void for enjoyable, handcrafted vegan cookies. Make a note to order the Famous “Everything” Cookie that is baked with butterscotch chips, pretzels, marshmallows, chocolate chips, and pecans— the salty sweetness makes the ideal pairing for its multitextured layers. VEGOUTMAG.COM | 69

4 Walmart Grocery Hauls for Summer By Anja Grommons

IMPOSSIBLE FOODS VEGAN SAUSAGES

FOLLOW YOUR HEART VEGENAISE

These new grillable sausages were made for summer cookouts! Pair with vegan-friendly buns and spicy mustard.

Don’t skimp on the condiments! Keep it simple with this plant-based mayo, or whip up a homemade aioli for your guests to obsess over.

BEYOND MEAT BEYOND BURGER PATTIES Make it easy on yourself with preformed plant-based patties. These Beyond Burgers are grill-ready!

CAPE COD POTATO CHIPS

PRETZILLA BURGER BUNS

Every plant-based burger needs a tasty bun! These pretzel buns are ready for your ultra-loaded handhelds!

HIDDEN VALLEY PLANT POWERED RANCH

These kettle-cooked chips pair perfectly with loaded vegan burgers and good company.

When your neighbor shows up with the most boring veggie tray you’ve ever seen, call in the vegan ranch!

FIELD ROAST CHAO VEGAN CHEESE SLICES

Freshly grilled vegan cheeseburgers coming right up! Chao slices are a vegan cookout staple.

GRILLO’S PICKLES

Where are our pickle people at? It’s not a cookout without these classic dill chips. Chef’s kiss!

Cookout

Gather up your fam, dust off the patio furniture, and light the grill—it’s time to host a plant-based cookout! Think loaded vegan cheeseburgers and grilled plant-based sausages paired with barbecue sides like kettle chips, dilly pickles, and veggie trays served with vegan ranch. 70 | VEGOUTMAG.COM

Summer is here! This season, we’re shopping at Walmart for all our summertime essentials. From family cookouts and long road trips to ice cream parties and quick seasonal eats, this accessible, multinational retail chain has your warm weather shopping needs covered. The days of hitting up multiple stores are over. It’s a Walmart summer for us!

HEALTHY CHOICE CHIPOTLE CHICK’N POWER BOWL

Quick eats done right! This vegan bowl is loaded with beans, rice, veggies, and plantbased chicken.

MORNINGSTAR FARMS POPCORN CHIK’N

DAIYA MEATLESS MEAT LOVER’S FROZEN PIZZA

The plant-based popcorn chicken bites pair well with a cold pint on a hot summer day!

Just got home from a long beach day and forgot to make dinner plans? Daiya frozen pizza it is!

PURPLE CARROT SWEET CORN ELOTE BOWL

Enjoy the summertime taste of sweet corn all year long with this delicious frozen vegan entree.

JUST EGG SOUS VIDE BITES Breakfast is a breeze with JUST Egg! Fuel your summer with these tasty vegan egg bites.

FIELD ROAST MAC ‘N CHAO

Creamy vegan mac coming right up! Keep this in your freezer for when the mood strikes.

GARDEIN ITALIAN SAUS’GE & PASTA BOWL

Keep it simple this summer with this tasty pasta bowl filled with plantbased sausage.

Quick Summer Eats

Soaking up as much summer as possible? Don’t waste this season spending too much time in the kitchen. Get back to the summer fun sooner with these frozen entrées, microwave burritos, and oven-ready pizzas. These quick meals are here to save you time this summer!

SWEET EARTH BIG SUR FROZEN BREAKFAST BURRITO

Don’t let the most important meal of the day get in the way of seizing the sunshine! We’re taking our morning walk, burrito in hand.

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LOTUS BISCOFF SANDWICH COOKIES QUINN CHEEZY STYLE FILLED PRETZEL NUGGETS

If you plan the road trip, we’ll bring the sandwiches—sandwich cookies, that is!

We’re keeping it cheezy on the road! These vegan cheese-filled pretzel nugs are your new go-to road trip snack.

ANNIE’S ORGANIC BUNNY FRUIT SNACKS

THAT’S IT. BARS

It’s on-the-go fruit without the mess. We love these simple and convenient fruit bars for long car rides.

These gelatin-free fruit snacks will get you through even the longest road trip stretches.

LESSEREVIL ORGANIC POPCORN

There’s no question that your passengers will want in on this road trip snack staple.

ZEN ALMOND MILK PUDDING CUPS Keep your inner peace while on the road with these single-serve chocolate pudding cups.

