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Zinc Café
The Top List of Veggie Restaurants - Orange County, CA
Orange County is a great place to try veggie specials
by Sarah McClure
Traditionally in dining, vegetables and fruits have been served as the lesser, often overlooked sidekick of main courses. Outsized by a steak or barbeque ribs, salads and soups fashioned from tomato, spinach, beans, mushrooms and lettuce, apples, strawberries to cucumbers are forgotten. Grains like rice and sprouts are left stranded on the plate soon after chowing down the greasier and fried foods. Similarly as we avoided veggies in childhood, today as adults we continue to fork-pick at our broccoli and other healthy dishes.
Fortunately, Orange County has seen an increasingly healthy movement toward eating organic and natural foods. In a very untraditional way, veggies have made a comeback as main entrées. Tempt you with a Tofu burger? Maybe a guacamole and hummus pita wrap? Here, Chowbaby.com picks its top 10 veggie restaurants in Orange County and shows how making that (health) conscious decision to eat vegetarian-like cuisines is more enjoyable than your last serving of Brussels sprouts.
THE STAND NATURAL FOOD RESTAURANT
238 Thalia St
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.494.8101
A small barnyard houses this vegan haven that offers an overflow of freshly blended smoothies, juices and vegan cuisines, including fruit soft serves and cookies that are free of sugar, salt, additives and dairy. An outside patio with deck seating, wraps around the dining hub, with even a large table built around a tree that grew out of the middle of the patio. Happily, all seating provides an ocean view, less than a block down the street. Although a vegan strict menu, items at The Stand are prepared in such a creative and healthy variety. From their Taco Bowl, a corn tortilla filled with beans, guacamole, alfalfa sprouts and mix vegetables, brown rice, romaine lettuce, to the Granola Bowl of oats, coconut, blueberries, and sunflower seeds, all sweetened with peach, pineapple and pear juice. Fresh squeezed carrot, watermelon and vegetable juices are prepared upon ordering. More Other top picks are the Fresh Fruit, Nut and Green Salad, a protein mixed with chopped sunflower seeds and nut milk dressing, and the Potato Mix of steamed potatoes, mushrooms and red green bell peppers.
Cost: $7 and up
Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. everyday
PAPA HASSAN’S
421 N Glassell
Orange, CA 92666
714.633.3903
A popular dining hub among Chapman University’s population since its restaurant opened in 1977, Lebanese Mediterranean dining at Papa Hassan’s proves its staying power with incredible-tasting vegetarian/ethnic cuisine. Brothers Mahmoud and Mustafa Hassan Haidar prepare traditional recipes the way their father prepared them for restaurants in Beirut. Amazing selections vary from the Eggplant Avocado, of fried eggplant slices, baked in pita bread with avocado, tomato, onion, cheese, and the Veggie Sandwich Wrap of Falafel, humus, tabouli, lettuce, tomato, onion and tahini sauce, to Papa’s Skillet, sautéed onions, tomatoes and green peppers covered in special Papa’s spices (option to be served with shawirma or a fresh mix of vegetables). Chicken, lamb, tuna and beef are also served. Deserts are a wonder like the Baklawa, covered in crispy pastry leaves and filled with pistachios, cashews, pine nuts, or try the Lebanese Style Cheesecake. Lebni with Cucumbers, a sweet dip made of yogurt, cucumber and peppermint. Appetizing brews include their wines and Turkish coffee, flavored with cardamom and brewed to what some consider as the darkest brew.
Cost: $10 and up
Hours: Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed Sunday
GOOD MOOD FOOD
5930 Warner Avenue
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714.377.2028
Hours: Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Indulge your veggie cravings at Good Mood Food, a restaurant created by German-born chef, Ursula Horaitis, and which boasts a 90% vegan and 10% raw preparation in their menu. Here, you’ll learn that “living food” a.k.a. uncooked food, hold tremendous health benefits that thrive among raw enthusiasts, like having enzymes and vitamins, which are often destroyed with cooking. Void of meat and dairy, Good Mood Food more than serves up their share of tasties like the Spinach Paradise of spinach leaves, celery, sliced strawberries topped with agave mustard dressing, or the Un-Chicken Salad marinated with Thai coconut meat on greens and avocados. Another you-can’t-believe-it’s-raw choice is Ursula’s Famous Nut Burger – patty is 40% nuts and 60% vegetable in almond mayonnaise (cholesterol-free!). There are also stuffed jalapeno peppers or the Tostada of dehydrated -- preferably to fried -- shell made with zucchini and flaxseeds. There’s a mock tuna sandwich (mock tuna pate) and the green power soup blend of parsley, spinach, apple, ginger and herbs. They’ll add bee pollen or hemp protein into their smoothies to give an energy boost. An authentic vegan dining, Good Mood Food undeniably leaves all who enter…in a good mood.
Cost: $13 to $20
AVANTI CAFÉ
259 E 17 St
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949.548.2224
Distinctive attention is given to preparing an all-organic menu by Chefs Mark Cleveland and Tanya Fuqua at Avanti Cafe, meals are fashioned from ingredients like kalamata olive, rosemary sea salt, Shiitake mushrooms (an immunity booster) and caramelized shallot and they use local ingredients like Aliso Canyon honey. Try from their list of freshly brewed teas like Yerba Mate, Indian flowery orange pekoe, Assam, Moroccan mint and Shu Mee White. There’s also the Orange lemon soy almond ice coffee and the Margarita Maxima, a novel drink made from citrus agaves. Ciabatta, focaccia, fresh rosemary and olive hearth bread are baked homemade. Some menu items you’ll enjoy are
Veg Burger du Jour, Quiche tartlets, and Golden Tofu Bruschetta, sautéed organic tofu in golden spices and baby greens on 10+ grain toast.