BIENA CHICKPEA SNACKS

THE GOOD CRISP COMPANY POTATO CHIPS

Don’t even think about leaving home without these protein- and fiber-packed chickpea snacks!

Tasty chips in resealable containers FTW! Clean cars depend on practical snack packaging.

Road Trip Snacks

Whether you’re on summer vacation and road tripping the whole season or you’ve saved just enough PTO for a fun jaunt across the country, you’re going to need good vegan snacks! From cheese-filled pretzel nugs and sandwich cookies to snackable popcorn and resealable chips, we’ve got your snacking needs covered! 72 | VEGOUTMAG.COM

SO DELICIOUS FROZEN DESSERT BARS

Who doesn’t love a nostalgic novelty ice cream treat? Made with coconut milk, these creamy bars are totally vegan!

BREYERS NON-DAIRY FROZEN DESSERT

Gather up your besties! The Breyers almond milk non-dairy ice cream was made for sharing.

HERSHEY’S SIMPLY 5 CHOCOLATE SYRUP

Your vegan ice cream party just got a little bit sweeter with this simple-ingredient chocolate syrup!

BEN & JERRY’S NON-DAIRY ICE CREAM

ENJOY LIFE MINI CHOCOLATE CHIPS

Whether you’re going wild with toppings or keeping it simple, this vegan-friendly ice cream brand is always a good choice.

A little chocolaty crunch— don’t mind if we do! These allergy-friendly chips are a dairy-free fave.

KEEBLER WAFFLE CONES Summertime ice cream parties need waffle cones! These accidentally vegan cones are a must.

JD’S VEGAN ICE CREAM

Plant-based ice cream made from creamy coconuts is just what we need on these hot summer days.

REDDI-WIP COCONUT MILK WHIPPED CREAM

From fancy sundaes to banana splits, you won’t want to skimp on the dairyfree whipped cream topping.

Ice Cream Party

Nothing complements a hot summer day quite like cool, refreshing ice cream treats with plenty of fixings. From creamy pints and waffle cones to frozen bars and dairyfree whipped cream, we’ve got summertime ice cream party inspo coming right up! VEGOUTMAG.COM | 73

From books and movies to albums and podcasts, we’ve scouted out the best vegan content for you. Here’s what we’ve been reading, listening to, watching, and learning from.

WHAT WE'RE READING, LISTENING TO, AND WATCHING

READING

By Allie Mitchell

Unbelievably Vegan by Charity Morgan You fell in love with her on Game Changers, and now she has a cookbook! In Unbelievably Vegan, Charity Morgan shares a variety of recipes with Puerto Rican, Creole, and Southern flavors. We can’t wait to make the Smoky Jambalaya and Jerk-Spiced Lentils!

Once Upon a Time We Ate Animals by Roanne van Voorst Do you ever wonder what life would be like if everyone was vegan? In Once Upon a Time We Ate Animals, anthropologist Roanne van Voorst predicts what a plant-based future will look like and discusses how to achieve it.

This Is Vegan Propaganda by Ed Winters The truth can be hard— especially when it comes to what happens in the meat and dairy industries. Ed Winters, aka Earthling Ed, wrote this eye-opening book that will help you go into conversations about veganism with confidence.

From practical vegan tips and financial advice to entrepreneur success stories, Brown Vegan covers it all! No matter where you are in your vegan journey, host Monique Koch will make you feel welcomed, heard, and inspired. You can listen to Brown Vegan now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The Return of The California Takeover by Earth Crisis In 1996, three popular harcore punk bands teamed up to record The California Takeover. Somehow it’s 2022 and the ‘90s are now three decades in the past, which means some people have never experienced this music. But fear not! The bands got back together in 2020 to record The Return of The California Takeover—featuring four songs by Earth Crisis, a band known for promoting veganism.

LISTENING TO

Brown Vegan

Main Street Vegan

MILKED Watch New Zealand native Chris Huriwai travel around his home country and speak with experts like Dr. Jane Goodall and Keegan Kuhn to reveal the negative impact the dairy industry has on the environment, animals, and consumers’ health. At the end of this heartbreaking documentary, you’ll most likely feel a slew of emotions—most notably an intense motivation to help put an end to dairy farming and the drinking of cow’s milk as an accepted practice.