Cost: $5 and up
Hours: Open Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
ZINC CAFÉ & MARKET
350 Ocean Ave.
Laguna Beach, CA, 92651
949.494.6302
3222 E. Coast Hwy
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
Phone: 949.719.9462
132 S. Cedros
Solana Beach, CA 92075
Phone: 858-793-5436
A popular town meeting place, this daytime sidewalk scene draws an interesting mix of artists and others who enjoy Californian-style Vegetarian fare. Somewhat off the beaten path and hidden because it is located two blocks off the coast highway, mainly locals frequent this place. You may bring your kids and pets, dine alfresco and have great granola for breakfast or tasty sandwiches, salads and soups for lunch. Vegetarian chili, vegetarian individual pizzettes and fresh fruit smoothies refresh and restore. Scones, pastries, muffins, lattes, tiramisus are also popular and served in a casual atmosphere.
Cost: $7 to $16
Hours: Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
RUTABEGORZ
211 N. Pomona, Fullerton, CA 92632
714.738.9339
Hours: Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
158 W. Main St., Tustin, CA
714.731.9807
11 to 9
Hours: Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
264 North Glassell
Orange, CA 92866
714.633.3260
Hours: Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed Sunday
A popular community outpost in Orange County, Rutabegorz has served healthy foods for over 25 years. The restaurant serves vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, and wine. This is a great restaurant if you want a major salad. There are two full pages of interestingly scrumptious salads that will satisfy any taste. If you are not into salad, there is also a giant selection of main courses ranging from fondue to falafel and pasta. One specialty is a rich and spicy chicken tortilla soup; another is an innovative Mexican Caesar salad with a cilantro Caesar dressing. College students serve as waiters and the brick-and-mural space give the place a bohemian feel. They don't serve beef, but chicken dishes are served.
Cost: $4 - $12
SOUPLANTATION
1555 Adams Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
714.556.1903
11179 Talbert Ave.
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
714.434.1814
Freshness meets and greets you at the door at this all-you-can-eat soup-and-salad chain, a haven for vegetarians and other salad lovers. There is an expansive variety of salads, baked goods and soups. The Souplantation has a soup bar with five soups, chowder and chili. Then there is the bakery, with as many as five freshly baked choices of muffins, focaccia bread, pizza and other breads. The dessert bar is centered on frozen yogurt with many toppings and a selection of fresh fruits and puddings. All this is for one low price and all vegetarian. There are a few non-vegetarian selections such as pizza with various meat toppings. The Souplantation is spacious, inviting and inexpensive.
Cost: $8-$12
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
HAPPY VEGGIE
7251 Warner Avenue
Huntington Beach, CA 92847
714.375.9505
This is a brand-new all-veggie spot in a large shopping area at the corner of Warner and Golden west in Huntington Beach. There are nine soups to choose from, including traditional noodle soup, won ton soup, red curry, eggplant curry and tom ka soup which consist of fresh soft tofu, straw mushrooms, tomato and fresh basil in coconut milk. Then you can choose from sixteen entrees, many varieties of bean tofu and soy chicken, including spicy and sweet and sour. The house specialties are sizzling soy salmon, fried rice, grilled soy fish and crispy soy nuggets. Lunch specials are served from 11:30 to 3 daily and are priced at $4.95. Try the pineapple soy beef or the eggplant tofu with basil.
Cost: $5-$10
Hours: Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
AU LAC GOURMET VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT
16563 Brookhurst St.
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
714.418.0658
Au Lac offers delicious, no cholesterol, meatless meals. Soy-based "meats" are used to create authentic dishes without the use of meat, eggs or alcohol. House specialties include Royal Noodle Soup, Clay Pot Soy "Fish" Sensation, Steamed Jicama Rolls, and Soy "Seafood" Hot Plate. Here you'll find traditional Vietnamese & Chinese Cuisine prepared in a gourmet vegetarian way. All animal, poultry, fish and seafood ingredients are created with Soy Protein. No meat, fish, poultry, MSG or seafood are used. All the vegetarian dishes are prepared fresh without meat, eggs, wine or MSG. All veggie beef, chicken, fish and shrimp are made of soybean protein.
Cost: $7-$15
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed Monday
MOTHER’S MARKET & KITCHEN
225 17th St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949.631.4741
Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. everyday
19770 Beach Blvd.
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714.963.6667
Hours: 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. everyday
2963 Michelson Drive
Irvine, CA 92612
949.752.6667
Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. everyday
24165 Paseo de Valencia
Laguna Woods, CA 92653
949.768.6667
Hours: 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. everyday
Diners who like their ingredients fresh and organic head to these locations for vegetarian goodies served in a modest cafe setting amid an emporium of all-natural goods. Combine a shopping trip with a quick lunch or dinner then stock up on your natural foods from the market afterwards. There is a children's menu featuring rainforest burgers, bandito burritos and prairie dog tofu pups. Many come here for the wide variety of breakfasts, including tofu scramble and the Mediterranean style frittata which can be made vegan. There is a special Mexican menu as well, featuring organic burritos, quesadillas, nachos, tamales and enchiladas. All burgers, sandwiches and pastas can be made vegan. Tofu mayonnaise is used on sandwiches and the fresh-baked breads are healthy, wholesome and delicious.
Cost: $6-$16
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