Watch Out for the Big Grrrls It’s no secret that the whole world is obsessed with Lizzo. This body-positive Black vegan musician is breaking all of society’s most toxic stereotypes—all while making great music and content. In her new Amazon show, Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, Lizzo searches for more plus-size dancers to add to her crew of Big Grrrls backup dancers. With loads of talent, a sprinkle of drama, and Lizzo’s star power, this show has us hooked.

The Plant-Based Way with Monet Vegan food brand Alpha Foods recently launched this YouTube series hosted by drag icon Monét X Change. Featuring a new guest from the drag, plant-based, or entertainment industry each episode, this show is designed to open the conversation about plant-based living to everyone.

WATCHING

With over 475 hour-long episodes, Main Street Vegan is a great resource for everyone from first-time vegans to vets. Hosted by award-winning vegan author Victoria Moran, these hour-long episodes touch on the topics of veganism, wellness, spirituality, and more. Tune in on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Where Should I Eat? Fast-Food Restaurant Edition by Natalie Brown

Carl's Jr.

Need a burger that will satisfy your wildest cravings? Carl’s Jr. has just the thing for you! Plant-based foodies can enjoy the Beyond Famous Star burger (minus the cheese and mayo), accompanied by your choice of regular or Crisscut fries.

Panda Express

This West Coast classic is sure to satisfy all of your savory cravings! Fill your bowl with everything from Panda Express’ Eggplant Tofu, Chow Mein, Super Greens, Veggie Spring Rolls, steamed rice, and more! Plus, their fortune cookies are vegan, too—so as you finish your meal, you can get a sneak peek of what this year has in store for you!

Fast-food chains have stepped up their plant-based game. With the release of KFC’s Beyond Fried Chicken and Burger King’s Impossible Whopper, vegans across the country have been able to enjoy the familiar taste of fast food while sticking to their plant-based lifestyles. Looking to test out the vegan options at one of these comforting chains? Check out this chart to find out which spot’s vegan eats you should try next!

Yes! Bring on the late-night bites! t

Something fried

Think fast! What region speaks to you the most?

KFC

We’re pretty sure you’ve heard of KFC’s Beyond Fried Chicken, but aside from this vegan staple, KFC has many other plant-based options that are finger lickin’ good. With corn on the cob, green beans, kernel corn—make sure your location doesn’t serve these sides with butter—and their classic KFC fries, this chain’s side game is strong! Still hungry? Finish your meal with a delicious apple turnover for a dessert that’s 100% plant-based!

Burger King

With a variety of scrumptious and hearty vegan options, this fast-food staple has something for every plant-based foodie—including their Impossible Whopper, hash browns, French toast sticks, and classic crispy fries.

Nope! I'm looking for a meal.

Is it past 9pm? West Coast, best coast.

It's got to be beef! Let's take it to the South!

Chicken—that's a no-brainer! t

What are you in the mood for? Something fresh

How fast do you need your food?

Spicy or savory? I can handle a little bit of heat! Savory all the way!

Blaze Pizza

Rest assured, your local Blaze Pizza is cooking up some yummy vegan pies. While you can sub some ingredients to veganize their specialty pizzas, we suggest you get creative with their BYO option. Starting with a classic or high-rise crust, you can pack on a variety of veggies, vegan cheese, and vegan meat to create that perfect bite! Did we mention they also have vegan cheesy bread?

I have some time to customize. I need something ASAP!

Taco Bell

The most important question you'll ever be asked: Are you looking to splurge on guac? As long as it's fresh!

In a rush? Taco Bell has the perfect quick and budget-friendly Mexican eats for you! While you can order anything Fresco Style, removing the dairy and adding diced tomatoes to your order, we’d suggest going for Taco Bell’s Veggie Power Menu Bowl—hold the cheese, sour cream, and avocado ranch sauce. Plus, you can wash it all down with a refreshing Baja Blast Freeze or throw in a bag of Cinnamon Twists!

What plantbased meat are you craving?

I've got to stay on a budget!

Qdoba

Qdoba has all the tools you need to come up with your own mouthwatering vegan creation! Add your choice of Impossible meat, veggies, beans, rice, salsas, and tortilla strips to a bowl, burrito, or salad for a delicious and flavorful bite. Plus, the guac is free!

Chipotle

This Mexican-inspired joint has been killing the plant-based game for years, offering their tofu-based Sofritas and a variety of fresh toppings for almost a decade! Vegans can pack black beans, pinto beans, cilantro-lime rice, fajita veggies, and fresh tomato salsa into their burrito bowls without fear. And don’t forget to add guac—we promise that the extra couple bucks is worth it!

Taste of Peru Delivered Home

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